Foresight Forecaddie review

[bm11]

My intention was to update my original thread, but I can't change the title. I know some people were interested in following this, so I am making a separate post. I received my Forecaddie Friday, and have golfed with it twice now. Pros and cons:

Pros-
1- The follow feature is awesome. Walking around the course without pushing or carrying is liberating, and I feel much more fresh in the later holes. My course goes from the low elevation of the course on the 8th tee box to the high elevation point on the 9th (a 520 yard par 5) and normally that is where I would start to feel fatigued. So nice to just walk up the fairway and have my cart follow me. It seems to track the remote pretty accurately, and corrects well based on elevation changes etc.

2- The battery life is really good, at least without something else to compare it to. I played both rounds and the indicator showed I still had close to half battery left. I would have tried a third, but the bag room was closed at my club so I had to bring it home and figured I might as well charge it. I'll try it next time.

3- The battery comes out really easy and goes in really easy. No buttons to press and my bag doesn't need to be removed. Makes it easy to take home and charge and leave the cart at the club.

4- It doesn't look like its trying to be some space robot.

5- Coming with a phone holder/wireless charger is a nice plus.

6- Less of a feature for me because I store my clubs, but it sets up/breaks down super quick and easy.

Cons-
1- The remote control mode utilizing the joystick is bad. Like "unusable" bad. I really hope they make major improvements to it in a firmware update, because I had visions of grabbing my putter, walking to the green, and driving the cart ahead to where I'd walk off the green with the joystick. Currently, this is basically impossible.

2- The power assist mode is only "OK." Because of the fact that the speed never seems perfect, and the fact that it always seems to default to either a higher speed or lower speed than the last use, it requires a lot of fiddling. Around the green and in tight quarters, it is a must to control it this way, and I think that it is a worse experience/more effort than my push cart in those cases.

3- The two molded sections of the handholds (upper and lower) feel like they are starting to come apart already. I hope that it is either a defect that ends up covered under warranty, or just inherent in the design. Preferable the former, as it cheapens the experience.

Overall I feel that it is a great product and I'm happy with the purchase!

-Bob

[bm11]

Knowing what you know now, would you pull the trigger if you did not already own one?

Hmm. Well, I’ll put it this way- I won’t go back to pushing a cart. And because I gave my push cart to my wife, I had to take a cart every time I played with her, and that sucked also. So I definitely don’t want to be without a follow cart. The question is, and it would require some research: “is the Stuart Follow X9 more reliable, or did I just get unlucky?” I like the battery life on the Foresight, and I like the look better.

[mthunt]

Hmm. Well, I’ll put it this way- I won’t go back to pushing a cart. And because I gave my push cart to my wife, I had to take a cart every time I played with her, and that sucked also. So I definitely don’t want to be without a follow cart. The question is, and it would require some research: “is the Stuart Follow X9 more reliable, or did I just get unlucky?” I like the battery life on the Foresight, and I like the look better.

I’m watching this as I’m thinking about getting one. A few guys at my club have the X9. They say it’ll run you over walking down a hill. Does the Foresight have breaks? X9 is also bulky and huge.

[mmlincon]

It uses the motors as breaks. No risk of running you over at all. Now people getting between you and the cart in follow mode is a different story....

[bm11]

It uses the motors as breaks. No risk of running you over at all. Now people getting between you and the cart in follow mode is a different story....

This is accurate. Does have brakes, but also the need to be cognizant of where it is, especially when leaving the tee box with lagging buddies.

[jasonreg]

So I have a deal pending to purchase a forecaddie but I also just got offered a discount on the X9 follow. Having a real hard time deciding between the two. Neither seems perfect, they both seem to have their issues. I think for me it will come down to perceived reliability. For this reason alone I am leaning towards the X9 follow as it has been around for a few years.

I would appreciate any additional thoughts from any owners of either system and especially if there’s anyone out there who has compared both. Will pull the trigger one way or the other first thing Monday morning. Thanks in advance -Jason

[Baller]

I think the battery life on the FC is such a huge selling point. After that you have the weight of the thing, the looks of it. That X9 is just bf ugly, imho...

I think the FC will be even better than it is as they roll out updates.

[bm11]

Forecaddie- folds up small, relatively lightweight. Battery definitely lasts two rounds, lifts out easy for transport home (I have bag and cart storage at my club). Small thing, but the cell phone holder with charger is key. I hate having my phone in my pocket but am always using a golf app.

I’d definitely recommend either. I can’t even put into words how much it transforms the later holes of your round when you get to walk up to your ball without pushing, pulling, or carrying anything. Riding is not a substitute.

[jasonreg]

I think the battery life on the FC is such a huge selling point.

- Yes, great point and certainly a good differentiator. Ensuring a solid two rounds is key - X9 Follow seems to be hit and miss in this regard (depends I am sure on course layout).

Small thing, but the cell phone holder with charger is key. I hate having my phone in my pocket but am always using a golf app.

- While I don't typically use a golf app, having the charger is a plus.

Any other inputs form anyone?

[gibbiesmalls]

Another website (mygolfspy) just recently did a review/rate a handful of electric push carts and the Forecaddy was one of them. The forecaddy came in 6th of the 6 they rated/reviewed. Good read.

https://mygolfspy.com/motocaddy-elec...tish-invasion/

[jasonreg]

Interesting article but a bit of an unfair fight in that the forecaddie was the only "Follow" capable cart where the rest were standard remote versions. Otherwise great article - thanks for posting. In the end, I pulled the trigger on the X9 Follow version. Should arrive later this week.

[Baller]

Yeah, not exactly the right comparison methods. It did get first in features and it was the only cart with a follow mode, which is one of the huge things. Also, battery was listed as 36 holes and it does 36 with room to spare.

[wbond]

Well, i just got a pretty good deal on an almost new Bat Caddy XR4 and this is the first electric cart I've ever used. I can't believe how much of a difference it makes. I played yesterday for the first time with it on a very hilly course and man what a difference it makes vs carrying or using a pull cart. I've done both at this particular course. I'm not sure on carts with the follow feature though, I think I would rather have it out in front, especially with hills and what not. Either way, if you walk a bit and are able to get any of the electric carts, it certainly does make a difference once you hit the back nine.

[Taylor40299]

I ordered a Forecaddy should have it in a week. But this weekend a buddy is letting me use his Caddytrek R2. It follows very well, very stable, good breaks on hills as it followed me down them. Remote control is flawless. It is funky to handle for sure, once set up I didn’t even bother trying to fold back up, and accessories are poor. Overall I was impressed and he got it refurbed for 1200$. I hope I like my Forecaddy more. I own a Bat caddy with remote control, follow us soooo much better.

[Blaiser]

Looking forward to your review. Have had my eye on this for a while now but haven't seen enough reviews to pull the trigger.

[Taylor40299]

