Glow ball vs. halogen light(s) for Protee... anyone?

[DejaVu]

As I'm getting closer to finishing my sim build, I'm just wondering if anybody has tried using a glow ball instead of the halogen light for the Protee for the ball tracking part of the halogen. It seems that a lot of people have short wedge problems due to the vertical camera/mat not recognizing the ball versus the club..etc

Also, for anyone of you who have experience with the Protee, how many halogen lights should I use and should I use the recommended bulb/beam width for my setup? I'm about 7' from the screen, the less wash out the better... obviously, and I'm not using the putting sensor.

[Stonebattle]

I have only used the halogen lamps suggested by Protee, so I have no first hand experience with other types of lamps. As I understand it, others have had success with different types of incandescent lamps and lamp fixtures with similar focus angles.

I find two lamps, non over lapping, works the best. I am not sure how changing the lamp or light spread would improve high lofted wedge play, but hey if you are successful let us know.

[DejaVu]

Thanks Stonebattle. It would be nice to use a focused LED spot light, due to obvious reasons, but apparently the frequency of LED lighting interferes with the sensors. So, halogens it is. I will add as many as I need to....to achieve the best streak possible; including mounting a horizontal halogen above the vertical launch camera. I wonder if anyone has tried that?

I'm planning on writing a detailed setup thread from start to finish when I'm done with it. The Protee may have been around for awhile, but it seems like it's still too notch (just like their customer service is) once it's dialed in.

[gene438]

This is a very interesting question. I began with my Protee like everyone else and set it up with two lights per the instructions. I, too, had trouble on short shots with the camera picking up the club head on my follow through. One day I noticed that the Protee setup diagram also assumed you were installing the putting sensor which is right under the 2nd light. Since I did not have the putting sensor, it made me start thinking a)do I really need the 2nd light and b)would it help with the short iron shot problem.

Well, in my case, I have the say it was a major improvement. I simply unscrewed the bulb of the second light. Now, on both the vertical and horizontal cameras I was gettting a much shorter streak but still very readable. I no longer picked up the club head on my wedge shots. I discuss this with Protee and they would not officially endorse the move and said they still believe most people were better off with 2 lights even if they did not have the putting sensor.....so, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Testing is really easy, just try your wedge shots with 2nd light off and see what you get.

[DejaVu]

I may take you up on that. Thanks in advance especially considering how much time you probably have into it.

I will be mounting the top of the light fixture at 10' 6". Do you think the 40watt will be enough from that height?

Thanks Gene

[gene438]

Maybe, depends on the reflective quality of your turf. I think you may have to go higher...I trying to remember but I think I had the best luck with a bulb that was 39W but rated at 50....you'll just have to play around with it.

[DejaVu]

Thanks. I will look into that and I'm almost there...almost ugh Man to do this right the first time, for the first time, is a huge pain in the a**