Going to the Dark Side?

[jasonreg]

I will start by saying I am generally a fan of FSX Play and where Foresight Sports is trying to take this software. And I love my GC Quad. That said, I have become increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress in fixing several bugs, and mostly by not having access to my entire course library which came at significant cost. I am reasonably tech savvy, but generally shy away from unsupported software or modes of operation – just don’t need the added frustration in my life (yes, the FSX Play irony has not been lost on me here…).

I have a few friends who have been using the unmentionable software (I will refer to it as ‘UnSoft’ for the rest of my post) since its inception, but ‘hacking’ my GC Quad or following a list of do this, then this, then this was always the showstopper for me giving it a try. I came across this YT video and knew I the time was right to see what the buzz was about: "How To Connect UnSoft Golf with Bushnell Launch Pro/GC3 NOT using FSX in under 30 seconds" With the release of “Gamechanger V2.1”, I only need to open gamechanger, open UnSoft and play. Super easy and has been 100% reliable with my Quad. (Note: replace UnSoft with the real name of the software if you want to search for it)

My initial impressions:

• Download and installation was both super easy and super quick. Also, no need to disable Anti-Virus or Firewall – just installed like any other program.
• UnSoft costs US$250/year but this gets you access to the entire course library which is impressive. Now early days for me, so I have not parsed down which are better than others (and I have heard that they are not all created equally) but I played Sawgrass and have played two rounds at Augusta this week. I do know that they are validated before they are publicly released to identify and fix bugs in the course software (what a concept…).
• Graphics are very nice. Not certain they are materially superior to Play (at least the well done Play courses) but I am just at 1080 and not 4K so this may be where the difference truly lies. That said, I find the layouts and details much more refined than Play. Selecting 1920 x 1200 in the software to match up with my projector was a single click on the start screen.
• Courses are developed by users – there seems to be a whole sub-culture doing this. Not sure if I will go that far, but one of my buds has been working on our local course where we are members – not ready for open release but I will be trying it out this week. Kinda cool that this is even an option.
• Stimp seems much more realistic and accurate. Matches up with factory spec Stimp on my putting mat.
• I can see the club data (pictorial ala old FSX2020 option) on a separate screen with all the club data available on main screen as well while playing. I really like this.
• Aim point can be done on both mini-map and on main screen. Makes putting aim point selection much more accurate and easier.
• When you select your club (if you do this) it pulls up a matrix (tic-tac-toe) vs scrolling through each club – much quicker and easier.
• Terrain effects on roll-out seem much more accurate.
• Load times seem a bit long. That said, I believe it checks for updates each time you load the program and course.
• The game displays your stance behind your ball which is fine but on one shot where I sliced it a bit right - my ball was in the rough, but my view was behind a tree so while I had a clear shot, I could not see the aimpoint because of the tree – really weird.
• Play options are very intuitive and well laid out. I just wish that they were saved as new defaults. The game seems to reset each time I load it.
• There is a pretty big discrepancy between the carry (Game) and carry (Raw). ‘Raw’ matched my GC Quad so this is good. ‘Game’ seems to be the game calculated flight physics. Not sure why they are so different sometimes and close on others. There is also a total distance (Game) which is fine and seems to work well with the terrain effects on the ball.

So, have only been using UnSoft for about a week, but I am impressed. Not a single glitch, or mishit, or program freeze in several practice sessions in the canyon and 4 separate, 18 hole rounds. Refreshing. Not sure if it is enough to abandon FSX Play given the investment (and my eternal optimism that I will wake up one morning and it will all be fixed) but I think UnSoft will be my go-to for a bit anyway, especially for playing rounds.

Thought I would pass on my experience.

[MacDoof]

Just FYI for the issue you had with a tree behind your ball and you couldn't see you can hit "B" on your keyboard and it will hide objects behind you. The discrepancy between carry (Game) and carry (Raw) is due to the lie penalties when you are hitting out of rough/deep rough/bunker/etc. Carry (Raw) would be what the ball would have flown on the driving range (No penalties) and carry (Game) is what it did with the penalties applied. After you take a shot you should see two percentages in the bottom left or bottom right (depending on visual selections) that tell you how much your shot was penalized.

[jasonreg]

Just FYI for the issue you had with a tree behind your ball and you couldn't see you can hit "B" on your keyboard and it will hide objects behind you. The discrepancy between carry (Game) and carry (Raw) is due to the lie penalties when you are hitting out of rough/deep rough/bunker/etc. Carry (Raw) would be what the ball would have flown on the driving range (No penalties) and carry (Game) is what it did with the penalties applied. After you take a shot you should see two percentages in the bottom left or bottom right (depending on visual selections) that tell you how much your shot was penalized.

Ahh - thanks for that. Much appreciated.

