Skytrak works at range but not at home

[Robm01]

Hi, after trawling this forum for a while I decided to take the plunge and buy a Skytrak last week. I have used it 4 times down the driving range (at 4 different ranges) and the results have been very impressive. It has picked up every one of around 300 shots from 5 yard chip shots to full drives and the accuracy of the flight projection seems really good. I am very happy in this respect.

However, every time I set up at home to test it does not pick up a single shot - the red dot does not go out after hitting shot and all 3 green lights stay on. I have no indoor net yet (I have been trying to test the efficiency of the unit before committing to buying a full simulator set up) so have been limited to hitting chip shots and punch shots to test but these type of shots have all been picked up fine at the range. I have tested in USB, direct and network mode, ensuring the unit is levelled and on a level with the ball. I have tried in 2 different rooms in various light conditions and even on the patio outside in daylight. I have tried the master reset button on the base with my router switched off. I have tried operating in direct mode with the router and all other wifi enabled devices in the house switched off.

Can anyone suggest anything else to try otherwise I may have to admit defeat, send the unit back and abandon plans for the indoor simulator?

Thanks very much, Rob.

[frodaddy00]

Here are a couple of things that caused me problems when first setting up my SkyTrak indoors.

1. Lighting. Is there sunlight or anything else shining on your skytrak? Also, shadows on the SkyTrak caused me problems.

My solution to #1 was to install a single LED recessed light over my hitting area. This took care of lighting and shadow issues.

2. Background "noise". Are there white walls or other shiny things behind you while you are hitting the ball? My white walls and car rims causing me issues.

My solution to #2 was to hang up a black curtain behind me. "Behind me" means in a line from the skyTrak camera lenses to the curtain, with me in the middle in my hitting stance.

3. Balls. Range balls are usually marked with those obnoxious black lines.. Have you tried clean white golf balls with some type of marking or logo pointed at the skytrak?

[jhepti]

Also, the Mat or whatever you are hitting off can possibly be a factor. Try moving the ball in different spots...sometimes 1 inch away from and behind the red dot can make a difference.

[Robm01]

Thanks very much for your suggestions. I really appreciate anyone taking time offer ideas. I have tried moving the ball around bit but will try using a dark background. I have been advised to try removing the protective film from the lens also. It does seem odd that Skytrak have put a note in the box saying leave it on.

[grant2145]

When I first got my Skytrak I testing it out hitting chip shots off a rug until I had my simulator build setup. The Skytrak unit did not pick up any shots from the odd colored rug but once I started hitting off a green colored mat the unit was picking up all the shots.

[Morini]

1. Protective film. I found that puzzling too when I first got mine. It looks like temporary cover to keep fingerprints off until end consumer unboxing. I pulled it off, and went by the assumption that they meant the plastic behind the film. Still not sure that that message is about.

2. I struggle with reading chip shots on anything but my green hitting mat.

[Robm01]

Hi so I tried tonight off a piece of old astroturf and hey presto it worked! Thanks so much for your help, you have all made my day. I guess it makes sense now that I think of it, presumably Skytrak is optimised to see white on green not light brown like my carpet.

[clark55810]

Sounds like you solved the issue, which is great. Also note that Skytrak will have issues picking up yellow balls. It states in the manual, but many times people fail to note that.

Clark