Skytrak - Outdoor use

[Thebogeyman]

Hoping to gather some experiences and opinions on the Skytrak and, in particular, it’s use outdoors.

I’ve been looking to purchase a simulator/launch monitor for a few months and (as a lot of people seem to) have narrowed it to skytrak or GC2.

My initial main purpose/use of the item will be outdoors at the range. Looking for it to be a launch monitor first and foremost for game improvement purposes.

Eventually, when room allows, I’ll look to set up indoors also.

So, following on, would users recommend the skytrak outdoors (in daylight and at night time with the driving range lights)?

[colinjm18]

The skytrak works well at the driving range under flood lights at night but you may struggle during the day if the the sun is shining directly onto the unit itself.

[Thebogeyman]

Thanks. I’m in Scotland so unlikely get much direct sunlight

[AndyF]

I use mine pretty much exclusively outside either in the back garden at all times of day or night and at the range. I'm in the North West UK though so I too get very little direct sunlight but I can confirm it works in the rain

Andy

[Jerome]

I use mine outside as well(in a shaded area off a mat). Does not work well from real turf or when front of unit is in direct sunlight.

[HappyGilmore102]

Hi

when in direct sunlight just pop an empty golfball box over the top. Works well for me, just a little tip i received from a fellow skytraker on this forum.

[rmyoung88]

Question, when you mean empty golf ball box, I assume your talking about the actual box and not the sleeve. How much do you overhang? This is very interesting, thanks for the tip

[trumb1mj]

I find that sunlight used as primary lighting source causes accuracy issues. I'm starting to wonder if that has something to do with my white fence...

[James James]

It's a great device and works fine indoors or out. However, why specifically do you want it for use at the range? Range balls don't behave like proper balls so if you are interested in distance or flight data it won't be representative.

I got mine with this aim but almost immediately bought a net for practise at home so I could use proper golf balls and get realistic numbers. I now rarely take mine to the range because the numbers are miles off. In general medium irons don't spin enough leading to fliers and longer clubs spin to much which compresses the distances and ruins gapping. Range balls are often slower as well.

[Morini]

I second this. I took mine to the range just once to validate what I was seeing indoors. With a partial eedge it was fairly close, but as I went into full swings, skytrak would read 10+ long from real world distance. Not what i expected at all. Not sure what would cause this. I "sacrificed" a couple of used premium balls, and it was close again.

Later i had a chance to compare with indoor trackman, and it was close. .My conclusion is that i don't trust range balls on the st.

Even if I had free range balls, I'd rather practice into a net at home because it is more accurate with the added ability of having reports that can be analyzed.

[triplebogeysrbetter]

Most have wore down dimples and will cause changes in flight. Also, the balls my range uses is hollower and allows for greatly compression. I use our range now just to loosen up before a range.

I agree with Morini now a days I prefer my indoor driving range. I have CS or T balls. I can really trust my swing and distances.

[Thebogeyman]

It's a great device and works fine indoors or out. However, why specifically do you want it for use at the range? Range balls don't behave like proper balls so if you are interested in distance or flight data it won't be representative.

I got mine with this aim but almost immediately bought a net for practise at home so I could use proper golf balls and get realistic numbers. I now rarely take mine to the range because the numbers are miles off. In general medium irons don't spin enough leading to fliers and longer clubs spin to much which compresses the distances and ruins gapping. Range balls are often slower as well.

Thanks very much - really interesting.

Im hoping to use it at range as a launch monitor and for gapping as I don’t yet have room at home for it. Definitely making me think again, maybe have to save a little more.

Is it possible to amend the settings to take into account the range balls lack of distance?

[James James]

I think that would be difficult to do because there are lots of variables at play.

Rather than going to a range for gapping all you need is a practice net and mat. Many golf clubs have these facilities so that would be a good starting point?

If that isn't possible then a net and range mat are relatively cheap (compared to the ST itself).

[trumb1mj]

Thanks very much - really interesting.

Im hoping to use it at range as a launch monitor and for gapping as I don’t yet have room at home for it. Definitely making me think again, maybe have to save a little more.

Is it possible to amend the settings to take into account the range balls lack of distance?

You could juice your numbers with elevation. You'd need a baseline though.

[rmyoung88]

I use mines outside only. Usually wait til later in the afternoon and set my bag as shade to cover and block the sun from the front part of the unit. Works pretty well for me.

[nevets77]

Hi everyone, this is my first post. I just picked up a skytrak and am very excited to use it, however, I can only use it outdoors do to limited height. so far It has only registered 10% of my shots. I have tried on cloudy days, minutes before sunset, using a large patio umbrella for shade... I have been careful to set it up level and at the same height as my matt but have had very little success . Indoors it seems fine, although I can only try chipping off of the carpet. I have a 10x10x10 cage on order which I will cover with a tarp and hope that provides enough shade. I will also try using the golf ball box covering technique mentioned above otherwise I will have to try to convince my wife to let me buy a shed. any other tips or advice is welcome.
thanks,

[Morini]

I recently took mine outdoors in late afternoon/early evening on a sunny day. No misreads at all. My understanding is that if there is no direct sun, it should read fine.

You need to look for other suspects:
- Network
- Bright background or reflective objects in background
- White shoes or shaft or club
- Balls that don't read well

[nevets77]

sadly, I now have a hitting cage covered in a tarp on three sides which provides a very shaded den and my skytrak still doesn't capture most of my shots even near sunset on a cloudy day... It also has more missed shots on challenge mode then practice . ??? this is turning into a disappointing purchase !
I may have to sell it if I can't manage a large shed.

[James James]

How are you connecting to the Skytrak and what device are you using?

If it works indoors but not out it sounds like it could be a Wi-Fi issue?

[Morini]

Nevets, i dont think it is being outdoors that is the problem, it is something else.