Does the Skytrak self-level or not? Rapsodo website says it does.

[avantix]

Ok so here's my dilemma, I always painstakingly make sure that the Skytrak is level by using a bubble level and shims when placing it on my mat. I happened to be browsing the Rapsodo website earlier and they claim that is has accelerometer-based self-leveling correction. (see link below)

What do you guys think, does it but then again why would Skygolf build a level into their protective case?

So confused LOL

http://rapsodo.com/skytrak/

[luv2golf]

That's probably for the Japan skytraks. Maybe skygolf didn't want to pay for this feature set. Who knows. davray666 took one apart, I think he'd know better than most of us.

[davray666]

Difficult to know by just seeing an accelerometer in there. Seth has answered this before and the claim is that it's in there and that it's used. I see no reason to doubt that.
Since the host SW that processes the images needs the accelerometer data to do the final calculatiion we can assume that the compensated ball data values are passed along to the sim.
To be able to verify and calibrate the accelerometer in the field is an essential and important function. I can't understand why this was not in the iOS app from day 1. Potentially it could have prevented a lot of returns and angry customers. There is a discussion on this topic in an older thread that you can search for in case you want to know more.

[doublebogey]

Yes Japan SkyTrak has self-leveling feature and leveling indicator on their app. I think I remember somewhere Seth mentioned before they will soon activate this feature on the U.S. SkyTrak?

[Stiggity]

Would the accelerometer work with sim partners or will the unit 1st have to be leveled off with the skytrak app then the simple partner opened? If not still have to use our current technique of leveling ourselves

[bennyg211]

Self-level calibration is active in software (I got this direct from Seth), its just viewing in the app that isn't enabled yet. Best practice is to get as close to level so the software does less calibration, so less fudging real data. I have posted in another thread as to when it does this, I think it should recalibrate between shots, but I don't think it does, I think maybe it does it once when it is first turned on? Have posted more detail in teh exdemo vs blemished units thread with my findings

[davray666]

I think a bit of clarification is required. An accelerometer is used by the ST unit to measure the tilt in 2 axis. That value is used when ball data is derived to align to gravity.
You can call this self level or even unit calibration. But the accelerometer can be way off to start with. That is why you need to first calibrate the accelerometer before you can use it. What we have been promised is a feature in the iOS app that allows you to place the unit on a leveled surface and then set the offset reference values so that the accelerometer knows where the leveled planes are.
You can also use the reported level values that you see while it is on a leveled surface to verify that it's correct.
The way it is now you can level it all you want. If the accelerometer is off, the data will be wrong. How much? Nobody knows and it can vary between units.
Maybe all units are factory calibrated and don't need any field calibration etc ..etc.. We can speculate all we want, the final outcome will anyway be that we don't know.

[rbarthle17]

So to bottom line it, as long as we make sure the bottom of the unit is level with the hitting surface we just need to get the unit close to level overall?

[davray666]

Yes in theory and according to Seth. That is how it's supposed to work.
If it does or not we will see when we get the chance to read out those accelerometer values.

[Mike Z]

I was initially using the xswing app to help me level the unit and as I recall the numbers bounced around a little bit +/- a half a degree. Now I use a level app in my iphone to level it - its quicker.

[davray666]

Mike can you still use the Xswing app to connect to Skytrak?
If yes then that is the answer to the accelerometer checking question.
Here's how.
Find a leveled surface that you have verified with a bubble level.
Place the ST on there and check the tilt and roll values. If they are not 0.0 then the accelerometer needs to be calibrated.
Since we can't calibrate yet we will at least know how big the error is that gets added to all the other errors produced by the camera.
If the accelerometer values bounce around 0,5 degrees while the ST is on a firm surface. Well then that is yet another parameter that gets added to the error pile. I would be surprised if it bounces around as much as 0,5 deg.