[jhavens]

Very well stated. My experience exactly. I have read that "UnSoft" and Foresight are working on an agreement to include "UnSoft" in their licensing options. I am extremely pleased with the BLP and "UnSoft" simulator software. My hope is that both companies realize that they have a loyal base with superior products. I sold my other LM and purchased the BLP and "UnSoft" with the understanding that they were compatible and by paying the Basic annual fee to Foresight and the annual $250 to "Unsoft" everyone would get a piece of the action and we would all be happy. If Foresight increases the fees to be able to use "UnSoft" AND we have to continue paying "UnSoft", that would seem to amount to a "bait and switch" tactic to me resulting in a lot of very angry customers. If they require new fees for all new purchasers effective when such an announcement might come, then at least everyone knows the terms going forward. I don't know if any of that will happen but worth keeping an eye on.

When you are stuck behind a tree or other vegetation, hit the "5" or "6" key to see what it looks like over the ball. If you feel that it's an unplayable lie, use the "Sim Drop" option on the left side of the screen under "Game Options". One stroke penalty but you are out of trouble.

[Scottygolf]

I jumped 3 month ago and not looking back. Just learned the trick on B, 5 or 6, that is great info. Y for the heat map is really cool feature.

I believe the other distance issue is Quad is hotter and things get adjusted in the software. You can boost your drive only to 1.02 which will align more with what the Quad say but then you lose all the penalties, hitting trees, sand plays like grass.

What I heard the Foresight and Unsoft, talks are on hold until the TM lawsuit is resolved.

[jasonreg]

Y for the heat map is really cool feature.

What is the Heat Map (on the green?) used for?

What I heard the Foresight and Unsoft, talks are on hold until the TM lawsuit is resolved.

Interesting ....

[pagey]

The heatmap is for the greens undulation.

[sinkingputts]

I could not agree more!! Unsoft is superior in every way. I would say the graphics are 95% as good as FSXPlay. I only have 2 gripes with Unsoft. 1) sometimes a low hooking shot will grab instead of running out. I'm told that is being fixed soon. 2) I would like the option to default to a viewpoint of standing over the ball for all shots until the ball is on the green which would switch to a behind the ball view.

[Tom Howarth]

Interesting stuff. I too do not want to do all of these "back alley" things to use my Quad. If things ever get worked out, and it's still $250.00 per month, of course I would use it to supplement the courses I don't have thru Foresight. Call me crazy, but I think FSX2020 is great. I have not upgraded to Play yet. I will soon, when I upgrade my PC to avoid all of the issues everyone gripes about. I have about 35 courses. It's hard enough playing that many. I play 9 holes maybe a few times per week. Foresight has a ton of "big name" courses and many private places in my area (which are all awesome). It would be great if they added the TPC courses or Kapalua, etc.

[TGNgolf]

new guy here, what the heck is the unmentionable software?!

[jasonreg]

GS pro announcement - Golf Simulator Forum

[benzopyrene]

Im highly intrigued by this.......so just to confirm this all works on the GC quad as well? May have to give this a try since TM is holding the deal with foresight hostage.

[jasonreg]

It is actually V2.1 now and yo need the windows Runtime installation but all you need to do is open Gamechanger V2.1, then run UnSoft and you are in business. I am using it with the Quad.

[Scottygolf]

I run 2.0 without an issue, tried 2.2 and there is a bug (they know it). Have not tried V2.1. 2.0 works great. There is a sequence to fire it up, works perfect each time in the correct sequence.

[jasonreg]

I am thinking that is maybe the development with V2.1 for Quad/Hawk. I just turn on PC, turn on Quad, Run GC 2.1, start UnSoft and ready to go. No other steps or sequencing required. From what I read, V2.2 is for GC3/BLP and not Quad.

[benzopyrene]

Thanks for clarifying

[jasonreg]

I could not agree more!! Unsoft is superior in every way. I would say the graphics are 95% as good as FSXPlay.

sinkingputts Have you tried the new version of the Georgia Golf Club? it is made with the latest version of the software they use to create the courses and it is spectacular. I think all courses developed and updated from here on in will use that version.

[sinkingputts]

Yes. It’s awesome but i still believe FSXplay edges out Unsoft in the graphics department. If FSXplay is a 9.5/10 then Unsoft is 9/10. As for every other function Unsoft is 8.5/10 and FSXPlay is 2/10. I’ve played 100’s of rounds on both and I almost never use FSXPlay anymore. The real nail in the coffin for FSXPlay is going to be when Unsoft figures out how to make the low hooky top spin drives run out instead of hitting soft and stopping within 10 feet. I think the “Links” speed fairway setting should be like cement too you just can’t get The Open Championship roll out like a real links course would give you.

[mtheurer]

I will start by saying I am generally a fan of FSX Play and where Foresight Sports is trying to take this software. And I love my GC Quad. That said, I have become increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress in fixing several bugs, and mostly by not having access to my entire course library which came at significant cost. I am reasonably tech savvy, but generally shy away from unsupported software or modes of operation – just don’t need the added frustration in my life (yes, the FSX Play irony has not been lost on me here…).

