UPRO GPS Review
Once in a while golfers catch a break. A product comes out that meets the marketing hype behind it and we are blessed with a piece of equipment that works as it is described. This device certainly had a lot of marketing hype behind it. Did it live up to the potential? After you get through this review, you will know the answer.
When we first heard about this GPS device it sounded almost to good to be true. THP has tried out almost every single device out there in this category and liked most of them. I have personally used a Skycaddie for quite some time and I really like it. It does what it is supposed to do. I know many would argue that a Range Finder is needed to get exact measurements anywhere on the course. That could be until NOW.
We contact UPRO and got the skinny on all of the details before we even powered our unit on. After speaking with them, here are the bullet points:
Easy to understand graphics that display golf hazards such as sand traps and bunkers, as well as your current location on the golf course.
Large 2.2 inch, high-resolution 320 x 240 color screen that is easy to view outdoors in bright sunlight.
Through the use of SmartView technology, the uPro automatically presents dynamically generated “viewports,” which show you information based on your next potential shot. As your position on the course changes, so does the view of the course.
The uPro is thinner, sleeker, and lighter than any other product on the market. It fits easily in the pocket or on a belt without obstructing your swing.
As an add-on software download, the device can accept voice commands to make menu navigation virtually hands free.
Provides the user with a list of all golf courses in the U.S. The GPS technology programmed in the uPro provides an automatically sorted list of golf courses closest to the current location of the user.
That all sounds great doesn’t it? The real question is, does it work! We have given it a try over the last two weeks and here is what we have found it…It is fabulous.
First off, I want to discuss price. The unit costs about the same or even a few dollars less than just about every other full color GPS unit out there. MSRP on the unit is $399.99. The “no subscription fees” is something that we were very unsure of. Folks, it works. Normally you will pay a yearly rate to have downloads. With this device all of the “basic downloads” are free and give you all the info you need to enjoy the unit. If you want “pro mode”, you pay a few dollars per course. I will go on and explain the details of the two modes a little later. So the cost is not out of line with any of the other GPS units out there now.
Let me get into form factor a little bit. This device is small. We have seen units smaller but not that do what this one can. It has a full color screen that is nicer than any we have viewed up until this time. The UPRO is also very thin. It can fit in your pocket while playing without you even noticing that it is there. What does all of this add up to? If you do not like the big clunky models, this one is for you. We only had one issue with the form factor at all. We gave a unit to a couple of our “senior” reviewers to test and they said that the font was a little small. Our testers did not have that issue, but some might want to look into it.
When you power up the device and select your course, you are immediately taken to a fly over of the hole that you are about to play. It is a thing of beauty to see the markers all there as well. The fly over worked well and it was a neat little thing to help you out especially playing at courses that you do not know as of yet. I could go on and on about the view but we have to get on to whether the unit actually works.
The accuracy of the unit seemed spot on and the GPS seems to move a little faster than my skycaddie. After our tee shots, we pull up to the ball and the first thing I notice is on the screen it has all of these numbers. 
No more having to change 5 screens and scroll to see where a bunker is. It has tons of info right there for you. This was a feature that I simply loved.
Another feature of note here is the fact that there is a cursor. Some might ask why? Because with this device you can find out so much more as well, that’s why. It is part of their “AnyPoint” feature. It does the job of a range finder for you. You take the cursor and point it at anything on the hole and it gives you the distance from where you are at the time. Maybe the coolest feature I have ever seen on ANY golf device.
With the screen playing video we were a little nervous of the unit in the sun. Never came up once. The graphics are crystal clear and make my color Skycaddie look like a joke. The device is extremely user friendly and holds 50 full courses on it. Plus it has expandable memory. Again putting my Skycaddie to shame.
The unit has two modes. Basic and Pro mode. Basic mode consists of what you are used to in a GPS. Graphics with a few pictures and distances. That is completely free with this device. You can upload as many courses as you would like and never have to pay for them or have a subscription.
Pro Mode offers something a little more. It gives you the Smart View that we discussed in which it gives you all of the measurements right from the front screen. It has a video flyover of each hole. And it also incorporates the AnyPoint technology that we spoke about above. 
We found ourselves comparing it more to the devices found built into carts at certain clubs rather than a handheld. But it even does more than those built in devices do. The only thing missing from this device is the ability to order food at the turn. The UPRO GPS is simply the best GPS device on the market right now. You can put it side by side any other unit out there and there just is not a comparison.
