SkyTrak - Fails to read a shot

[freemaneng]

Does anyone else have a problem with the SkyTrak failing to read a shot? It is usually fine for about an hour or two, then once in a while it doesn't read a shot (does not give the error message that it could not read). Then it reads a few shots, then misses one, and keeps going. I've tried moving the ball position on the laser dot, using a small fan behind the launch device, turn off/on the launch device, etc.
I'm using E6 Connect software, but it happens in the SkyTrak software also. Any thoughts?

[GungHoGolf]

Occasional no-reads are normal (maybe 1 or 2 out of 20). If you're seeing more than that, or a sudden change in frequency, make sure you don't have anything bright or reflective in view of the cameras (towards your feet and behind you), and that you're using nice fresh white balls with the logo always facing towards the unit. If that's the problem, the laser dot will go out, the top light will go red, but the shot won't read and the laser dot will return.

If you've ruled that out, you're getting 5+ no reads out of 20, and your laser dot never goes away and all 3 lights stay green, then it's your IR laser curtain going bad. Switch unit to left-hand mode and try some little chips from that side. If you don't get no-reads on that side, then it's definitely the RH laser curtain (there is one for each side).

[Morini]

I am not familiar with E6 connect, but periodic failures are often networking issues. Whatever method you are currently using, try a different one. But I am with Ron, sounds like possible curtain failure. Easy check by following procedure he outlined.

[GrecoISU]

I get quite a bit of no reads throughout a round. It's frustrating and I've only had it for two weeks. Foresight was selling their GC2-T units, which do not have a screen, for $2500 in their moving sale. I jumped on one and will be returning/selling the Skytrak. I'm definitely not fully satisfied with the no reads and seemingly off readings.

[Morini]

That is a really good deal. With regards to Skytrak, it will do 3% no reads or better if set up correctly. Most common error is to have it sitting too high, which gives loads of no-reads or wonky reads.

[GrecoISU]

Morini I have mine level with the FMJ to my Quattro mat. That should be sufficient right? I keep thinking I should have bought that stupid Kiosk lol.

[Morini]

The unit itself needs to be level, not FMJ. I don't have FMJ, but I have heard others talk about putting screws in upside down or something like that. Whatever gets the bottom of the unit itself level with the mat.

[freemaneng]

Thanks Ron, I will try the left hand side. I will also use a new clean ball more often.

[Voltore]

Does anyone else have a problem with the SkyTrak failing to read a shot? It is usually fine for about an hour or two, then once in a while it doesn't read a shot (does not give the error message that it could not read). Then it reads a few shots, then misses one, and keeps going. I've tried moving the ball position on the laser dot, using a small fan behind the launch device, turn off/on the launch device, etc.
I'm using E6 Connect software, but it happens in the SkyTrak software also. Any thoughts?

This is happening to me too. I can play for an hour or so then it seems it will not read any non-wedge shots. Yesterday I played 9 holes in TCG2019 and it went really well, came to the 10th, hit driver, then I hit my 3W and that was it, no read. Refused to read any wood, hybrid or irons until I used my 52 and then it read it. Looked at height/cleaned it and the fiddled with ball position.

Seems for my "lower" launch angles, if i place ball about 2" closer to the unit on a vertical line from me then it works again. Changed mats, same thing. For some reason I have to play it closer to the unit. If I try and play it on the red dot itself, the lights all stay green, sometime top will go red but the back to green quickly. This happens in both ST Practice Range as well as TCG2019.

The unit is probably a month old, has the FMJ as well. Do we suspect the laser may be out of alignment? (For the record I'm a high handicapper IRL, so it's possible I may be launching too low angles! :-) )

Thanks, Richard

[3on3putt]

This is happening to me too. I can play for an hour or so then it seems it will not read any non-wedge shots. Yesterday I played 9 holes in TCG2019 and it went really well, came to the 10th, hit driver, then I hit my 3W and that was it, no read. Refused to read any wood, hybrid or irons until I used my 52 and then it read it. Looked at height/cleaned it and the fiddled with ball position.

Seems for my "lower" launch angles, if i place ball about 2" closer to the unit on a vertical line from me then it works again. Changed mats, same thing. For some reason I have to play it closer to the unit. If I try and play it on the red dot itself, the lights all stay green, sometime top will go red but the back to green quickly. This happens in both ST Practice Range as well as TCG2019.

The unit is probably a month old, has the FMJ as well. Do we suspect the laser may be out of alignment? (For the record I'm a high handicapper IRL, so it's possible I may be launching too low angles! :-) )

Thanks, Richard

I find the best recipe is to place the ball right on the dot for iron shots and any hybrids or woods that are not teed up.

For anything hit off a tee, place it behind the red dot (in line with the target but in the opposite direction of the target). When I hit driver, I have the ball teed up a good 3-4 inches behind the red dot.

For putting I have it probably 5-6 inches behind it so the ball rolls right over the red dot.

For wedges I put it about an inch in front of the red dot (so directly in line with the target but an inch closer to the target).

And always place the ball with the logo or some markings facing the Skytrak. Take a marker and just dot up your balls with several dots around the ball. That will make it easy to just roll a ball into place so you don't have to bend over every time.

I do not notice any change in no-reads over time. I played 36 holes on Saturday and it was just as consistent at the end of the session as it was in the beginning. I probably average maybe 2 no-reads per 18 holes, which is about what you should expect with Skytrak. It happens most often when hitting a high-lofted pitch shot or bunker shot that probably just launches too high for the camera lens to pick up.

[3on3putt]

My screen is scuffed up a bit, but you can't see any of the scuff marks when the projector is on and the image is on the screen. Only when it's off can you see any marks. And I don't hit any balls immediately after marking up a ball. I'll wait a good while for the ink to dry. Hasn't been an issue.

The one thing that I wonder about in regards to placing the ball so far behind the dot for drivers is how that affects the launch angle. The ball is airborne for a few inches before passing over the red dot and then another couple inches before it reaches the camera. And I wonder if that causes the unit to read a higher launch angle because the ball is already on an upward trajectory well before coming into view of the camera. I have had my Skytrak for around 8 months now and have found it to be very consistent with my outdoor distances and ball flights. But the one area where it seems a little weird is that my driver launches a bit high on it. And I wonder if the ball position might contribute to that.

[GungHoGolf]

Launch angle doesn't change for at least the first several feet of ball flight, prior to the backspin causing it to start slowly rising, so I don't think tee position will affect SkyTrak's read of VLA. SkyTrak doesn't care where the ball starts on the tee, or where the ball is in the first picture - it just takes the angle between two pics of the ball after it has left the club face.

[3on3putt]

GungHo -- Gotcha, that makes sense.

[Voltore]

I find the best recipe is to place the ball right on the dot for iron shots and any hybrids or woods that are not teed up.

That's the problem, even on the real courses, I'm not a high launcher, so what has happened, I've done that and had some good launches, but as a rule I don't get it high and it will not read at all even with the ball right on the dot. If I move the ball a couple of inches towards the ST unit, it will read them fine. Tee shots (about an inch back & towards me) and Wedges (on the dot) read fine.

[GungHoGolf]

That's the problem, even on the real courses, I'm not a high launcher, so what has happened, I've done that and had some good launches, but as a rule I don't get it high and it will not read at all even with the ball right on the dot. If I move the ball a couple of inches towards the ST unit, it will read them fine. Tee shots (about an inch back & towards me) and Wedges (on the dot) read fine.

Sorry if you answered this already, but have you made sure the bottom of the SkyTrak unit (not the metal case) is the same height as the top of your hitting mat?

[Voltore]

Sorry if you answered this already, but have you made sure the bottom of the SkyTrak unit (not the metal case) is the same height as the top of your hitting mat?

Sooo, if I actually line it up, it's worse. The ball needs to be about 3-4" further away from the red dot & myself for Woods to 8I, 9I hit & miss on the dot. If I drop the bottom of the unit about 1/4-⅓" below the mat top, it seems to be the best right now. I spent a lot of time fiddling last night. I still have to pull the ST from the FMJ and try that on the mat direct. I've also ping ST support and now been referred to Level 2 support.

Thanks though.

[Voltore]

I'm engaged with their Level 2 support, taken some environmental pictures and also sent them a video link of me showing ball placement. I did the LH placement and it hits fine off the dot. The unit is only a month old so if it is a curtain issue will be under warranty. Nothing has changed around it but I'll let the guru's at ST see what they think.

The picture here is where I have to place the ball to get the 9I to read. If I'm on the dot, nope. FYI, this worked fine untl last week when it started to play up, then last night in the middle of a game (10th hole), that was it! I've tried various placements, including the unit off the mat at the correct height!

[jpotas]

What is the distance from the red dot to your FMJ? It looks like it is farther than usual.

[Voltore]

What is the distance from the red dot to your FMJ? It looks like it is farther than usual.

So, as part of the diagnostics they get you to place a sheet of 8.5x11 paper in front of the unit, the short edge by the unit. They say the red dot should be about an inch outside the corner edge. Mine sits inline with short edge, 1" from the long edge. They asked me to raise the case to get that 1" from both. No change.

My patience is starting to wear thin though, but they have been speedy in replies as well as courteous. Now it's clean the lens (done that a few times) & dim my lights (done that a few times!).

If I swap to LH mode, it works fine!

[jpotas]

In LH mode is the dot in a mirrored location verses RH mode?

[Voltore]

yes. So, if I then place the unit between my feet and the ball, I can hit off the spot. My gut feeling is the RH laser is failing. One way or another it's needed to be serviced, not even 2 months old.

[GungHoGolf]

If the RH IR laser curtain if failing, it will result in a high % of no-reads, where all lights stay green after your shot and the red laser dot never disappears. If that's happening on in RH mode only, that's almost certainly what is wrong, although it's very rare for it to happen in a 2 month old unit. If that's the case, SkyTrak will need to fix it, unless you're brave and open up the unit to switch the LH and RH laser bulbs (don't recommend in a unit under warranty).