Why isn't Flightscope more popular for indoor use?

[drewtaylor21]

Now that the new firmware has been announced (only requiring 16 feet), I thought there would be more of a move towards people purchasing Xi/Xi+ for indoor setups. I haven't really seen much activity or interest in the various forums though, which is puzzling to me. The current battle seems to be GC2 vs Skytrak for most people (I realize there are plenty of other viable options), but an Xi is $2500 and seems to have a better practice app than what ST has to offer, and sim capabilities are already there with e6. I know that software is more expensive than TGC/PG, but I guess I'm still puzzled why there isn't more interest in these units. To me, Flightscope has a TON more credibility than ST, and if people are willing to part with > $4k for a used GC2, why isn't there more interest in a $5k Xi+ that also shows club data (or the $2500 Xi that can apparently be unlocked to show club data)? I've heard complaints with chipping/putting, so perhaps I'm underestimating how much value people put on that, but I don't know about you all, but I've never been impressed with any sim's chipping/putting capabilities. I mean, they work, sure, but it's nothing like real life in my experience.

My budget has expanded recently, so I'm leaning heavily towards a GC2 of some sort, but I'm also very tempted by the Xi or Xi+, as having ball and club data is as good as it gets IMO. Is the issue that people don't trust the new firmware update yet? Don't like e6? Other? I'd love to hear the consensus, as the price is right and accuracy is proven IMO.

[Dax]

Being a user of radar, I know the importance of needed a lot of space to get accurate ball flight readings. While they say a min of 16 feet, I would be concerned that this is not enough. I am sure a lot of people have this in mind when considering using radar and they likely just don't have the length.

[Godfather]

16' is still a long way for most. The ceiling comes into play and wedge shots could be an issue.

[Rnolen]

I have an xi plus and love it. E6 is great an has many features. Play is pretty good. Chips under 15ft are challenging. You have to hit it high enough (usually at least 1 ft) with enough velocity to register, which sometimes travels to far. No putting, but I haven't tried any simulator putting that was lifelike. I got a putting green from pro putt systems and I putt out on it.

I'm very happy with my setup. My flightscope to screen is 19 ft 9 inches. Ball is 96 inches from sensor. No issues.

[drewtaylor21]

Is this with the new firmware update? And is putting possible with any of the units on e6?

[Rnolen]

My indoor setup has been working for months (96 inches from sensor to ball an 11ft 9 inches from ball to screen. Using 3.11 and now 3.12

I assume it's like NorlinA said. Won't be in effect until the apps are updated.

[Dax]

16' is still a long way for most. The ceiling comes into play and wedge shots could be an issue.

I have between 12 to 13 feet tee to screen and think that with proper ceiling treatment there should never be an issue. I have built a cage and my ceiling is protected with archery netting and have never had an issue the ball hits and deflects to the screen.

[drewtaylor21]

Dax do you have the archery netting angled down to protect the ceiling at all? Or is it just a bit shy of ceiling height to prevent balls hitting drywall?

[Godfather68]

I use a secondhand X2C indoors with about 14ft to screen with E6 and it is fabulous, a small metal sticker on the ball and you get great club and ball flight data. Yes slow chips are not good, but the rest is fabulous. You do need to protect ceiling, but I did not find it too tricky to do.

[drewtaylor21]

Great setup! What do you have as your ceiling protection there?

[Godfather68]

6mm plywood onto the drywall ceiling, then 14mm foam tiles stuck onto the plywood. The tiles are the ones that interlock, that are used to make play spaces for children.

[drewtaylor21]

Thanks Godfather68 I appreciate that info!

[Dax]

As noted I have used a cage for my rio and have 9'2 inch ceilings. My cage is about 9 feet high and on the ends their is two inches, but in the middle the net sags Dow probably by about six more inches. I have also put a piece of memory foam to weigh it down a little where the all hits the most (this is what brings it to six inches). I find this works extremely well and I have no issues taking full swing wedge shots. As noted they just deflect into my screen.

[fhann]

The new firmware has not yet been released.

[NorlinA]

Firmware is released from 3.11 for short indoor feature. Firmware is the software for the hardware, Flightscope unit.

What you need is the new app, software for iOS. To be released in Apple app store by februari 12:th according to Flightscope. In this app you should be able to select the awaited shorter indoor distance.


Xi v3.12 January 19th, 2016

This release includes the following updates and improvements:

Improvements to triggering for certain golfer/club combinations resulting in fewer missed shots
Full support for short indoor mode, including validation of launch conditions
Indoor ball speed measurement improvements for short distance
Improvements to post-club tracking

[coz]

Now that the new firmware has been announced (only requiring 16 feet), I thought there would be more of a move towards people purchasing Xi/Xi+ for indoor setups. I haven't really seen much activity or interest in the various forums though, which is puzzling to me. The current battle seems to be GC2 vs Skytrak for most people (I realize there are plenty of other viable options), but an Xi is $2500 and seems to have a better practice app than what ST has to offer, and sim capabilities are already there with e6. I know that software is more expensive than TGC/PG, but I guess I'm still puzzled why there isn't more interest in these units. To me, Flightscope has a TON more credibility than ST, and if people are willing to part with > $4k for a used GC2, why isn't there more interest in a $5k Xi+ that also shows club data (or the $2500 Xi that can apparently be unlocked to show club data)? I've heard complaints with chipping/putting, so perhaps I'm underestimating how much value people put on that, but I don't know about you all, but I've never been impressed with any sim's chipping/putting capabilities. I mean, they work, sure, but it's nothing like real life in my experience.

