Electric golf trolley's are getting smaller and smaller year on year, in this review I will be focussing on the world's smallest to feature a fully-integrated high-performance GPS.
Last year I tested the all-singing-all-dancing PowaKaddy FX7 GPS Trolley, and in 2019 I tested the impressive PowaKaddy C2i GPS Trolley, both trolley's were impressive but both had areas for slight improvement.
Since 2019, golfers have now become accustomed to having in-built GPS in the latest electric trollies, so will the CT8 GPS hit the nail on the head gaining crown as the ultimate lightweight GPS golf trolley?
The Tech
This trolley is all about saving weight and space whilst offering golfers the accurate yardages and GPS information they desire.
To achieve this, the new CT8 GPS Electric trolley features a fully integrated GPS, accessible via a new 3.5" TFT full-colour touch screen widescreen display. PowaKaddy therefore claim that this makes it 'the smallest, most intelligent ultra-compact golf trolley in the world.'
The Simple-2-Fold system in the CT series collapses 20% smaller than the previous PowaKaddy Compact C2i models and an impressive 35% smaller than its nearest competitor on the market.
This trolley is also powered by PowaKaddy's unique Plug 'n' Play lithium battery technology which has been re-engineered with nickel cobalt manganese to deliver 20% more power. It is also an impressive 40% smaller than the previous model whilst maintaining 100% of it's battery capacity.
As ever with PowaKaddy you also get a whole host of extra features too, including:
- New high power 30-volt speed controller system
- Bluetooth Connected App for iOS and Android
- New LCD backlight control system
- PowaKaddy Key-lock™ Bag System
- Height adjustable soft touch handle
- Built-in steps counter
- Active Green View and Drop Flag technology
PowaKaddy CT8 GPS Electric Trolley Review
I reviewed this trolley at Prestbury Golf Club on a glorious summer's day, a day in which it was that hot that I was extremely glad I wasn't carrying...
Setup
The CT8 was easy to assemble and I found there to be certain improvements from previous FX7 GPS.
The annoying thing about the FX7 was that the front wheel had to be attached manually using an Allen key, before and after use. With the CT8, PowaKaddy have addressed this problem by having the wheel a permeant feature on the trolley, now with the use of a simple clip the front wheel easily collapses into the main body without the need to unscrew it.
The setup of any new golf trolley takes a little getting used to but once you know how the Simple-2-fold system assembles, it won't take long before you're folding it up and down in seconds. With two simple clicks of the chassis, once you've then placed your bag on top - you're ready to head to the course.
I also like the fact that the trolley now stands up vertically when folded, again making it easy to store in the smallest of car boots, or even the back seat if you're boot really is small!
During initial setup, you have to fit the wheels into place but then the choice is your as whether to take them off for each round to save extra space.
One thing that still remains an annoyance is adjusting the height of the handle, to do so you need an Allen key. With this being the second generation, product I would have expected this to be much easier to do - I suppose we'll have to wait for gen 3...
Once setup physically, push the battery into place, click the power button, select play, select the course you're playing and you're off.
Looks
As I referred to my FX7 GPS trolley review, I think over the last few years since their move to the low profile Powaframe chassis, PowaKaddy electric trolleys have become the best looking on the market.
Not only the chassis itself, but little extra touches like the carbon effect trims add a really nice, sporty touch. Slight splashes of the well-renowned PowaKaddy yellow also help to make the trolley pop on the fairways.
The ambidextrous handle looks great and although the GPS screen is bigger than ever, I think the handle that it's housed within means that it still manages to remain quite subtle - no one wants to be the "Hey look at me, I'm the guy with the new GPS trolley!", do they...?
A slight disappointment in this department was however the removal of the PowaKaddy logo on the wheels. Although admittedly it's a very small thing, I thought they looked brilliant on the FX7 - now the logo has been removed and it looks as if something is missing.
Functionality
The CT8's GPS system is one of the most powerful we have tested here at Golfalot, it's right up there alongside the Motocaddy M5 GPS which Dan raved about due to it's accuracy and responsiveness. It comes pre-loaded with over 40,000 courses with no extra annual fees or subscriptions to be made - updates can be done via bluetooth and the mobile app.
During my testing it offered me accurate yardages, quickly with the screen updating in real-time as I navigated around the course. The screen displays, front, middle and back yardages on a very clear and easy to digest screen - which is a massive improvement on the interface from the C2i GPS.
On top of this, the new Drop Pin feature allows the golfer to place the exact pin location where they think it to be on the green. This is a great feature if you're playing a course you know and are familiar with the regular pin placements, however if you're playing a new course - placing the flag where you 'think' it might be isn't probably the best idea...
Although the display itself was clear and bright, I found the touchscreen to be slightly clunky when using tis feature also, not always placing the pin in the specific area I was aiming for. If it's not specific, is this a pointless feature?
The combination of the Plug’n’Play 30v battery system and 30 volt 230-Watt motor meant that the CT8 ate up the terrain of Prestbury Golf Club with ease.
However, I did find that sometimes the power button when turning the power on was a little unresponsive. Be warned that it needs a strong press to activate the power due to the anti-tamper dial control said to prevent the trolley from accidentally turning on. I found this frustrating during testing but I'm sure it's something you'd get used to quickly if you were to purchase a CT8 GPS and use it regularly.
PowaKaddy CT8 GPS Electric Trolley Verdict
This is a yet another great looking, great performing electric trolley from PowaKaddy which will be tough to beat in a lot of areas. It really is whisper quiet, powerful, accurate and small.
The simple-2-fold frame and full colour touchscreen GPS display are the two main features in which this trolley will be judged on and in both areas I found it to excel.
Overall, there's a few minor niggles in my opinion which mean the CT8 GPS is not quite perfect, but it's not too far off and will more than do the job for a lot of golfers.
Who Is It Aimed At?
The avid golfer who is looking to save some space in their locker or in the golf club trolley shed and may not like to use GPS watch or laser rangefinder.
Would I Use It?
Yes, given it's small size and accurate yardages, this is the sort of electric trolley I would use.
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