I have a few friends who have been using the unmentionable software (I will refer to it as ‘UnSoft’ for the rest of my post) since its inception, but ‘hacking’ my GC Quad or following a list of do this, then this, then this was always the showstopper for me giving it a try. I came across this YT video and knew I the time was right to see what the buzz was about: "How To Connect UnSoft Golf with Bushnell Launch Pro/GC3 NOT using FSX in under 30 seconds" With the release of “Gamechanger V2.1”, I only need to open gamechanger, open UnSoft and play. Super easy and has been 100% reliable with my Quad. (Note: replace UnSoft with the real name of the software if you want to search for it)

My initial impressions:

• Download and installation was both super easy and super quick. Also, no need to disable Anti-Virus or Firewall – just installed like any other program.
• UnSoft costs US$250/year but this gets you access to the entire course library which is impressive. Now early days for me, so I have not parsed down which are better than others (and I have heard that they are not all created equally) but I played Sawgrass and have played two rounds at Augusta this week. I do know that they are validated before they are publicly released to identify and fix bugs in the course software (what a concept…).
• Graphics are very nice. Not certain they are materially superior to Play (at least the well done Play courses) but I am just at 1080 and not 4K so this may be where the difference truly lies. That said, I find the layouts and details much more refined than Play. Selecting 1920 x 1200 in the software to match up with my projector was a single click on the start screen.
• Courses are developed by users – there seems to be a whole sub-culture doing this. Not sure if I will go that far, but one of my buds has been working on our local course where we are members – not ready for open release but I will be trying it out this week. Kinda cool that this is even an option.
• Stimp seems much more realistic and accurate. Matches up with factory spec Stimp on my putting mat.
• I can see the club data (pictorial ala old FSX2020 option) on a separate screen with all the club data available on main screen as well while playing. I really like this.
• Aim point can be done on both mini-map and on main screen. Makes putting aim point selection much more accurate and easier.
• When you select your club (if you do this) it pulls up a matrix (tic-tac-toe) vs scrolling through each club – much quicker and easier.
• Terrain effects on roll-out seem much more accurate.
• Load times seem a bit long. That said, I believe it checks for updates each time you load the program and course.
• The game displays your stance behind your ball which is fine but on one shot where I sliced it a bit right - my ball was in the rough, but my view was behind a tree so while I had a clear shot, I could not see the aimpoint because of the tree – really weird.
• Play options are very intuitive and well laid out. I just wish that they were saved as new defaults. The game seems to reset each time I load it.
• There is a pretty big discrepancy between the carry (Game) and carry (Raw). ‘Raw’ matched my GC Quad so this is good. ‘Game’ seems to be the game calculated flight physics. Not sure why they are so different sometimes and close on others. There is also a total distance (Game) which is fine and seems to work well with the terrain effects on the ball.

So, have only been using UnSoft for about a week, but I am impressed. Not a single glitch, or mishit, or program freeze in several practice sessions in the canyon and 4 separate, 18 hole rounds. Refreshing. Not sure if it is enough to abandon FSX Play given the investment (and my eternal optimism that I will wake up one morning and it will all be fixed) but I think UnSoft will be my go-to for a bit anyway, especially for playing rounds.

Thought I would pass on my experience.

Did you have any problem with GameChanger freezing up? I just got my Quad and want to get UnSoft to work, but am having terrible difficulties. I welcome any guidance. I have tried opening GameChanger first then UnSoft and vice versa. It seems like GameChanger locks up. I can get green buttons on the top for Launch Monitor and OpenAPI, but the bottom right frequently says Not Ready.

[jasonreg]

Did you have any problem with GameChanger freezing up? I just got my Quad and want to get UnSoft to work, but am having terrible difficulties. I welcome any guidance. I have tried opening GameChanger first then UnSoft and vice versa. It seems like GameChanger locks up. I can get green buttons on the top for Launch Monitor and OpenAPI, but the bottom right frequently says Not Ready.

No problem whatsoever. Did you watch the YT video I referenced in the first post? There are two links in the comments section. One to GameChanger V2.1 and the other to a newer version of windows runtime. It is a service that runs in the background (i.e. you do not need to run it or open it but as far as I am aware it is required for GameChanger to work.

After that, it is just PC on, Quad on, run Gamechanger, run UnSoft. Very easy. Let me know if you still have issues.

[jasonreg]

I use wired internet (though that should not matter too much). I connect the Quad via USB myself.

[mtheurer]

Was just going to update that I figured out how to connect my Quad to UnSoft easily using Wifi using a second USB to Wifi adapter. Key is to disable the Connect automatically settings in the wi-fi settings section (not just uncheck the box when click on wi-fi). For wi-fi I used my main internet, and then for wi-fi 3 I use the Quad, and those are the only ones selected to connect automatically. My computer was trying to switch networks automatically because it wasn't detecting internet. Problem solved.

[jasonreg]

That is good to know - will file that one away for sure. Thanks for the update!