Garage Simulator

[kyle1981]

Hi everyone.

I would really like to build a simulator in my garage and have been looking at skytrak, trugolf (used), and gc2 (used). Space is an issue as i only have about 12 wide by 14 deep and 9.5 tall. I've been reading that some big things are coming and to get your simulation room ready, but was hoping for more guidance.

My budget is around $5,000 so the skytrak is enticing but I’m worried about it having to be perfectly level and having 2 young kids that will surely shank the ball and hit the unit. Should I wait until the "big things" come or just pull the trigger on one of the above. I already have a net and hitting mat in my garage, but its getting very boring just hitting balls with no clue what direction they are going.

Also, i would like the simulator to be accurate. I want to use this for fun but also game improvement.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Maverick]

Get your room done. Build it as if you were gonna use a GC2 or Skytrak. Install impact screen and projector. Build a high end pc using my recommended specs. Add hitting mat and stance mats. See the Build Your Own section for tips and ideas. Budget is plenty.

[kyle1981]

Thanks Zmax. Extremely helpful. Cant wait to see whats coming.

[kyle1981]

Zmax. This is what i have currently. Would this with the addition of a screen, computer, and projector work for whats coming? The mat thats in the picture is 5ft by 5ft which is plenty to hit a driver. Just not sure about the size of whats coming and if it needs to be on this type of mat.

Thanks.

[Maverick]

You gonna put your screen in the middle of the room?

Here are some ideas: http://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/...ons-protee-gc2

[kyle1981]

Ideally yes. With the way the garage door tracks are in my garage it limits my options. Was hoping to create something freestanding that I could move when i need to do other garage projects. Maybe thats unrealistic.

[Ronsc1985]

I have a garage setup with a used GC2 with 7 courses and a computer. They are not cheap even used so a 5K total budget is unrealistic. A skytrack is cheaper but you might want to check on the interface. As far as I can tell it only couples to a smartphone and then only shot data. I suppose someone will eventually sell an interface to an actual simulator program.

A 5x5 mat is large enough. Don't skimp on the mat. Something like a Reel Feel ensures you won't develop wrist and elbow problems from hitting off the mat.

Your width limitations dictate a smaller screen then I have which is 12x9. What you need to do is figure out really what is the largest width screen you can fit into your net. This and the available aspect ratio of the software fixes the height. Currently in the GC2 I have it;s 4:3. You have plenty of depth so most any short throw projector will fill the screen. In my case I only had 9 feet before the net cage would hit the garage opener. That is plenty with the projector mounted on the top of the cage tubing. I put it there so if I have to move the cage to do something else in the garage the whole setup moves together with no realignment of the projector to screen which can get to be a real PITA.. I can hit full 56 wedge shots but the 60 tends to hit the top of the net which creates some exciting bounces.

Don't skimp on the net. You need full top and sides especially if your kids are going to be using the simulator. Even skilled golfers hit a hosel rocket or a top of the club sky every now and then especially when using a simulator where you don't have to chase the foul balls and tend to gravitate to full boogie swings every now and then.. A GC2 has an armor type enclosure available which will handle the hosel rockets nicely. My grandkids have bounced a few off this enclosure with no ill effects. Generally I don't use it but when they are here it gets reinstalled.

One other thing to consider is heating if you live in a colder climate. In my case I have a 240 volt 5600 watt heater and a coupe of ceramic radiant 1500 watt heaters. If it's really cold out I turn all of them on about 30 minutes before using the simulator and then I usually turn off the 240 volt unit as radiant heat from the other two units is sufficient for a 1 or 2 hour simulator session.

[Bubba22]

Thanks Ronsc1985. Right you are that the Foresight courses are not cheap! Just to let one know Skytrak works fine with E6. I am testing as we speak.

[Ronsc1985]

Thanks Ronsc1985. Right you are that the Foresight courses are not cheap! Just to let one know Skytrak works fine with E6. I am testing as we speak.