So I have used my Forecaddy 6 times. Sat and Sun each week. I think everyone interested in my thoughts. For me Follow is the part that I couldn’t live without. Remote is just to distracting. And today’s clicgears push so easily that unless I have to played a hilly course constantly I would just push. So he we go, my bat caddy had remote and I enjoyed it on flat open fairways were it took little thought, but on side hill fairways it would drift downhill thus making remote use very distracting. Caddytrek and Forecaddy both have tech to help them stay straight, much easier to use remote. Without straight line tech I would not by a remote caddy thinking I would use the remote, just walk with it giving subtle adjustments as you go. The Caddytrek wins the remote control battle. Crazy easy to use and turn. Stays straight. So easy my buddy barely uses follow, but there is a reason he doesn’t. Will get there. Forecaddy for me with software update is excellent with remote control but still not as good as Caddytrek. Reason is Caddytrek front wheels pivot and thus it can be driven like a toy car. The Forecaddy takes a little longer to turn(fixed front wheels) but is still great. So on the course they both do great. Just when it gets tight you will grab the Forecaddy (as they intend you to) and just manually steer with power assist. This is where bat caddy and Forecaddy shine. Since they both are built like a push cart they are easy to move around while manually steer under power. Caddytrek sucks at this, or we haven’t figured it out. So finally the follow feature, Caddytrek needs for you to stand directly in line with sensors and connect each time you move. It is not hard and I can do it quickly. And if you plan ahead so that it is pointed in the direction you will be going next it is quite simple. It follows tightly and you can walk just about anywhere just watch for big bumps (roots, curbs). It’s impressive how tight it stays in line with you, however here is its weakness it can be tricked/lost. If you turn really quickly and leave the sight of the sensors you will need to reconnect. If you learn to help it, it hardly every happens. The Forecaddy can’t really be lost and you just have to be about 25-50 feet near it and hit the button and it comes running. My buddy thinks this is the deal breaker. We walk off the tee and as I walk down the fairway just make sure the Forecaddy has a clear run at me and hit the button. He has to walk over to it, stand in a certain spot, hold the connect button, then walk off. It is noticeable how I have to wait for him each time. So he uses the remote feature and stays ahead of me. Meaning he drives it down the fairway as we are walking up to my cart, that I pass casually as I push the follow button and it falls in line.
Overview. Forecaddy is the best for sure if follow matters. It will not follow as tightly and you will have to guide when in certain places but I find that easier than using the Caddytrek follow. If it followed as tightly as the Caddytrek there would be not comparison. If of course, if the Caddytrek was as easy to connect it would be equal. I really like the Forecaddy being more like a push cart. I like caring the sand, drink holder is good. The Caddytrek fails as a push cart in everyway, if that makes sense. Bat caddy is solid, strong and if just want having help powering it around it feels the most bullet proof. Money always matters. My buddy got his refurbed for 1200 bucks. And now that Forecaddy is 2200 I don’t think it’s worth the difference. But that’s still a matter of opinion. I walk no less than a 100 rounds a year. Maybe 150. A cart cost 20 bucks so really not saving money. Unless the cart last 3 years without needing a thing. But I love golf and I enjoy walking. And the Forecaddy following me is so much better. I had my hands in my pockets Saturday, strolling down the fairway. I was looking up at the trees. Like a walking the park. The weather was 70 and sunny. It really was perfect and my little cart was just tagging along.
PRICELESS!

[mthunt]

My intention was to update my original thread, but I can't change the title. I know some people were interested in following this, so I am making a separate post. I received my Forecaddie Friday, and have golfed with it twice now. Pros and cons:

Pros-
1- The follow feature is awesome. Walking around the course without pushing or carrying is liberating, and I feel much more fresh in the later holes. My course goes from the low elevation of the course on the 8th tee box to the high elevation point on the 9th (a 520 yard par 5) and normally that is where I would start to feel fatigued. So nice to just walk up the fairway and have my cart follow me. It seems to track the remote pretty accurately, and corrects well based on elevation changes etc.

2- The battery life is really good, at least without something else to compare it to. I played both rounds and the indicator showed I still had close to half battery left. I would have tried a third, but the bag room was closed at my club so I had to bring it home and figured I might as well charge it. I'll try it next time.

3- The battery comes out really easy and goes in really easy. No buttons to press and my bag doesn't need to be removed. Makes it easy to take home and charge and leave the cart at the club.

4- It doesn't look like its trying to be some space robot.

5- Coming with a phone holder/wireless charger is a nice plus.

6- Less of a feature for me because I store my clubs, but it sets up/breaks down super quick and easy.

Cons-
1- The remote control mode utilizing the joystick is bad. Like "unusable" bad. I really hope they make major improvements to it in a firmware update, because I had visions of grabbing my putter, walking to the green, and driving the cart ahead to where I'd walk off the green with the joystick. Currently, this is basically impossible.

2- The power assist mode is only "OK." Because of the fact that the speed never seems perfect, and the fact that it always seems to default to either a higher speed or lower speed than the last use, it requires a lot of fiddling. Around the green and in tight quarters, it is a must to control it this way, and I think that it is a worse experience/more effort than my push cart in those cases.

3- The two molded sections of the handholds (upper and lower) feel like they are starting to come apart already. I hope that it is either a defect that ends up covered under warranty, or just inherent in the design. Preferable the former, as it cheapens the experience.

Overall I feel that it is a great product and I'm happy with the purchase!

-Bob

How about an update on this Bob? I'm thinking about getting one.