Alignment Issues and not ‘reading’ chips as straight

[GTASOL]

Hi there. New skytrack user here and I’m hoping I can get some advice and help. I initially set up my unit with skytrack’s in-built alignment system but when aligned ‘straight’ using a laser level bisecting the 2 skytrack alignment dot, EVERYTHING on the ST app read as left.

I came across GungHo’s web article giving instruction on how to correctly align and I followed his instructions (unit level with the hitting mat but not on the mat; unit levelled in terms of tilt and roll; using a laser level and a plumb line to get an accurate centre line on the screen/net). This now means the ST unit points left. But when I hit 7 iron chips to the centre line I’m getting mixed results on the ST app on the iPad. Some chips show as straight (with zero degrees side angle) others show left and other right. This is with the shots hitting the centre line on my screen/net (I discount shots that don’t hit the centre line).

I’ve tried adjusting the alignment of my unit as per Gungho’s instruction but don’t seem to get to a point where a chip hitting the screen centre line is reliably shown as straight on the app. I am getting side spin on my shots but I assume for alignment purposed I should be focusing on the zero degree side angle (number on the bottom hand corner of the shy track display).Is this likely to be something I’m doing wrong with setting up the unit or do you think I have a faulty unit?

When I’ve tried on full shots, I’m getting constant draws and pulls on ST (with every club, so it’s not just the impact of the mat on iron shots which I know can promote a draw). A draw is not my shot (unfortunately) - in my 17 years of golfing I’ve always had differing degrees of a fade (always struggled to achieve the illusive draw!).

ST UK support we’re not very helpful, just saying that it will be a set-up issue, which I’m actually hoping it is. But after following both ST own instructions and the alternate advice on this forum (incl. Gungho’s useful set-up guide) I just can’t get a straight shot to register and I’m starting to lose faith in the ST unit.

[3on3putt]

It's not uncommon for the skytrak to point at a slight angle in order for it to read straight. Open up the range and hit straight chips. Adjust the angle of the skytrak as needed until your straight chips are reading straight. Don't get caught up in spin. A straight chip is still bound to have some side spin. Once you hit a few consecutive straight ones that land on the white center line you should be fine. And if that means the skytrak is pointed a little to the side that's fine.

[GTASOL]

It's not uncommon for the skytrak to point at a slight angle in order for it to read straight. Open up the range and hit straight chips. Adjust the angle of the skytrak as needed until your straight chips are reading straight. Don't get caught up in spin. A straight chip is still bound to have some side spin. Once you hit a few consecutive straight ones that land on the white center line you should be fine. And if that means the skytrak is pointed a little to the side that's fine.

Thanks 3on3putt. Thats what I’ve been trying to do but once I think I have it cracked and positioned correctly, additional chips that hit the centre line on my screen are then read as left or right by the app. I’m just at a loss at to why 1 chip that hits the centre line on my screen is read as straight by ST when the next (again hitting the centre line if the screen) is read as left (or right). It leading me to doubt both the unit and my golfing ability

[3on3putt]

Thanks 3on3putt. Thats what I’ve been trying to do but once I think I have it cracked and positioned correctly, additional chips that hit the centre line on my screen are then read as left or right by the app. I’m just at a loss at to why 1 chip that hits the centre line on my screen is read as straight by ST when the next (again hitting the centre line if the screen) is read as left (or right). It leading me to doubt both the unit and my golfing ability

Horizontal launch angle is probably the Skytrak's weakest measurement. It's excellent with ball speed and launch angle and spin. But the way it measures horizontal launch leaves room for error. Every launch monitor will have a weak area and this is Skytraks. Pretty much no matter what launch monitor you go with there is likely to be a sacrifice to be made somewhere.

[Morini]

If you are at wrong height, HLA can be quite off. Also, I'd take the case off for now if you want to confirm HLA accuracy. The quoted accuracy is +-2 degrees. I don't think anybody really knows that this means. (is it 90% confidence, standard deviation, average error?). But I find that about 60% of my shots are within one degree. 90% within 2. And 10% worse.