We gave a unit to two different testers and both of them are shopping for the unit as we speak. We have never had a single product tested by multiple people that had those kind of results. So maybe there is hope. Maybe we have found a product that lives up to the marketing hype that many others fail to. I urge anyone in the market for a range finder or GPS to give this unit a try. For more information on UPRO please check out UPRO.
Till Next Time
Josh B.
Might have to give this thing a try. I like my GolfLogix but am not closed to trying something different. Sounds like a pretty funtional unit.
I think this might be just the device I’ve been looking for. The fact that you don’t have to pay a subscription for the service is a huge selling point for me.
Nice Review – I definitely agree with what you found! Thanks for putting something together which is so detailed!
Question, what if my course is not already mapped? Can I do it myself as with skycaddie?
Yes you can map your own course. Or you can contact them and it will be mapped very quickly.
Whoo hoo! I won this on here! Check out the forums! Awesome golf chat, prixes, and more!
Can’t wait to get this! I won!
Looks like an interesting product. I might have to add this to my Christmas list. What type of battery does it have and what is the battery life? Is it rechargeable or?
Tim,
It uses a rechargeable battery that gave us no problems. Each charge gave us about 2 rounds.
Nice review. I just spent a half hour playing around on the UPro website, and it really seems to be the most elegant solution on the market. My only concern is that the aerial display in pro mode could be somewhat stale imagery, but it seems from your review and others I’ve read that may not be a problem.
Good review – form factor is nice for carrying in pocket
Hi there, I found your blog via Google while searching for golf course measurements and your post regarding kers Paradise − UPRO GPS Review looks very interesting for me
Hey, I also found your blog searching for reviews on the UPro GPS and I am glad that I did. You had the best review of all the sites that I have seen and will purchase this device based on this blog.
Thanks and hit ‘em straight.
MD
Just wanted to say thanks for the great review!! I have been looking for a while and your review has sealed the deal. Hopefully my wife will get me this for Father’s Day! One question did you measure your tee shots often and did that work well? Thanks Again!
TT
I got one for Fathers’ Day and it is about as useful as a brick. First, it came with two headphones and no USB cable. The serial number won’t register on the website, the manufacturer’s support line gave me a runaround about how I need to exchange it where it was purchased because the serial number “won’t go into their database”. At the place it was purchased, they tell me they’ve had several that are having the same problem, and it will be “weeks” before I get a replacement. If that exceeds their “30 day” satifaction guarantee, then what? I’m definitely not at all satisfied – garbage product, and poor customer service.
J
[...] one handheld GPS has set a benchmark that very few have come even close to and that device is the UPRO from Callaway. We have yet to find a device that works quite as well and has as many features as that one [...]
I am a new owner of the uPro and I am very happy with the device.
My only complaint at this point is with regard to the sat image of my home course. It was taken at a time of day when the trees cast shadows such that some course features are obscured.
I have sent a suggestion to Callaway/uPro that they try to use sat images taken when the sun is over head. I also asked if courses with problem images can be updated with new sat images. I’ll follow up if I receive any positive feedback.
I have found the uPro is within 1 yard of my range finder measurements, more than adequate for my needs.
I look forward to the release of score keeping and stat functions for the uPro.
I have yet to play with someone who has the uPro. I have wondered about the photo quality of the courses since the image is taken from Google Earth. Aside from the yearly fee, I love my Sky Caddie, especially now since it holds twenty courses and also keeps score and putts. My only other complaint about the SkyCaddie is their new web site. It’s not as user friendly as the original. I guess it’s like anything else, you have to try differant products until you find the one that fits your needs.
I’ve had my uPro for about 6 weeks. The basic mode works well but the Pro mode is a rip. In pro mode the flyover and images of the hole is damn near unviewable in sunlight and under cloudy conditions. Looks great indoors.
The protective cover for the USB port broke off after about 10-15 uses. 5 days since informing Callaway and no response about this.
It’s been SIX weeks and they still do not have my home course mapped.
Customer service sucks. Promises to call me back were not kept.
If you purchase the unit, get your home course before spending any money on credits for courses as you may think twice about it. A very cool idea but not usable under actual playing conditions.
sincerely
KG
I have played about 20 rounds now with my upro and love it! I have no problem seeing it in the daylight in pro mode. I also find it to be pretty close (1-3 yds) to the yardage markers and being able to hold 50 courses is awesome. Now I just have to remember to charge it and bring it to the course and I will be doing even better
I bought a upro after comparing it side by side to a skycaddie I found the upro to be superior in every facit.
