How do I hit the ground running?

[NoUsernamesLeft]

I'm expecting a new SkyTrak to arrive sometime this week.
My setup is currently a garage with Mat, Net, projector, and a heavy canvas drop cloth as the "screen". We have been hitting into it with R-Motion and playing the included limited TGC.

I would like to know how we can get equipped to hit the ground running when the SkyTrak arrives. There are lots of resources on this forum but unfortunately a bit too much information. Is there a compiled list of actions a new owner should take anywhere?
If not, here are my main questions. But I'm guessing there are things I haven't even thought of, and I would appreciate anyone with experience coming along side and guiding me on how they would prepare if they were in my shoes.

- Should I register the product right away?
I purchased this product new, but not from Skytrak. The original owner decided not to go with this product. They are providing the skytrak proof of purchase from Aug. Should I contact them to see about adding a Warranty?
- Alignment (I have already read the how-to article from GungHo's website)
- Will I be able to "play" anything right out of the box? Do I need the game improvement AND TGC? Where do I get those licenses? Can I get game improvement early or should I wait until arrival? How long does it take for those licenses to come through?
- Is TGC the most "recommended" game? My son and I have been enjoying it, but that was the only option with R-Motion
- How do you recommend connecting the skytrak to the PC? Wouldn't it be more reliable to use a USB cable? is that even possible or must it use wifi? I ask because in the garage, reception to the wifi is so so
- Does R-Motion integrate with Skytrak? I heard that it did, then it didn't, then it definitely doesn't because r-motion does not support the latest TGC

Thank you for your wisdom

[3on3putt]

-- Without the game improvement plan, you are limited to just the range. You will need to have a game improvement plan (or the play and improve plan) to play TGC. You can see the differences in the plans here = https://shop.skytrakgolf.com/t-skytr...hip-plans.aspx It should just happen pretty much instantly when you sign up. The TGC2019 license takes a little bit of time to come through.

-- I recommend TGC2019. Between the course selection, the online tournaments and the course designer, I think it's the best value for the money.

-- I recommend connecting your Skytrak to your computer with a USB. The Skytrak comes with a USB cable. My simulator is also in my garage and I have found the USB connection to be by far the most reliable.

-- I've never used R-Motion but I do believe some people use it to get some club data while using the Skytrak. TGC2019 also gives some (calculated) club data.

-- I think you need to register it to use it(?) At the very least I think you will need to register it to use it with TGC.

-- Definitely go through the setup steps outlined by GungHo. A lot of people seem to just throw it together right out of the box and then complain about the accuracy of it. It does require some setup basics to maximize the performance.

[brdgolf1]

This is great feedback. I just ordered my Skytrak the other day. Anyone have any experience with using an iPad and WGT? Anything I should know about getting these working together?

[3on3putt]

This is great feedback. I just ordered my Skytrak the other day. Anyone have any experience with using an iPad and WGT? Anything I should know about getting these working together?

I used an iPad with WGT when I first got my Skytrak.

-- I did not have the Lightning to USB adapter that would have allowed me to connect the iPad to the Skytrak in USB mode. But I would strongly recommend investing in it. Without that adapter, I had to connect in Network mode (Wi-fi mode) and it was a pain at times. The connection would be slow to connect and then would drop in and out as I played. Once I got a gaming PC I connected in USB mode and haven't had any issues since. So I would recommend doing what you need to do to connect them via USB. And what sucks is that if you use the USB to connect to the Skytrak then you won't have another port to connect an HDMI cable to a projector. There may be a workaround there if you have a wireless projector or an iPad with more than one lighting port (if those exist). Or if there is a lighting adapter that has both an HDMI and USB split(?)

-- Take WGT with a grain of salt and save up your money for a computer and TGC2019. WGT is fun for the closest to hole competitions but playing an actual round of golf on it is frustrating because of the chipping. Shots around the green are nearly impossible on WGT and it just leaves you frustrated as you constantly chip back and forth across the green. Set the green firmness and speed to as soft and slow as possible and it will help somewhat. But the short game is a major flaw in that software. I recommend making WGT a temporary solution and not the end game.

[brdgolf1]

I used an iPad with WGT when I first got my Skytrak.

-- I did not have the Lightning to USB adapter that would have allowed me to connect the iPad to the Skytrak in USB mode. But I would strongly recommend investing in it. Without that adapter, I had to connect in Network mode (Wi-fi mode) and it was a pain at times. The connection would be slow to connect and then would drop in and out as I played. Once I got a gaming PC I connected in USB mode and haven't had any issues since. So I would recommend doing what you need to do to connect them via USB. And what sucks is that if you use the USB to connect to the Skytrak then you won't have another port to connect an HDMI cable to a projector. There may be a workaround there if you have a wireless projector or an iPad with more than one lighting port (if those exist). Or if there is a lighting adapter that has both an HDMI and USB split(?)

-- Take WGT with a grain of salt and save up your money for a computer and TGC2019. WGT is fun for the closest to hole competitions but playing an actual round of golf on it is frustrating because of the chipping. Shots around the green are nearly impossible on WGT and it just leaves you frustrated as you constantly chip back and forth across the green. Set the green firmness and speed to as soft and slow as possible and it will help somewhat. But the short game is a major flaw in that software. I recommend making WGT a temporary solution and not the end game.

Thank you very much 3on3. This is great to know. My iPad is a 12 in Pro, so it has a USB-C adapter. I will definitely get a USB cord to hook it up. So there is no need to be on the network for it to work with iPad?

[3on3putt]

The Skytrak works great in USB mode (better than in network mode in my experience). However, WGT can only be played in network mode (forgot to mention that in my previous post). So anytime you want to play WGT you'll have to switch to network mode.

But like I said, only consider WGT a temporary thing until you can buy something better.