Not Reading any Shots...Time for repair?

[IowaCat89]

I noticed a couple weeks ago that I was missing a lot of shots. I blamed it on Windows 10 and did a lot of computer maintenance, including a clean Windows build. Made no difference. I always run in Network mode. Now, all of the lights turn green just like normal, and the top light reliably turns red when I waggle the club though the laser. However, when I hit a shot all of the lights simply stay green, 100% of the time.

I tried resetting the unit. Tried Direct Mode. Hooked it up to my iPhone. Went back to Network Mode. Always the same thing, three green lights. Tried left handed, it sensed the club when I waggled through the laser, but 3 green lights. I have not recorded a single shot for a while now.

Anything else I can do, or box it up and send it in? Unfortunately I think I'm a couple months past the 6mo warranty period. Thoughts?

[trhuke]

Have you talked to the SkyTrak people? Is this happening on the native SkyTrak app or is during TGC or some other software? Could be some registration glitch or something. Have you tried re-downloading the SkyTrak software?
You've probably tried these steps but thought I'd throw it out there.

I had a glitch once with my SkyTrak, called them, their tech guy remotely logged into my computer,(after asking permission) and fixed it up in a jiffy, it was a registration/access issue though..

If it is a software/firmware based problem it wouldn't surprise me if they could run a remote diagnostic on your box.

Where in Iowa BTW? I'm in I.C.

[IowaCat89]

I've not called SkyTrak yet (call me stubborn). i did completely reload the SktTrak software after rebuilding the computer and downloaded new TGC software. No changes. TGC does the exact same thing. I'm pretty sure it's not a registration issue. I can talk to the device just like normal, including the leveling feature, aiming feature, ect. Communication with the PC seems perfect. I'm just using the practice mode, which I think is part of the most basic operation.

I'm in Marshalltown, so we're pretty much neighbors by internet standards!

[wbond]

So you have tried both LH and RH mode and it doesn't work in either. That is strange, usually only one laser curtain would go out and then could be confirmed by hitting in the other mode.

[IowaCat89]

And in both left and right mode the laser picks up the club reliably. Probably get a red light 90% of the time when I go through the laser field with a club (especially when I go backwards, just like it's always been with this unit). However, I get all green lights about 95% of the time when I hit a ball. Every once in a while I get one red light when I hit a ball, but it quickly goes away and no shot is read.

[GungHoGolf]

Have you tried USB mode? Sounds like the flash might not be firing if it won’t pick up in both RH and LH mode. You need to talk to SkyTrak.

[cmckelvmi]

So, before a couple of weeks ago everything was working well? You could practice in the range and go to TGC and play courses? Has anything changed with your set-up? New mat or change in location where maybe the background is white? I had issues when I changed from a CCE mat to a FiberBuilt mat due to the height change in the mat. I learned the hard way how important it is to make sure the bottom of the ST is level with the hitting surface. I hope you're able to figure something out soon.

[IowaCat89]

No physical changes to the setup. I have been busy and not really using it much over the summer. When I tried to use it a couple of weeks ago, it was certainly less reliable than it used to be. However, it has never been as reliable at catching the shots as others describe. I have attributed that to the Windows PC that struggles to some extent. It has plenty of processor and a good graphics card, but there seems up be a MicroSoft update issue. I've never been able to migrate to Windows 10 version 1903 for some reason. There might have been malware on the PC, but I think I wiped it out with the rebuild I just did? The Virus scanner has always come back OK, and still does.

[jrz]

Your answers are making me ask more questions....
1) I'm pretty sure that the answer is yes, but please confirm that you have had ST working properly in the past (i.e. you're not setting up a new unit)
2) For how long had it been working properly?
3) Over what time period did the degradation in performance happen?
4) Any chance the plastic screen got dusty over the summer while you weren't using it?

[trhuke]

Hmmm... dusty screen, worth keeping in mind! Good one!

[jrz]

Dust has impacted me in the past. I keep one of those lens clothes nearby and clean it often.

[IowaCat89]

I've had the unit for about 10 months. If my Windows PC will cooperate it is pretty reliable. Certainly some missed shots, but I can accept the performance on most days. When I tried it a couple weeks ago it was missing a high percentage of the shots, but it did work. Now it will not ever register a shot. As for the dust, I cleaned the screen off when I did the hard reset with the paper clip. Made no difference.

[jrz]

Thank you for the addl info. The reset button only erases network settings saved on the ST device, so it usually doesn't fix much. My guess at this point is that you are experience some type of hardware failure and will require Skytrak's help to resolve.

[IowaCat89]

Yes, I'm afraid you are probably right. I was hoping that Seth would chime in and tell me to send it in. Maybe I will call them today.

[Morini]

I haven't actually tested this myself yet, but I believe the selfie cam on most phones can see ir. Try turning most lights out so it is near dark. Have somebody film the ST with selfie cam. Try a shot or two. You should be able to faintly see the laser curtains, and if the flash fires, it should be clearly visible.

[IowaCat89]

I've heard folks mention "flash" before. I originally assumed it referred to a type of memory. Now I'm thinking it must mean a burst of light for the photo that is being taken? Since it is IR, you don't see the flash like you do with a camera. Is that correct?

[Morini]

That is correct. IR strobe fires Twice for very brief intervals.

[IowaCat89]

Well the unit has been shipped off and should be delivered today. I will give you guys an update when I hear something.

[IowaCat89]

The technician said it had a faulty laser trigger. Cost about $100 to get it repaired and returned. Works just like new now (perhaps a bit better than new? Not sure it ever really worked this good before.) Now my major complaint is the high loft shots that it misses when you are near the green. I have very few missed shots until I get down to the Sand Wedge, which nearly always misses (especially if I mis-hit a bit to the right.

[GungHoGolf]

For high-trajectory shots, move the ball a couple inches away from the unit (towards your feet) to give its cameras a wider and taller field of view. It can miss those high ones because the ball is out of frame (too high) when the second picture is taken. Also make sure the bottom of the unit is even with the hitting surface, and no lower, and that it’s not tilted down towards the ball, not even a little.

[IowaCat89]

I just tried several lob shots at different ball placements. I got one of them to register with a launch angle of 56 deg. It missed all of the rest of them (about 10 misses for one read).

[GungHoGolf]

Try moving ball forward a couple of inches, too. And of course make sure logo is facing camera.

[IowaCat89]

If I can launch in the 40-45 degree range it will read most of the shots, say 80%. For me that is a PW. With a sand wedge it misses nearly all of the shots. I just hit 6 in a row and only 1 made the light turn red, and it didn't register the shot. Is it common to read shots that launch at over 50 degrees, or is that just too steep for the SkyTrak?