What to choose?

[Ryan5508]

Something I think would be helpful to a lot of newcomers to this forum would be some type of guide on purchasing/building a simulator. The more research I do on my own the more questions I keep running into.

Do we have any type of price point recommendation and comparisons here? Best under $3k, 5k, etc.... accuracy and ease of use for one brand to another?

For example: A protee and trugolf setup are very close in overall price for the finished product (pc,cage, sensors, projector). But with new products like skytrak I can get something much cheaper potentially that seem to be plenty accurate for its purpose. I have just been waiting on some type of pc/andriod app and the e6 cloud info.

I would like to set something up in my garage for the next few years until I decide to move somewhere with taller ceilings for an indoor setup. Everything seems to exponentially increase in price as you add all the needed components to the system. I am also hesitant to keep this stuff in a cold garage during the winter months.

I keep reading there is more new stuff coming out soon but as far as whats out right now whats the best that wont break the bank?

My only simulator experience is on a full swing sim that is about 6 years old now. My goal is something I can play a few rounds with friends during the winter.

[aja]

What you are looking for is all here. Just read the posts.

Best advice is, build your sim room. When it's done, choose your sim. Technology might have caught up with you by then.

[wbond]

Read first before you build. The same setup does not work for all systems. You may need direct overhead lighting (protee) which may affect where you want to mount a projector. Others may require a lot more space, FS or Trackman. Some are floor mounted while others have units off to the side. Some require cameras to be mounted. ETC, ETC, ETC.

What you are looking for is all here. Just read the posts.

Best advice is, build your sim room. When it's done, choose your sim. Technology might have cought up with you by then.

[SwingMotor]

I'm building my simulator in my 2 car garage. I bought the Optishot system (New) and a short throw projector (Used) (together $800). Then I bought 2 turf mat's measuring at 5'x3' ($220), a 4'x8' sheet of ply wood and built an 8'x3' box. I bought 4 piece's of 1"x2'x8' styrofoam insulation to fill the box beneath the turf and in the center from the top 1" sheet I carved out a place for the Optishot. I trimmed out the sensor strip holes in the mat and used garden edging trim to keep the strips clear of grass ($100). I bought a 12'x9' green grass carpet to fill between the screen and the stance pad (both lefty's and righty's can play), that was $120. I bought two 12'x9' tarps for either side of the screen. I bought two 12'x12' off white painters drop sheets, one for the screen and the other for the ceiling ($100). I bought two 9' metal corner strips for drywall and two 2"x2"x10' lumber to attach the screen at the top and both the screen and carpet at the bottom. I bought two 3/4"D x10' lengths of metal pipe (Electrical conduit) to hang the tarps from the ceiling like curtains so I can pull them out of the way when not in use. I had a plexi glass cover built for my projector ($60) that will sit on the floor in front of my stance pad. There are screws, hangers for the tarp, spray paint for the box, etc, etc...all in I'd say it cost around $1500. Oh and I also bought a gravity based ball setter, a must have for your set up. I'll up date here later with pic's or a short video once I've completed it this weekend, hopefully by Sunday I will have them to post.

[Ryan5508]

I know there is a lot of info all over this site. I have been trying to read all off it. I just think some kind of buyers guide would be helpful.

I am leaning towards a protee setup or a skytrak. My wife is not to sold on the garage sim idea yet though.

We just played on the full swing golf sim again today. After really paying attention to how it acts I cant say its something I would ever buy. This model is Probably at least 6+ years old and does not look HD. I want something that wont always miss higher loft club hits and is maybe more accurate for pitches and chips. This was kinda of all over the place for accuracy. I found my self hitting half as much as I would normally just to make it work correctly.. Not worried about putting. At least most hits the distance seemed correct. except for a few 240+ yard 5 hybrid shots out of nowhere.

[Bubba22]

ProTee is a good option but more setup required. TGC software is very nice. Skytrak is a nice little unit. Read in the Skytrak thread for more info. Gc2 another good option. No right answer. They all are good at different price points.

[aja]

A relatively inexpensive way to ease into the "sim" game is to go with Optishot. It's not all that accurate compared to more expensive systems but if your stated aim is to play a few rounds with friends over the winter, it's probably good enough as far as the entertainment value goes. It also has a strong enough resale market that you can sell it later if you move onto something else.

Comment re. Skytrack - it is not a sim, at least not yet. It's a launch monitor which at present only works with certain Apple products and whose software development is ongoing.

ProTee and Skytrack ars vastly different.

[Ryan5508]

I had debated the optishot as a starter system. I am really limited in space at my current home. I would like to stay under the 3k range if possible. When we move in a few years I plan on going to something larger.

I know the optishot has its limitations but as far as slice / hook does it read that we'll enough to work on it? I just wanted something to practice with when I can. I work nights and I am wide awake all night.

[Bubba22]

Not a bad option in Optishot. Limited accuracy but a good starter system. You can always upgrade once you have the basic sim components in place. Good luck and keep us posted!

[LipOut]

Hello All and thanks for everyone's honest input. I've been reading through all the posts here for a couple weeks while I complete my garage's interior. At this point I'm leaning towards an Xi with E6 cloud (once it comes out). I have about 22 feet from where the Xi would sit and the net/screen. Anyone have any thoughts or recommendations on this approach?

[goatbarn]

22 feet from radar to screen will be just fine.

Do you have any florescent lighting? This will interfere with the radar.

PM me with any specific questions, I'm an Xi owner.

[LipOut]

Hi Goatbarn - no fluorescent lights - I have LED's - those okay? I'll be in touch too.Thanks

[Adam Borseth]

Just found u guys online yesterday just what I am looking for building indoor simulator incorporating with flightscope new model. Want opinion on everything for indooor If u started from ground zero what would you do . i have a 24 by 22 indoor room with a existing putting green want to incorporate together. want opinion on hitting screen , thinking e6 sofware can be persuaded other ways , projector I want high quality and clarity with that. Opinion on everything would greatly appreciate.

[Bubba22]

Good luck LipOut. Pick Goats brains as he is our resident expert in the Flightscope department. Keep us posted.

[billydruce]

You do realise the xi is mobile devise compatible only. I am in a similar situation to u and I agree the xi looks like a fantastic option, if it was laptop based and protee / tgc compatible its the the option I would go for. However it's not and by info I've been given never will be.

[Bubba22]

You do realise the xi is mobile devise compatible only. I am in a similar situation to u and I agree the xi looks like a fantastic option, if it was laptop based and protee / tgc compatible its the the option I would go for. However it's not and by info I've been given never will be.

That's not completely true. Goat I believe has been using the xi with E6. Goatbarn can you confirm this? Flightscope is in the process of integrating with TGC. I will keep you all posted on that progress. One of the issues with Flightscope is the lack of putting. There is a putting app for the iphone 6 that we are testing. Its almost ready for release and works well. I am in the process of trying to get the app compatable with TGC to allow for putting with the Flightscope and TGC. This would allow those folks with the Flightscope the ability to putt

[Dax]

That's not completely true. Goat I believe has been using the xi with E6. Goatbarn can you confirm this? Flightscope is in the process of integrating with TGC. I will keep you all posted on that progress. One of the issues with Flightscope is the lack of putting. There is a putting app for the iphone 6 that we are testing. Its almost ready for release and works well. I am in the process of trying to get the app compatable with TGC to allow for putting with the Flightscope and TGC. This would allow those folks with the Flightscope the ability to putt

My guess was that it was for Skytrak, and missed this alternative completely.