Help!! Skytrak or GC2?

[Pye2408]

Hi All,

Just joined this great forum! I need advice on which to get. A little bit background, I am about 10 handicap, just set up my first in house simulation with skytrak about 2 weeks ago.

Skytrak is great, given its price. I feel like the Skytrak data is a little bit off, especially the carry distance. Compared it to GC2 indoor, the carry is around 10 yards short. And I was told that Skytrak does not measure accurately on mis shot. The other day I took Skytrak to outdoor driving range around 4pm, it doesn't work well as it did not pick drivers, the ball flight direction and shape were off 30% of the times. I was suggested that it maybe caused by the sunlight and yellow range balls. I will give it try at night to see if it improves. Another thing I noticed that if the hitting surface is not flat, the data is not accurate. It is not an issue indoor but it is an issue outdoor as I plan to use LM outdoor frequently.

Now I am thinking maybe I should return Skytrak and get a GC2A. The FSX software is so expensive though. They quoted on about 8K for a certified refurbished + FSX. I just bought a new macbook pro and own a customized game desktop so I don't think I will spend extra dollar on other items required. I would like to use current unit for at least 5 years and will probably take private lessons to improve my swing. Do you think it is a good idea to pay extra 6K to get the GC2 + FSX?

Sorry for long paragraph and many thanks!!!

[JJI1981]

if outdoor use is a priority, I wonder if any folks (more experienced than me) would recommend a flightscope. With an Xi+ (and the new short indoor mode) it might be something to consider, and you're in the same price range as the gc2.

Seems like most folks on here are quite pleased with their Skytraks. I've used both the GC2 and Skytrak indoors (not outdoors) and find that both are quite good (slight edge to the GC2 of course).

[Pye2408]

if outdoor use is a priority, I wonder if any folks (more experienced than me) would recommend a flightscope. With an Xi+ (and the new short indoor mode) it might be something to consider, and you're in the same price range as the gc2.

Seems like most folks on here are quite pleased with their Skytraks. I've used both the GC2 and Skytrak indoors (not outdoors) and find that both are quite good (slight edge to the GC2 of course).

I would say 50/50 priority on both indoor and outdoor. The flightscope Xi+ looks pretty advanced, provides both ball and club data, however it requires minimum 21 ft from ball to net space to use indoor. Since I have limited space so I think I will go with LM that uses high speed camera.

So far, I am quite happy with the Skytrak indoor experience. I am just wondering if Skytrak also measure correctly when I have a mishit. And the carry distance kind of bothering me a little bit even though I can adjust the altitude.

[JJI1981]

I believe the newer Flightscopes have a feature called "short indoor mode" which only requires 16ft of total space (8ft/8ft). I have not used this feature however. I have found the Skytrak to be quite accurate on mishits; particularly in capturing side spin on hits toward the toe/heel.

[Stingreye]

I know several guys that have made the jump from Skytrak to a gc2. They all say the same thing. Skytrak is the best bang for your buck, however, they see the value in the gc2 and understand why its more expensive. It is a case of you get what you pay for. If you see yourself wanting an indoor sim area for a prolonged period of time and want to take the LM outdoors, I think the GC2 is your best bet. I would check with Aeroburner about a used GC2. He always has some coming up he knows about for sale. I would imagine you could get a recent serial number in the 4k range and an older one for the mid to high 3k range.

[Pye2408]

I know several guys that have made the jump from Skytrak to a gc2. They all say the same thing. Skytrak is the best bang for your buck, however, they see the value in the gc2 and understand why its more expensive. It is a case of you get what you pay for. If you see yourself wanting an indoor sim area for a prolonged period of time and want to take the LM outdoors, I think the GC2 is your best bet. I would check with Aeroburner about a used GC2. He always has some coming up he knows about for sale. I would imagine you could get a recent serial number in the 4k range and an older one for the mid to high 3k range.

Actually I quite agree with you, get what you pay for. I decided to go for GC2 since I plan to use my LM for at least 5 years. I took the Skytrak out to driving range last night, and it only picks around 30% of swings. BTW, i bought a certified refurbished unit from Foresight, looking forward to it

[Waterplx]

We use the SkyTrak and the GC2 outdoors all the time and have run into this issue MANY times. We have found that direct sunlight to the camera lenses throws these launch monitors completely out of whack! What we have done to prevent this is erect a small umbrella over the monitors to keep them out of direct sunlight without blocking the view from ball to camera at all. Sometimes this gets tricky, especially if the sun is at your back and pointing directly at the monitor. In those cases, we literally erect an 8' tall shade behind the golfer to cast a shadow on the monitor camera lens. Is this a hassle? You bet it is.. But if you plan to use a camera bases system in direct sunlight then I'm not aware of any other options. I have heard of others trying to cover the camera lenses with a mirror finish glass (like sun glasses). I have tried this a few times but it only ever renders the monitors useless.

We rent a mobile simulator as a part of our event business and often times we have to setup outdoors. In those cases though, we usually have a net enclosing the entire hitting area. Once we place a shade on the net to block the monitor from direct sunlight, they work just find for us. if the sunlight is directly above, or coming from behind the monitor then it doesn't seem to be a problem as much.

[Stingreye]

I used to use my GC2 outside on my patio for a few months before I had a dedicated sim room. Never needed to do anything regarding sunlight and the gc2. Wonder if I got lucky, I don't think the sun ever hit directly into the unit (low sun pointing at the unit) though.

[Cinderellaboy]

I know several guys that have made the jump from Skytrak to a gc2. They all say the same thing. Skytrak is the best bang for your buck, however, they see the value in the gc2 and understand why its more expensive. It is a case of you get what you pay for. If you see yourself wanting an indoor sim area for a prolonged period of time and want to take the LM outdoors, I think the GC2 is your best bet. I would check with Aeroburner about a used GC2. He always has some coming up he knows about for sale. I would imagine you could get a recent serial number in the 4k range and an older one for the mid to high 3k range.

This. I made the upgrade and never regretted it for a second. But I still tell everyone the skytrak is great for the price point.

[Jwheels9876]

Get a used GC2 for around 4k

[gnomike]

I'm deciding between buying a certified pre-owned GC2 from Foresight, or picking one up on a private sale here on the forum. The CPO is more expensive, but it includes a 6 mo warranty and is likely newer. The private sale is cheaper, but there's some sort of ownership transfer fee.

Any advice/thoughts?

Also, does anyone know how much the transfer fee is if I do go for the private sale?

[mthunt]

Buy the one from Foresight if the price is close. If you’re looking at Keith’s I don’t think he even used it. Buy that one

[Blaker34]

I'm deciding between buying a certified pre-owned GC2 from Foresight, or picking one up on a private sale here on the forum. The CPO is more expensive, but it includes a 6 mo warranty and is likely newer. The private sale is cheaper, but there's some sort of ownership transfer fee.

Any advice/thoughts?

Also, does anyone know how much the transfer fee is if I do go for the private sale?

If outdoor use is a priority at all, go with Flightscope. If this is for indoor use only, GC2 is obviously the play. I have a dedicated simulator room I finished in December and have been really happy with my Flightscope Xi Tour. I know that doesn't answer your question but GC2 outdoors is brutal.

What are the dimensions of your room? Pictures?