Golf Simulator Forum wants your opinions about the SkyTrak to be heard!

[GSF_Admin]

Dear SkyTrak owner,

We would like to hear your honest opinion about the SkyTrak Launch Monitor (positive or negative) so new simulator owners can get the information they need to make smart buying choices.

You can use the following link to write your review: http://golfsimulatorforum.com/review/skytrak

Thank you!!

GSF

PS: You do not have to be a member of the forum to write a review.

[Godfather]

I just noticed that that side spin degree and RPM averages are in the wrong column. I'm guessing this is known and will be fixed next update, but saying it here just in case.

[tlhammond5]

I am totally new to this forumn, but I thought I'd chime in with my honest opinion of the SkyTrak and the evaluation of the contributors on this forum.

Firstly, I have been working with launch monitors for over 15 years. I currently own a Trackman (only for outdoor use), and I owned a GC2 up until two weeks ago. I wish I still owned the GC2 and soon will own one again. GC2 is a great machine... It only lacks simulation software options.

I did some research on the SkyTrak after seeing one in a local proshop. The things I read about the unit on this forum led to my decision to purchase one, and to sell my GC2. I sold the GC2 and ordered the SkyTrak and TGC software the same day. I've now owned the SkyTrak for a little over a week, and I am beside myself. What a disappointment! The opinions posted on this forum are so innacurate it's not even funny. This unit is only accurate in terms of carry distsnce, and that's only with short to mid irons. Anything hit over 225... Forget it! It's not even close. It fails to read at least one out of ten shots, and is sometimes only reading one out of five until it's restarted three times. The side spin is not even close to accurate! Backspin isn't too bad, but backspin and carry are not all that matter. Oh yeah... The shot delay is very annoying! I don't understand why there's any delay. Foresight figured out how to totally eliminate delay a decade ago. Are you really that far behind SkyGolf? If you're looking for a toy... The SkyTrak is fine. It's just not anymore than that.

And before anyone tried to give me their advice... Save it! The unit is level. I've tried numerous light sources and light positions. I've tried the unit at different elevations in relation to my mat. I've reinstalled the software twice. I use only white balls, and no white clubheads. The SkyTrak just isn't as advertised! Save your money until you can afford a GC2. I learned the hard way. Now I have to save to buy another GC2.

Now, here's my honest opinion of this forum. It's just like any other forum. There's a bunch of people saying things just to say them. I imagine most are mid to high handicap golfers and don't realize how inaccurate the SkyTrak is. I'm an ex professional with a current +3 GHIN. I know when I hit a draw and when I hit a fade. When I try to hit a 20 yard cut and SkyTrak displays a straight ball flight or just a slight fade... I know it's not right!

Anyway, I just hope this post will help save the next guy doing research on the SkyTrak. Again, if you're just looking for a game and aren't a real serious golfer, SkyTrak is fine. If you're a low handicapper who's looking for a tool to get you to the next level... SkyTrak isn't it!!!

[bennyg211]

You've not really helped yourself here by calling everyone's opinions inaccurate, based on your experience with one unit? Sad you've not had a good time with your unit and hope you fair better when you reclaim a GC2. Other people's opinions have validity too.

[Vincent_Vega]

Insert "obvious troll is obvious" meme.

[tlhammond5]

To Vincent... I'm not a "troll", and I see that you've been called a "troll" numerous time. I'd be more than happy to prove everything I've stated in my post!

[tlhammond5]

To Wbond... Was I not clear why I switched? I wanted the added simulation options. Plus I made a little money by switching. Highly regret it!

[wbond]

Once again you are showing your high expertise in the launch monitor area. FYI tgc works with gc2 and has for quite some time, longer than skytrak. And it has two versions of foresight sim software. So that's three, yet it lacks sim options, yes that makes sense.

[ironFrank]

Hi, I am now using skytrak for about 3 weeks and some issues said about are the same here. And yes I went through all the setup tips I saw here.

