Still on the Fence?

[mayassa]

So I have been using my CG2 for well over a year now, and still am happy with my purchase and the support form PT and TGC. I noticed when I hit todays posts the whole page was filled with problems with ST and everyone is still waiting to play one day. Just putting it out if you're on the fence you won't regret going with the CG2 it has more options right now and it works every time I turn it on.

[Ironstrokes]

I hear you there, I think the issue with most people is the extra 2 to 4+ thousand dollars it takes to get gc2 over the skytrak.
I've personally been very happy with my skytrak so far, and the gc2 was a little rich for my blood at the time I decided to build a sim and didn't seem to do that much more then the skytrak when I was first researching (measurements wise, not sim availability yet obviously). It may be a little more accurate and have more of the kinks worked out, but I can deal with that for a bit for a whole lot less money. But I get what you mean for those that are actually on the fence between the 2, it definitely sounds like a more worry free buy if you got money to work with.

[mayassa]

I'm sure ST will work out all the issues, and it's probably because they have a lot more units sold so maybe it's the ratio. I was on the fence when I bought my CG2 a year or so ago and that's when the ST was $1500, still happy with the CG2.

[aja]

I was on the fence as well, waiting for the "affordable launch monitor" to arrive.

Got off the fence about a year ago and bought ProTee right when TGC was being introduced. (This is the same time ST was being clumsily rolled out.)

TGC has improved by leaps and bounds in the short time that the sim version has been under the stewardship of ProTee.

Not sure that "ST" is truly a viable sim option, or will soon be with their limited platform support and inherent processing delay.

Extremely pleased with ProTee, TGC and ProTee support.

The ProTee / TGC option is at a very good price point as well.

Happy golfing!

[davray666]

I have used the ST for 10 months and the GC2 for 1 week. I bought the GC2 used and paid appr. 1k$ more for it.
Even if the ST would have had sim support the GC2 is a much better buy.
What I did not know at the time when I purchased it was that GC2 is the only HW that has an interface anybody can hook up to and read the data.
Granted FS does not support it and try to prevent people from using it but it's so dirt simple to read the BT & USB data that anybody that wants to can hook it up to any sim. Assuming the sim software vendor wants to do it.
In addition it's more accurate and easier to use than ST. For me that is worth the extra 1k$ especially since I don't need to pay the 100$ annual tax to use the unit. For you it might not be.
As soon as I have made up my mind between PG & TGC I will develop an app that tracks the data during play and display it the way a fitting app would on a separate screen. Assuming it is required, since I have not tried the sim yet I don't know. I would really like to be able to see the data even after the sim has moved on to the next hole.

[mayassa]

App would be like a logger?

[davray666]

Initially it will only be displaying the GC2 data on a separate screen and have it stay there until next shot.
But I guess it can evolve to anything if the need comes up incl saving the shot data and presenting it in various ways.

[doublebogey]

davray666, so you only paid $3k for your GC2? How old and where did you buy it may I ask (as I'm potentially somewhat interested in switching from ST to GC2 as well)? Also is your GC2 portable and rechargeable (i.e., does it need to be plugged in)? Thanks.

[davray666]

2ndswing. Call them and ask. They seam to have an endless supply.
Yes it's portable like all GC2's it has a battery. Surprisingly enough the battery in my unit seams to be very good.
I have no idea how old it is but I suspect that the ones with an A serial number are more recent. Mine has an A serial.

[doublebogey]

Great thanks. Wonder if they'll entertain trade-in of ST?

[Ookie]

Davray666,

Thanks for posting this. I'm going to reach out and look into the used GC2 as well.

The $100 Skygolf tax you mentioned is a big issue for me--simply because they concealed it from the consumer at the time of purchase. Furthermore, when I pre-ordered the protective stand, they charged my credit card for the full amount that day. This is essentially unheard of. Do a pre-order with Apple or Amazon, and they put a pre-authorization hold on the card at time of purchase, but they do not actually charge you until the product ships. They took my money almost two months ago, and the promised date has long come and gone.

The financial amounts involved ($100/year and letting them hold $150 for months) are not a big deal for me. The lack of common business ethics, however, is a deal-breaker. I'm no longer going to support a company with greed/ethical issues like this, and I suggest that everyone else give pause here before doing the same.

I'm going to reach out to 2nd Swing and see what they can do on a GC2.

With regard to serials/models, have there been different generations of GC2 (e.g. Version 1, Version 2) with significant hardware differences, or are they all essentially the same? Any idea if they log how many swings have been recorded? I'm pretty sure that they need maintenance on the camera flashes at certain intervals.

Once again, thanks for posting. Very glad I saw this before TCG released for Skytrak and I dropped another $1K on it.

[davray666]

I am by no means a GC2 expert since I only had it for a few weeks. But there are others on here that could help in answer your questions.
As far as I have been able to determine diffrent Firmware versions treat the FLASH count differently.
My v3.7.0 does not display FLASH count. Not a big problem because I have a new Flash module standing by when the first one runs out.
And then I will just buy one more spare to have that one standing by.
I have designed Xenon Flash modules before. So when the first one dies I will look in to fixing it with new components instead of buying a new one.

I don't know if there are several hardware versions around. The logic I used that might well be totally wrong was.
Buy a unit with an A in the serial number and get something that is somewhat recent and has Apple iOS support.

I agree with you on the ST tax. It's not the money it's the principle and the way it's implemented that bothers me as well.

[Ronsc1985]

The only difference I know about is the A models allow connection to an iPhone. If you get an older model and wish the Apple connection you can send it in to Foresight. The previous models just connect to Android devices. Aside from that they are all the same operationally. I have the older, non A, model and it has run very well on versions 3.5, 3.7 and 3 10 of the firmware. I am using Foresight FS1 sim software.

I have no idea how many flashes before the flash module needs replacement. The flash counter disappeared with firmware 3.7. Whatever the replacement count, it is a lot because I had mine for over 1.5 years before signs it needed replacement and it was used when I got it. Since the unit flashes a variable amount depending on the shot being hit there is no easy way to even take an educated guess on the running total.

[wee988]

So if one were to get a used gc2.....what software is available to have a simple range. I ask this because the foresight software is excessive in price. I would be interested in a used gc2 as well but don't know if there is an app like the skytrak app out there for simple range function. anyone? do most of you (gc2 users) simply use tgc and hit individual shots with it when practicing? I say practicing because playing a course seems to be tgc hands down. Thanks

[JV17]

So if one were to get a used gc2.....what software is available to have a simple range. I ask this because the foresight software is excessive in price. I would be interested in a used gc2 as well but don't know if there is an app like the skytrak app out there for simple range function. anyone? do most of you (gc2 users) simply use tgc and hit individual shots with it when practicing? I say practicing because playing a course seems to be tgc hands down. Thanks

Hey wee, I'd highly recommend the GC2... A little more money than ST, yes... Also quite a bit more established with more options right now. TGC is great. Driving range features are there and minimal, but they do the job. TGC is more about playing than practicing. That said, it has enough to get you there. If you're looking for a low budget option, you can go with Perfect Golf while they are doing beta testing. You only need the steam version of the game. ************** is helping to test the GC2 with PG. You can sign up for the beta and use PG. It seems like a good option while you're trying to save the pain on the wallet. That said, it is in beta, so there will be glitches to deal with. Check it out... But most of all... Get the GC2... Haven't heard of anyone regretting it.

[mayassa]

Well worth the investment, winter is coming, and is sure will be nice to keep playing in a warm room.