It sounds as if you worse than this, so need to look into cause. As mentioned, height can be an issue.

And yes, HLA is by far the weakest metric, which is to be expected for a side on photometric that takes only two photos. The ball size differences between the images determine the HLA, so a slight change in contrast can affect results.

[Morini]

With regards to negative spin axis, it is most likely real. It is exceptionally rare for Skytraks to show false spin axis (I can't think of one case when it has been confirmed to be the case). If you think about it, pretty hard to screw that up with cameras. Any identified rotation in the y direction (of the photos) is side spin. It tracks relative to skytrak, so as long as unit is reasonably level, it is accurate. The exception is when unit is at wrong height versus mat, or for shots at extremes of field of view (high or low).

People swing differently inside small spaces. Also if you are offset, make sure your target line is perpendicular to screen. Hitting at an angle to screen is a recipe for draws and hooks.

[3on3putt]

Don't know if you already are, but chip with the ball slightly in front of the red dot (closer to the target). Probably not the issue here but it's best practice to do so anyway.

[Morini]

The term "chipping" is too loosely defined. It generally is a low trajectory shot, so ball should be back. Easiest to think of trajectory versus sensors. High trajectory forward of dot. Low behind. Medium on.

On that topic, I find that the easiest shots to calibrate HLA is 7 iron longerish chip shots. Maybe 20 yards. Almost like a short punch shot. Skytrak accuracy is poor on very short shots, and long shots are not as precise, and bring spin axis into the picture.

[RAH5]

I have mine completely parallel to the target line, level to the mat, and as mentioned above start each session with some 7 iron chips to confirm directional accuracy. From there I find it’s pretty accurate. Last week I went to the range for the first time since getting my Skytrak in November and the ball flight looked very similar (I was not able to check precise distance).

I have read that some units may require a slight adjustment off-parallel but that has not been the case for me.

[GTASOL]

Thanks guys. I’ll do some testing this morning:
- unit out of the case
- remove a section of the mat and use that for the unit so it’s level with the hitting strip
- etc

[GTASOL]

So I feel there is something up with my unit.
- Alignment in the case needs to be pointing left in order for a straight shot to have any chance of registering as such on the app
- Out of the case the opposite is true (point right to register straight shots)

Even when I manage to get alignment straight, the results are really hit and miss. A chip or iron shot hitting my plumb line can register straight on the app, but the next shot (similarly hitting the plumb line) can be up to 4 degrees right or left.

I’m getting really frustrated. As a practice aid the unit is next to useless as I have little faith in the results being churned out (not spin rates and distances etc, but on horizontal launch angles). As a sim, it is hugely frustrating as it’s not enjoyable to see a straight shot (hitting the plumb line) being recorded as 4 degrees left.

Do I need to send my unit back to ST or try other set-ups that anyone can suggest?

[Morini]

You probably need to post a photo of your setup.

• Height: Bottom of unit needs to same height as mat. Level with horizon.
• There is no reason why your alignment would switch from pointing left in case to pointing right out of case. Something is wrong setup wise.
• It is common for Skytrak internal alignment to be off so that unit needs to be toed in or toed out to read straight. But once set up, it is consistent. The only exception is when unit is at wrong height.

You don't give the frequency of very poor HLA reads, but 4 degree misreads do happen, just not very frequently.

There are a few other less common factors that can mess with HLA accuracy:

• Failure to remove the thin plastic film from lens.
• Using colored balls, or white balls that are old or dirty.
• Being outside, especially midday.
• Having too much light in hitting area.

[GTASOL]

Hoping these photos might shed some light on what I might have done wrong with my set-up.

[Tshaw1712]

The final picture makes it look like your skytrak is a lttle higher than the hitting surface, when in the FMJ the skytrak. height is easier to see when you turn it around. Maybe try aligning the height with the unit turning the other way. Not sure if the height is enough to cause your issues though.

[Morini]

Looks way high. Unless it is some type of illusion based on perspective, it looks like an inch. If so, it would be a surprise if it reads at all.

[Morini]

Looking at the laser line, it really looks like an inch high, but can't tell if the board it sits on is recessed a bit.