SkyTrak WiFi Issues - SOLVED

[kinnus]

I've have been working through some issues getting my SkyTrak connected to my network this past week and wanted to share what the fix was since I didn't find any related articles on here. Hopefully this will save someone a few headaches.

I have my main router (ASUS RT-AC68u) setup in my basement office which is in the corner of my house. It doesn't have great coverage so I ran a network cable to the upstairs and have an access point (ASUS RT-AC1200) setup which has no problem covering the whole house, including the garage where I have my simulator setup. When first trying to connect my SkyTrak to the access point SSID it would blink yellow like it found the network but it would never connect and eventually go back to direct mode. After doing some testing I realized I could connect just fine to the router downstairs, as long as I was close enough. Reading through these forums I tried all the recommended stuff...

- Reset the SkyTrak
- Updated the firmware on both the router and access point
- Made sure the SSID was not more than 11 characters
- Made sure the PW didn't have special characters

No matter what I tried it would just never connect. I eventually started looking through each setting one by one comparing my main router to the access point. Going through the advanced settings I found something called "Preamble Type". On the main router, that works, it was set to long and on the access point, not working, it was set to short. I looked up this setting and it talked about how older wireless devices might not support the short setting. Bingo this was it. Changing the preamble type to long on the access point fixed my issue. It now connects with no problem. From what I have read the default setting for this is normally long on most routers so not sure why my access point was to set to short.

https://routerguide.net/preamble-type-short-or-long/

[HD-DRV]

I have to admit, getting Skytrak to consistently connect to my wifi and my iPad is simply rediculous. I'm doing everything correctly per the instructions, but it never works straightaway and instead of hitting golf-balls, I'm sitting here cursing the device. This is 2021 and technology is so advanced, but this thing must simply have poor wifi hardware, and/or software design. IT SHOULD JUST CONNECT.

- both skytrak and iPad connected to 2.4 wifi. All following the right rules, no special characters in pwd, router is supported, yada yada
- wifi router less than 20 feet from device and my iPad
- turn on skytrak, log into skytrak app
- most of the time, the connection circle icon polls but never goes green to signify network connected (did follow instructions to start with direct connect, then progress to network step, ok)
- might network-connect every 5th attempt, but when it does it usually drops mid session, and the angst starts all over

If anyone can talk me off this ledge it would be appreciated, I feel like I'm trying to solve a Rubik's cube that keeps changing panels. I have been through this forum and see many folks with the same issue and they give up, so I'm not expecting to solve this. Skytrak should be looking to update the next version to help in this matter, PLUS, PLEASE make the login screen remember the user name and password from session to session. Having to continually retype that in during all this troubleshooting logging in, out, in, out is making me looney.

Maybe someone at SkyTrak out there will read this and take note.

[Scoop]

Are you just using the SkyTrak app on the iPad? Use Direct Mode so your internet is not a factor in the connection. No need for network mode unless you're using WGT.

[HD-DRV]

Yes. For my setup, I have my iPad connected to ST via network mode, iPad on my wifi for web access, and airplay to a TV monitor I have on the wall. And yes, I also use WGT so having the network mode working properly is key. I see many posts about doing Direct mode, or using USB, but I paid over $2k for this device and it simply does not work as advertised and I would like to get a response from the vendor to admit the device has issues that need to be addressed. I don't want to have to drag a PC into my garage every time I want to use the shot monitor or WGT. It needs to work as advertised with my iPad.

[Scoop]

I've heard of others having to manually enter it before. It will usually show in the list, though.

[HD-DRV]

Hey Scoop, I'm unable to get your suggested approach to work when manually trying to enter the hotspot. It just clocks, middle light goes back to red, and reverts back to Direct mode.

[Scoop]

The only thing I can think of is maybe the security type? I know it wont connect to an open network. Try WPA Mixed

[s0707]

I sympathize!! I used WGT for a couple of months when I first got my skytrak, and I had to put an Access Point about 6 or 7 feet from the Skytrak for it to work more or less consistently. I would still have a dropout or two in every session, but I more or less could recover. I had the Access Point hard wired (a long Ethernet cable) to my home router, and I had the iPad forget the SSID from the home router and only connect to the Access Point SSID. The thing is that if you don't make the iPad forget the home router SSID it keeps jumping to whatever connections it considers best. I needed it to only connect to the Access Point, no matter what connectivity problems it saw because the Skytrak was connected there. That's the only way I could make it work.

My unsubstantiated guess is that the WiFi functionality in the Skytrak is not robust in that it may give up quickly in transactions when disconnections or interference occurs. I mean, compared to an iPad's WiFi functionality, the Skytrak's WiFi is truly not robust. But, again this is my "black box" observation guess.

[Burtgolf]

My solution:

Main SSID from Mesh Network = Whatever you want
2.4 Ghz WiFi extender (not dual band) plugged into outlet near SkyTrak - Connect to Main SSID ... then add new SSID to be broadcast = "SimOnly" or whatever you chose
Set up SkyTrak to connect to 2.4 Ghz Wifi Extender SSID "SimOnly"
Set up iPad to connect to 2.4 Ghz Wifi Extender SSID "SimOnly"

When getting ready to connect to SkyTrak from the iPad.. make sure iPad is on correct 2.4 Ghz SSID of "SimOnly"
Open SkyTrak app .. confirm connection.. warm up or do your range thing.. close SkyTrak app
Open WGT app .. confirm connection .. enjoy your round the best you can

[HD-DRV]

thank you all for your input, I appreciate it. I just ordered a wifi extender and will give that a go and hopefully puts my issues to bed.

[HD-DRV]

Ok, drumroll please.....Burtgolf's advice did the trick. Wifi extender local to the setup with separate SSID allows me a consistent and stable wifi connection to the ST and the iPad. Very happy, now I can concentrate on golf. thank you all!

[kirkemg]

Burtgolf - newb here. can you help me understand where to do some of what you suggest? I have a Deco Mesh network and i have no clue if it's 2.4ghz or how to change it if needed or what SSID of "Sim Only" really even means. Sorry but really struggling to get ST working on

[Monovision]

I know the resurrection of this thread is mostly iPad related, but if you have a PC, it’s super easy to get a usb WiFi stick (the tiny ones) and let you computer connect to the skytrak’s own WiFi with one network and your real network with the other/normal wifi built into the computer.

this made things much easier for me. Now, whenever I turn the computer and skytrak on, both network connections do great.

$10 fix.

[GungHoGolf]

kirkemg We like this USB Wifi adapter: https://amzn.to/3t6nZ30

[kirkemg]

Thanks GungHoGolf - Mind clarifying the 2.4ghz thing? Does ST need that lower level (as opposed to 5ghz) due to ST limitations? Do you think there is any noticeable increased lag vs. USB mode? How do you connect specifically connect to 2.4ghz?

[GungHoGolf]

Yes, SkyTrak needs 2.4GHz. Not much difference, if any, in lag. SkyTrak (in Network mode) needs you to use the 2.4GHz network. When you configure network mode in the SkyTrak app, you'll be specifying the home network to connect to. Most home wifi routers allow you to create both a 2.4 and 5Ghz network.