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.

[driverdivots]

Starting with your last question first... Yes, from what I have seen on these forms, the skypro and skytrak will be integrated at some point down the line, so you can capture some of that club data.

What other systems are you considering? Is price a big deal breaker?
Currently Skytrak is the best option for the price range it's in.

For what it's worth, I had a SkyTrak and I returned it. Keep in mind, I will be ordering another one very soon. I had some issues with it picking up longer irons after a while, and now I just want to wait for their protective shield / leveling stand to be released. I was using it in the garage and it was perfect for my setup. Very portable, and easy to turn on and start hitting away. You have to remember that this unit is not even a year old, and still in a very early stage. I feel like the updates will only get better with time, and we have a spokesperson that is active on these forums.

If you want to play courses on something eventually, I say go with the Skytrak. By the time simulation integration is released, the unit will also pickup smaller chip shots and putts.

[Bubba22]

Yes it will integrate with sim software and chips and putts are working well.

[JDW]

Thanks diverdivots for your reply. The first system I looked at was ES14. I was told that it was able to output a visual display of the shot. When I found it did not support that function I moved on to the GC2. While I was researching GC2 I came across Skytrak .I have been checking into this forum for a few months now to follow along with the updates and progress of things. I was hoping by this time to be ready to make a decision but I have to say I am still hesitant. I once had someone tell me to never buy a 1st year model car. I think I'm beginning to feel that way about my Skytrak purchase. Price is important but ultimately I want a unit that is accurate and most of all that I trust and is ready to use. I like the fact that Skytrak seems to offer what I'm looking for with a lower price but all the updates and changes worry me a bit. I can hang in there if I get the basic functions that I am looking for now and reap the benefits as new things are released but if there is a going to be a major redesign in the not to distant future I will just wait.

I was interested to find out more as to why you returned your unit. Is it your belief/understanding that there will be a new base unit that is released that will address some of the bugs/issues that you and others have had or do you think the unit will basically stay the same but have software updates and add ons such as the shield and leveling stand you spoke of? I find it interesting that you say that it started not picking up shots with longer irons after a while. Do you ever figure out why this happened? Do you have experience with other launch monitors? Thanks for your input.

[DeaconBlooze]

I purchased my Skytrak last month. I was skeptical at first about the accuracy of the unit. Within my first week with it, I was slicing horribly according to the unit, even with my shorter irons! While I'm inconsistent, I never really had a problem slicing with irons. The next round of golf I had, that same slice was evident in the real world..
I worked throughout the round to get my swing back on plane. When I returned to the Skytrak unit, I was seeing ball flights exactly like what I was seeing at the end of my round. After a few more sessions with the Skytrak, my skepticism lifted, and I spent less time worrying about the accuracy of the results, and more time working on using the information presented to correct my swing.

I've been more consistent with practice because of my Skytrak (it's nearly impossible to improve with a 1 year old at home!). I know I need to groove my swing and stick with it, but I'm the experimental/perfectionist type. I've seen some real improvements in my ball striking. As of recently, I've been using it to hone in my yardages for each club. I need to take more time and focus between swings, rather than read the data and swing again with that in my head, but that's a personal practice issue, not the fault of the unit.

My yardage book is probably more complete than ever. I have confidence that if I continue to work, my ball striking will continue to improve with this unit, and a practice session is only a couple of feet away.

I also own a P3 Proswing. I was very unhappy with that unit. Most of my skepticism about the Skytrack stemmed from my experience with the P3. I spent more time wondering about the results, and adjusting various settings than I ever did focusing on game improvement. I knew I had to look for something else if home practice/simulation was ever going to be useful or fun. I researched the GC2, as well as other units. While the GC2 probably would have been my first choice, from what I read on this forum and others, the unit isn't worth the extra 4-5k (YMMV).

