SkyTrak Launch Monitor

[zip]

I'm hopeful that your comments about simulation software will indeed prove to be a pleasant surprise, but many here have an investment in Protee's ecosystem. We've seen how easy it can be for other hardware makers to integrate with it. With TGC taking off around here, I think it's in your best interest to support it. I don't see myself investing in new hardware that requires me to find a new ecosystem in which to play.

One pretty huge issue that you didn't address was chipping and putting support. This is a simulator forum; any hardware that doesn't have a viable way to measure chips and putts, either natively or 3rd party bolt in defeats the purpose of calling it a simulator. It's just a launch monitor without putting support. That's fine if that's your goal, but I wouldn't expect a big take rate in the simulator market until you support putting.

One last question that I haven't seen asked: If someone was to buy two Skytraks, do you have a way to support both at the same time for righty/lefty support?

[HWoods]

I'm hopeful that your comments about simulation software will indeed prove to be a pleasant surprise, but many here have an investment in Protee's ecosystem. We've seen how easy it can be for other hardware makers to integrate with it. With TGC taking off around here, I think it's in your best interest to support it. I don't see myself investing in new hardware that requires me to find a new ecosystem in which to play.

One pretty huge issue that you didn't address was chipping and putting support. This is a simulator forum; any hardware that doesn't have a viable way to measure chips and putts, either natively or 3rd party bolt in defeats the purpose of calling it a simulator. It's just a launch monitor without putting support. That's fine if that's your goal, but I wouldn't expect a big take rate in the simulator market until you support putting.

One last question that I haven't seen asked: If someone was to buy two Skytraks, do you have a way to support both at the same time for righty/lefty support?

Thanks for taking the time to post. I'd also like to know more about the bolded part above. Also, can you let us know who we are talking to within the company?

[happybob]

Hello all,

We’ve been paying close attention to this thread for quite a while now and now that the press release has been issued, we can start to dispel some myths and answer some of your questions. I’ve combed through the entire thread again and I hope I’ve gotten everything:

1. Simulation Partners – This is undeniably the elephant in the room. Without sharing too much information, it is safe to say at this time that our SDK is not open source. However, if you can hold tight for a few more weeks, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the announcement of who we are partnering with in the golf simulation world.
2. Fake Testimonials – Yep, we goofed. When the site launched, the team mistakenly used testmonials from the website mockup. These were before the unit even left our doors for testing, but were placeholders to get the feel of the site right. We were unaware of the issue until another forum moderator alerted us. The quotes were removed immediately and replaced with the actual testimonials. Stay tuned over the next few weeks and you’ll get to see exactly where the testmonials came from.
3. Platforms – Products are typically launched on a single platform and expanded from there. Being a consumer-focused device, we opted for iOS. Since the range is in 3D, and the shot analysis takes some processing power, we had to limit to the iPad Air and iPad Mini2 (with retina). Fortunately, newer models of each were just released from Apple, so we doubled our compatibility. Please keep in mind that this is only for launch. We are currently looking to deploy on PC, Android, and possibly even earlier iPad models.
4. Can’t connect to home network at the same time on iPad– You can absolutely do this!
5. App needs work – The app in the store was simply to pass initial Apple approval testing and is extremely outdated. The real app will be available in the App store when units are shipped later this month.

User Gaeroo – please send me a private message about the issue with your coupon code. I’m very sorry that happened and will make sure you are taken care of.

Thanks for the engaging discussion and interest in SkyTrak. We look forward to getting this thing out there…even more than you do

Many thanks,
SkyTrak

It's always nice to see someone from the company is here on the forum answering questions and supporting their products. I have pre-ordered, and can't wait for it to be delivered!

It's good to hear that a simulation option is indeed in the work, and I don't mind pleasant surprises. However, will it be a costly add-on option to those of us who have purchased skytrak before the simulation option is available? I seriously hope that we will be pleasantly surprised in that regard also.

In terms of processing power, looks like iPad Air and iPad Mini2 are the minimum for the upcoming app. From what we've heard from the beta testers, sounds like even with those there were still discernible delays in the app. Have the delays been improved? Is the app optimized to take advantage of the iPad Air 2's faster A8X processor and GPU, or is the iPad Air's A7 processor plenty fast? If I already have an iPad Air, will I notice any obvious improvement in using the SkyTrak app or the upcoming simulation software by upgrading to the iPad Air 2?

[SkyTrak_Seth]

Thanks for the questions. I can't really speak to the integration with Protee, but whoever said that it will 'never' happen is a bit of a stretch - it's just an unknown currently.

