PowaKaddy's compact electric trolley family - known as the CT Series - have always been one of the best compact electric trolleys to use in my opinion. The incredibly compact and easy folding mechanism, alongside one of the best looking chassis on the market, make for a great electric trolley. The PowaKaddy CT6 GPS has been extremely popular for nearly four years, and this year, the company is expanding its range with two new models: the CT10 GPS and CT12 GPS. These trolleys share the same foundation but come equipped with distinct portrait-oriented screens—a 3.5-inch touchscreen for the CT10 GPS and a larger 5-inch one for the CT12 GPS.
PowaKaddy wasn’t the initial company to use a vertical screen on their carts – MGI had implemented this feature earlier. However, PowaKaddy stands out as the pioneer in integrating an extensive 5-inch touch display oriented vertically. Having tested the CT12 GPS model with its bigger screen myself, I was eager to experience firsthand how this novel screen arrangement would perform outdoors.
Let me cut to the chase: The new screen is fantastic. Having it oriented this way perfectly matches the shape of the opening. One might worry that the screen sticks out too much near the handle, potentially interfering with inserting golf clubs into the bag; however, this issue doesn’t arise thanks to PowaKaddy’s design. They’ve managed to make a significant alteration to the handle area almost unnoticeable. Also included is a handy silicone screen guard designed to shield the display when you’re not using your cart.
The updated design enables significantly more content to be showcased on the vibrant, colorful display. The configuration of the hole and the placement of obstacles are far clearer compared to previous versions, providing a better grasp of the environment ahead. This intuitive screen and user interface requires minimal effort to acclimate to. Its touch response mirrors that of a typical smartphone, allowing effortless pinching and scrolling. It maximizes the use of comprehensive hole mapping featured on the screen, offering details and precision akin to top-tier devices. best golf watches and best GPS devices out there.
In comparison, the new CT10 GPS seems nearly outdated due to its slightly diminished features despite having a 3.5-inch portrait touchscreen. An additional inch-and-a-half makes quite a difference in terms of display size, and the smaller screen lacks the advanced gestures like pinching and scrolling available on bigger screens. Moreover, the CT12 GPS can store over 40,000 golf courses directly within its memory, unlike the CT10 where you must link up to 20 courses through an external application using your smartphone. Although upgrading from the CT10 to the CT12 with its enhanced screen comes at a higher cost—approximately £250—it’s worth every penny for those seeking superior performance, considering how much better the larger screen performs.
The new PowaKaddy GPS closely resembles earlier models but displays information vertically instead of horizontally. This device provides distances to the front, center, and rear of each green along with measurements to obstacles such as hazards. Users can also move the flagstick position freely, maintain a scorecard, track overall performance including fairway hits, green hits, and average putts per hole, plus measure shots effectively.
Comprehensive hole mapping proves highly beneficial when playing unfamiliar golf courses. By touching any section of the hole design, players can instantly learn the distances involved—this feature is particularly handy for gauging lengths to the bends in dogleg holes or measuring shots over fairway bunkers. When comparing these measurements against those from my laser rangefinder, they proved accurate to within one or two yards, which aligns well with typical GPS accuracy standards.
Aside from the updated display, the CT12 GPS offers numerous other appealing features. One aspect I’ve always appreciated about the CT series is their sleek folding design. Despite having a larger vertical screen on the CT12, it remains highly portable and simple to collapse. Initially, handling any golf trolley might feel somewhat cumbersome as you figure out button placements and proper assembly steps. However, once you get accustomed to the two-part mechanism through repeated use, operating it smoothly transitions into routine behavior. Additionally, the back wheels can flip inward for extra storage efficiency—surprisingly reducing its overall size significantly upon folding down.
The reliable Plug 'n' Play lithium battery also makes an appearance from earlier PowaKaddy models. Although it lacks the automatic disconnect feature found in newer models such as the Motocaddy M7 GPS, it features a convenient switch on top for turning it on and off without needing to remove it from the frame. This battery is notably light and quick-charging as well.
One notable feature of PowaKaddy’s design is their innovative MagLok bag connector. This system enables you to secure your compatible PowaKaddy bag directly beneath the trolley instead of relying on a traditional bungee cord. The installation is simple and swift, and I strongly suggest utilizing this convenient technology when purchasing this model.
Without question, this is a specialized item. Should you possess a GPS device or watch, or simply favor using a rangefinder, spending over £1200 on such a trolley might not make much sense. For those seeking value, the CT6, which shares similar features but lacks the GPS functionality, would likely serve better within that budget range. However, if upgrading from an older model and wanting to incorporate a top-notch GPS system into your setup, integrating these elements with this particular high-quality design proves quite advantageous. Transitioning to portrait-oriented displays represents a significant improvement, flawlessly implemented by the developers at PowaKaddy. In terms of portable GPS push carts available today, this stands out as the most impressive prototype I have evaluated thus far.
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