Electric trolley opinions please

inconsistent

Hey all. I started walking a couple months ago and I really love it! One of my playing partners purchased an MGI Zip Navigator which has remote control. It's really nice, but I'm not sure I want to shell out $1600.

I have done some research and narrowed it down to the MGI AI 500 GPS which doesn't have a remote but is on sale for $800 (reg $1500) and the KVV electric cart sold on Amazon for $900. This one has a remote and comes with a nice pkg of accessories. I also like that that replacement batteries are only $120 for the Lithium.

I'm not sure if I'd regret not getting one with remote control. The courses I play are generally flat. If anyone has any experience with these, or knows someone that does, I'd love to hear your input.

Thanks!

scotts33

I have a 7 yr. old Kangaroo Vortex. They are built like a tank in NC very hefty. Mine is non-remote. i walk with it off/on button and speed adjustment. I got it used since I figured some day I will want one but mostly I play with ultra light carry bag and a half set total 10 lbs. Score either way with full set or half set is same. The one thing I would get with a electric battery motorized cart is a seat. My Kangaroo has it. When you are on one of those slower rounds it's nice to have a seat on cart to sit while waiting rather than stand. I am like you prefer to walk than ride.

KCee

I've had a MotoCaddy M7 w/ remote for the past 3 seasons and I love it. My home course is seriously hilly and it gets me through the back 9 without me being gassed. I keep it stored at my club, but it does fold up. It doesn't fold up anywhere near as small as a push cart though and it's easier to take the wheels off to load it in your car unless you have an SUV or truck. It is rock solid and I have seen other brands that don't seem as well made although one buddy has an MGI that seems equal in build. I've walked two 18 hole rounds without charging the battery, but I've never tried to see what the limit is and usually charge it after 18 holes.

While I highly recommend it, I regret getting the remote because I rarely use it. Our course is a rolling New England course and you could honestly hit EVERY fairway and NEVER have a flat lie. So what happens it I'm constantly using the remote to steer the cart and it's honestly far easier to just keep a hand on it and gently steer it. If my course was flatter like some of the Florida courses I play in the winter I think I would use the remote as you wouldn't need to keep steering.

I don't know if they still offer the deals but another golf buddy bought a Kam Kaddie for about $500 and it's not as well made as MotoCaddy or MGI, but it has worked almost as well for him the last 3 seasons. The only place my Motocaddy beats theirs is on our #11 hole where you can either hike up a super steep slope to #12 tee or walk the cart path around. My Motocaddy can crawl up that slope with me just keeping a hand on it, but no other electric trolley I've seen at the club can make it without pushing. The others just don't have the power or grip to get up that hill.

Any way if you are playing flatter courses the remote probably would be nice. The follow feature might be nicer still but I know that feature doesn't always work that well on the trolleys I've seen, but maybe some newer ones are better. Even without the remote the electric trolley will allow you to just walk naturally and save your energy.

ptjn1201

Got the MGI AT Navigator three years ago as a Christmas gift from my wife and brother-in-law. I had been pushing a 3-wheeler and didn't ask for it, hint for it, even suggest it was interesting -- a complete surprise. Was going to tell them to take it back to Costco as it was too expensive and I didn't need it.

First few months were a learning curve -- home course is quite hilly and going up some mounds and tee boxes caused it to tip over, dumping the clubs on the ground. Learned that even with the 5th wheel stabilizer pulled out, some hills are a little too steep and you have to keep your hand on it, especially when it's wet or muddy. But it does help. Needed a new controller before it was two years old and they sent one with no problems, and it was easy to replace it. Emailing them is a little odd, and there was usually a one day delay in response, but it worked out OK, I have the remote, use it most of the time, but have no problem operating it from the button on the handle.

Typhoon

I use a Club Car Tempo Walk. Rather heavy though…. Takes 2 people to lift

KCee

Typhoon Takes 2 people to lift

This from a Crossfit dude so it probably takes 3 couch potatoes to budge it.

My electric cart is not light. Even without the battery it's beefy. I wouldn't be too happy if I had to keep it in my trunk all season. I'd probably lose mpg and eventually hurt myself unloading and loading it.

inconsistent

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies. I was finishing up my round this morning when I got a call back from Zack at Caddy Mart. They sell refurbished MGI trolleys. I was impressed and comfortable talking with him so I went ahead and purchased a Zip Navigator AT that is supposed to be a showroom model with 0 miles. The price was fair and it came with the accessories I wanted. I should get it next week.

I'll update when I get it. Thanks again!

KCee

inconsistent One note about the MGI and MotoCaddy is that the wheels lock on in a similar way and over time they can get stuck. You have to lock them on or the wheels just spin, but then if you want to push the cart without the battery you have to unlock them so it will roll freely. They get dirty and a little rusty and get stuck. I try to remove the wheels regularly now and clean them up a bit otherwise I need a rubber mallet to get them on and off.

ptjn1201

KCee Reminds me, I should take them off, clean them, and grease them up before Spring. No rush -- we're supposed to get 12-16" Sunday.

LBlack14

Trolley?? What part of Kentucky are you from?? 🤨

Par4QC

LBlack14 That's not hillbilly. It's English...ol' chap!

LBlack14

Par4QC It's English...ol' chap!

Not where I'm from.

ode

LBlack14
@Par4QC

I'm sure there is a connection between England and Kentucky somewhere down the line🙃

johnnydoom

I don't use it in normal conversation since most people wouldn't know what I'm talking about, but trolley does have a nicer ring than cart. I'm not a hillbilly. If Mississippi rube counts, then I'm that guy.

azgreg

Anybody ever use one of them that follows you wherever you go?

ode

azgreg have seen them....other than it looking weird....looks like it would be quite handy....like a lil lap dog!

scotts33

The word trolley emanates from Australia and also the UK. You see very few that don't walk in both countries. Americans are the riders. Australia is where many of the trolley manufacturers come from.

KCee

You could say electric cart, but I feel that term is already taken for a standard golf cart that you sit in. I guess you could say electric push cart? I kind of like the term trolley. Sort of reminds me of when we were supposed to say "metal wood".

Cwing

I used an Alphard V2 w/remote for 4-5 years. I love it except…. Taking apart and putting together every round and the room it takes in the car. It’s not all that hard but…. instead of purchasing a new battery (~$200), I decided to make a change.

Caddytrek r3 w/remote and follow functions. I used three times thus far and I’m still getting use to it but…. It’s going to be a win.