Should I buy a Skytrak system?

[JDW]

Have been reading about different systems and have been most interested in Skytrak. I am a bit hesitant as there seems to be different issues and constant new products ect. I have an outdoor set up that I hit balls into...a 10" X 10' X 10 ' golf net. I do NOT have the option to hit indoors. I live in the Northeast so in the winter will not be able to use. This unit will be a portable setup that I can use with my golf net. I am most interested in practicing golf shots but would like to also be able to play a course if I wanted but not a deal breaker if I could not.
Just wondering if anyone has input as to what would be the best option/system for me ? I am a bit concerned about all the updates that have to be issued to fix bugs in the system. I understand with any new products there are things that need to be worked out. Is there any compelling reason to wait? Will the hardware have to be changed out? Would like to have a system that can be expanded on and not become obsolete. I noticed that there was a sale that sold Skytrak and a swing analyzer together. Are these systems incorporated some how or will be down the road? Any input or guidance would be appreciated. Thanks.

[apljb]

To the OP, a bit more feedback re your original question and alternate choices.

I'm a 2 hdcp (aging ) geeky, ex-pro, been as low as +2 as an amateur and I've used most launch monitor systems since the very early days of Vector and Trackman systems for club testing and instruction.

My previous coach had a GC2 that he taught with, my current coach is a Trackman expert and I have access to a couple of Flightscope systems also - lucky person that I am.

I wanted a LM for home use, mostly for practicing, as I'm coming up on being able to play senior golf, and was putting together a home practice area earlier this year. Sim is interesting to me, but not the prime reason for purchase, so,

If I had 25K and 20 feet more room indoors, I'd have bought a TM. If I'd had 10K and 20 feet, I'd probably have bought a Flightscope.

Having neither, a camera based system was the only real choice.

The GC2 (without the HMT attachment) was still several thousands more than the Skytrak for ball data only.

From my perspective, having had the unit for several months, there was no additional noticeable benefit that the GC2 would have given me. When I compare my ball numbers that I get on the Skytrak with what I see on TM and Flightscope, they are pretty much bang on - allowing for different swings, locations, timings, etc. I still haven't done a direct side by side comparison, but, honestly, I don't really feel the need to anymore.

For portability and set up the Skytrak is definitely much easier than the GC2, IMO.

It's a minor pain to align directionally (I find Bubba's 2 ball method the best), and I've never actually bothered to check level, sitting on the same mat on a level surface seems to be more than adequate.

I don't mind the (slight) delay at all for practising as others have mentioned; I'm hoping it might be marginally faster on a PC (or PC laptop) when that s/w comes out, but it's really not significantly different than the TM or Flightscope delay.

As you've observed, it's in a whole different class than the ES14 or Voice Caddie SC100 type devices (I have one of those too...).

When it combines with the Skypro, it should give almost everything that you get (data-wise) from TM, et al at much less cost. Admittedly, not quite as accurate, but the difference won't be obvious to any other than the absolute top golfers - we're just not that consistent that the margin of error from the unit would outweigh the margin of difference in our swings and impact conditions.

I'd totally buy it again !

HTH.

[JDW]

Thank you for that input...great info!

[SkyTrak_Seth]

I'll add my two cents...

Yes.

[JDW]

might need a few more cents....Might have to break out the dollars at that rate.

[DeaconBlooze]

It's a minor pain to align directionally (I find Bubba's 2 ball method the best)

I tried searching, but had difficulty coming up with anything. Does anyone have a link to Bubba's post about alignment?

[wbond]

If i remember correctly you align two balls down your intended target line then turn on the alignment aid and position the unit so that the dots hit both balls in the same location. You now know that it's positioned correctly. I use an alignment rod instead, and have both dots hit the top of the rod.

I tried searching, but had difficulty coming up with anything. Does anyone have a link to Bubba's post about alignment?

[apljb]

Yup, that would be it; I think it's probably buried somewhere deep in the original sticky Skytrak thread.

[driverdivots]

I guess I'm a little confused as to why/how you would have problems aligning the unit. I turn on alignment mode, put a small mark where that front dot is, and then align myself to that target line.