My budget has expanded recently, so I'm leaning heavily towards a GC2 of some sort, but I'm also very tempted by the Xi or Xi+, as having ball and club data is as good as it gets IMO. Is the issue that people don't trust the new firmware update yet? Don't like e6? Other? I'd love to hear the consensus, as the price is right and accuracy is proven IMO.

you make great points and then confuse me. If gc2 measures less than xi + why pay more for less?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[m3w]

Flightscope needs 16 feet of space to be accurate - GC2 only needs 16 inches. It's a no brainer if you don't have a mammoth room for your sim.

[drewtaylor21]

m3w 16' isn't mammoth though...if you're in a garage you should have at least 16' which is why it is odd to me that there hasn't been more discussion about FS for indoor setups. I'm guessing it'll become more popular

[mthunt]

The new firmware has not yet been released.

Is the new firmware for the Xi only or the X2 as well?

[NorlinA]

All models

X2 v7.16
X2.1 v8.16
X2.2 v9.17
X2 Elite v9.17


Full support for short indoor mode, including validation of launch conditions

[mthunt]

Thanks. I am getting an X2 so this is good news.

[fhann]

Just checked my PC Flightscope X2C for the firmware update that will reduce footprint. Still has not been released for X2. January 19th, 2016 firmware update was for Xi series but I don't think that firmware release, (running on PC), still not for reduced footprint of 16 feet as previewed at PGA Merchandise show. I am running PC software version 10.0.1

I am also running on my Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 inch tablet the Android VX2 app latest release version 2.7.1 dated 15.10.26 @11:45 am. No firmware information noted in the notes for this Android version.

[NorlinA]

When I check the PC software it has downloaded these firmware files for different X2 devices.


X2.1DSPFirmwareNeeded=8.16
X2.1DSPFirmwareFile=golf_8_16.fsj

X2.2DSPFirmwareNeeded=9.17
X2.2DSPFirmwareFile=golf_9_17.fsj

X2EliteDSPFirmwareNeeded=9.17
X2EliteDSPFirmwareFile=golf_9_17.fsj


According to FS website it has the short indoor support in the following firmware versions, (last time I checked).

X2 v7.16
X2.1 v8.16
X2.2 v9.17
X2 Elite v9.17

Release notes:
Full support for short indoor mode, including validation of launch conditions


Android VX2 I would guess will come after the ios update, they seem to be faster releasing ios versions of the apps.

[fhann]

I have posted this also on the firmware update thread:I

I have just finished talking with Flightscope Support about my issue with still not receiving a firmware update for the reduced footprint that would work with my X2 launch monitor and my new PC software 10.0.1.

The new short footprint firmware was supposed to be released shortly after the PGA Merchandise show. Flightscope cannot get the reduced footprint firmware to work alongside of PC Software Version 10.0.1. Instead, Flightscope Support has told me that a new PC version 11.x is going to be released Friday February 19, 2016 along with the reduced footprint software. This software/firmware upgrade is to be free of charge for the purchasers of PC Version 10.0.1 and should be automatically upgraded if the option of Auto Check for Upgrades has been selected within the present version of PC software 10.0.1. The February 19, 2016 release could be later, if they run into unexpected bugs between now and then.

Reduced indoor footprint/firmware for Android VX2 tablet version, (or a new combined application), will not be available until after the new Apple tablet application has been released. The Android tablet applications for Flightscope have always been released later than the Apple tablet app's. I was not able to get any type of answer about the time delay for the new Android application/firmware.

[drewtaylor21]

Just so I'm clear (rookie), if one was to get any of the FS models and run them via iPad/Apple, the reduced footprint update is ready to go. If one were to use a PC/Android (PC meaning SIM integration), there is still no way to get the reduced footprint indoors, but it should be "coming soon?" (those dreaded words....)

[NorlinA]

Apple iOS supposed to be released in AppStore Feb 12. But we will see.

[drewtaylor21]

Thanks Norlin!

[fhann]

Hi NorlinA:

I am replying to your comment to me, Post 13.1 and 13.

Flightscope Support have confirmed that the release of the short footprint feature within the firmware that were announced January 19, 2016 has not been successfully accurate to work with the various X2 and PC software versions listed:

X2 v7.16
X2.1 v8.16
X2.2 v9.17
X2 Elite v9.17

Flightscope Xi series machines have not been referred to in the posting #13.1. I do not have comments about firmware that has been released for the Xi series machines.

The short footprint feature is still not adequately functional with my X2C model launch monitor.

[NorlinA]

It is not PC software versioning numbers its firmware versioning numbers. See

Firmware:

https://flightscope.com/support/firmware-x2e/

PC software:

https://flightscope.com/products/software/release-info/