I took it out and cant even tell you how dead on it is how easy to use and the review here still didn’t quite do it justice. This is the best GPS on the market range finders are great but only with line of sight what happens with severe doglegs or such lies. I am an avid average golfer but have noticed that I have been dropping strokes every round because of this devise. If you golf you simply cant pass up on the Upro,why play in the stone age now you can get reads better than the pros.
Is the “cursor” feature available in the basic mode where you don’t pay for downloads or is it only available if you pay for a course and thus get the pro mode?
Don,
It is only available in advanced mode.
Thank you
I have had mine since May and I love it. It has certainly lowered my scores and increased confidence. I requested one course and they added the basic mode within a week of my email. I few days ago I requested another course and as of today they have not responded. I keep seeing poor customer service comments on other sites too. They should work on that. I think my only wish would be to track my stats. As of today, I am confident that this is the best GPS on the market.
I’ve had my unit since June 10. I did six course mapping requests on June 10 & 11 and one more on July 10. None have been fulfilled as of August 20. the comments about customer support are right on. They talk a good game but the results aren’t there. Also, the battery which is advertised to have a 10-12 hour life, is going dead in less than eight hours; meaning it has to be recharged after every round. The resolution and accuracy are great, but I still haven’t been able to test the Pro Mode. Unless you absolutely know that the courses you want to play are available for immediate download, you could be throwing away money.
The uPro I purchased worked great – for a while. Since I upgraded the “system” software I’ve had nothing but problems. Now it it little more than a paper weight. Can’t download a new course at all. Tech support had me delete existing courses and try downloading one at a time – now I have no courses and can’t get back the ones I had.
I eally like the uPro I’ve just reached that level of frustration that I’d just as soon play without it!
As to the quality of overhead views. You can see golf carts parked on the paths, and shadows of golfers standing on course. Did not see any golf balls, in flight or on ground.
At max magnification the picture gets quite grainy.
I love mine and enjoy the ease of plotting my next shot.
I bought the UPro in July. I live in Hawaii. I cannot recommend the device. It is as much as 25 yards off on some holes. I have had to make a cheat sheet for my home course for how many yards it’s off on each hole. Called and emailed tech support in August. They’re still working on the problem.
25 yards? I hope you took it back.
I just gave away my Sky Caddie SG5 to my nephew after I got the Upro. It’s a well thought out device which is easy to use and beats the other products on the market by a mile. It’s like having Tiger playing against Charles Barkley. Don’t eeeeven think about any of the other players. Get the upro, you won’t regret it.
I have had my Upro for 3 months. I have 21 courses in pro mode down loaded so far. I give the unit an A+
I caddie on the Nationwide tour when they come to town. My PGA player this year had never seen the course before. I used my Upro on our practice rounds. At first he would only use the yardage book for yardage but by the third hole he was only using the Upro. He was amazed with the fly over of the hole and how we could get yardage to ANY point on the course.
All I can say is if you know how to use the Upro it will help your game.
Hello All owners and future owners,
Heads up the support.. is a problem, while I agree the unit displays are terrific I have had mined less then three months. Loaded and used it so far on 5 courses with not problems.
However this weekend it wouldn’t turn on and I called support.
First thing they tell me is they have no replacements and they will put me on a wait list. Second he tells me to leave the battery out and if it won’t work in the morning call back..wow.
They have no replacements and they don’t know how long I will have to wait, Callaway support is looking like 10 cent support for big dollar item. I will keep all posted on what is starting out like a terrible experience in customer support.
Pete
I love my Upro. I have had it since July and it has worked perfectly since I got it.
Does anyone know when the software upgrade will be available for score keeping and shot tracking?
hello again,
Following up on earlier posting regarding service response. apparently Callaway reads these postings or they are good, real good at service issues.
They have located a replacement unit and then reloaded all my courses. They have shipped the new unit to me in less then 10 days.
My concern on the response we have no units and don’t know when we can respond has gone away.
Like the unit, like the service, Callaway was excellent to deal with on this issue highly recommend, you judge a company on how they respond to issues, any company can take your money, few if any supply support after the sale..Callaway supports its products
Pete
I have talked to Callaway about the updates to the Upro. I was told they are hopeful to have the release of the software updates-score keeping and voice recognition by the end of this year. They also said they would not release anything till it passes all the test. Me personally, I have no problem waiting for a software update done right.