The software on Skytrak is certainly pretty utilitarian in its current state. I'm hopeful that those suggestions in this forum for improvement are being closely followed, and we'll soon see new features (being able to label clubs, balls, delete shots, etc etc etc) added to the software. It sounds as though simulation software is right around the corner, and unlike some other units, it sounds as though we may have some options.. Most are looking forward to integration with TGC, as am I. I'm also looking forward to seeing how the e6 software may work. The cloud software appears as though it will offer a subscription pricing option, meaning it may be something like $40 (not sure on the actual amount) per month to use simulation software. I like that as an option, so I can at least get on some courses while I either wait on TGC to get released, or for reviews from the early adopters.

I'm also excited about the Skypro integration. While it may not be the most accurate unit on the planet, feedback about why you may have hit that cut will be very helpful during practice sessions. Due to the way the unit attaches to the club, I suspect I'll only really use the unit in a range type setting. I should have my Skypro early next week, and I'm excited to use it to help me groove my swing along with the feedback from Skytrak!

[DeaconBlooze]

It may be helpful to point out that I'm currently about an 18 handicap, which has dropped from 12 in the last few years due to decreased play. I consider myself a student of the game, and know that with work I could get to a single digit handicap. That would be impossible with my schedule and situation without the use of a launch monitor.

I took a calculated risk in purchasing this unit, knowing I was an early adopter. I purchased an iPad for the sole purpose of displaying information from Skytrak. Having said all of that, the unit itself has exceeded my expectations. Some features are noticeably absent, like I noted in my previous post, but I believe we'll see them added soon enough.

[karladam]

I have been using SkyTrak for ~2 weeks, and I have been pleasantly surprised with my experience. I find the data to be accurate, and I rarely get misreads. I am using an iPad Air 2 and projecting onto an impact screen. The ~3 second delay doesn't bother me nearly as much as anticipated.

I am ~12 handicap right now, and while it has only been two weeks, I feel the unit and ability to hit balls every day or two is helping my ball striking/consistency with irons. I should note a few things ... 1) I do not hit driver or 3-wood due to space restrictions/comfort level of hitting inside 2) I am not overly concerned with simulator course play options as I am happy having a driving range equivalent in my basement

I am just finishing my build-out and will post pictures in the next week or so in the other forum

[MrHogan]

I've been using it alot at the range so I can compare ST vs real life. I think the accuracy is bang on for shot shape and distances. I have been very impressed with the numbers. I have the confidence to not question it indoors or in a net. Sure I have some data sync issues but in the scheme of things they are really minor. I would buy this without sync or sim options. I'm a 7 hcp and have swing flaws like most folks - the ST highlights these in bright lights. I've already fixed my driver in just a few days. It's worth its money just for that alone even if I never used it again! All my buddies are itching to have a go. I thoroughly recommend if you are someone who wants to understand/optimise their swing.

[JDW]

Thanks for taking the time to respond to me. Do you have any issues with leveling the unit when you bring to the range ? I know I have read that the unit seem to have some issues with being leveled.

[MrHogan]

I take a small spirit level with me but invariably its just for piece of mind, typically the bay is level. I'm not sure what happens if its not level.

[MrHogan]

The ~3 second delay doesn't bother me nearly as much as anticipated.

I actually like the delay it allows me to watch the real shot and then watch it again on the ipad. So i'd like a config setting in future app versions for the delay in seconds before displaying just for that reason :-)

[driverdivots]

Thanks diverdivots for your reply. The first system I looked at was ES14. I was told that it was able to output a visual display of the shot. When I found it did not support that function I moved on to the GC2. While I was researching GC2 I came across Skytrak .I have been checking into this forum for a few months now to follow along with the updates and progress of things. I was hoping by this time to be ready to make a decision but I have to say I am still hesitant. I once had someone tell me to never buy a 1st year model car. I think I'm beginning to feel that way about my Skytrak purchase. Price is important but ultimately I want a unit that is accurate and most of all that I trust and is ready to use. I like the fact that Skytrak seems to offer what I'm looking for with a lower price but all the updates and changes worry me a bit. I can hang in there if I get the basic functions that I am looking for now and reap the benefits as new things are released but if there is a going to be a major redesign in the not to distant future I will just wait.