Are you a beta tester since the Skytrack website does not list any compatible simulator systems? It seems like for the price the Skytrack would be a good system. They do say they are working on providing links to simulator programs.

Two things put me off about it though. First if you are going to say it's accurate then publish your tolerances as Foresight does. Their literature states that placing the ball logo towards the camera helps with accuracy. If so then apparently they have a tougher time reading spin without a ball mark.

Second as I read their literature it seems you have to put the ball as a very specific spot i.e. a laser dot. Is this true? The requirement for a precise placement of the ball was one of the bad features ot the Vector Pro I had before and is really a PITA when used outdoors and taking divots. Indoors that requirement tends to accelerate mat wear if you hit many irons.

That said, for the price I'd consider it if I didn't already have a GC2.

[Maverick]

Their comparison page shows SKytrak vs TM data.

Published SkyTrak specs:

http://www.skytrakgolf.com/learn-more

[Ronsc1985]

Skytrack has published their specs. Compared to a GC2 they are anywhere from 2x to 5x worse depending on the parameter. The 5x items are the spins and launch angle.

In essence they are about the same tolerances as a Vector Pro with some minor differences.

[Bubba22]

For the price difference to the GC2, the specs are tolerable. In fact I dont notice the spec difference when I use the unit as most amateurs won't notice those differences.

[Maverick]

Skytrack has published their specs. Compared to a GC2 they are anywhere from 2x to 5x worse depending on the parameter. The 5x items are the spins and launch angle.

In essence they are about the same tolerances as a Vector Pro with some minor differences.

5 times worst? lol....Come on Ron.

I've tested the SkyTrak using a camera and its LA is spot on. It's actually one of it's best measurements. As for backspin, 200 rpm difference is nothing. Same for side spin. 200 rpm on a 7 iron might be a few feet offline at most. On a driver, that might be a 2 yards. Don't forget that GC2 specs is +/- 50 rpm in itself.

But specs don't mean anything to me. I've used the Vector and the SkyTrak appears to be more accurate. I also own the GC2. The GC2 is not perfect but its definitely more accurate than the SkyTrak.

[Ronsc1985]

5 times worst? lol....Come on Ron.

I've tested the SkyTrak using a camera and its LA is spot on. It's actually one of it's best measurements. As for backspin, 200 rpm difference is nothing. Same for side spin. 200 rpm on a 7 iron might be a few feet offline at most. On a driver, that might be a 2 yards. Don't forget that GC2 specs is +/- 50 rpm in itself.

But specs don't mean anything to me. I've used the Vector and the SkyTrak appears to be more accurate. I also own the GC2. The GC2 is not perfect but its definitely more accurate than the SkyTrak.

Do the arithmetic, it is what it is.

As to effect, a 1 degree horizontal launch angle and a 200 rpm side spin differential results a 10+ yard error differential in side deviation for a 225 yard drive. If this doesn't bother you fine with me. The error amount is easily found by using any of the free ball ballistics programs like Trajectoware. If the intended use is just to monitor yor specs while you practice then the Skytrack is suitable as was a Vector Pro.

I used a Vector Pro for about 4 years. It was fine for finding out how well you were hitting the ball. It was not suitable for using in an accurate simulator but since that was not it's intended purpose no harm, no foul.

[Bubba22]

No way it's 5 times worse. I use the GC2 and it's great. My question is do you think the GC2 is 100% perfectly right all the time? I don't worry about a 10 yard error. I play to a 3 handicap and the Skytrak is more than fine. On any given shot how are we sure the Skytrak, GC2, Trackman or whatever is right? Proof is in what your real shot does in real life, which gets influenced by altitude, wind, rain, snow or whatever. I agree with you that error deviations can lead to different results, but let's not get too picky. Having said that if one wants the "best", then get a Trackman or GC2 as I do think they represent the most accurate. Most low/high handicappers won't notice much difference when using a Skytrak. Perhaps a pro player may notice but for most of us if won't be noticeable.