JDW, as to your question about the apple products to use without sync issues, I can only speak for the one I have. iPad air. First gen. I've had no issues with the data syncing and I've used both direct mode and network mode. Also when you said you'll have to extend your wifi to work outside, that's only necessary if you want to play in network mode. Direct mode would work fine anywhere, and then next time you connect to wifi it would sync your sessions.

[Bubba22]

For the money, you can't go wrong with th Skytrak. In my opinion it's accurate as the GC2. Issues with data sync etc will be resolved. The hardware measurement of ball data I very accurate. How the software interprets that data is the algorithms that are being revised by Skygolf and it's close. The sim play with E6 and TGC is very good. Slight delay but very acceptable. Less delay with TGC. Putting is good a well.

[jchi18]

Wait, ST works with TGC?

[Bubba22]

We ate in the process of testing and integrating Skytrak with TGC. Skytrak will announce when it will be officially available. TGC is great and the ST users will enjoy whats been done with this integration.

[jacksonlui]

The GC2 has a lot more features at the moment which makes the ST look like a toy but at a much higher price point. I think if you want to look at ball flight ST is good enough. If you want club head data GC2 is your only option (HT unit). I haven't used it much at all due to no availability of app for android and windows. Pretty irritating. It just sits collecting dust. Was an early adopter thinking that these would be out soon but it's been months. There's not a whole lot of competition in this space right now. I don't think you can go wrong with the ST.

[Rcush88]

I just returned skytrak but have a p3 pro swing setup. The reason I returned it was because I couldn't get the stats to sync to the app, couldn't get a decent reading on my drives and I thought the ball roll out was lame. I now have a hard time using the p3 because I really hate hitting off the stupid elevation of the sensor. I felt the ST was more realistic and the ball flight was better. I will definitely buy the ST again when they fix the ball roll out, have a protector and have some type course to play. I really love the portability of it and the ease of hooking it to my projector and impact screen. I read a few comments on *** and people had good ideas on changing the color of your shot. I think they can also improve by making their support team better equipped and to know what the *** their product does.

[jon.summy@aol.com]

For the money and accuracy.......there is nothing better! You could pay more for what this unit gives you. You really would have to upgrade to the X2 or above on the Flightscope to get more features......the XI+ gives you smash and a couple of more numbers, but still no club data. As stated earlier it depends on your budget. You can buy better units......but the only thing better is the Flightscope X2, Trackman, or GC2 with the Club Monitor......those are all good units.....BUT super expensive!!!!! Those all give you more than the ST. ST will show you a true accurate ball flight. If you want club data you need to buy something else that will give you path.....face......and all that good stuff. If I could afford those other units I would buy them. Yet, for 2K you get a great little unit......that will show you an accurate ball flight. I don't know anything that shows a good roll out number.......I would never trust a simulated roll out. It is all about carry for me. The roll out is just too subjective. It is a complete guess. Nothing better for the money. If there is I would love to see it and check it out. ST is not perfect......but the one I have works great!!! I don't have troubles syncing, setting up, missed shots, weird numbers, etc. It is only going to get better!!! Pull the trigger!!!! Now is the time!!! Get on it and get that baby ordered and join the journey with us.

[jon.summy@aol.com]

Oh I also don't get delays! The only thing that causes me delays is when the sun sets low at about 7:30 and shines directly into the lens of the unit. The unit takes longer to render the shot. I fished that by shading the unit. My shots render in about 3 seconds.....I am using the latest Ipad 2 and this baby is great. We hit on Trackman it isn't much faster running off a PC. This thing is a no brainer in my opinion!!!

[jon.summy@aol.com]

The latest release made things much easier for data sync. My unit syncs no problem. You just turn the unit on. It connects to the network and you are off and running. You may not know it but you will have a website that has all your data shots synced. You can copy and paste them right into excel from there and really play with the numbers. It is great. The only real issue I have with the unit is you have to put in your altitude, temp, and humidity each time, but hey those things change. Setup takes me about 4 minutes tops.

[JDW]

Well after much debate... I pulled the trigger! Took advantage of the Fathers Day Sale. We'll see how it turns out. Thanks to all who replied to my post

[Bubba22]

Congrats. Good things ahead!