Overhead launch monitor on a track/slider?

[tfletch76]

Thinking about upgrading my launch monitor (Skytrak). In doing so, I'm also wondering if there's some way to better accommodate when my buddies come over.

Dilemma:
I'm a lefty and all my buddies are RH. My Sim room isn't wide enough for both LH and RH players to hit from the same spot. In the photo of my room, I hit from the left side of the mat, and RH's hit from the right side. So maybe a spread of about 4ft. The obvious issue with a LM that sits next to the ball is constantly switching it back and forth.

Creative Solution?
I got to thinking that maybe I could attach an overhead LM to some sort of track/sliding mechanism and have it slide back and forth to specific spots for either a LH or RH player.

Anyone ever tried something like this, or know why it couldn't work (in theory)?

I'm assuming all overhead LM's are only monitoring a small area for the ball to launch from. If there's one that would monitor the entire hitting mat let me know!

[Diablo25]

I can only speak on my setup…which is a Uneekor QED. Once the LM is anchored to the ceiling you must calibrate the hitting zone. My guess is if you move the LM (on a track) it would screw up the hitting zone because the calibration would be nullified. The hitting zone on my QED is about an 18 inch square so maybe you could pull it off without putting it on a track?

[tfletch76]

Thanks, actually just by way of the usual golf sim rabbit hole came across the QED and saw that is has an 18" hitting zone which I might be able to pull off. Time to do some research on the QED.

[jasonreg]

Anyone ever tried something like this, or know why it couldn't work (in theory)? I'm assuming all overhead LM's are only monitoring a small area for the ball to launch from. If there's one that would monitor the entire hitting mat let me know!

Foresight Sports Falcon and the older Hawk actually displace the hitting positions left and right to allow for just this effect. Might be worth a look for your application.

Specific to your question, not sure why it would not work, though you would need to look into what sort of calibration is required for each unit.

[mthunt]

There's companies that sell sliders for overheads. You can even buy a powered one.

[tfletch76]

Thanks for the feedback! I did some measurements and the absolute closest I could have both a LH and RH tee is still 21" apart. Will keep looking into it.

[jasonreg]

Here is the Setup for FALCON. Looks like it might meet your requirements though it might be more expensive than an EYE XO 2 on a slider.

[MacDoof]

I currently have an EYE XO on a slider and it works with no issues. I went down the rabbit hole of looking at the companies that make sliders, but they were way too expensive for just sliding purposes so I made my own. There are several threads on this site of how people have accomplished this, but I used a camera track and purchased a 2nd trolley for it. The one I purchased is currently unavailable through amazon, but you could probably find a similar one to use. I put the link in this, hopefully you can use it to make your own. You could also look at the Protee VX as it has a max width of 21" which would work for you, but I would caution that if you say 21" would work that is the edge of the reading zone for both LH & RH players. I cannot figure out how to get pictures to upload on here due to size limits, but if you want additional information let me know.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012Y6H9Q0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[tfletch76]

Thanks for the link and information. And yes, I did think about your point of 21" being the very far boundary of the hitting zone so that likely wouldn't work without some additional sliding mechanism.

[wbond]

Here is a post.

https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/golf-simulator-brands-and-types/uneekor-qed/275794-uneekor-qed-slide-rail

[tfletch76]

This forum never ceases to amaze/impress me. I thought this was a crazy idea, and turns out people have been doing this for years! Thanks for all the information. I'll keep shopping around and post back if I end up making a purchase.

If you have other information or suggestions I'm all ears!