Alignment issues

[GungHoGolf]

Just got a ST recently and do not use a ST protection case. I've used multiple levels and made sure my ST was definitely level, however the application always reads a 0* roll and -6* tilt. I've been looking for answers and trying to figure out what to do for the most accuracy with my ST which is the goal... I've adjusted the unit so that the application read 0* roll and 0* tilt but it looks incredibly tilted forward and definitely not level in the real world. One really important question I'd love to ask is; ST says it has an auto feature that corrects up to 5* of inaccurate leveling, if the ST internal leveler is not working properly, is my units accuracy getting messed up from the unit thinking it needs to "fix" itself? This leveling issue has me perplexed... I've verified the unit being level with at least 7 different torpedo levels so I know it is not the tools I'm using. Help please where as this is a brand new device

I'm a billiards enthusiast, and have quite a bit of experience leveling professional pool tables using high-end bubble and digital equipment.

All inclinometers, including precision bubble levels and the digital inclinometers and accelerometers found in modern smartphones (and the SkyTrak unit), drift, and need regular calibration.

The quick way to check calibration is to set the SkyTrak on a known-level surface, such as a pool table or granite countertop, check what the level or app says, then turn the unit 180 degrees and confirm that the level or app still says the same thing. If the level magically changed 180 degrees along with the turn, then the instrument is out of calibration.

If the SkyTrak level doesn't have a calibration or zeroing feature, it's fairly worthless to depend on. But in absence of a calibration feature, just turn it 180 deg and check for an exact opposite shift of tilt/rotation, in which case the unit is actually level.

(As one data point, I just checked the level of my unit while sitting on my known-level pool table, and it was at perfect 0 deg on both axes.)

[SirNeedaSim]

Thanks for the idea Deadstick, I too have a very accurately leveled pool table and will be able to use that for verification

[goph3r]

I like the tip, i'll give it a try just to be 100% sure that the device has an error before calling them. Thank you!

[goph3r]

So after calling tech support, explaining the issue, explaining that I have an improperly calibrated Skytrak, sending pictures via email clearly showing the issue with the unit, I was told I would get a call back within 24hrs......

Almost 1 week later and no call, I call back being patient and find the gentleman was out of the office for a few days, that the issue seems like it may be a software upgrade in the near future and would escalate the issue, once again I would get a call back.

4 days later, no call back so I dial again and reach the same person. Now I get told that the improperly calibrated unit should not affect its accuracy, but it still is a defective unit. This time the developer will be calling me either the next day (a Friday) or the following Monday. No call back........

Call back today, and the developers and managers just happen to be in a meeting and are not available to talk - BUT I will get a call back today.

3 strikes is an out in my book. Worst customer service I've ever dealt with. Started to think the GC2 would have been worth the extra couple grand just for the peace of mind. Is a properly calibrated unit from quality control too freaking much to ask for these days?

Starting to think there's just quality control issues with SkyGolf in general. I had gotten the skypro a while back and the first unit I received was unresponsive and DOA. Fortunately I was able to return it and purchase another which came in and worked just fine. Once it worked it was great but im starting to wonder if the hassle is worthy of the purchase.....

Just needed to vent... Praying this gets resolved soon cause they are wasting away my 1 year manufacturers warranty....

[N54TT]

So after calling tech support, explaining the issue, explaining that I have an improperly calibrated Skytrak, sending pictures via email clearly showing the issue with the unit, I was told I would get a call back within 24hrs......

Almost 1 week later and no call, I call back being patient and find the gentleman was out of the office for a few days, that the issue seems like it may be a software upgrade in the near future and would escalate the issue, once again I would get a call back.

4 days later, no call back so I dial again and reach the same person. Now I get told that the improperly calibrated unit should not affect its accuracy, but it still is a defective unit. This time the developer will be calling me either the next day (a Friday) or the following Monday. No call back........

Call back today, and the developers and managers just happen to be in a meeting and are not available to talk - BUT I will get a call back today.

3 strikes is an out in my book. Worst customer service I've ever dealt with. Started to think the GC2 would have been worth the extra couple grand just for the peace of mind. Is a properly calibrated unit from quality control too freaking much to ask for these days?

Starting to think there's just quality control issues with SkyGolf in general. I had gotten the skypro a while back and the first unit I received was unresponsive and DOA. Fortunately I was able to return it and purchase another which came in and worked just fine. Once it worked it was great but im starting to wonder if the hassle is worthy of the purchase.....

Just needed to vent... Praying this gets resolved soon cause they are wasting away my 1 year manufacturers warranty....

I hate to break more bad news to you....but unless you bought the extended warranty...the manufactures warranty is actually only 6 months or 25,000 shots.

Their customer service and telephone support is horrendous. I feel for those of you that have to deal with these issues. That being said I still think its the best bang for the buck launch monitor out there and have no regrets with my purchase. Only issue I have is the critical battery low....which I'm hoping is corrected soon.

[Jtangm04]

Just wanted to bump this thread since I didn't see an answer to the question of whether you level the skytrak with a bubble level or with skytrak's device level? For my unit, when the bubble level is centered I get roll -2 and tilt 2.

