Weird Direct Connection Problem

[jrz]

Curious if anyone else has experienced this, and apologies if it has been discussed already - when searching for "SkyTrak" and "connection problems" there is a lot of noise to search through.

I tried to take my SkyTrak to a local driving range, assuming I would be able to connect in direct mode via my iPad. I was never able to establish a direct wifi connection, however, after many frustrating attempts. I reset the ST unit, rebooted the iPad (both multiple times) and even though my iPad saw the ST wifi network and seemed to connect to it, the second green light on the ST never lit up. I went into the ST app and the status message would mostly say Searching for Connection but would sometimes say Checking License Files. It would then go back to Searching... Once, for a few seconds, both green lights lit up and the red laser dot appeared, but it quickly disconnected. I tried going into airplane mode on my iPad and only enabling wifi, tried turning off cellular service, etc. No dice.

Here's the strange thing... When I got home I sat down to figure out what was wrong and everything connected within seconds with with no problems maintaining the connection.

I though the problem was solved so I brought the ST with me on my next trip to the range and experienced the same problems. I could not connect the iPad and the SkyTrak. When I got home I tried again and did not have any problems. I have repeated this a few times and while it's quite possible that I am losing my mind I'm really hoping there's an explanation.

Thank you for any insight you might be able to share.

[DannyMRICS]

Is the SkyTrak connecting to the range’s WiFi through network mode? This would prevent it from connecting to your iPad in Direct mode. If the WiFi signal is weak, this would explain the temporary connections.

Dan

[jrz]

No, while at the range the SkyTrak doesn't seem to be able to connect to anything (the first green light never lights up). I've also reset the unit, which would make it forget its network settings. And, I've never had it connected to a wifi network there, so it wouldn't be able to connect to the range's wifi.

[RicS]

Just a thought. . . ..if you're set up using network at home, you most likely will have to modify (manually change the connection type) when you attempt a direct wi-fi at the range. Your skytrak will always use your initial connection selection regardless of where you're attempting to use it.

[jrz]

Good thought, but I believe that resetting the unit makes it forget any previous network connections. It then defaults to requiring a direct mode connection.

[trapdraw]

I would start by taking the SkyTrak to a location away from your home network but not the same driving range and trying to connect. That way you can eliminate environmental interference issues at that particular location. Also did you by any chance have the SkyTrak app running in the background on another device that was with you like an iPhone?

[jrz]

Good idea. Next time I go I will stop about halfway there and try to connect. Maybe the range is under a cellular tower or something that is interfering with the wifi signal.

I don't have ST on any other device.

[SkyTrak_Seth]

The only time I've ever seen WiFi-related issues is at the PGA show. We can't connect the unit in direct mode because there is so much signal noise with everyone on their phones, other networks, etc. I can't imagine there being too much signal interference at a driving range, but it would be worth trying in another random location. You are correct about how the unit forgets the network after resetting, so it sounds like everything is working correctly at your home.