First of all, I like the system even when it is not that perfect, but there must come an update fix some stuff

- The sidespin is complete nonsense.
++ When I hit the ball from inside it is pretty hard to have a draw, its always a push or push slice and only sometimes it is a slight draw (but the slight draw is my standard shot in real life) I need to close the clubhead pretty hard to realize a draw what is far from realistic
++ When I hit it neutral it is ok
++ When I hit it from outside in it is always a hook even if I open the clubface on purpose

The level of affect of the sidespin is as well complete nonsense. When I hit it straight shot with around 150 rpm sidespin and it travels with an 8 iron on 120 m carry distance, 11 meter away from the targetline, I know that that is not even near to realistic.

So sometimes I drive to my range to have a look if I really hit that strange shots and no, I dont.

- The offset is annoying
++ my case must be pointed 2-3 degrees to the right, so that the laserpointers are correct in the direction, so that I can setup myself straight to the target line
++ the bubble at the top shows a big difference to the level shown in the app

- Chipping is worthless below 10 m
++ the minimum I could manage where chips of 4m Carry and 5 m total in the range practice
++ with WGT that will not work at all below 10 m

My point of view is, that there has to be done something in the firmware. It was already told in september on the WGT Forum, that with the next release there will be a shortgame fix but we have now Decembre... hurry up guys, christmas is coming and you better fix that before people send there skytrak back cause it is disapointing.

I still like the system but you need to listen more to your customers and react faster

[goodmatt78]

I have had mine for over a year and have witnessed none of this. The only points I agree with are the laser alignment is slightly off from my case and the bubble level on the case is a little different than in the app. Both a simple fixes. I just used a sharpie and put a dot on the bubble window where the bubble is when the app shows level. That is the new reference....simple.

Flight and side spins characteristics are spot on with my normal ball flight. I play 3 times a week and carry a 8 index for reference.

[Bastiaan]

Hmmm two negative reviews from completely new users in a short time span.

Would be very valuable to get some more input from users that have a bit more history on this forum and/or own the product a bit longer. Would be great if people would speak up on how they assess Skytrak's ability to measure side spin which is obviously hugely important.

[tlhammond5]

I disagree... I think the reviews of those who have owned other units are more valuable than those who have shown long partiality to SkyTrak.

[ironFrank]

Hmmm two negative reviews from completely new users in a short time span.

Would be very valuable to get some more input from users that have a bit more history on this forum and/or own the product a bit longer. Would be great if people would speak up on how they assess Skytrak's ability to measure side spin which is obviously hugely important.

Of course I am new to this forum. I just found it and like I said, I'm using skytrak for 3 weeks. Before, I havent had a golf simulator at all.

The sidespin accuracy isnt the first time mentioned in this forum. I saw several post about that and the skytrak employees havent answered yet on that issue. We do say in Germany "They tip tap around the topic"

I really do like the system as it gives me the ability to train in winter time.

The distances shown are pretty ok, launch angle is as well precise, backspin rate seems ok as well but side spin cannot be.

I will try today to align my system on different ways and figure out how the box must be positioned so that at least the launch direction is accurate.

Some people as well mentioned that with longer clubs you should place the ball behind the laserdot and wedges in front to get more accurate results.

[Vincent_Vega]

Don't forget that he owns a Trackman (for outdoor use only, didn't trust the GC2 outdoors? Lol). But now he can't afford another GC2 after selling his for no less than $4,000. Guess his winnings and sponsorships from his career as a professional golfer didn't last as long as he thought they would.

[tlhammond5]

You're a moron! Do you want photographic proof?

[GSF_Admin]

Personal attacks will result in a permanent ban. Please keep it civil.

[wbond]

Hilarious!

I had forgot about him already owning a trackman.

Don't forget that he owns a Trackman (for outdoor use only, didn't trust the GC2 outdoors? Lol). But now he can't afford another GC2 after selling his for no less than $4,000. Guess his winnings and sponsorships from his career as a professional golfer didn't last as long as he thought they would.

[Vincent_Vega]

Hmmm two negative reviews from completely new users in a short time span.

Would be very valuable to get some more input from users that have a bit more history on this forum and/or own the product a bit longer. Would be great if people would speak up on how they assess Skytrak's ability to measure side spin which is obviously hugely important.

