simulator accuracy vs software quality

[tascot]

It looks like we are going to get a range of affordable simulators on the market , reading recent adds and posts. My question is what is more important , the accuracy of data collected by the sim sensors or the realism and quality of play of the software. Having played on high end sims, and used vector launch monitors, im not so sure that realy accurate sim equipment is neccesary to have fun and get usefull feedback. I much prefer to play TGC than some of the other software choices, on my sensor pad with LA camera, which makes me think that software competion is going to be the next big driver of sim technology. What is the prefered software. Thanks.

[Bubba22]

Accurate measurement is the most important feature. Good quality software that shows an accurate representation of what that measured data represents is next. Obviously good quality software with mor options like online play etc is also a bonus. What was your question tascot?

[tascot]

What im asking, is at what point, combination, does accuracy win over software realism or visaversa. With affordable systems coming to market, at what point is a sim good enough, if the software is good (or great). If a slice shows 30 yards or 20 yards right (apologies to leftys)does 10 yards difference matter, or is knowing it went right considerably on great looking software more important.

[mthunt]

Imo, accuracy is the most important thing.

[Hoosierdaddy]

I agree accuracy is important. But if you want to have fun you need to make sure what you buy will provide that. I am not sure where the point your looking for is but I am sure that everyone that answers is going to have a different scale on the fun meter. If you have read more than 3 posts on this forum I am sure you have seen that the user base on here is far and wide. some use these for strictly range time and some use them strictly for rounds. And some use both. all 3 of these groups would weight in differently on your question. It all boils down to what do you want out of what you buy. then just don't settle for less once you figure it out.

[Bubba22]

I agree with Hoosier and mthunt. There is no right answer. Here is my take. You want excellent accuracy in the direction, launch and spin. If you hit a worm burner and the the sim shows a high launching shot, thats no good, if you hit it far right and the sim shows far left, that's no good. If you know you hit a hook shot and the the sim shows a fade, that's no good. No matter how "fun" it is, none of those scenarios work for me. Now if you hit a 10 yard fade and the sim shows a 15 yard fade, so be it. What the sim does after the ball hits the ground is purely a guesse just like real life. That's what happens in real life with wind, bad bounces, hard fairways, soft fairways etc.
That answer your questions?

[tascot]

Im asking a hard core sim forum. It seems to me that some of my buddys who rarely play, find the general direction of a ball good enough, but comment on the realisim of the latest generation software.I asked this question trying to find what users found acceptable in both realisim and accuracy.Given an unlimited budget anything is possible, but we must draw a line at some point. Mine is generaly acurate horizontal direction angle, with vertical angle, no spin, manual club selection. This is most sensor pads with vcam,or seperatley,2 camera systems. Low hcp golfers may need spin, does everyone else?I ask what do your friends( average golfers) say when they play on your sim ? Thanks .

[goatbarn]

The average golfer usually (that doesn't play on too many sim), in my experience, believes the results less the more accurate the system is.

That sounds contradictory, but with a system that say only measures club speed, face and path (optishot), you're friends will be hitting straight bombs all day and they'll say how accurate it is.

When everything is measured, and that toe hook screamer drive they hit on the course, shows up in the simulation, they will say "there's no way that's accurate".

Almost everyone, low or high handicap, will say it's not accurate if the ball doesn't go the distance they see on the course. This usually happens because their indoor swing is less free that their course swing because their subconsciously worried about hitting something in the confined space of a simulator.

For me accuracy was #1, I started with Optishot, then GSA, then Protee, and now Flightscope. I ended up not being satisfied with anything unless it measured spin.

[goatbarn]

That said, the more my friends play on my sim the more they are coming around that it's very accurate.

Part of the complaining about accuracy from friends I think comes from them never remembering the less than perfect shots they hit on the course (which is like 85% of the time).

So they come and play on the sim and that huge slice they sometimes hit comes up and they say it never happens on the course, which is bull.

[tascot]

We are all victims of our best shots, and , me included, think we must have hit it better than that when on a sim, except when its a great shot. I just think that this quantum jump in the latest software adds more fun factor into the game, and can override the negatives of lacking accuracy. If youve played TGC or equivalent would you go back, for practice, maybe, but to play?

[Bubba22]

Not sure your point tascot. Yes TGC/E6/Perfect Golf are improving the look of the software, which adds fun but in no way does this override the negatives of lacking accuracy. The perfect fun machine is the Optishot or P3pro. Other units like Flightscope, Protee, GC2, Skytrak etc are more accurate units. Most folks want accuracy. A lot will doubt an indoor units accuracy if they don't hit it well. A lot will just want fun. That's where Optishot have made all there money catering to the folks that want to just have fun. Having played all sims software, yes I would go back to play, practice etc.

[Mazenblue]

I play on the Optishot and practice with a Skytrak. Both are fun, both help your game in one way or another.

[Brettster]

I play on the Optishot and practice with a Skytrak. Both are fun, both help your game in one way or another.

That sounds great Mazen, can you tell me the advantages/disadvantages of each and how you use them? If you're like me, you may like to practice on the range, and want something good for that, and for simulation (Skytrak?), from what I understand Optishot also has a decent? Practice Range? So, curious how you work these two together?

I spend a lot of time on the range, and want to be able to do that with my simulator... so, I'm probably going to post up here, for the best Sim for Practice Range work, that will transfer best to full course Sim play, as well as real play on my home course.

Thanks,
-Brett

[FaultyClubs]

Brett...the Optishot isn't very accurate. But if you've spent anytime reading the forums you already know that. So my guess is you like the idea of accuracy but aren't sure if you want to pay for it (a very reasonable position). Accuracy will cost at least 10x the price of the Optishot. So my suggestion is to buy the Optishot and play around with it. Upgrade later when you are more knowledgeable and know whether paying 10x+ for accuracy is worth it to you. Especially if you buy Optishot used the cost is throw away money relative to the real cost of getting into full and accurate simulation.

FWIW, I have an Optishot and play strictly for fun with friends. It isn't very accurate but none of my friends complain about the accuracy or the graphics. It's good enough for them. I'll upgrade when a reasonably affordable highly accurate LM based system comes out. The GSA LX system and the Skytrak are getting close but both are still works in progress. Flightscope and GC2 are proven systems but pricey. Protee is old school system needing update to stay competitive but nothing I've heard indicates they are close to anything..

[Mazenblue]

Faultyclubs said it perfectly! I bought both the Optishot and the Skytrak at the same time. I think if I started with just an Optishot I would have been happy. The Skytrak is really new and definitely a work in progress. I'm considering returning mine as I have made 7 calls to the company with little results. I'm waiting, as we speak, for a return call. When it works it works great.
I" roughed in" my simulator, just to see if I would like one. It's great! Optishot new $500, Skytrak 1800.00 GC2 w/Sim $8000