[BWJones]

I recently experienced this. I was using the software to level and I could tell it did not look right. I was also getting a bunch of missed reads. Once I leveled with a bubble level, the unit started working fine.

[DirtyGarry24]

Ya, I think this is a common occurrence with the Skytrak. I originally used the internal level and when it said mine was level I could actually see that it wasn't with my eyes (that far off). I decided this was not the way to go, went with the bubble level reading only and been happy ever since.

[Jtangm04]

Sounds good. Always like to blame my shot on the tools and not the user!

[MysteryV]

I recently got my SkyTrak and it's been the best thing I've ever done for my game. That said, the alignment issue is somewhat troublesome as I'm using the unit to refine my swing, and really need to know I can trust the alignment. While I trust the alignment dots for the most part (aligned here with a Bosch laser level), the alignment of the body (inside the SkyTrak metal case here) is throwing me off a bit.

[Whiskeyjack]

The reliability of using the alignment dots seem to vary from machine to machine. I don't really think that SkyTrak recommends their use. They recently removed the ability to have them both on and replaced this ability because of requests from customers. personally I use an alignment rod when I take it to the range. At home I set it up by using the center line of the range. I center that line on my hitting area, then I hit a few chips at that line watching where they hit and slightly moving the Skytrak till I think it's accurate. After I did this I marked the location of unit with tape.
This seems to work for me. My set up is fairly permanent though.

[JJ62]

I've seen these comments before and I went thru the alignment rods/dots etc... until I thought about it. What if you all do this: Simply put the ball on the mat and hit it. See where it hits the screen. Did the ball image hit that spot? If not - adjust the unit left/right and keep doing that until the image is going where it hits the screen. You are now perfectly aligned without lasers/rods etc....

[MysteryV]

I appreciate that everyone has their methods, however keep in mind many of us don't use screens and/or projectors. :/

Also, where did you read that they removed the ability to have them both on? I got my unit less than a month ago and alignment mode is alive and kickin'!

[bennyg211]

They removed the alignment feature a few releases ago. The reimplemented the next release after a bunch of people asked for it to be put back in. I’m hoping that a new alignment feature using the camera will be introduced, this would remove any manufacturing tolerances from either the lasers or the casing.

[Whiskeyjack]

Thanks Benny,
Mystery if you site search "skytrak alignment" you'll find all the posts dealing with it. I think the release I was talking about was around 2.5, 2.6 or 2.7. It was also said to use the actual case with an alignment rod, ( If you have one, the different metal protection cases have a place to put an alignment rod).
Also used the method I mentioned above before I installed my screen. I put a piece of ribbon on the back of the net I was using then. I've only had my screen and enclosure with projector for about a month. Before that I was just hitting into a practice net.

[MysteryV]

I have the metal case (kinda tough to see in the picture above as it's black). So if I understand you correctly, Whiskeyjack, you're saying that we should trust the case / protective case, more than we should trust the dots?

I'm a bit concerned as, if that's the case, the last 1,500 shots may have been ingraining an extreme push.

[MarkyMark]

Just a quick question, has it been confirmed that we should align to the dots or the actual unit itself? and if so..which one? because if i go by the dots... my unit is angled quite a bit.

[Whiskeyjack]

That's what was mentioned in an earlier post. I think Skytrak Seth said the same thing. It's not what I do at home for my set up. I do what I said above.
When I've taken the unit to the range that is what I do though. I place an alignment rod the lip built in to the front of the metal skytrak protective case.
Seems to work fine there.

[N54TT]

Just a quick question, has it been confirmed that we should align to the dots or the actual unit itself? and if so..which one? because if i go by the dots... my unit is angled quite a bit.

Skytrak’s stance is that its best to align to the body....since the lasers can get out of calibration. BUT some of us...including myself find that when we align to the lasers.....even if it offsets the body....shots end up more accurate.

My suggestion is to do some simple testing yourself. If you’re hitting at home....even into a plain net. Align the dots with a mark,bow,tape on the net....and see where the ball hits vs the displayed path...shouldn’t take long to figure out if your unit is more accurate with the lasers vs body. After that....just align with either the body or dots....depending on what your findings are.

[THAXXX]

I hate that this is my first post on here. But I'm looking for the best options for me to get a Simulator. ST is my first choice. But I have to be honest. This thread is almost 3 years old, and I can' find any information on any thread that this problem has been addessed by the manufacturer. Not to mention many other issues I've read about on here. If I can' rely on the alignment, there is no way to know if hitting the way it says I am. Just like another said on here. I don't want to hit thousands of shots just to find out I've been hitting left or right of my target the whole time. Will there ever be a fix for this problem? Or do most of you just accept it?

[Morini]

As far as i am concerned alignment is a non issue. I hang a string 6 inches in front of net. Lay down alignment rod. Eyeball unit to be parallel to Target line. I then grab a mid iron and punch 50 yard shots until I hit the string (takes only a couple of tries). If the shot is straight I am done. If not, nudge the st and try again.

Takes a couple of minutes. I could probably save some time by marking placement but don't bother.

[THAXXX]

I guess you need to be creative with work arounds