Does a Faster iPad (Pro) Make Difference?

[Schmoulty]

I am using an iPad that is a few years old, and it works ... but everything could go faster (login, launch, shot delay). I was wondering if anyone has found that a faster iPad, maybe an iPad Pro, would make any noticeable difference? My setup is in a garage attic and I'm not willing to put a full PC up there.

Thanks for any experience out there.

[SkyTrak_Seth]

Yes, it will (depending on what you are coming from). Going back to when we first launched, we noticed about a 1 second decrease in shot-to-show with every new iPad model that came out. iPad Pro has that about maxxed out now.

[Schmoulty]

Thanks for your quick response, Seth. So going from a 6th Gen iPad to a 9th Gen iPad might help by a few seconds? Does memory in the iPad have any impact? Is SkyTrak seeing even better performance from the new M1 chip in the iPad Air or the M2 in the iPad Pro? The iPad Pro and new iPad Air would require new adapters for the USB-C, but I'm thinking it might be worth it.

[Schmoulty]

Just to follow up, I wanted to pass along my personal experience. I upgraded from an iPad 6th Generation (several years old) with an A10 processor to a current (2022) iPad Air with an Apple M1 processor (from a specs standpoint, a much faster processor and graphics). The difference between the two, at least to me, was NOT noticeable. Maybe there was a bigger differential with earlier iPads, but both the A10 and the M1 had the typical ST few seconds in between swing and shot display. It seems to me that the delay is attributable to the processor in the ST unit. The iPad Air was purchased just for the ST, so it is going back. As always, good luck and YMMV!

[Schmoulty]

Just wanted to update my earlier response since a subsequent experience was so much different. After a ST upgrade (I think it was to 4.4), my delays on the ST got much longer (10-20 seconds, unbearable). I upgraded to an iPad Pro (M2) and it solved the issue. Almost immediate response. Now upgraded to the ST+ and the iPad Pro works great.

[jas1964]

Schmoulty, which version of iOS are you running on the iPad Pro? I have an iPad Pro 11" 4th Gen M2 running iOS 17.5 and an iPhone 15 Pro running iOS 17.5. Both disconnect within 5 to 20 minutes. It doesn't matter if I am in Network Mode or Direct Mode. The connection between either of these Apple devices will drop even when in Direct Mode.

[CAPDAK]

That was my experience as well. My 6th generation IPad was doing fine with very little shot delay. Then a skytrak software update occurred and the delay increased anywhere from 10-20 seconds. So I got an iPad Pro with the M1 and the delay is back to a quick response. So those folks still using old IPads and having the software still working are probably on borrowed time. Eventually, you will have to either upgrade your iPad or learn to live with long delays and other software issues.

[Morini]

I doubt the delay after update was related to lack of processing ... simply not possible for an update to increase processing time by 1000%. Most likely related to the issue of database syncing. If so, may have gotten similar result by wiping the ipad.

[CAPDAK]

You might think so. But no. That didn’t work either for me. And I tried on two different iPads.