I've shared my positive experience before on here as have many others. At the risk of being accused of being a paid spokesperson, I'll just give the shortened version. I ended the summer with a real life GHIN Handicap of +2.7 for reference. I can hit any type of shot shape on my Skytrak that I hit outdoors, and I can call the shot that I just hit before it shows up on the screen. 99% of the time that shot on the screen matches exactly the shot I predicted. I've tested my Skytrak outdoors many times to see if it matched my real life shot shape. I've done so while playing with friends who are also lower handicaps. One of those friends now owns a Skytrak and built an entire sim building in his back yard thanks to one of those Skytrak test sessions.

I too started off not being able to hit a draw on my Skytrak indoors, but it was simply a combination of not properly releasing the club indoors along with a grip issue that had crept in to my setup. If you go look at all my recorded tour shots now, you'll see that my side spin accurately represents my draw that I play in real life. With my miss being an even bigger draw. Maybe I'm one of the lucky ones or something, I can't speak for Skygolf's quality control at their manufacturing plants. All I know is I'm very happy with my $1,700 purchase.

[tlhammond5]

+2.7 huh? I don't believe you. I gave you access to my GHIN in my private message. I bet you won't give me the same! I suppose you could be entering your scores from SkyTrak where you hit it straight everytime due to misread sidespin.

[Vincent_Vega]

To Vincent... I'm not a "troll", and I see that you've been called a "troll" numerous time. I'd be more than happy to prove everything I've stated in my post!

Me a troll? I've been on this site for over 2 years now and was one of the users who started the Optishot tour when it was still run on this site. You joined 5 days ago... I'll patiently wait for you to link the instances where I've ever been called a troll. Also, TGC runs on GC2 just like Sktrak. So I'm not sure where you're getting the simulation options argument. You obviously didn't know near as much about launch monitors as you thought you did.

[FaultyClubs]

The problem with this discussion (on both sides) is the lack of objective data demonstrating the Skytrak's actual performance with sidespin and launch direction accuracy.

Thammond, since you've bravely jumped into the lions den and have a trackman for comparison, I'd like to request a test comparing with your trackman.

Go to the range. Make sure environmental factors are benign for that day. Then set both units up perfectly to measure each shot simultaneously. Then hit ten or twenty shots each for a driver, mid iron and wedge. Post the data. I personally would find the data very useful as would anyone trying to get an honest evaluation of the unit.

[Vincent_Vega]

+2.7 huh? I don't believe you. I gave you access to my GHIN in my private message. I bet you won't give me the same! I suppose you could be entering your scores from SkyTrak where you hit it straight everytime due to misread sidespin.

This is the last time I will respond to you. Here is my card, unlike you I don't go around sending my personal info to strangers on the internet (along with cussing them out in a private message).

[ironFrank]

sweet :-) nice rounds

[SomaPLR]

Personally loved this - for good golfers with proper expectations and actually know their distances, this thing is pretty darn awesome. Not that you have to be a good golfer to use it, but most mid to high handicaps don't know their true statistics (just like the link you posted). I've never ever had a scratch or plus golfer have any type of difficulty using this after getting used to the inside effect.

[MainStGolf]

Look it all boils down to what you want and what kind of money you are interested in investing in. Is the SkyTrak perfect? No. But it can and does help people with their games. Professionals? Probably not. You don't see SkyTrak out on the driving ranges. You see Trackman. Who cares? These types of squabbles are nonsense. It's like other forums where people bash the crap out of the Bombtech drivers simply because they aren't "name-brand" items. I own a SkyTrak and I've hit off a GC2 and a Trackman. For me there was no way I could afford the later. I have invested in the SkyTrak primarily to offer an indoor driving range and full-play golf simulation option to the folks in our small rural community where we can't play outdoor golf year round. It definitely serves its purpose and I can DEFINITELY say that it has helped my game. I'm a mid-single-digit handicapper.

If people have the money to purchase the GC2 more power to them. If they have the money to purchase a Trakman more power to them. If they are like me and can't afford those then SkyTrak is DEFINITELY a worthy investment. Even if I wanted to save to purchase one of the other ones I would purchase a SkyTrak again just to be able to use it while I saved for the other.

