Little help please - potential GC2A purchase

[drewtaylor21]

So I have the chance to purchase a used GC2A from a guy who was a part owner of an indoor range center. Serial number is in the A6000 range. He also has an extra flash and what looks like the software CD for FR1, but can't seem to get it to work just yet.

It's my understanding that you need a security dongle to get the FR1 CD to work, is that correct?

How easy is it to replace a flash module if that is needed? Obviously I'd like to avoid paying what I understand to be a $500 "registration" fee for as long as possible.

I'm trying to figure out what this might be worth in order to make an appropriate offer. Thanks for any help you guys can offer!

[andygg1986]

You do need a software dongle for FR1 to work. I believe Foresight used to charge $500 for a replacement one. I don't know for sure that they still sell them though.

Replacing the flash is as easy as undoing two screws. With a spare flash you should be good for a while. If you need another one, I am selling replacement circuit boards that you can read about here if you are interested. http://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/...it-board/page5

As far as a price to offer, without a dongle the software isn't very useful. Just GC2A's tend to sell in the $4000-4500 range most of the time. Occasionally someone snags one for more like $3500. He may go lower if you can pay cash so he can avoid ebay and paypal fees. I would say if he has the dongle that adds $500 to the price.

[drewtaylor21]

Thanks very much for the insights and the link to replacement boards! Good to know that Foresight isn't the only option there

[mmendo]

I just purchased a GC2a without software for $4200. Having second thoughts as I was looking at Flightscope for so long. What made you switch from Flightscope to GC2? Were you bored hitting range on;y and wanted sim options? I've practiced/ had lessons on both Flightscope and GC2 range software, but never played sim golf. Not sure how it translates to real golf. (i.e. will it improve my game in IRL?

[drewtaylor21]

There are several factors for me, but the primary one was that I simply didn't use the Flightscope outdoors as much as I thought I would. I'm a range rat at heart, so range-only practice wasn't a problem at all. Quite frankly, now that I'm between launch monitors, I really really miss it! That said, I do think it would be fun to have a SIM option now and then, and I've always liked the look of GC2's practice range/ball flight, etc. A few things came together here lately financially, and now seemed like as good a time as any to switch monitors, so I'm giving GC2 a shot. I figure if I don't like it, I can sell everything pretty easily and go back to Flightscope.

As far as SIM play and real golf, they are very different games IMO, but I think you can get some mental game/visualization practice playing on a simulator that is slightly better than just hitting balls on a digital range.

Are you waiting on software, or do you have something set up already?

[Iron Brandon]

Definitely worth getting a GC2. I got lucky and pounced on one for $3500 off ebay after patiently searching for 2-3 months. Only thing wrong with it was the battery did not hold a charge, but those can be rebuilt easily or replaced. For now I have the power cable plugged in. Initially I am using it for simulator range use. I found a member selling the FR1 with CD + dongle and 5 additional courses for $650. You can practically run this software on any decent laptop. I love the quick setup and the feedback is instantaneously on the simulator, giving you a vast amount of data to analyze after each shot. I don't have a screen or projector yet, but I get by with my laptop and Net Return til then.

[drewtaylor21]

Thanks for the input Brandon, sounds like you got a great deal! Do you have to go through Foresight to replace the battery?

[Iron Brandon]

I haven't fully looked into it yet, but I hope not! I do not want to pay the $500 transfer fee if all possible. I hear Batteries Plus can rebuild them for a great price, so I might go that route.

[mmendo]

I'm just sorting out software. Looks like a lot of good options between TGC, JNPG, FSX,FR1. I would ideally like portability to take to my golf club hitting bays and use a gaming laptop. But that would seem to limit my options for the software it could run. I'm also trying to keep costs down for now.

[drewtaylor21]

Since you have a GC2a, have you thought of just using the foresight app when taking it to the outdoor range, then having a desktop set up at home for SIM? That would seem like the cheapest/best combo there, from what I've read.

I'm hoping to start with FR1, then potentially add either TGC or JNPG down the road. I'll have to test them out, as I have no idea which one I'd prefer yet, but I hear good things about both!

[mmendo]

Thats kinda what I'm thinking as well. Keep my costs down at first.