GC2 and HMT questions

[DotNetDude]

Hi Guys,
Been lurking for a while but first post here...

I'm trying to decide whether to get a GC2 with HMT. I will only be using it outdoors, hitting into a net in the garden. One thing I need to know is, is the GC2 ipad app sufficient to show me all the details, and will it show me the shot shape, or do I need to look for additional software that runs on a PC? If so, what options do I have available for that, assuming that whatever hardware I buy doesn't come with software? I guess all I need is a driving range type app so I can see the shot shape while also seeing the swing path data from the HMT.

I've also read people complaining about the flash. I would only be buying second hand so I don't know if the flash would likely need replacing, I guess it depends on usage. Are they a real PITA, and do I just have to accept that with the GC2, an expensive new flash module is periodically required. Or is it just not that sort of issue, and only needs replacing for high usage users?

Thanks

J

[andygg1986]

The ipad app will show you the shot shape as viewed from the top and side as well as all of the club data from the HMT. It's not as immersive as seeing a shot flying through the air with a projector, but sounds like it would work for your situation. As far as the flash, if it has a superflash which has the larger window, those should last several years for a heavy home-user. The old style flashes with the small window last more like 6 months to a year for a heavy home user. I have been selling my flashes that I make myself that are comparable to a superflash for almost 2 years now for $150 instead of Foresight's $500, so that makes it a little less painful on your wallet when the flash burns out eventually. You can search this forum for "Megaflash" for info on that if you are interested.

[DotNetDude]

Thanks for that. It sounds like the iPad app would do the job.

I just wanted to make sure that it is worthwhile paying the extra to get the GC2 and HMT, and the iPad app makes use of it. The last thing I want to do is invest in it, and then find that I need to then buy simulation software. I think that would just about take it over the edge of being too much, in which case, I would probably not spend as much, and look for a SkyTrak, and do without the club path/swing data.

Thanks for the megaflash details. Is it obvious when the flash needs replacing, does it just stop working or is there a gradual decline in brightness, and the measurements start becoming less accurate?

[mthunt]

The IPad app will show you were the ball went but not like the skytrak range app. It’s more basic. It will also record all shot data and allow you to export it. Don’t expect to see ball flight.

[andygg1986]

The GC2 will rarely give you numbers that aren't accurate. Sometimes it will start to just not give data at all intermittently when the flash starts to go, but usually the flash just stops completely and you don't get data.

Since you mention simulation software, TGC2019 is an option that is about $1k instead of $3500+ for FSX2018. It doesn't show the clubhead data though, and you would need a gaming computer for either option. I mention that because I imagine it would get boring pretty quickly just looking at shots on an ipad. Personally, I would pick a GC2 with a gaming laptop and TGC2019 over a GC2+HMT with an ipad, but the HMT is nice to have.

Since you are planning on using it outside, you might check out reviews of people using Skytrak's outside. I know at one point people were having issues with glare and had to build little shades for their hitting areas.

[DotNetDude]

So are there any other range apps that the GC 2 will connect to, that will show the club data from the HMT as that is really all I need? In my searches I have read about the older FR1 and also JNPG, but they are from older posts, so not sure it they are still available, or work with the HMT data?

Certainly if I were to look at a SkyTrak instead it would be cheaper, but I am really looking to get details on the club path so I can play with my swing, and by only hitting into a net, I need to make sure the numbers and shot shape are easily presentable.

[andygg1986]

FR1 will show club data but is not being developed and you will have to find someone willing to sell a security dongle. I don’t think JNPG shows club data. When I play TGC I just use the GC2 screen for the club data which works well for me. There isn’t any range only software for GC2S that I know of though.

[DotNetDude]

Man, I'm going round in circles. First I was going low cost with an R-motion. then decided definitely going to get a SkyTrak, then I saw GC2 with HMT was just about in budget, then back to SkyTrak because of the lack of software with GC2. Swinging backwards and forwards and just not sure which way to go...

[Wizard of Coz]

It's really easy for wizard to predict. Eventually you will have gc2 and you won't regret it.

[Kevin_C]

I currently use Skytrak and have very few issues if any. My distances are very close to IRL. I play a lot of local matches with lefties. It’s actually pretty easy to move back and forth. Wondered how easy the GC2 is with moving for righty lefty play. Not enough room width for Uneekor.

[sulli182]

Certainly now is the time to do it with the black Friday deals... GC2/HMT, FSX 2018 and a computer for 10k... Basically getting FSX and the computer free... Hard to beat even if you found a used one in good condition. I have a GCQuad and FSX and love it... Foresight just has it figured out.

[DotNetDude]

It sounds like if I pursue the GC2/HMT combo, I would probably need to also get one of these full sim packages for it to work properly, and from what I can see, they are totally overkill for me when all I need is a practise range app so I can see what's going on while hitting into a net. I've read quite a few other posts that have critised FS for not providing a range app, and I guess I fall into that camp as well. FS probably don't care becasue they are just looking at the upsale to the full sim app.

So I think I'm going to tackle this another way, and start off with a lower cost solution using SkyTrak and its range app, together with the R-Motion swing sensor. I can set both up at the same time, and look at the ST range app on one screen, and the R-Motion on another screen. Looking at the pictures I could find on the web, it appears that even if I had a GC2 with HMT, using their app I would still be flicking from one screen to another, to swap between the the ball and swing data, so it might be that having the data on two separate screens works out better. Once I've used that for a while, I can then decide if it is working out and giving me what I need, or if not I can look at a different hardware solution.

[1191126]

You will certainly not regret getting a GC2 only or a combo of GC2/HMT. If your purpose of having a range mode is to see the dispersion, Foresight free app does that job well in 2D. For FSX software itself, I also think it is truly pricey!!! I won't pay it for thousands of dollars but getting it by holiday deals like black Friday. I think that is worthwhile.