SkyTrak 2

[TurfWar]

Assuming there will eventually be a new iteration of the SkyTrak device I would love to here from current owners about what new features they'd like to see in a SkyTrak 2. The current version measures ball data only and I'm wondering how practicle it is for the next gen hardware to measure club and face data. This is purely speculative but what do we think is needed for SkyTrak to start punching above its weight and go head to head with the big boys and still maintain its usp of being significantly more affordable?

[bionicboogerboy]

Camera based systems are often vertically mounted. It would be nice if the camera based launch monitors such as the GC2 and Skytrak could offer a vertical mount sleeve and option to mount vertically in future iterations. This would elimate the left/right hand issue.

[keithpbz]

For it to do club data would probably be something similar to gc2. An add on device like the hmt.

[billydruce]

I believe im correct in saying this. Skytrak did not develop the hardware, I cant remember the conpanies name who developed the hardware. I did find it on the Internet a few months ago though. I assume they sell the product under licence. I would say it makes sense the developing company would try to copy foresight products.

[davray666]

The company that the developed the hardware is called Rapsodo. Check it out, they have a new iPhone app that can do putting analysis using the iPhone camera.
If they want to sell the product in the US they can't copy the GC2 & HMT design. Foresight has patents.
There's a lot of patents on the subject that is why Rapsodo had to develop something new to be able to build a product and sell it in the US.
As for a better unit than GC2 & HMT, it is possible and as I have said before. New tech is coming that will enable all of that for reasonable money, but it's more than 1 year away.

[billydruce]

Do companies worry about Patents? Example, Samsung and Apple, golf balls.

[davray666]

I guess it depends. A small company without the financial means to do battle in court would probably be careful. A big company like say Nike would probably not care at all if they use a patent that is filed by some small player. Especially since most of the LM relevant patents would not hold up in court anyway.
Pretty much all the patents that are relevant for golf launch monitors are old and have expired. But since the patent system is broken, companies still manage to get a patent on stuff that already exists or is so similar to prior art that it should have been rejected.
This is not exclusive to the world of golf equipment. It's everywhere.

[Lawyer]

Any informations about an evolution of Skytrak? Someone out there has news about building a new version able to do club measurement?

[penrose]

I would like to see self leveling feet on the device as well as the weight for the device so it does not move after you strike the ball. I have mine on the same matt - while this does not appear to be an issue I have seen others suggest a different matt. Of course, perhaps add one or two additional cameras either to capture better data (not saying skyrak is bad I love it) or more data. I would also like to see skytrak offer a full studio - they have a net option but would like to see a projector with screen option.

[Lawyer]

I send an email to Rapsodo about a new unit and they told me they "don't reveal informations on new products while they are still working on it"