SkyTrak+ Angle of Attack

[freshlogic]

Not seeing the SkyTrak+ measuring angle of attack in any specifications or screenshots. Is there any reason with the doppler radar and ability to measure other club data that the SkyTrak+ can’t also measure angle of attack?

[Bubba22]

I would think from the side the radar should be able to measure angle of attack. Certainly easier than face angle. Perhaps it can only measure swing path.

[Morini]

There is zero chance that it can measure face angle with doppler. And probably also zero chance that it can do it photometrically without dots. At least not in the traditional way. It will be interesting to find out how it works, but Rapsodo's more recent patents discuss their "3d reconstruction" method of using low res high framerate imagers and AI to determine face. I assume that this would be 240 fps cameras. The patents were for down the line devices, but I still think that this method is the only way they can get club data without dots in the price range. They could also back out face some other way ... if they know the impact location. My guess is that the unit has an internal estimate of impact location, and possible also AoA. Maybe not accurate enough to report ... at least not at this point in time. Could come in an update.

[OttawaP]

What are the chances you think of this being added down the road on a software upgrade?? Much like the Mevo+ add ons.

[Bubba22]

It looks like their club data other than speed is mostly calculated.

[Morini]

As I mention above, it likely uses "3d reconstruction". Call that what you want. It is far superior to "calculating" from only ball data.

[jima9426]

Club head data is not calculated from measured ball data.

First, "calculated" is a poor term. Most of the data points are calculated because that's essentially what a radar does -- it calculates.

But if the term calculated must be used, some club head data is directly calculated (i.e. measured) by the Doppler, and other club head data is secondarily calculated from other club head data. But unlike the previous SkyTrak, no club head data is calculated from ball data.

[jima9426]

I would think from the side the radar should be able to measure angle of attack. Certainly easier than face angle. Perhaps it can only measure swing path.

According to a SkyTrak engineer with whom I spoke, it does measure AoA which will be coming in a future update.

[jima9426]

What are the chances you think of this being added down the road on a software upgrade?? Much like the Mevo+ add ons.

I had an extended conversation with a SkyTrak engineer and he did say that AoA will be coming in an update, no timeframe given. The unit does measure vertical location for AoA, but after some internal debate, it was decided that AoA initially would be left out in favor of displaying the other metrics to simplify the app interface.

[Dbchaplin03]

Angle or Attack and Low Point are the two biggest things I’m working on in my golf game right now 😔. I take a lesson every week with a PGA pro and those are the first numbers he looks at.

[Bubba22]

According to a SkyTrak engineer with whom I spoke, it does measure AoA which will be coming in a future update.

Thought so as well. Thanks for verifying. Will be another cash grab as a future update.

[CAPDAK]

Cash grab? This is a for profit business, right?

But getting back to reality, I don’t recall being charged for prior Skytrak software updates.

[Kejoma]

You actually cant calculate "Club Path" without "Angle of Attack". So Swing direction and AOA has to be measured to display a "Club Path" :-)

[Anansi]

According to a SkyTrak engineer with whom I spoke, it does measure AoA which will be coming in a future update.

Speaking of future updates:
SkyTrak sent out a Father’s Day promo, and if you look carefully the club data display is showing horizontal and vertical impact location. Maybe ST marketing jumped the gun, but it make me think that the ST plus will have additional data points to display in the future.

[OttawaP]

Isn’t that interesting. Good catch!!

[OttawaP]

https://youtu.be/7NoG2jfOq5A?si=xiis5D90yQbTi25J 14:13 of this video shows angle of attack measured.

[Morini]

Unless I am missing something, it is just a slide listing what is measured directly and what is calculated.If Mitch produced the slide (as opposed to officially released by Skytrak PR), couldn't it just be an error on their part (the reviewers)?

[OttawaP]

Could be, I have no idea, but it caught me off guard. Here’s to hoping.