Skytrak Armour

[DirtyGarry24]

Ok, I'm starting this thread to see if protecting the Skytrak box is still a must for some people.

I have read countless posts on this subject and generally feel that this is a need for users. I have owned the Skytrak for a couple of months and agree for the most part. Honestly, it doesn't seem an issue for myself, however I couldn't possibly let my kids, favorite friends, or even a touring pro use it without completely freaking out!!!

My question is this. Is this a need for users that still exists for a reasonable enough amount of people?

I am a manufacturing engineer and have all the available information and software to develop a legit protective case that can make the Skytrak bulletproof. I can integrate leveling devices, locating devices, and alignment aids into the case. Basically whatever a user wants.

I can have these produced at a reasonable cost and shipped to a user. This is what I can do.

I have a desire to this, have started on a prototype for myself, but am really looking for more interest than personal use. Time is a huge motivator for me as I'd rather be hacking away on the TGC. LOL!

If you are interested, please PM me or just reply to this thread so I can get an idea of the need.

Disclaimer: yes I have the Davray sketch and will use some of that information in whatever design I come up with. My plan would be to optimize and improve overall function of whatever case I come up with. I see location, leveling, protection, and consistency of setup being the utmost importance.

[Jwheels9876]

Congrats on the positive reviews. Like another poster above, I had to jump on the FMJ case when it came out because my skytrak was on its way back from being fixed after breaking with the cheap plastic POS case on it after a direct strike. All things being equal, I probably would have bought this one if it was available at the same point in time. If you get any more of those reject cases, keep me in mind lol...

[agresset]

Just ordered one too! Can't wait

[DirtyGarry24]

Thanks agresset!

[DirtyGarry24]

Jwheels9876 - No worries at all brother. I'd have done the same. Definitely need to use protection at all times. I'll keep you in mind if I get anymore rejects. Doubtful though as the manufacturer and I just had a good talk about that. Anyway, good luck with your golf game. Later...

[DirtyGarry24]

Skytrak Armour Update - batch started. Second manufacturer in the works. Hopeful to build a buffer stock soon and end the long lead time.

[Mikkaat]

Skytrak Armour Update - batch started. Second manufacturer in the works. Hopeful to build a buffer stock soon and end the long lead time.

Can I ask if you will send to Australia?

[DirtyGarry24]

Mikkaat - Sure can. Australia is part of the Global Shipping Program.

[dborden0]

Just ordered mine. Maybe now I will let me kids play It kills me that I paid $129 for the plastic skytrak pos. Maybe I can off it on ebay...

[DirtyGarry24]

Thanks for the order dborden0! You'll have no fear letting the kids bang some golf balls off your Armour.

[tommy90r]

DirtyGarry24 I would like to know if is it possible to receive one in Italy???

[DirtyGarry24]

tommy90r - Shipping to Italy is no problem. Italy is part of the Global Shipping Program.

[tommy90r]

DirtyGarry24 How can order it? and how much does shipping fee cost for Italy?

[DirtyGarry24]

tommy90r - Sorry about that, should have included eBay item. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Skytrak-Prot...MAAOSwtfhYoziE

Looks like $39.28 to Italy.

[Ykaar]

Just ordered mine from France

[DirtyGarry24]

Thanks Ykaar!

[DirtyGarry24]

eBay Item - Skytrak Armour

[tommy90r]

I have just bought it ... In italy the price is a little bit high, but now I will stay so quiet when I play!

[DirtyGarry24]

Thanks tommy90r!

[Toolman6000]

I played my first full round with my new armour case. It seemed to work very well and it looks great. I didnt hit at all this time but its quite stout. The other day a couple ricochets hit the case after bouncing off the screen. no problem, didnt even budge it. so far so good. Great Job Gary and thanks for all the effort of makin g a quality product. my only question i have, when you guys level your skytraks how do you do you it? my mat and surface the sky trak sit on are the same height. I know they say the sky trak should be at the same height. thoughts?

[DirtyGarry24]

Toolman6000 - I'm glad you like it! Thanks for the review.

