PowaKaddy v Motocaddy

cremeegg

hi all
I am newbie to golfing world and looking for some advice.
I am looking for a new electric cart for my dad for major milestone birthday!

two major brands seem to be powakaddy and motocaddy? anybody like to add any recommendation or advice on which to go for? I guess the 36 hole lithium battery is a good sell? im looking at the PK FW3 or FW5? this F7 with electric screen looks a little overkill!

I am happy to spend top dollar for the right cart (dont want it this coming back on me when the golf goes bad!)

Anyone know any deals going at present? ie.. get a free bag with it...

Any advice appreciated.

Dtoffee

I can only speak from personal experience, I had a Golf Glider for 12 years without a problem and decided to upgrade it over a year ago. I opted for a Motocaddy M3 as there was a deal on at the time. It has had the motor replaced under guarantee already and the lead battery was only doing 14 holes on month 13 ! so new motor and then I ended up getting a lithium battery as well. I also bought in the Motocaddy bags as they have two spurs on the end to stop the bag moving on your trolley ..... I am on my third bag in 6 months as the lining in the pocket of one fell apart and the other one's stitching just gave way at the end of the bag.

In hindsight, I should have went with a new Glider as they have a proven track record for lasting as opposed to the more modern looking Motocaddy. So its the Golf Glider for me from now on.

Seve OB

Have to say Golf Glider all the way.
If you are in Dublin, you can go direct, they are based in Churchtown. Irish company. Lifetime chassis warrantee, but you can see by the build, they are virtually indestructible.
I've had mine for about just about 10 years. Came with the slim battery and I used to get 36 holes out of it at the start. I didn't use it for a while (about a year) as I went back to carrying. Only had to buy a new battery about 2 years ago. This time I got a large battery. but I stuck with golf glider brand rather than going spurious
had to get it serviced once (a few weeks ago) the switch went on me. it was a problem with some of the older switches. had to replace one tyre also. total maintenance costs in those 10 years, less than 200 including the battery and hope not to spend anything on it for at least another few years.

keno-daytrader

Ive had a golf glider for 11 years, its bullet proof.

Uncle got a powakaddy hillbilly, gave nothing but trouble.

Russman

Have to second most of the sentiment.
I've had a golf glider now for over 8 years and not a bit of trouble. Think I've had it serviced once or maybe twice in that time. Bulletproof and the guys in Churchtown are really helpful and obliging too.

Senna

keno-daytrader wrote: »

Ive had a golf glider for 11 years, its bullet proof.

Uncle got a powakaddy hillbilly, gave nothing but trouble.

Think powakaddy and hillbilly are two different companies.

First Up

Another vote for Golf Glider and for the extra twirl, get the Lithium battery.

Seve OB

First Up wrote: »

Another vote for Golf Glider and for the extra twirl, get the Lithium battery.

actually i think the guys in church town said to me the lithium battery has a usb slot for charging your gps...even phone etc if you have forgotten...very handy

First Up

Seve OB wrote:

actually i think the guys in church town said to me the lithium battery has a usb slot for charging your gps...even phone etc if you have forgotten...very handy

Must be a new version. Mine doesn't - nice idea.

Russman

First Up wrote: »

get the Lithium battery.

Absolutely 100%

BigChap1759

Is it just me or do the Golf Gliders look like they were welded in some Fred Dibnah type lad's shed - agricultural to say the least.

Russman

BigChap1759 wrote: »

Is it just me or do the Golf Gliders look like they were welded in some Fred Dibnah type lad's shed - agricultural to say the least.

Ahh no, the Micro Lite isn't anyway. They're just so simple, there's hardly anything to break on them.

First Up

BigChap1759 wrote:

Is it just me or do the Golf Gliders look like they were welded in some Fred Dibnah type lad's shed - agricultural to say the least.

I would agree that they are pretty basic in design but I'd prefer a basic one that works to a fancy one that gives trouble.

slave1

To bring balance, I've had wheel and regulator failure on a Golf Glider, now have a Powakaddy Lithium some three years and just a pinched cable needed replacing and that was my fault as I jammed it into the boot one time

Letree

First Up wrote: »

Another vote for Golf Glider and for the extra twirl, get the Lithium battery.

