Faulty unit or acceptable variance?

[jnike]

New to the forum and would be grateful for some advice.

I've been using trackman/gc2 for a long time, so know my numbers. Last week, after reading this forum etc. bought the Skytrak for home. Had one session on the range and noticed that carry numbers are lower than expected (and observed) for all clubs.

Went to the studio with Trackman and had a session hitting all clubs while using both Trackman and Skytrak. Unfortunately, the carry was consistently lower (by a club or more).

Attached is an example for the 5 iron. It shows 159/159/153 on Skytrak vs 165.6/173.4/162.2 on Trackman. As I mentioned, it's been consistent difference through the bag, e.g. for the 21* hybrid the numbers (carry) are 150/174/179 on Skytrak vs 180/189.9/194.9 on Trackman.

I'm considering returning the unit while I can as these numbers are just too much off. Would you consider these numbers acceptable?

[Mugs]

If you believe there is consistency to the numbers can't you just increase the 'above sea level' value to equalise the distance numbers? I would be more worried if the readings varied to match then read low etc. You are lucky imo having a device to compare it with.

[SkyTrak_Seth]

We definitely shouldn't be that far off. Was the Trackman session with SkyTrak done hitting inside to outdoors?

You may need to adjust the altitude IF you live higher than sea level. You should not need to use altitude to "juice" the numbers.

[GolfSimUN]

Maybe try to take the Skytrak to use at the same time as the Trackman. See what the numbers say on exactly the same conditions/swings.

Also make sure you are placing the ball in the correct position, right on top of laser dot, and with logo facing the Skytrak unit. Did you remove the outer shipping film covering the lens window? The clear outer one not the colored one underneath.

[trumb1mj]

Wait, this isn't a sea level thing. It's a measured ball speed thing. SkyTrak is 3 MPH slower than Trackman.

[SkyTrak_Seth]

Wait, this isn't a sea level thing. It's a measured ball speed thing. SkyTrak is 3 MPH slower than Trackman.

Actually, you are correct. I just looked at the first ball speed number...strange that they got off after that. That would definitely account for the distance discrepancy.

[StodgyBarley]

Thanks for the post jnike! I've always felt my skytrak distances are a club off (too short) compared to real life. I'm a longer hitter than average for sure so not sure if that makes a difference in the algorithm somehow; regardless, I've always had to use the boost in TGC by 10% to get comparable numbers to real life. I'd like to say it's my the mat that I'm hitting off off but I find the same problem even when I tee it up and do not hit the mat. Lots of ceiling height too so it's not an indoor swing vs and outdoor swing either. Anyway, I'm very happy with my skytrak unit but that has always required some messing around with on my behalf. Thanks again for the post!

[jnike]

Thank you for everyone's replies. I've decided to return the unit, which is a pity. Would've been nice to have a device that costs 1/10th of Trackman/GC2 and works at least 90% of the time