I'm like others that have mentioned I can play a left or right shot off the tee box and I would say 9 out of 10 times it does what I anticipate it to do. Now it may got further left or right than I thought it might, but I'm still not at the level with my game to be SO precise to know whether its going to be a five-yard draw or a 25-yard hook or vice versa on the other side. But the SkyTrak is allowing me to get there.

The biggest thing I see is phantom putts. What I mean by that is a putt that pulls or pushes significantly one way or the other when it should not. However, from what it looks like this is a software issue not a hardware issue. I really wish that could be fixed.

But I think SkyTrak has made a choice in the audience they are trying to reach just by looking at their national advertising. And that's okay.

By the way I do still have a few misreads, especially on my drives, but only 1-3 a round. Not a huge deal.

[Vincent_Vega]

Look it all boils down to what you want and what kind of money you are interested in investing in. Is the SkyTrak perfect? No. But it can and does help people with their games. Professionals? Probably not. You don't see SkyTrak out on the driving ranges. You see Trackman. Who cares? These types of squabbles are nonsense. It's like other forums where people bash the crap out of the Bombtech drivers simply because they aren't "name-brand" items. I own a SkyTrak and I've hit off a GC2 and a Trackman. For me there was no way I could afford the later. I have invested in the SkyTrak primarily to offer an indoor driving range and full-play golf simulation option to the folks in our small rural community where we can't play outdoor golf year round. It definitely serves its purpose and I can DEFINITELY say that it has helped my game. I'm a mid-single-digit handicapper.

If people have the money to purchase the GC2 more power to them. If they have the money to purchase a Trakman more power to them. If they are like me and can't afford those then SkyTrak is DEFINITELY a worthy investment. Even if I wanted to save to purchase one of the other ones I would purchase a SkyTrak again just to be able to use it while I saved for the other.

I'm like others that have mentioned I can play a left or right shot off the tee box and I would say 9 out of 10 times it does what I anticipate it to do. Now it may got further left or right than I thought it might, but I'm still not at the level with my game to be SO precise to know whether its going to be a five-yard draw or a 25-yard hook or vice versa on the other side. But the SkyTrak is allowing me to get there.

The biggest thing I see is phantom putts. What I mean by that is a putt that pulls or pushes significantly one way or the other when it should not. However, from what it looks like this is a software issue not a hardware issue. I really wish that could be fixed.

But I think SkyTrak has made a choice in the audience they are trying to reach just by looking at their national advertising. And that's okay.

By the way I do still have a few misreads, especially on my drives, but only 1-3 a round. Not a huge deal.

Simply cant state it better than this. You can't compare a Skytrak to a GC2 or Trackman. There's a reason there's such a huge gap in the costs of each of these. Tech isn't cheap. Unless you have a unit with a hardware issue, it's a great value for what you're paying. It's the fist truly affordable launch monitor we've had access to. I'm sure there will be something out in due time that blows it out of the water for the same price, and I look forward to that day.

[goodmatt78]

Here's real life feedback from me and my ST. I play around 70 rounds a year at my local club and others, so I do put in my fair share of time on the course and the range.

-GHIN was a 12 summer 2015
-Bought ST in Sept 2015
-GHIN dropped to 10 by end of our posting season Nov 1
-I practiced a lot during the winter and opened 2016 with as a single digit handi for first time ever and accomplished my primary goal when purchasing my ST.
-I stopped using my ST for most of the summer because I was playing a lot and bad habbits crept back in. I then used my ST to quickly iron things out.
-In July, I won my Flight in our Club Championship
-I just ended our season with a all time low GHIN of 8.7.
-From Summer of 2015 and 2016 I picked up about 40 yards of carry with my driver. This was strictly from working on ball speed, launch angle and spin with ST.
-All in all, I think my results speak for themselves and a GC2 or TM would not have done anything more. YMMV

The biggest impact ST has had on my game is the ability to quickly resolve swing issues on the course. I feel like I know exactly what the ball is going to do as soon as it comes off the face....good, bad or ugly. I am playing far more consistent golf than before my ST with far less swings in my game throughout the season. OH yeah, I have also won a lot more $$$$. :-)