"Shank" proof protection

[davray666]

Here it is, built tested and works like it was factory made :-) (Sorry Seth I could not resist)
In the attached images you see.
1. 3D printer 12h in, printing the main box.
2. The "driving range" protection.
3. The full setup with the second level abuse resistant protection on top.
4. Top view.
5. Close up of the opening, with ball.

It has
1. Ventilation hole on top for getting rid of the heat.
2. Bubble level holder that can be calibrated
3. Adjustable target alignment laser holder. It looks like 2 x AAA battery lasers are 13.5mm diameter. So I can fit my bad ass green laser here as well.
4. 3 adjustment screws that can be fitted from top or bottom. That is to cover all cases where it needs to be high or low above the surface it rests on.
5. 12 additional threaded holes on the lid to mount other versions of lasers or combined laser + bubble level or whatever might come up later.

It has been tested with appr. 100 shots using wedges, drivers and a few clubs in between. Registers shots just like with a naked unit.

Drawback is that it's light and will fall over if hit by a fast ball or move out of place if hit by a bounce back. Not a big problem but could be annoying.
For that reason I use the second level protection while in the garage. On the driving range the plan is to use just that primary protection.
(Yes I will make a new second level protection box since this one is but ugly)

The 3D printed parts work OK but have a few flaws that need to be redesigned. If I ever build another one, those will be fixed. (not very likely, since the one I have now is good enough)
For that reason I have decided not to share the 3D-print files.
If you want to build your own unit you can still do it by building the box out of MDF or plastic or whatever you like. The tricky part is the position and size of the holes in front of the sensors.
For those that want to build a unit for personal use or for their friends, I will be happy to give you the drawing that shows where to place those openings.
For those that want to use this info to build units and sell them you will have to ask permission and make an offer.

In either case. If you are interested PM me.

PS.
My version that you see in the pictures is for right handed players only. It is possible to build one for both but I wanted to have as few openings as possible.
And I don't know any lefties, none that I like anyway.

[doublebogey]

SkyTrak_Seth, can you guys just pay davray666 maybe in form of free GI Package for life, huge amount of credits for sim options or extended/lifetime warranty on his SkyTrak or some combination and use his design to build a proper SkyTrak protector that you can sell to all of us?

[luv2golf]

SkyTrak_Seth, can you guys just pay davray666 maybe in form of free GI Package for life, huge amount of credits for sim options or extended/lifetime warranty on his SkyTrak or some combination and use his design to build a proper SkyTrak protector that you can sell to all of us?

Don't think they can now they have been into production on their own. davray666 I'd be happy to pay you to ship me one of yours. I don't see any lense protection on skygolfs version.

[davray666]

As much as I would love to help a fellow golfer I really don't have time. At one point I had the idea to prep the design files and show you where you could order all the parts and then just assemble it your self. Unfortunately I have not been able to squeeze it in somewhere in the schedule. Actually the stuff I have done has taken way much more time then I could afford, but when someone tells me something can't be done that I know should work. Well, I think you figure out the rest ...

[Wev]

This is very good, and much better than the SkyTrack one. I've not come close to hitting the unit yet (has anyone?) but I think I'm going to just get two 6mm steel plates (one for base and one for front) and then weld them together. Then the aim would be to mill out one continuous opening that isn't big enough for a ball (or get the plate company to cut it out).

The thing I've no clue about is how big to make this opening and where to site it and how far from the unit. Can you share the dims of this?

[davray666]

I have never been close to hitting it my self and I have had more than a few shanks that went towards the unit. I don't think a shank will travel at the angle required to hit it. But a female friend of mine hit a severe toe shot with a hybrid once. That went straight in to the unit. At that time I had the outer shell protection. So it survived. But I am 100% sure it would have been game over without the protection. If you are a somewhat experienced golfer I doubt that you will ever miss a shot with a driver, hybrid or FW so badly that it hits the unit but there are a quite a few beginners out there that will. I believe those are the shots that will kill it. a shank with a wedge is probably not powerful enough but it will leave a nasty mark where it hits.
I will send you the drawing, but the area between the camera openings need to be transparent. So an all metal shield will not work. It's all in the drawing but if you don't get it send me a PM.

