Can it Continue Perfection? The Clicgear 3.5+

(by Dave Wolfe)  Back in 2011, I wrote what I feel is the definitive review of the Clicgear 3.0 push cart.  I took that cart out on the course round after round, over multiple terrains, and through as many different climates as any sane person would golf in.  Try as I might, I could not come up with a single criticism or a feature that I would change.  As such, the Clicgear 3.0 pushcart received my first perfect score in a review.

Now here we are in 2013 and Clicgear has updated their pushcart to the new Clicgear 3.5+ model. We have all learned from the madness that is iPhone updating that going from an iPhone 4 to an iPhone 4S is not the same as going from an iPhone 4 to an iPhone 5.  That was my first thought when I read the release about this new cart.  We are transitioning from a Clicgear 3.0 to a Clicgear 3.5+.  Like the smaller iPhone updates, I don’t expect a major overhaul.  Instead, I expected the Clicgear 3.5+ to keep the great features of the Clicgear 3.0, and add some new minor options to improve on the existing model.  Can you improve on perfection?  Or, is Clicgear running straight into the proverb of if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.

Basal Perfection

I am happy to report that the features that truly set the Clicgear cart apart from the competition are still present on the new model.  When you roll a Clicgear, you still get:

• Clicgear Stability: The wide wheelbase and overall tube geometry makes the Clicgear 3.5+ one of the most stable carts out there.  Fully capable of long ghost rides down the hills.
• Bag Versatility: While Clicgear does make the very nice B3 Golf Bag to pair with the cart, the truth is that the Clicgear can accommodate the vast majority of bags in the marketplace today.  You don’t need a new bag when you get this cart.  The arms can adjust to accommodate even the most diminutive to the most rotund golf bag.

• Solid Construction: Longevity is definitely a strength of the Clicgear.  My brother is still using and loving my old Clicgear 2.0.  Little bit of cleaning, and a touch of lube and you are good to go.
  
• Compact Size: The compact nature of the Clicgear often stops people in their tracks the first time that they see it fold or unfold.  It should fit into any trunk that can actually hold a golf bag.

• Course Ergonomics: The Clicgear rolls well overall terrains, with the console/handle height easily adjusting to the golfer’s most comfortable pushing position.  The roll of the Clicgear is not effortless, but it is much easier than implied by the bulky tubular geometry of the cart.
• Solid Tires: While this is now the industry standard, Clicgear’s lightweight and tubeless tires are exceptional.  They are subject to goose poop adhesion, but the treads clean with minimal effort.

 

So What’s New Then?

You can’t roll out a new model without some modifications.  While I didn’t expect the modifications to be extensive, I do think that they should be improvements, thus adding to the quality of the overall cart.  Here are the changes for the Clicgear 3.5+:

• Increased Cargo Net Volume: It’s 80% larger!  OK, that’s cool.  More room to drop stuff in the net.  I’d call that a plus.  It’s not so huge that it gets in the way under the console, or that things get lost in its vastness.
• Improved Braking System: This one is not as easy to see in the design, and I always thought the brakes were great, especially the transistion from the 2.0 to the 3.0.  Good gets better.

• Improved Umbrella Holder Storage Bracket: Ummmm, OK this one is reaching a bit.  It works, and works better, no argument.  However, I don’t use an umbrella and I actually leave the holder at home to prevent losing it and excess weight.

• Larger Adjustable Cup Holder: I always thought that the cup holder was great, like the brakes.  However, I think that the new one is an improvement.  It holds a 22 oz. beer bottle, so that’s all of the win this kid needs in a cupholder.

• Improved Bag Strap System: This was the one thing that I was initially very puzzled about.  The great thing about the previous clip systems was their adjustability.  I thought it was pretty easy to adjust the strap length to match the diameter of the bag.  The new hook and ring system definitely looks different, and guess what, it’s a better system. All of the adjusting is accomplished on the ring end, with the elastic cords sliding through and fastening on both the top and bottom of the ring.  Pop the cords out, position the ring, and lock the cords back in place.  It’s an easy system.  If you always use the same bag, then you set it once and go.  If you change bags all of the time like I do, the ease of adjustment is great.

 

And So Perfect Is…Still Perfect!

There you have it, the perfect scoring Clicgear 3.0 has been enhanced and improved in the new Clicgear 3.5+.  Clicgear has added in a couple of features that make a great cart better.  Should you upgrade if you have the Clicgear 3.0?  Probably not.  While there are improvements, I would save the upgrade money this time for playing golf.  If you are thinking about getting your first pushcart though, I would say buy, buy, BUY! The Clicgear 3.5+ is the top of the pushcart heap and it continues the great legacy of the previous carts.  Perfection continues…