Is the Lithium battery one much more expensive

First Up

Letree wrote:

Is the Lithium battery one much more expensive

You buy the battery seperately from the trolly - the trolly works with either. The lithium battery (and charger) ate more expensive but I think worth it.

Seve OB

First Up wrote: »

You buy the battery seperately from the trolly - the trolly works with either. The lithium battery (and charger) ate more expensive but I think worth it.

mind me asking why?

Russman

Seve OB wrote: »

mind me asking why?

It's much lighter than the lead acid one and is supposed to last much longer.
My lite power battery is supposed to be 75% lighter than a lead acid (I haven't actually weighed it to verify), and has a 5 year warranty (only have it about 4 months so far). My father has a lithium for the last 3 seasons and it's still perfect.

First Up

Seve OB wrote:

mind me asking why?

Half the size, a quarter the weight, twice the capacity and re-charges in about a tenth of the time!

Seve OB

Size, weight and charge time are all decent benefits.

Capacity I'm not so sure. As I said I originally had the Slim golf gilder battery and I could get 36 holes out of it. Didn't do that a lot, but 27 holes was never an issue.
It was probably a good 5 years old before I could start to notice it slug a little towards the end of an 18 hole round, but I still got another couple of years out of it.

I don't think the cost of the lithium outweighs the benefits, especially if you have to get a new charger also. Maybe for a first time buyer it might be worth considering, but not as an upgrade.

Senna

How long does a lead battery last and how long does a lithium battery last? Say same usage, 18 holes once a week.

First Up

Senna wrote:

How long does a lead battery last and how long does a lithium battery last? Say same usage, 18 holes once a week.

They advertise them as lasting 5 times longer. I can't verify that but my last two lead batteries packed up in less than two years and my lithium is still going strong after more than three.

Seve OB

First Up wrote: »

They advertise them as lasting 5 times longer. I can't verify that but my last two lead batteries packed up in less than two years and my lithium is still going strong after more than three.

was it a genuine golf glider battery?

my second one is 2.5 years old

acalmenvoy

Wish this thread would get back on topic, I'm about to pull the trigger on a moto or a powa. Love to hear from owners of each.
That golf glider is a horrible little yoke.

First Up

Seve OB wrote:

was it a genuine golf glider battery?

Seve OB wrote:

my second one is 2.5 years old

Bought from them directly.

charlieIRL

I got my golf glider about 6 years ago and it was second hand. Battery sill lasts 18 holes.
Have stopped using it and got a 3 wheel trolley which i find much handier.

Letree

My father has the powakaddy a couple of years and it seems to be working fine. Powakaddy is the most popular one i see on our course.

dennyire

Have the Powacaddy FW3 for a couple of years and abolutely no problems. Couple of mates have them also both with lead and lithium batteries and again no problems. See McGUIRKES are offering 50 euro off them this week

Seve OB

acalmenvoy wrote: »

Wish this thread would get back on topic, I'm about to pull the trigger on a moto or a powa. Love to hear from owners of each.
That golf glider is a horrible little yoke.

I think you will find if you read the OP, it was also looking for other recommendations, so the thread hasn't gone off topic and as your first post on the thread, I think you are being overly harsh.

With regards to the Golf Glider you are entitled to your opinion, but obviously lots of us like the golf glider and so far on this thread it is proven to be the most popular recommendation to the OP.

Senna

I'd pick powakaddy as first preference. I've had two powakaddy trolleys, won the second one, first one was perfect and never had a days bother, it must be 6 years old atleast.
Have an FW3 now, it's very nice and as it's only a month old, too early to comment on reliability but many people have them at my club and never hear a complaint.
Don't know anyone at my course that has a golf glider, just goes to show that local retailer dictate what is used in that area.

acalmenvoy

Seve OB wrote: »

I think you will find if you read the OP, it was also looking for other recommendations, so the thread hasn't gone off topic and as your first post on the thread, I think you are being overly harsh.

With regards to the Golf Glider you are entitled to your opinion, but obviously lots of us like the golf glider and so far on this thread it is proven to be the most popular recommendation to the OP.