[davray666]

An upfront apology to all of you who had the bad luck to read this post. Golf is a mental game and if you are thinking that a severe toe shot will create a disaster with your long clubs. Chances are that you will do just that even if you are a decent golfer.

[goodmatt78]

Ordered mine today.....https://shop.skygolf.com/p-2052-skyt...tive-case.aspx

It came across my FB feed. BTW....my wife took 4 swings and one near wifff sent the ball rolling (slowly thank god) into my 1 day old ST. :-)

I like the self contained box with leveling....perfect for portability.

[Rcush88]

Looks way stronger, more level and easier to adjust than the one skytrak popped on their site today!

[SkyTrak_Seth]

Yep, you guys beat me to the punch. We finally got the shield up for pre-order - it's a very good design. Although if you are using the SkyTrak in a battle zone, you may want to go with davray666 's.

[JohnMeyer]

hard to tell from the picture but is there any protection in front of the lenses as doesnt look like it in the picture and therefore wouldnt a ball just be able to hit straight into arguably the most fragile part?

[davray666]

From an earlier post by Seth.
"Unfortunately the technology just doesn't allow anything in front of the window."
I guess that's a NO!
Not sure why you are worried, Seth clearly said that if you are not golfing in a battle zone, you should be fine
That probably means that if EA sport PGA tour ever gets ST support. Then we can't play the Battlefiled4 course. Well I can but you guys can't

[Wev]

I will send you the drawing, but the area between the camera openings need to be transparent. So an all metal shield will not work. It's all in the drawing but if you don't get it send me a PM.

Yeah I basically mean a metal plate but with that opening cut out with a laser/ water jet (and leaving it open as a ball isn't big enough to get through). I can't see this costing more than £10 and an hour to do the CAD work, send it off to be cut and then one quick tac weld.

[JohnMeyer]

I think davray means the area in front of the flash unit, which from my understanding has to be transparent but can be covered, as opposed to the lens/laser openings which have to be open but can be small enough to not let a ball through

I'm also assuming lexan at the mentioned thickness is the best choice therefore

[Stiggity]

Currently I am testing the lexan I got at home depot...I'm building another setup so I'll take a few hybrid shots at the lexan and follow up with the results tomorrow with the strength of the lexan if it takes a direct shot on a forward hit

[Hoosierdaddy]

I take it this did not go well since we have not heard anything?

[Stiggity]

Been having trouble with my new graphics card that i cant get to work and I forgot about the test...just tested out a shot with a 3 hybrid 3 feet away and the lexan didn't break. But my protective case went flying. The lexan did not break. Would need to have it cushioned but that's way past my diy skills. I also wonder if people swing differently for fear of damaging their units with a bad shot so they are not swinging as fast or hard. Just an off topic thought. Lexan is strong enough from my test that it won't break if hit with a shot that's closer to the unit

[Hoosierdaddy]

Stiggity Cushioning the unit should be the easiest part of it all. they sell foam tape in any thickness and width you want. A couple strips in front and a couple in back and a couple down each side... bingo....

[Rcush88]

Before you judge, I whipped this up in 10 minutes and I also winged it on the measurements since my skytrak has not arrived yet. Its basically a ROUGH draft, Also i will put layer the inside with foam and add a level on the top with feet at the bottom like Daverays that assist leveling.

[Joko]

Nice. I would probably attempt this DIY adventure if I wasn't so busy DIY'n the sim room. Keep the examples comin!

[davray666]

For those that have still not built a protection and plan to, here is the hole drawing that will prevent a ball to pas and still enable same operation as with no protection.
Any previously mentioned restrictions to share or use are lifted. Do what you want with it.