ProTee vs GC2 buying decision

[Maverick]

Update on current prices:

ProTee base 2 systems sell for $6k. But have been going for $4.5k on Ebay. A little bit cheaper for used systems.

GC2 can be had for $6-6.5K depending on your haggling abilities. $4.5-5.5k used on Ebay. Then add $2K for ProTee 2.0 software or $2-10K for FSS.

[wee988]

Very interested in what Hoona does with regards to the two systems. I am in almost the same position and have gotten very confused between which of these will best fit me. At this point I have nothing (no mat,net,computer,etc.) but a storage area about 10x10ft (maybe 8x10ft) with 9.5 ft ceilings. I want to add a projector and hitting screen but am not sure that will be feasible as I may have to take the setup down periodically. Was very excited about the prospects of the skytrak but have lost a lot of interest in that product as the rollout and information (subscription? features immediately usable and quality) is fuzzy. Anyone who has a clearer more positive account of skytrak please feel free to share.

So, it sounds as though the best option for me is the GC2 with pro tee software. What do you guys think? Would that mean that I buy only the GC2 and shield and get all other sofware from pro tee? Does the bare bones GC2 come with any range feature or is that the software that is 2K?

The majority of my time would be spent hitting balls and working in a driving range setting. The prospect of playing pro tee (with just about every course GC2 software has to offer and about 80 more) is very exciting. After talking with Zmax it also sounds like online play becomes...great so I don't want to eliminate that as an option. I am somewhat familiar with the GC2 software range...is the Protee just as user-friendly and easy to practice when using the GC2?

For those that favor the pro tee complete system I would be happy to hear reasons why you think I would be happier with that (I do know and have read the very well written accounts of pros and cons between the two systems). I am so excited about putting this together but it is still all very very confusing when deciding to pull the trigger.

thanks

[Maverick]

Bubba22 and I are the two most knowledgeable people on SkyTrak. We recommend ProTee or GC2 with ProTee and TGC. That should tell you plenty.

For your room, the GC2 is the way to go if you need something for this Winter.

[HWoods]

Welcome to the forum, wee988.

First thing you need to do is establish a budget. Once that's done you can go from there. Your room is small but it's dooable. The biggest concern with those specs is the distance between yourself and the screen. It's good to have a min of 10 ft but it looks like you aren't going to be able to do that. If you were going to hang your screen about a foot from the back wall, you need to determine how far back you can hit from in that room while still having a backswing. If its a 10x10 room and there's walls on all sides, could be tough.

To answer some other questions... When you get a GC2, you need to purchase any additional software separately. They will 'soon' be releasing their new FSX simulation software, which as far as I know, no one has seen yet. The older simulation software comes in different packages and is quite expensive. You basically gotta pay per course. This is option #1 when it comes to GC2.

Option#2...If you were to go Protee you get all courses and range for one flat rate. I think they currently have over 100 courses. I think they will also be releasing a package that includes the new simulation software (The Golf Club) in the near future. It includes online play and the ability to play in our weekly league. For me, it was the right option. The ballstriking is very realistic and playing with other players adds an element of pressure to it.

I'll say that at first, I was getting a GC2 for practice only. I love to hit balls and I'll be the first to tell you that it will get boring fast. Simulation play gets you thinking golf and playing golf shots, it has changed my game in many ways. Whatever you do choose, I think you need to leave the door open for simulation, IMO.

I didn't add any protee hardware info because I dont have it and never tried it. It is also very good but from playing with others and from what i've seen, it requires fine tuning. So its a trade off and you'll have to see what fits you best. I'm not sure if it would work with your room, others could tell you. Gc2 takes 5 mins to setup.

[kevin1889]

I think I'm holding out for the ProTee with TGC sim but I'm still trying to make sense of the simulator world, so I apologize if this is a rudimentary question... I saw this quote on one of the TGC forums, looked like it was posted by someone from ProTee:

"Well, we have many "garage" and "spare-room" players on ProTee Golf 2.0. In terms of pricing you're probably looking at something between $2,000 and $3,500... "

Is that price range likely just for the software, or would it be for the base ProTee hardware and the TGC sim software? I'm not sure if I understand this correctly but is it true that with the release of TGC it's likely that I'd need to get new ProTee hardware, or would it work if I bought a used system? I'm a little confused on that aspect as well.

[Bubba22]

TGC will work (when released) with a used ProTee system. Before buying a used ProTee system, make sure you check here with us or ProTee as the much older ProTee hardware will no work with ProteePlay or TGC. Base ProTee system is about 6G but if lucky you can get it around 3 G or so.

[kevin1889]

Thanks Bubba. Given your experience in the space, any idea (ballpark) how much the TGC software would run? I thought I read it would be cheaper than the ProTee, which looks like it's $1,995 right now.

Understand if you can't say because you are part of the test group. Maybe someone else may be able to give their best guess. I'm just trying to get an idea of total investment in a sim so I can be all set for next winter and start building/piecing together now.

[Bubba22]

Not sure price TGC.

[bpep]

GC2 with perf. software just went for $7450 on eBay.

[Bubba22]

Not cheap!

[wee988]

What are the odds that gc2 decides to "fix" the protee software usage and this is no longer available for gc2. That would be an expensive mistake. At this point I think I'm most interested in gc2 with protee software but if that software suddenly stops working... Anyone with any knowledge of the future of this. Especially TGC integration with foresight support/allowing this?

[zip]

What are the odds that gc2 decides to "fix" the protee software usage and this is no longer available for gc2. That would be an expensive mistake. At this point I think I'm most interested in gc2 with protee software but if that software suddenly stops working... Anyone with any knowledge of the future of this. Especially TGC integration with foresight support/allowing this?

How can they do that? The answer is with a firmware update. Just find a firmware that works and don't ever upgrade it.

Also keep a copy of a known Protee-friendly firmware on hand in case you ever install one that encrypts the data output.

[Mxwoodman]

Back in May I talked with Foresight and they said there doing something to stop the Protee software from working. But it's now Nov and they haven't done anything yet.
I think as long as you have the firmware files that works your ok. My guess when if ever they come out with the new FSX sim software it will require a version of the firmware that may not work with the Protee software or Foresights old sim software. I'm now on board with getting Protee/TGC for my GC2 and forgetting about getting the FSX sim software that was going to be out in July

[Maverick]

Spot on, zip.



Great move Mxwoodman. Did you already buy it and have it installed?

[Mxwoodman]

Not yet but I'm going to get it hopefully in the next few weeks. Have to have the TGC after putting on my sim computer and projecting it on the screen and it looks great even at 4:3