SkyTrak Garage Setup Help

[Lyons7]

Starting to design a simulator for my detached garage. I raised one beam in the garage so the hitting area height is 9ft, width is 8ft and length of garage is 18ft. I am thinking of going with skytrak, I have a mat and a net right now but had a few questions.

- Wanted to upgrade the net to an impact screen, any suggestions that have minimal noise? How much space is needed behind the screen? Better to buy a kit with it all or diy?
- I live in MI, worried that winter will be too cold to keep the projector in the garage full time. Anyone have an easy setup to take it down each time? Not ideal obviously but trying to decide if the projection is worth the hassle setting up and taking down each time.
- Wifi is spotty in the garage, will an adapter to extend wifi range take care of that?
- Anyone have a solid setup without a projector and use a TV off to the side? Wouldnt be bad but feels like I would want it on the impact screen at some point.
- Any other suggestions?

Appreciate any help

[cmckelvmi]

I started in an almost identical situation. In SE MI near Toledo and was in a detached garage with a net, laptop, and SkyTrak. If you can I would get a mesh wifi system as it will make things easier on everyone. However, I had a wifi extender and it worked fine if it's dedicated to the SkyTrak. Rukket net return works well and I ended up hanging the net behind the impact screen I got from GungHoGolf and I think that helps cut down on the noise. Also, the experts say the net will extend the life of the impact screen.

One foot behind the screen should be plenty of space. I bought bungees, tarp clips, EMT, and EMT fittings and made my frame myself. Sorry, I don't have prices to compare but I can confirm DIY is easy to do.

Space heaters and portable air-conditioning units are going to increase your heating/cooling bill. Consider getting a mini-split added to the garage.

My monitor set-up is a bit over-kill...One of those things if we upgraded televisions I would repurpose the older television in the sim room. One tv for the PC monitor then a second tv for HMT data, and then the BenQ PJ. (HDMI splitter)

Welcome to the rabbit hole and good luck!

[golfsimulatorsite]

SEE ANSWERS BELOW IN BOLD

- Wanted to upgrade the net to an impact screen, any suggestions that have minimal noise? How much space is needed behind the screen? Better to buy a kit with it all or diy? Screen should be 12" off back wall. We have a poly spacer padded screen material that has low noise, low bounceback and great HD image. DIY kits save a lot of time and we can customize them to fit you exact space. EMT conduit is not too expensive. about 8-10 dollars per 10 ft. We do have a 100% complete kit with all piping and connectors called Proseries

- I live in MI, worried that winter will be too cold to keep the projector in the garage full time. Anyone have an easy setup to take it down each time? Not ideal obviously but trying to decide if the projection is worth the hassle setting up and taking down each time. If the garage doesnt get too below freezing, the electronics should be fine. Most projector mounts allow you to remove projector witth 2-3 screws/bolts. You also could do a floor mount projector which would be easier to take in.

- Wifi is spotty in the garage, will an adapter to extend wifi range take care of that? you definitely want good wifi. Hard wire is best if you can do it. How close is your cable coming into house?
- Anyone have a solid setup without a projector and use a TV off to the side? Wouldnt be bad but feels like I would want it on the impact screen at some point. You can easliy hook a tv up to the projector and skytrak. But once you see the golf course on an impact screen, you wont regret it.
- Any other suggestions? If you have the budget, do the projector with screen

hope this helps

chip
spectrum golf

[wjochetz]

Lyons7 Do you have any pictures of what you did regarding the raised beam? Thanks!

[golfsimulatorsite]

Also 8 ft wide is real narrow. Is it 8 ft wide where you are hitting or does it open up some?

thx
Chip

[Scoop]

If you are using a PC, a good solution to help with wifi issues is getting a USB wifi adapter so you can connect both to the SkyTrak wifi and your home wifi without having use Network Mode. They are about $20 and eliminate most wifi related issues.

[wbond]

I’m in SE Mi and my projector and monitor have been in my garage for over 4 years now without issue

[Lyons7]

Also 8 ft wide is real narrow. Is it 8 ft wide where you are hitting or does it open up some?

thx
Chip

Not the best picture, im not at home right now. But the middle beam is raised to 9ft. Shouldn't be a problem getting a screen custom made to fit how I would like. Garage isnt insulated and has no heat, not a big deal for me to hit when its cold but would like to avoid leaving the projector there full time.

[AndersonRains]

Starting to design a simulator for my detached garage. I raised one beam in the garage so the hitting area height is 9ft, width is 8ft and length of garage is 18ft. I am thinking of going with skytrak, I have a mat and a net right now but had a few questions.

- Wanted to upgrade the net to an impact screen, any suggestions that have minimal noise? How much space is needed behind the screen? Better to buy a kit with it all or diy?
- I live in MI, worried that winter will be too cold to keep the projector in the garage full time. Anyone have an easy setup to take it down each time? Not ideal obviously but trying to decide if the projection is worth the hassle setting up and taking down each time.
- Wifi is spotty in the garage, will an adapter to extend wifi range take care of that?
- Anyone have a solid setup without a projector and use a TV off to the side? Wouldnt be bad but feels like I would want it on the impact screen at some point.
- Any other suggestions?

Appreciate any help

Impact Screen Noise:
I think this is rather subjective based on what I've seen. I think everyone has varying degrees of what they consider to be loud vs. quiet. I have the Carl's Preferred Impact Screen and standing 9 ft away I find the impact of the club to ball to be much louder than ball to impact screen.

Wifi:
I second the above comment about the mesh system + WiFi extender. That's exactly what I have and it works great. Eero system with the Eero Beacon.

TV vs Projector:
I also use the TV off to the side vs the projector. I think this really depends on if you are planning on playing simulated golf vs just using the SkyTrak system/range. I find the TV to be plenty enough of a visual but I do not use any actual simulator software yet. There is a 1-3 second delay with the SkyTrak depending on your setup and the delay makes the TV setup perfect IMO. Hit, follow through, then by the time you look over you are seeing your shot from start to finish.

[AndersonRains]

I would also recommend checking the clearance section of Carl's. More sizing options and much better pricing for hardly noticeable blemishes.