Metallic dot replacement

**Shankz** · 06-10-2020, 03:01 PM

I have tried aluminum tape that I had in my garage just to see if it would work. It is very similar to the dots. I did not notice any real difference. When I’m out of dots I will probably use it. By then I should a good feel for the correct numbers and will know if the tape produces less the optimal results.

**Kmurray** · 06-10-2020, 04:39 PM

There is a thread somewhere in here on the subject. Size of the dots look to be a factor and those specific ones seem a bit large. Some people tried various tapes with various success.

I myself sourced Avery Dennison Engineering grade Retroflective tape Silver and a 3/16 inch punch tool on eBay and it works great. Some people believe that this tape is what Foresight use in their dispensers.

I punch a load out and keep them in a ziplock bag , then apply them with tweezers which is a bit of a faff and not as easy as the dots with tags , but a roll of this tape will last long time.

I would recommend finding the thread and reading before buying the Amazon dots , someone may have tried those already , from memory there were dots that had been tried that did not work.

**Kmurray** · 06-10-2020, 04:42 PM

Sorry just realised that your post was regarding Flightscope dots, I am not familiar with them ....apologies.

**justapotamusdesigns** · 06-10-2020, 04:45 PM

The ones on eBay are a lot less and work great!!! They are thinner then the ones that came with the unit and last longer since they conform to the ball more.

**kahi** · 06-11-2020, 07:04 AM

The dot is there (as far as I understand) to create a lens that magnifies the radar signal the launch monitor receives.

This lens effect occurs in fact on the side of the ball facing away from the radar, there is a sort of a magnifying window during each rotation. That might be the reason we are guided to set the ball on the mat so that the dot faces the screen. That initial placement also makes it more probable that the dot is on the vertical rotation axis so that the dot (the lens) should pass through the magnifying window in each rotation.

The ball itself is not reflective enough (or at all pretty much) so the radar benefits from this artificial lens, to allow spin measurement.

Interesting stuff, read this from the Flightscope patent application on spin measurement!

US9868044B2 - Ball spin rate measurement - Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US9868044B2/

Systems and methods for ball spin rate measurement are described. Some embodiments provide a method whereby a phase-demodulated difference signal of a projectile in flight is received, such as from a Doppler radar system. A first periodic component of the phase-demodulated signal is detected, the first periodic component having a plurality of bipolar pulses, with each of the pulses having a first portion during which an apparent speed of the projectile is greater than a nominal speed of the projectile, and each of the pulses having a second portion during which the apparent speed of the projectile is less that the nominal speed of the projectile. A period of the first periodic component is detected, and the spin rate of the projectile in flight is determined based on the period of the first periodic component.

**Gonzo** · 06-12-2020, 04:15 AM

Got the link for the eBay dots? TIA

**trumb1mj** · 07-07-2020, 08:25 PM

I ended up buying the metallic dots from ebay. After one range session I'm thrilled with the purchase. I had the issue of the FS dots falling off but these ones are thinner and seem to stick way better. Also they give the full spin readings I'd expect to see with my wedges. If you need new ones or have issues with the FS dots falling off, buy these. Posting the link again: https://www.ebay.com/itm/123947813777

**justapotamusdesigns** · 07-13-2020, 04:58 PM

That is the exact thing I found too with the thinner dots, they conform and stick to the ball better. I actually forgot one of them on a ball and went to the course and played a few holes with the dot on it and then noticed it was still on. it wasn't perfect, but brought it home and put it on the x2 and it read just fine!!

Metallic dot replacement

Metallic dot replacement

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment