Skytrak FMJ - Experiences with non OEM models?

[patexan]

I am getting a Skytrak unit and know that I need the metal jacket. I've seen some home made ones on ebay for less money and wondered if anyone had any experience with them. They look well made and generally match the OEM one sold by Skytrak but 1/3 the cost. What's nice is you can bet a case + stand combo unit which would be helpful with my iPad.

[Sixmudd]

I’d say it’s it’s 1/3 the price, take a chance. Don’t really have much to lose for that price. But in the end, you get what you pay for

[3on3putt]

I have the $75 eBay one. If I were to do it again I would just pay the extra $75 to get the real one direct from Skytrak. The one I have does not have anything across the top like the real one does, so the top of the Skytrak is completely exposed. And that's the place that is most likely to get hit by a bouncing ball. Also mine came with only one screw hole cut in the bottom so I can only utilize 1 of the 3 screws to fasten it to the Skytrak.

Would a non-authentic case void any warranty protection? I honestly have no idea, but just thinking of car warranties that are often voided by non-OEM parts. Just thinking out loud there.

Of all the corners to cut to save money on a sim setup, I would say that protecting the $2,000 piece of machinery is probably not the area to do it. Just the humble opinion of one guy who cut a corner to save money on his setup who now realizes it may have been a risky move.

[Jerome]

I got the original FMJ from the guy who used to post here. It has no top. Only once has a ball landed on it and that was yesterday. Strange coincidence. .
I'm going to design and 3d print a top for it.

[jpotas]

Current OEM FMJ has a handle on top that also partially protects the top. For the small amount of extra money, I can see no reason to buy anything else. It is protecting a $2K piece of equipment.

[patexan]

Thanks all for the responses.

[Jeff Tilley]

I bought the $75 EBay unit and made a top for it that screws to the upper part of the unit. I too was worried about bounce back balls hitting the top of the Skytrak. It wasn’t hard to make considering I had access to some thin wall plating and a welder. Gonna paint it in black crinkle coat to match the unit.

[Adam Prince]

Buy the non-OEM version, it's super heavyweight, and the top thing is hardly an issue. One could bend the top handle over slightly to accommodate the top if you were so inclined. Direct impact is the worrisome issue here, not bouncing balls. And at what point couldn't you just grab the dang ball that's headed for it??? I've never had an issue with my eBay FMJ, totally worth the savings.