Elevation changes help make a course memorable. Whether it's the 140' drop of the par 3 15th at Lake Ridge Golf Course in Reno, or the steeply uphill 2nd at Apple Mountain in Camino CA., they deliver challenges that stick in the mind. Hopefully though, you're remembering your shot and not the climb. Walking the course is great exercise, but sometimes you really want an electric golf caddy to carry your golf bag.
If you've shopped for an electric golf caddy recently you'll know there's a range of models, and a wider range of prices. You don't want to buy more than you need, but can't help wondering if you'd regret going for a less expensive model.
To help decide what features to consider and how much to spend we've looked at three caddies from well-established Bag-Boy that range from mid-range to premium. These are the Navigator Quad, Coaster Quad and Hunter Quad.
An overview
These powered carts are aimed at the golfer who wants exercise but doesn't want to carry a bag and is tired of pulling a cart. As “Quad” implies, these all have four wheels. That improves stability over three wheel designs, so they're less likely to tip, and reduces the loading per wheel, (keeping you on good terms with the grounds staff.)
All three fold down to 27.6"x 22"x 13”, so will fit in most trunks, and will carry a full set of clubs for 18 holes, but that's where the differences start to show.
Highlighting the differences
The mid-range priced Hunter Quad has a 230W motor driven by a 12V lead acid battery. That's the same type used in your car, so it's somewhat heavy and as the engineers would say, has a relatively low energy density. It's good for a minimum of 18 holes but the range of the battery will depend on how hilly the courses are. The flatter the course the longer the battery will last. If you decide to play 27 holes on a hilly course, it may leave you pushing it down the last fairway.
Stretching for the Coaster Quad gets you a lithium ion battery. That makes it lighter and delivers more range. It also comes with 'downhill speed control' to prevent it running away. It's a good choice if you stick to courses that are flat to moderately hilly.
The top-of-the-line Navigator Quad comes with twin 230W motors plus a larger capacity lithium ion battery. That alone makes it the caddy to pick if your favorite course has some serious elevation changes, but there's one other important feature: a remote control.
The remote liberates you from your caddy. Leave it beside the green, and when you've sunk your putt, use the remote to steer it to the next tee. And unlike some other remote control caddies, the Navigator incorporates gyroscope technology to keep it on track, no matter how much the terrain varies.
MGI launched their own Remote Caddies in January of 2018 in the U.S. MGI Zip Navigator is their flagship model with the built in Proprietary Gyroscope which keeps the caddie tracking straight on the golf course.
MGI also launched the non-Remote line of electric caddies which all come standard with the anti-tip wheel which most non-remote electric caddies do not have:
MGI Zip X1- perfect price point for those entering the category WATCH VIDEO
MGI Zip X3 - added rotating/lockable front wheel & advanced digital electronics
MGI Zip X5 - perfect for hilly terrain thanks to the controlled downhill speed & electronic park brake WATCH VIDEO
MGI Zip Navigator - Flagship remote control with patented StraightTracker technology WATCH VIDEO
Consider your course
If you prefer a level course, the Hunter could be a good choice. If you like the hills you'll want the additional power offered by the Coaster. But if you want to focus on your game and nothing else, it has to be the Navigator.
Source
MGI's motorized Navigator Quad Gyro allows players to remotely control their cart