Ball read issues - laser curtain related?

[Sully]

Over the last few weeks or so, I've noticed an increasing number of mis-reads or non-reads, specifically for LH shots (I'm LH). What started as Skytrak not registering ~20% of putts is now 100% of putts. I literally had to use a wedge when on the green last week.

What's weird is that driver is the only club that seems to register better than 50% of the time. Irons are closer to ~40-50%, wedges ~25%, and putter 0%. RH hitters seem to experience only the occasional misread.

So far I've:

• Changed ball placement to "recommended" positions and it's no better. Often times, the laser will turn off indicating a read, but then return as if it thinks it was a practice swing.
• Hung a blue sheet behind me to make sure there's no interference
• Tried hitting balls with the unit our of the FMJ case
• Adjusting lighting so there's no light hitting it from behind me

I've always used the Skytrak in network mode and never had a problem so I don't think its connection related. My setup is in my garage where I hit off of a stance mat which is laid on a sheet of plywood, with the center section cut out and filled with Fiberbuilt squares. I've used FB squares as the hitting surface for over a year with no issues.

At this point, I'm not sure what to do. If it's a hardware issue, is the only solution to send it in to Skygolf for repair? If so, are they taking units for repair given the current situation with COVID-19?

[Morini]

Have you tried flipping it around and hitting left with RH curtain? They laser curtains are independent so no reason they would go out together. If reads go way up, then yes curtain is likely.

[GazKaz13]

I’ve had same problem from yesterday and from what I’ve found in the forums it’s not an uncommon problem with SkyTrak. Basically the laser curtain needs replacing. How long have you had your Skytrak? I’ve only had mine 11 months.

I initially tried resetting everything thinking it might be network, then direct mode and still nothing. After reading other threads in the forum it suggested changing to left handed (I’m right handed) and yep, works fine

Tried it again this morning, put it on red dot and nothing. Tried with ball a few inches closer to SkyTrak, in line with red dot and it did read a few but then stopped reading. It was explained in the other threads that the laser starts to weaken, hence I tried with the ball closer to the skytrak and it worked , for a while. Currently got it set up for left hand, with skytrak between feet and ball until I can contact customer services tomorrow.

Ive only had the Skytrak 11 months and it’s only been this last month during lockdown that it has been used every day. Prior to that I used it a few times a month, maybe once a week.

The lifespan of the laser curtain is very very poor. What happens now? I send it back, they replace or repair and then what? 11 months later will it go again?

Let’s hope they are still taking them in for repair during Covid-19. And given that this is clearly a hardware problem that Skytrak have I hope we are not expected to cover the cost of the repair.

[Morini]

You obviously have to send it in while under warranty, so you don't have much choice. Bad timing. We are trying to estimate the number of failures, but it is hard because we don't have random sample. People tend to join a forum when they have trouble, not when things are going well. Clearly there was a bad batch somewhere.

What to do if it fails again? Could always pay for service, I think it is around $300. Quite a few people have swapped the left and right, but that won't work if you have lefty users. I wish we could source the part, it is probably only a few dollars.