I upgraded from an SG2 to the uPro. The uPro in basic mode gives front, back and middle of the green, which is OK for most greens. You need the Pro mode to find distances to the front and back of odd shaped greens.
I have been using the Golf buddy Tour for the last year but recently lost it during a horrible round that caused me to drink heavily on the course. In any case, I have just recently purchased the uPro and am anxious to use it and see for myself the flyover and anypoint features. One thing I can say about the golf buddy though is that I will miss the score keeping feature greatly! It kept all my scores, day, time, etc which is great to have so you can analyze your game. Hope the update comes out soon, if anyone has info on this update, please post it!
I have used the Upro for almost a year now and I really like it. As for the update (VR, shot tracking, score card) Callaway has dissapointed me! It was supposed to be Spring 2009, then Summer 2009 then end of the year 2009. Its Feb 2010 and nothing. I requested info from Callaway about returning the item because the updates were a factor in my purchase. No reply!
I agree with Mark on the software updates. I really like
my Upro, but I would like to see some type of response from Callaway regarding the updates. There is supposedly
a uPro newsletter that I have signed up for, but it has been
since last August and I have not seen an issue yet.
Regarding customer service, I have had two occasions
to call in for service and both times I have been very satisfied. The representatives were very polite and knowledgeable and had me up and running within a few minutes.
My golfing friends all jumped into the skycaddie pool with both feet a couple of years ago. Reluctantly, I decided to buy my first golf GPS device about 3 months ago and went with the uPro. I credit this little device for improving my handicap from 16 to 13 almost overnight. I have used it about 12 times now.
Pros: Easy to see in bright sunlight, accurate, and (a huge selling feature) no annual membership fees! Being able to use the cursor to hit to my best approach yardage off the tee is stellar. Although you can use the cursor to find the distance between any points on the course, I appreciate the comprehensive display that gives front AND back distances to greens AND hazards AND other course features from ANYWHERE on the course. Amazing what confidence can do for the golf game…especially on a course you have never played before. It has performed as well as their site claims.
Cons: Took 2 or 3 rounds to get used to navigation buttons. Don’t get me wrong – it’s doesn’t take a rocket scientist by any stretch, but I guess I was just expecting something more simple right out of the box. Registering the device and downloading the courses took a little less than 3 hours, but then again I downloaded 17 courses in one sitting. Your download speed might be faster I guess, but I was using a DSL connection. I still don’t understood why the team at Callaway didn’t incorporate a scorekeeping/stat application right from the start. Despite their promises to do so, their failure to make such an update available by now concerns me.
Pricing: $$$ is always a consideration…cause I’m a cheapskate. Well, in addition to the unit itself ($300 after rebate), I purchased enough ‘credits’ to download 50 courses in pro mode ($120). A few hours of internet searching later and I also purchased a protective ’skin’ ($16), a spare battery ($13), car charger ($11). That’s a total package price of $460. Seems like a lot to me, but as long as my buddies continue to wager I guess it’s slowly paying itself off.
Somewhere I read that you could map your own course with the upro. Can anyone confirm this?
I purchased one of these about 3 years ago. They were brand new to the market at the time. I had tried 4 other GPS devices including (at the time) the top of the line Skycaddie (yuck). I used the Vonocaddie V2. This unit also have great features, but, too difficult to manipulate. You have to program in most of your own POIs (if you will) as one hole may have every imaginable distance, where as the next hole will have little more than a basic Skycaddie. I couldn’t stand it!!
The uPro GPS is simple to use right out of the box. It’s the best $$ I’ve ever spent for my game. It still works great after over 3 years of use. One suggestion: Get one of the cases which helps protect the unit in case of drop (more like being tossed around in the golf cart etc. Scren covers are helpful too.
Callaway just released the score card/shot tracking update for the Upro GPS. Looks good. I will try it on the course in a few days and report back. Also, Callaway released a software update which enhances the funcionality a little. Better late than never. Score card/shot tracking update is $20.00. Version 4? software update is free.
I have bought my Upro two weeks ago and the scoring plus option few days after. When I synchronized my Upro, it seems that this option didn’t dowload on it. I saw on the setting menu that this option is disabled on my Upro. Need help?