OK. Fair enough. But every time I see one come out of a car, Im thinking the guy is about to change a tyre.
I can't decide between the fw7 and the touch. I have a fairly heavy bag. The fw7 seems to be fairly powerful but I like the idea of the touch rolling along beside me.

cremeegg

Thanks for all the advice... i do have to say that the golf glider is a little agricultural looking without being overly negative... i think ill go with the powakaddy FW3 lithium battery... not cheap ...but keep the auld fella happy for a while.

charlieIRL

cremeegg wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice... i do have to say that the golf glider is a little agricultural looking without being overly negative... i think ill go with the powakaddy FW3 lithium battery... not cheap ...but keep the auld fella happy for a while.

Pro Golf in Athlone have €50 off these at the moment.

neckedit

cremeegg wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice... i do have to say that the golf glider is a little agricultural looking without being overly negative... i think ill go with the powakaddy FW3 lithium battery... not cheap ...but keep the auld fella happy for a while.

I have a brand new FW3 Lithium for €475.
Pm if interested.

bmay529

I have used a Golf Glider for 20 years. Have to agree it does look a bit agricultural but it works and any time I have had a problem the guys in Churchtown have fixed it for a reasonable cost. I upgraded to a lithium battery (no brainer) two years ago but had to replace the motor as it was an old type and it has worked great since. The Powacaddy and Motocaddy look much more stylish. My partner has had a Powacaddy for many years without any problem and recently bought a new Powacaddy FW3... all good so far.

First Up

bmay529 wrote:

I have used a Golf Glider for 20 years. Have to agree it does look a bit agricultural but it works and any time I have had a problem the guys in Churchtown have fixed it for a reasonable cost. I upgraded to a lithium battery (no brainer) two years ago but had to replace the motor as it was an old type and it has worked great since. The Powacaddy and Motocaddy look much more stylish. My partner has had a Powacaddy for many years without any problem and recently bought a new Powacaddy FW3... all good so far.

GG is not pretty but sturdy. Chassis has a lifetime guarantee. I had a couple of minor problems (switch and battery connector) which they fixed on the spot - for free.

Senna

First Up wrote: »

GG is not pretty but sturdy. Chassis has a lifetime guarantee. I had a couple of minor problems (switch and battery connector) which they fixed on the spot - for free.

But battery connector and switch aren't part of chassis, was it under usual purchase warranty still?

First Up

Senna wrote:

But battery connector and switch aren't part of chassis, was it under usual purchase warranty still?

About five years old at that point. No warranty but they fixed it anyway.

BigChap1759

First Up wrote: »

GG is not pretty but sturdy. Chassis has a lifetime guarantee. I had a couple of minor problems (switch and battery connector) which they fixed on the spot - for free.

Lol it's steel plate - what on earth could happen to it :-)

charlieIRL

First Up wrote: »

GG is not pretty but sturdy. Chassis has a lifetime guarantee. I had a couple of minor problems (switch and battery connector) which they fixed on the spot - for free.

My switch wasn't covered under warranty. Had to pay for the repair.

CalamariFritti

Have the Powakaddy Digital for 10 years and its rock solid. Needed a couple of battery replacements over time during which I learned to get a quality battery. There were no lithium batteries ten years ago. I now have a 36 hole gel battery and it has great capacity and power and its in its fourth year and there is now sign of slowing down. Once that inevatibly goes I gonna have to make a decision. The OH has the Motokaddy S1 with Li battery and it is nicer and lighter and everything and the battery seems the biggest cost factor in the whole setup anyway. Would consider the Motokaddy then but can't say anything bad about the Powerkaddy either. BIL has the golf glider and it seems indesctrutible like others said but its a bit of a heavy monster.

First Up

My GG is the "Micro Lite" version. I don't see much difference between it and their other models but it folds up neat enough and at 8 kilos is very manageable.

I don't think there is a lot to differentiate the various brands - some just advertise more than others. I like that GG is locally made and their production unit is 10 minutes away.

Ollieboy

I have had my Sport Powakaddy for 13 years. The only think I have had to replace is the battery, I think I am on my 4th battery at this stage. It was my best golf investment along with my putter. Got a 18 hole lit battery this year and don't see any reason why I will be upgrading any time soon, but at this stage it doesn't owe me anything.