Skytrak - failing again after 2 paid repairs

[Shardak]

Summer of 2020 my unit failed to read any shots. I sent it in to Skytrak and they repaired it for $200. I got the unit back, but due to a back injury did not fully test it. It sat in a box for 8 months. About a month ago I finally was able to swing a club again, and found the skytrak would not read any shots.

I called skytrak, and they offered no option but send it in again for another $200. Ok, that is not great, but I should have tested it fully when I first got it back.

I got the unit back from its 2nd repair, and it has been intermittent at best. Initially it seemed to read shots, but over the course of 2-3 weeks it is worse and worse. Today it reads maybe 50% of shots, and those that do register are wildly inaccurate. Spin of 10,000rpm on chip shots. Shots going 25-30 degrees left or right. Spin numbers all over the place.

I am on hold with skytrak now, but wanted to find out from members here, have you had any luck getting a replacement unit (refurb or otherwise) ? I dont want to keep sending this thing in at $200 a pop.

Thanks
Jeff

[CAPDAK]

You might want to provide additional information. For example, do you have it 8n a protective case? What kind of case? Is the bottom of the skytrak leve, with the turf you are hitting off of? What is the background like that the skytrak faces; could that be interfering? What kind of logo on the balls you are using? What kind of lighting in the room? If it’s in a case, have you tried taking it out of the case to see if there is any difference?

[Shardak]

Skytrak support agreed to perform the 3rd repair free of charge, they even sent me a prepaid shipping label to return it to them. I have now received it back, and it seems to be working fine once again.

The diagnosis from the repair tech was:

The unit is in need of an adjusted RH trigger output within the manufacturer's specs

The first repair, done last summer, was to replace the RH trigger unit. If they now had to adjust the RH Trigger, I am assuming that 1st repair may not have been done correctly.


It took a few phone calls, but they came through in the end. Fingers crossed this is my last repair.


We really need a cheaper/faster/better launch monitor in the under $2000 price range.

[bubbtubbs]

There is one, but it's radar-based.

[Shardak]

Well...this is happening again.

Its been one week since I received the unit back from its 3rd repair. It was reading shots perfectly, maybe better than when it was new. I probably had 1 no-read the entire week.

Today, it wont read anything. The slightest ball movement triggers the laser dot to turn off for a few seconds, but only 1 in 10 shots register. And those that do get displayed in the app are very wrong. A flush 7 iron that carried 16 yards with 10k spin, etc etc.

Neither left or right handed modes are working.

Skytrak support originally said they would replace the unit last time I sent it in. Then they backtracked and said they would repair it free of charge. I really hope they replace it this time.

[Shardak]

Here is one example of the kind of results I am now seeing. An 8-iron that I hit perfectly.

It is reading some shots correctly. But tons of no-reads and mis-reads. The mis-reads are wrong across all data points (spin, speed, etc).

[Scoop]

If it is not a hardware problem, it would have to be something in your environment that is interfering with the cameras. That would usually be something on the opposite side of the room from the skytrak being reflective or shining light into the lens.

[3on3putt]

When did you buy the unit? And did you buy it new or used?

As Scoop alluded to, has anything in your environment changed?

[Shardak]

I bought it brand new from skytrak, a few years ago. Not right at launch, but shortly thereafter.

The hitting area has not changed, its in my windowless garage.

Its 100% a hardware issue, it follows the same pattern as the previous 3 failures. I will update this post once I contact skytrak and see what they say.

I hope they agree to replace the unit (as they promised to last time but then backtracked). If not, I may try that indoor Flightscope launch monitor. I should just barely have enough area for it to work.

[Morini]

I think this is one of very very few Skytraks with confirmed hardware issue. Something is messed up with the strobe or the imagers. I think it is rare enough that Skytrak's repair teams simplistic troubleshooting flow chart simply diagnoses laser curtain and does the same repair each time. Strange that it worked for while before going crazy. The only solution is completely new unit. It would be cheaper for them than figuring out what it is.

If I didn't know what trouble you have been through, I'd say that it is at the wrong height, but clearly more than that.

[SkyTrak_Seth]

Man, sorry to hear of this. Definitely not normal Please keep me updated on the status and I will follow up as well on my end.

[Shardak]

Well I think Seth must have worked his magic.

I have not yet called Skytrak support, as I was not looking forward to going through this process again. They called me today and offered to replace the unit.

Thanks Seth for getting this escalated. Much appreciated.


Thanks
Jeff


PS -> Do I have to do anything with The Golf Club 2019 in order to get it to work with the new unit? I think its tied to my PC, and not the actual launch monitor, but I am not really sure.

[SkyTrak_Seth]

[SkyTrak_Seth]

PS - Typically support will handle any membership transfers prior to shipping a replacement unit.

[Shardak]

My replacement skytrak was delivered today. Seems to be working 100%.