SkyTrak Launch Monitor

[Brettster]

There are others factors to consider such ease of setup, room size, etc... No device is perfect. While the gc2 is very accurate, there will be times when things don't make sense. Same for all devices. Overall, the gc2 is still the most accurate indoor device.

It's something I'm considering too - before I make my big decision, for example the way the lighting has to be (very dark for ProTee spotlighting), while some of the launch monitors: GC2, or SkyTrak you won't have to worry as much about lighting. That's starting to become more important in my mind as I make the big decision. I'm not too interested in having to play simulator golf in a dark cave!

Also, the ability to take the SkyTrak out to the course for further tuning on the range is important to me as well. I can see that being invaluable being able to take SkyTrak and my iPad out to the range in the evening and getting some numbers there, maybe even being able to compare those numbers to what I see with the simulator will help me justify how valuable playing on the Sim is, compared to real golf - and how much I'm able to get out of it in the off-season. I live in Northern Indiana, near Chicago (zmax), so basically no golf for about 6 months is what we're faced with every year. I just want to be able to put together some decent practice rounds, and range practice during the off-season, BUT, I have to know that the numbers I'm seeing, and therefor the work I'm putting in is accurate.

If you want club data, go with Protee. A review for SkyTrak will come soon.

Eagerly waiting on that Zmax! How soon? Can't wait...

Thanks,
-Brett

[Brettster]

Hey Wizard,

effectively skipping the SkyTrak release. Those guys at SportTrak didn't get their ducks in a row by going with e6; I feel somewhat cheated. As it currently stands TruGolf is headed in the wrong direction. How is TruGolf going to continue selling $1000 course packs while TGC is limitless with open-access hardware connections?

Wow, what happened with SportTrak->E6??? I thought all along they were going to hook up with TGC, and why wouldn't they? Now, I see what you mean about holding out... I"m in the same category... about waiting for a better LM that links directly with TGC/ProTee, that would be the ultimate...

If you're on the fence about SkyTrak and/or you value open-source/open-access/user-driven products then show it by holding out for the next LM.

You vote with your dollar.

Yes - hear you on that one... Hey, being that you said you had OptiShot, then went ProTee, from what I understand, the biggest problem I'm going to run up against is having a dark room, so the ProTee lighting works as required, have you noticed that being a problem? It just bugs me that I may have to darken the room with drapes/blinds just to be able to play... Or I guess as long as the spotlights are in the dark, I can have other lighting in the room, just not very bright?

Thanks again for your comments... It's looking more like I may have to wait until next season to make the big purchase, and build out my sim room, I'm eager though, and that will get me motivated, no matter what it takes!
-Brett

[m3w]

This might be a stupid question, but... The GC2 was never intended to work with anything other than their proprietary software. But indeed, people are using it with Protee. Is Skytrak doing something specifically to prevent that sort of "hack"?

[zip]

I've owned the ProTee system since February '14--was using Optishot before that--bleh. It's been awesome to play legit golf in my basement until 2am on work nights (trust me the time flies by), learn about the golf swing, and ultimately lower my strokes from 110 down to a consistent 90-94. It helps that I'm addicted and I've read the Hogan book a few times. Now I can be snobby and say I'm at the point where I really want to know my spin rates beyond the calculated values from ProTee (also eliminate the crazy misread).

The twist for me is, given the onset of TGC simulator edition expected sometime this month, I'm content to spin my wheels on that for a while and wait for the next affordable LM, effectively skipping the SkyTrak release. Those guys at SportTrak didn't get their ducks in a row by going with e6; I feel somewhat cheated. As it currently stands TruGolf is headed in the wrong direction. How is TruGolf going to continue selling $1000 course packs while TGC is limitless with open-access hardware connections?...TGC+ProTee/OpenLM should own the market if informed minds prevail.

That being said, I'm coming off my previous post of early-adopting the SkyTrak. I'm now of the mindset that I want an LM produced by a company with the same open-source values and Execs like ProTee. If you've ever talked to Dennis @ ProTee you know ProTee has User Satisfaction as their #1 priority and I gather #2 is probably reinvesting into the company for long term success i.e. partnering with other hardware and software companies. If you're on the fence about SkyTrak and/or you value open-source/open-access/user-driven products then show it by holding out for the next LM.

You vote with your dollar.

Great post. I think one thing we need to understand is that the worldwide launch monitor market has much bigger reach than the sim community.

Now, that said, we don't need to support a company that ignores us. :-)

[Maverick]

This might be a stupid question, but... The GC2 was never intended to work with anything other than their proprietary software. But indeed, people are using it with Protee. Is Skytrak doing something specifically to prevent that sort of "hack"?

Don't know and not aware of any attempts to hack the SkyTrak.

[Maverick]

Yes - hear you on that one... Hey, being that you said you had OptiShot, then went ProTee, from what I understand, the biggest problem I'm going to run up against is having a dark room, so the ProTee lighting works as required, have you noticed that being a problem? It just bugs me that I may have to darken the room with drapes/blinds just to be able to play... Or I guess as long as the spotlights are in the dark, I can have other lighting in the room, just not very bright?

Thanks again for your comments... It's looking more like I may have to wait until next season to make the big purchase, and build out my sim room, I'm eager though, and that will get me motivated, no matter what it takes!
-Brett

You are not in a super dark room. The two halogen lights will light up the room. You can have small lights that are directed at your golf bags, sitting area, etc...But you can not have direct sun light shining in through your windows.

[aryantes]

I would love to have access to the SkyTrak SDK, if available, considering the ProTee SDK is out there already. I know this has been discussed a little bit before.

Being a software developer, this type of integration is fun to do and likely not very difficult, but I understand that it would likely jeopardize business if they are trying to be exclusive to E6.

The GC2 is built with an open SDK as well, as stated on the foresight sports page, so that they can integrate with any software.

[Maverick]

The GC2 is built with an open SDK as well, as stated on the foresight sports page, so that they can integrate with any software.

Sure they can. Although, they might be knee deep in FSX. CG3D was garbage. $1500 for 5 courses of crappy graphics and game play.

[aryantes]

I was just mentioning that since it seemed like the integration points between software and hardware are open ended, unless they are aimed only at commercial manufacturers and not end users, then that would stink.

[Maverick]

Rumors of a pre-order. Who's all going to pre-order one of these?

[aryantes]

I will pre-order one. It'll be my first launch monitor. Very excited.

[m3w]

I'm still on the fence. Are we likely going to see some reviews before the pre-order period is over?

[b3team]

I will possibly be pre-ordering, depending on price and reviews

[Maverick]

Get your money ready.

[aryantes]

Get your money ready.

Such a tease. any other information? anything about the pre-order rumor thing? I'm curious if this is an actual release or pre-order release.