False Battery Critically Low Warning

[mikemcd22]

Hi all,

This was bumped in another topic from back in 2015/6 with no responses so I'm creating a new topic.

My Skytrak recently started giving me a warning that the battery is critically low and then it disconnects and basically freezes. I have to restart many times (dozens sometimes) or Reset completely. Very Frustrating. I called skytrak and they want me to send it in. They tell me it's a "Battery Issue" but really it's a software issue where it's getting a false reading from the battery. When it does come online the battery finally reads correctly at 100%. This was a known issue according to the past thread and SkyTrak_Seth even mentions a fix via software update.

Is anyone else having this problem? I can't help but think an update would solve the issue??? Almost a year (as noted elsewhere) without updates. Tagging @Jtangm04 who has similar issues with his machine.

Thanks,
Mike

[Gresh12]

Not a recurring thing for me but I did get that warning for the first time about a week ago. I was running in USB mode and the battery was at 100%. I closed the error and continued on just fine. Hopefully it’s not the start of what you are seeing.

[Igor-247-golf]

are you getting the 3 red flashing lights as well or just error in SkyTrak software?

[mikemcd22]

It will connect in network mode normally, give the error, and then ultimately freeze with two green lights and a red light on top. The skytrak app will read that it’s trying to connect. Does the same thing in usb mode.

[SkyTrak_Seth]

I don't think there was ever an issue that software (directly) fixed. IIRC, the problem lay in the firmware (inside the unit) which was corrected. We had to release a software update with a new SDK in the software that included the firmware upgrade to the unit. I have not heard a peep about battery level reading issues since then. As you know, we haven't haven't had a software update in a long time, so nothing could have changed on that front. My guess is that maybe the battery is bad.

[Jtangm04]

From my standpoint, the battery charges up to 75% but seems to easily last 2.5 rounds of TGC. I've never fully ran the battery completely out since I usually charge it overnight when I'm done playing. The battery discharge doesn't seem unusually quick to me, which my old cell phones would do so I'm not getting a sense the battery is going bad on me. For me, this is more of a small quirk than a major issue. Since I have the latest firmware I was curious to see if anyone else was still having that issue.

[mikemcd22]

As an update... I finally had to send it in to Sky Golf. I'm hopeful they can fix the issue but even if the battery issue is fixed, Every time I was able to get it running, yardages were 20-30 yards short on every club. I'm concerned my unit is useless at this point. I'll report back if they solve the issue.

[mikemcd22]

I'm going to start a new thread but thought I would report back as promised. For anyone interested, I sent my skytrak in for repair with the following note:

The Skytrak unit is being submitted for repairs per the authorization number above. We are receiving a “Battery Critically low…” warning upon startup in any mode (Direct, USB, Network). The unit has been reset several times to no avail. It is not unusual for the unit to have to restart 15-20 times before it reads the battery level correctly (fully charged).

In addition, it has been noted over the last several sessions (20+) that all shots are reading 15-20 yards short using any club (wedge through driver). We have tested this with multiple golfers with both high and low handicaps and have determined this error to be consistent throughout.

Here is their reply:

We have received your SkyTrak Launch monitor {serial#}, and it has been determined by our technicians that the unit is in need of a motherboard repair and front housing replaced due to impact damage, motherboard failure and broken housing. The repair quote for your device is $519.00. Please contact SkyGolf Customer Service at your earliest convenience to remit payment.

The unit was struck by a ball about 1 1/2 years ago. It has always been housed in the protective case they sell. There was no damage to the exterior of the unit and it has worked perfectly up until about a month or so ago.

Thoughts?

[SkyTrak_Seth]

I'm really sorry to hear about this I know they are able to tell in repair if the components inside have been damaged from an impact even without a physical mark on the casing. Sometimes an impact will just knock something partially loose and you may experience intermittent failures or it may just fully detach/break at some random point later down the road.

[ethan008]

Any one else having this issue again? SkyTrak_Seth This is happening to me after I've updated.

[SkyTrak_Seth]

The update shouldn't have anything to do with this. It's possible it's just bad timing. Has the unit taken a hit?

[ethan008]

It has taken one a few years ago, but I've used it after that with no issues. I did put it away for 8 months which is when this started happening.

[SkyTrak_Seth]

If you put it away for 8 months and didn't periodically charge the battery, that could have done some actual damage. Just like a laptop...need to keep that battery maintained in the off season.

[Oscar David]

Hi Seth. Unit works fine but I would like to have it tuned up for the sake of confidence. I’m in Canada. Can you let me know what I need to do to make that happen? Appreciated