I was interested to find out more as to why you returned your unit. Is it your belief/understanding that there will be a new base unit that is released that will address some of the bugs/issues that you and others have had or do you think the unit will basically stay the same but have software updates and add ons such as the shield and leveling stand you spoke of? I find it interesting that you say that it started not picking up shots with longer irons after a while. Do you ever figure out why this happened? Do you have experience with other launch monitors? Thanks for your input.

I'm not sure why it started having trouble reading longer irons. The first few days it worked perfectly. The only reason I returned it was because I truly believed it was an issue with the unit. I just want to wait until the level stand is released to buy the unit again because from what I've heard it needs to be as level as possible to be accurate. From my week or so of using the unit, it seemed pretty darn accurate to me, and I didn't once put a level to it. It pretty much just sat on a piece of mat the same height as where the ball was placed. If you're looking for something to help gap your irons, see your carry/total distance, and ball flight with some other numbers, you will not be disappointed. To me it was the closest thing to being at the range without having to leave my garage.

As to your comment about the updates, I don't think that is a bad thing. It means that are constantly improving this unit, and like bubba mentioned, he has already been testing this with simulation and putting, and he seems impressed. The only thing close to SkyTrak with the same accuracy to me would be the gc2, or maybe flightscope xi. You can always try it out, and you have 30 days to return it if you are unhappy.

[Ironstrokes]

Completely agree with mrhogan, that delay is awesome if you are testing it at the range to watch the ball flight and then the ipad. So I second that I would like to see it as a setting as well even if the delay does become closer to instant down the line somehow. Overall I've been very impressed on how accurate it has been so far

[Brettster]

Hey ironstrokes... I don't doubt I would like it myself on the iPad at the range, but I can't imagine it on the Sim being fun to wait for ball flight...

I'd have to see it run on the sim, and since very few have seen SkyTrak run on TGC/Sim as it's not released yet, maybe one of them can chime in: Bubba, or others? Is the SkyTrak delay different then GC2, or ProTee?

[Mazenblue]

I agree with all of the post here I think the Skytrak is great LM for the price. I do have some sync issues that I hope are being addressed. I had an older Ipad and the delay was about 25 seconds. I went and bought a new Ipad air two and feel it a little faster than 3 seconds. I feel that is plenty of time to look at numbers set up for the next shot. I run mine direct to the projector with an adapter and HDMI cable. Most of the time I just use it with the Ipad because set is quick and easy. I have two homes and the portability is a big plus. I too was going to buy a GC2 and the price difference was $6500. The more I use It the better I like it. And it has helped my golf game on the course a lot. I do want a protective cage for it. I have had mine about 3 weeks.

[Ironstrokes]

Yeah definitely agree there brett, it will be annoying with the sim, just like if it could be a setting to adjust down the line if they do make the delay shorter at some point (obviously the less they delay the better though and would take that over anything else). Hopefully they can work something out and I'm curious as well how's it's been running on the sim through a pc set up vs android vs ipad (if any of the sim features even run through android or ipad, doubt it, but don't know how the software will be integrated beyond pc or if it's even possible with the iOS and Android capabilities) and would love to hear from the testers. The wait for it to come out is getting rough haha

[JDW]

Thanks to all who have taken the time to respond to my original post...truly appreciate it. I have gained some valuable insight from your experiences. Hopefully someone from Skytrak or someone with inside knowledge will respond to some unanswered question. People with technical knowledge of how Skytrak works.....do you think that any problems/bugs will be able to be solved with updates from the company or will they have to redesign and come up with a new "better "model in the not to distant future? Not having ever owned a LM and having limited technical knowledge makes it a bit difficult to know how some of these issues might be addressed. Again...just trying to determine if there is any compelling reason to wait for my purchase.

Data sync issue seems to be a hot topic along with the delay. What iPad/Apple product works best with Skytrak to alleviate any possible data sync and/or delay issues? I will be hitting balls in a outside area only. I also want the capability to output the data to a TV or screen if I choose. I will also need to extend my WIFi coverage out to the area where I'm hitting balls. Is there a minimum strength of signal that I will need to run Skytrak efficiently? Thanks in advance.