Skytrak frustrations with connectivity - suggestions welcomed

[richerod]

I have Skytrak setup in garage. Enjoy it immensely when it works. Have WGT. Have no problem connecting to Network mode on ST and no problem connecting to WGT. My problems are the unit will lose connection with WGT continually making play intolerable. Even on ST in Network mode get a sufficient amount of unregistered swings or delays in excess of 5 to 10 seconds on swings. I am confident these are not due to unit being level with hitting surface.

Could this be a wifi issue? Have Fios. Router is in basement but have Fios extender in room directly above garage and another Fios extender on first floor albeit other side of house. Is there a a specific wifi speed # mbps I should be achieving?

I want to get into sim play however don't want to make investments in gaming PC and higher end software until I can solve connectivity.

[3on3putt]

It definitely sounds like a WiFi issue.

I recently made the jump from WGT to TGC. When I was using WGT I experienced some of the same connection issues while playing in network mode. However, when I got TGC I started playing it with the Skytrak connected to the computer directly with the USB cable. And although it's a very small sample size so far, I haven't had any connection issues.

Can you play WGT with the Skytrak connected via USB? Or can it only be played in network mode? (I honestly don't recall). If you can play it with the USB, give that a try. Or at the very least, try doing a range session on the Skytrak range in USB mode and see if you have any issues. If not then you can probably assume it's an issue with your WiFi. My sim is also in my garage (and on the opposite side of the house from my router) so I know how patchy the WiFi connection can be in a garage.

Edit: I should also add that TGC has an "offline" feature where you can play certain courses without a connection.

[richerod]

Have house full of Macs. I believe I need a PC to play TGC. Think I"m done with WGT. Is Creative Golf 3D worth considering?

[DS12]

Go to YouTube and watch some of Jay's videos a98cr125

Search Golf Simulator Videos. He has quite a few showcasing Creative Golf 3D.

If you're looking for a cheaper alternative to play courses, Fitness Golf is available

[3on3putt]

E6 connect can be played on iOS

[pwade3]

There is a demo version of E6 connect for IOS and PC you can try before buying.

[Bubba22]

Can’t go wrong with TGC but you would need a decent PC. Whatever software you get make sure you have a good PC.

[SkyTrakSpiderman]

Ask your broadband provider to run a line test as there can be drops and disconnects that you might not be aware of.

[trhuke]

I had very few issues for the 18 months or so that I've had a SkyTrak and TGC, since the quarantine I've had a bunch more disconnects. I think service providers may be getting swamped with so many people home and desperately searching for something to do.
Our internet is inconsistent too lately.

[richerod]

I tried Creative Golf demo last night and it ran fine on a partitioned mac book pro. Clean crisp.....plenty of good stuff. Now if I can just get Skytrak to read more shots (especially chip shots) consistently this could work for me. Wondering if direct USB connection made the difference as I didn't have the WGT connectivity nonsense....that being said I was very limited what I could do being a demo. Does Mevo Plus have these issues?

[3on3putt]

I have found that about the only time I ever get a non-read with my skytrak is when hitting a high lofted chip or flop shot. I think sometimes the ball just launches up and over the field of vision for the camera. I've found that placing the ball about an inch in front of the laser dot (in the direction that you're hitting) it seems to make a bit of a difference. I can hit balls on the range all night and almost never have a non-read. But when playing TGC I'll get them on higher lofted chips, especially if I don't move the ball forward. Something to try.

It seems like everyone has a different experience with skytrak concerning mis-reads. Some people get them much more frequently than others. Things like golf balls in the background or white things on the wall or even white shoes or clubs have been believed to trip up the camera. Setup is definitely key.

[richerod]

Appreciate the feedback. I will try what u suggested and see if it makes a difference. Really want it to work. Just curious, have you found Skytrak works better with PC (USB connection) rather than with WIFI using IOS?

[pwade3]

I had used mine for years with Wifi connection and it worked fine, but had the odd disconnect. I have numerous AP throughout the house so a fast stable wifi system. I switched to USB mode about a year ago and found it to me more durable in relation to connection. I can’t remember the last disconnect I had with USB. Just seems more stable.

[3on3putt]

For me, USB mode has seemed to make a difference. One thing you could try .... apple makes a lightning to USB adapter. You could buy that adapter and use it to connect your skytrak to your mac in USB mode. I don't believe you can play WGT in USB mode (I think you have to be connected in network mode to play it). But at least for the skytrak range this might be a big difference maker. One thing I love about USB mode is how quickly it connects when I launch the skytrak app. When I was using network mode it would take a while for it to establish the connection (and would often require multiple attempts). But now with the USB, I open the skytrak app and it connects in like 2 seconds.

I can assure you that tgc2019 is worth every penny and more. I am still very new to it but I can't get over how good it is. And with the USB connection, I don't have any issues other than the occasional non-read which is to be expected.

[richerod]

So I have been doing the USB connection exclusively with Skytrak connected to my Mac Book Pro via bootcamp (Windows 10). There is no denying that I have experienced and enjoyed more uniterrupted play. As I mentioned a few posts ago I have also tried Creative Golf 3D demo. I simply do not have the disconnections I was experiencing with WGT. Is that beacuse it somehow CG 3D doesnt rely on my wifi? Or am I off base? AIso my kids have taken an interest in the games/practice/demolition features. I have been considering for days just buying the software however I have been hesitant to install it on my MacBook Pro. While I have been able to run the demo on this device, it really takes a toll on my battery (25 minutes unplugged). I went and ordered today a mid tier gaming laptop i7 -9750H 16 GB GTX 1660ti as a father 's day gift to myself. It will arrive in couple of days. Now I am wondering should I get the Creative Golf software or should I go for TGC 2019 instead. Ive never played TGC 2019 so I'm interested in any thoughts from the communiuty.

[3on3putt]

TGC2019 all the way. There's plenty of fun short courses on there designed for kids that they will still have a blast.