Chipping is excellent on the system. I am consistently able to capture 4-5 yard chip shots with no trouble. As far as putting goes, we are currently testing it in-house but it will not be available for the product launch. When putting is released, it will simply be a software update, so no need to send your hardware back or anything.

I'm not sure I understand the question about two SkyTrak units at the same time...do you mean running on the same iPad? The answer to that is 'kind of'. You would just need to toggle between the two units in the iPad's Wi-Fi list. However, if you meant running two units on two separate iPads at the same time right next to each other, the answer is yes. Not sure it's really a big deal though, as switching to left handed is as simple as moving the unit to the other side. There are no cords and no calibration required. If you're coming from where I think you're coming from, then yeah I could see that being sort of a pain in a course play situation with several people of different handedness in the same room. We may have to cross that bridge when we come to it.

Regarding the iPad models, you may notice a SLIGHT performance improvement with the Air2, but certainly not enough to warrant spending the money on it if you already have an Air. The software that the beta testers were using was an earlier build that had more than double the shot to show time as we have currently, so yes, delay is much improved.

Thanks,
Seth Frack
Product Development Manager

[Jel]

Great news about putting and chipping !

Please push for the unit to ship asap. I and I'm sure others could handle a few bugs in the software/app at initial release 😉

[sb81]

Thanks for posting Skytrak! Excellent news on chips and putts. Would be near perfect if Protee integration was planned. From this forum and others there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of excitement for E6; however there does for The golf club sim edition by protee.

Great news nevertheless, thanks!

[hks8888]

Thanks SkyTrak for engaging in this forum. I really appreciate it.
I only have Ipad 3rd generation. I pre-ordered SkyTrak already, but I am not planning to buy a newer IPad yet. I expect a significant delay in my IPad, but I think I can bear with it quite a bit. Even 20 seconds wouldn't hurt my practice session. I will let you guys know how it goes on my old IPad, then I will decide whether or not buying a newer one for myself.
I'm really looking forward to it.

[nyb72]

Seth,
Thank you for posting on the forum. It's very refreshing to have a company representative respond to our questions, I hope this continues as we try the system for ourselves soon with constructive feedback.

That's certainly great news about chipping and putting. A couple of pages ago, we were discussing the accuracy of SkyTrak when using wedges. Do you have any comments regarding that?

[SkyTrak_Seth]

I'll certainly try to monitor the board once we ship as well. After all, this is made for consumers, so constructive consumer feedback is invaluable!

As far as wedges, I'm not sure where the inaccuracy comment came from. We just did an outdoor test this past Friday down to ~15 yard chips and it performed great. Keep in mind that ground surface/conditions has a huge effect on how that ball responds after a chip. It may be that they were hitting onto the range, expecting the ground to behave like a green. Also, I do remember the comment about launch angle limitations - don't quote me on this, but I believe it's right around 60 degrees. If you don't already know, that is an insanely high launch angle - we have the holes in the ceiling to prove it

[m3w]

Seth,
Is there any chance we will find out who the simulation partner is, and what those added costs will be prior to the $500 pre-order discount ending? Or will it have to be a leap of faith, in order to take advantage of that discount?
Thanks!

[Maverick]

From my tests, wedge accuracy needs improving. Ball path can be off 2-3 degrees at times, The higher the launch, the bigger the chance of ball path being off. It's true that chip detection has been improved with the latest app. But side spin can be off quite a bit at times causing weird bounces to the left or right. As a driving range tool, these are minor issues. But for simulation play, these issues will need to be resolved along with putting.

Seth, thanks for joining the forum.

[PicoTTS]

Hi Seth,

Thanks for taking the time to comment on this forum. Your comments have put me over the fence and I've decided to predorder to take advantage of the $500. However, being located in Canada, it's appears that the promotion is not offered up here as the code does not work at checkout. Just wondering if you can comment on why it is not valid up here in the North?

Thanks

[SkyTrak_Seth]

m3w - Can't let the cat out of the bag quite yet, so you may just have to take that leap

Zmax - Let me look into it. Just as a quick heads up, we do use dimple detection for spin, but if you are super-concerned about the spin readings, I would advise facing a mark (like the logo) on the ball towards the system prior to hitting. Again, not necessary, but I use it to be safe during testing.

[SkyTrak_Seth]

Ha, that was fast. Zmax, I know EXACTLY what is causing that. Will be fixed. See - constructive feedback already helping

[HWoods]

Ha, that was fast. Zmax, I know EXACTLY what is causing that. Will be fixed. See - constructive feedback already helping

That's pretty funny right there...guess you guys don't golf much over there. :P