Getting close to pulling the trigger on a new GC2 - couple of questions

[Mickey]

1) Would you bother with the FSX software (comes with one course)? Foresight describes it as their game improvement tool. Features include:

- Shot for shot record keeping of practice sessions with cloud data management. Great for bench marking and comparison, validating game improvement

- Access to upcoming game improvement seminars and workshops with some of Canada's top instructors

- On course practice mode gives you the ability to train decision making and shot shapes with true to life conditions

- Cloud based skills challenge to test your ability to perform consistently through multiple shots and distances

- Club comparison and distance gapping

2) Is GC2 with TCG actually better than GC2 with FSX? That's what most members of this Forum believe. Think of this question in the context of the following claims by Foresight:

- Full true to life ball flight (not optimized for launch angles and spin axis)

- Access to our full 3D course environment; unlike TGC, Foresight has a full 3D world with no blurring of the perspective.

- Our game is more real

Thank you in advance for your thoughtful comments.

[leoapd]

I am also on fence on one of their new units. Have some questions into them regarding pricing. Hope to hear back soon. Don't want unneeded software if running TGC or other later.

[aja]

Mario, not to be nosy, but more for context, how good a golfer are you?

What are you looking for yourself?

Features such are 'club comparison and distance gapping' can be achieved many different ways, without any special technology and are not the exclusive preserve of Foresight.

Game improvement seminars... the internet is full of them.

Shot for shot recordkeeping.... to validate game improvement... I guess if you can't tell on your own that you are improving...

Don't get me wrong. I'm a believer in the GC2. It is a great, proven piece of technology. I just think that Foresight's add-on software is more a cash grab since many members have expressed this view.

It's silly that Foresight refuses to sell the vanilla GC2 so that it can be paired with TGC or PG.

[Mickey]

Not nosy at all - I closed the 2015 season (late October 2015) at a 8 hcp, My cap dropped from 11 to 8 in one season! - that's why I went sim crazy - I'm hoping to get the cap to say 4 in the next couple of years.

I'm discussing it directly with Foresight Canada. The following numbers may not be relevant to U.S. purchasers.

"$7445 USD = $6695 GC2 + $750 SDK - keeps your warranty"

If you buy the FSX software you are refunded the SDK, but pay a bunch more for the software.

aja - I tend to agree with you on the value of the 'game improvement software' - I think the features can be duplicated elsewhere.

But what do you think of the other claims:

- Full true to life ball flight (not optimized for launch angles and spin axis)

- Access to our full 3D course environment; unlike TGC, Foresight has a full 3D world with no blurring of the perspective.

- Our game is more real

[luv2golf]

Before you pull the trigger with Aaron, talk to Cory at Par2Pro. He might give you a better deal.

[FinnPD]

I def think FSX is a cash grab. The salesman told me it was illegal to use anything but FSX, and that Foresight was suing the developers of TGC. I will be running TGC with my GC2 soon.

[m3w]

1) Simple answer: No. If I'm using any basic range software, and I can see my ball flights are getting tighter and longer, I don't need useless online record-keeping tools to reinforce that. I can see it with my own eyes. If they offered it for a small fee? Sure. But it's in no way worth thousands of dollars!

2) Full true to life ball flight? Full 3D world with no blurring perspective? Our game is more real? Give me a break! They might as well say that their balls are bigger than everyone elses too.

Bottom line - their graphics are much more cartoon-like than either TGC or PG. Their ball flights are close enough to TGC or PG, that you can hardly say theirs is more accurate.

[goatbarn]

I'd say that their claim of ball flight is not accurate on super high launch/low spin drives, as they overestimate these, sometimes ridiculously. So lie #1.

And of course TGC and PG are "full 3d worlds" as well. "Blurring of perspective" makes me think that they had depth of field turned on in TGC, and assumed it couldn't be turned off? So lie #2.

Basically, it's typical snake oil salesman crap. To be expected when dealing directly with Foresight.

[Mickey]

Thx. I'll save myself the extra cash. Spend it on TGC and PG.

[V8burble]

GC2 has been perfect for me since I bought a 2nd hand unit last summer. I play TGC and PG, there is plenty of variety, competition and equally importantly, fun.There are preferences to both
Happy to share my thoughts on pros and cons of TGC and PG privately if you're interested but both are great and for my purposes of practice, improvement and fun - I haven't given FSX a second thought.... well, actually a target based high score system/challenge would be nice!

[Mickey]

Thanks for this. If I get the gc2 I'll use both pg and TGC. Like others I was hopeful that skytrak/tgc would be released. Looks like I'm going the gc2 route.

[Antony]

I brought a GC2-T last year with FSX. No complaints, well maybe one. The courses are abit expensive! . I haven't used PG and TGC so cant comment on those but I like the look of FSX. Response from shot to image on screen is instant, it draws its line from impact on screen and it seems very accurate (I play off a 6). I mainly went with FSX for peace of mind know it would all work 100% as expected and get good support from Foresight.

[leoapd]

Just got my quote today for GC2....usual new price but offering 5 free courses of choice with the FSX at $ 2395 US???????

[goatbarn]

$500 a course! What a bargain!

[leoapd]

Yeah, some bargain. I knew FSX was expensive, but 2400 with having to throw in 5 courses. Skytrak needs to get sim going.

[fortysixandtwo]

I have the gc2 with the older fr1 software with range, gap fitting and one course. I also use pg&tgc. Most of the time for range practice I use the gap fitting range. It came with the used unit I bought so I don't know if I'd buy it new, I do use it a lot though and use pg/tgc for course play. Maybe over time I'll just jump right into pg/tgc range for practice range as well. You can't go wrong buying pg/tgc, but I haven't heard to many happy gc2 users giving great reviews on the fsx courses..actually I don't think I've read any great reviews...please don't fall for sdk fee either..

[Mickey]

Regarding SDK - haven't found someone willing to waive it, but still working on it.

[luv2golf]

Mario, have you talked to Cory at Par2Pro?

[Mickey]

Yes. He won't waive SDK. Same price as Aaron.

[leoapd]

I was quoted 6695 for just unit plus tax.... Live in wonderful CA...SDK a last minute charge?

[Mickey]

Sdk was not sprung on me. They were very upfront that sdk was needed to honour the warranty. Ask about the warranty before you buy.

[leoapd]

I will. No mention about it either way in the quote. Sounding more and more like the sale of a used car. Thanks

[Gamble Gamble]

I had been quoted a bunch of different numbers regarding the SDK and the unit. I think the SDK/FSX is how the agent gets their rip, my rep even went so far as to tell me that management gets annoyed if they do not sell the unit with software which is why they have to push the SDK. They have to make some spread almost like a mortgage broker that has to hit 1 point before they get comped. Anything over that point is split between the sales guy and the house.

Par2Pro did validate that their FSX price went up this year which I thought was just a sales tactic, as they do use a few scarcity closes in their pitch.

They made it pretty easy to work with them. I also recommend rosebrand for sound reducing theater curtains. I was so surprised how much that does for quieting the room.

[luv2golf]

What's the best quote you got with software and with SDK?

[Gamble Gamble]

SDK is only paid if you do not buy the software