The level with hitting surface thing has come up before. It's suggested by SkyTrak to be level with the mat, but I feel that it doesn't have to be perfect. I've used mine inside the case with the .375" thk base directly on the mat and have seen no issues. There was actually a guy recently did some significant testing and saved the data and he showed that it made no difference.

With that said, with a protective case involved it's certainly possible to raise the ST too high and cause interference. It's something to keep in mind for sure. jjkoolman was going to use the Armour case even with the mat and without the base. I've been real interested in how it works out for him. He's supposed to give me/us a review when he gets going.

[N54TT]

Gary-previously gave you my email address to get me on the list but didn't have the money then. Any left of the first production units? I'm interested now and "monied up".

Skytrak Armour Update - batch started. Second manufacturer in the works. Hopeful to build a buffer stock soon and end the long lead time.

What's the lead time now? Any left of the first batch?

What are the thread specs for the leveling/elevator bolts? I would need to get 2.5" bolts as my Fiberbuilt mat is a little over 2" in thickness.

[DirtyGarry24]

2 weeks to manufacture, 1 - 2 days to get them sent out, and 2 - 3 days in shipping (US). Basically 3 weeks from yesterday. 1/4"-20 threads on the elevator bolts. No cases left from the first batch. Order of 50 to be in my hands in 2 weeks. Let me know if you need any help on the elevator bolts. Thanks for the interest.

Bulletbusiness above got the last case.

[DirtyGarry24]

Hell, I'll get you some longer elevator bolts N54TT. Hate to see a guy have to spend $10/$15 on a package of 10 when you only need 3. Be sure and note that when you purchase though.

[N54TT]

Will do thank you!!!

[agresset]

Just placed an order last week. Is there any way I could get some longer elevator bolts too? I'm in the same situation as N54TT Thank you!!!

[jjkoolman]

DirtyGarry24 - I finally was able to get things setup with the Armour and give it a proper test...

So for my setup I needed the base to be as thin as possible so I could anchor it to my sliding base (built so I could use fiberbuilt & CCE and not have to remove a rubber tee). My DIY protection setup worked, but I began to wonder if it was affecting the flash/cameras since on almost all my drives and a few putts I would have substantial slice and 3 degrees right on putting. I play a low fade and have not been very trusting of SkyTrak since it seems to magnify that into a full on slice, so much so that I actually just picked up a GC2 to replace it. However, with the Armour I may actually just list the GC2 since out of 100 shots I hit last night 98 of them showed what I felt was a very accurate ball flight. (I'm a 5 hdcp so feel I know my swing and flight fairly well). The other 2 were just mishits when I was trying to work the ball to much to test and the SkyTrak missed them.

Also Gary if you'll notice in the pics I am using the ViperLine dart line attached to the top of the Armour with some strong double stick tape. This lets me know where my alignment line is no matter where I shift the SkyTrak along my sliding base. Works great!

The Armour without the base was still very heavy and I needed to offset the weight with a brick behind it, but overall I couldn't be happier with how it performs with the SkyTrak and I have NO FEAR of letting my 7 yr old smash balls on the SkyTrak with the beast of a protector in the Armour. Thank you Gary for a superior product as now you have me second guessing whether I should keep the GC2 I just received or stay with the SkyTrak!

[DirtyGarry24]

Great setup jjkoolman! That slider is awesome. Very cool that you incorporated the laser dart line too. Were you able to tighten the lens where it wouldn't move around too much? Mine was very loose and I had to mess with it too much so gave up on it. Also, did you find some .125" double sided tape to secure the ST inside the Armour? I've been really interested in how you were getting along so this is great.

Thanks for the wonderful review JJ, stoked that it worked out for you.

[jjkoolman]

DirtyGarry24 - I actually used the smaller screws you included to secure the SkyTrak. I marked the holes from your base plate on the thin piece of board that I'm using and secured the SkyTrak that way. I made sure that it was snug against the front of the Armour to assure proper alignment and just countersunk the screws in the board as much as i felt I could. The whole slider thing keeps the SkyTrak level with my mats which are about 3/8" up from the surrounding turf so everything is the same level.

As far as the dart line the lens was still a little loose, but once i got it set to where it was the right alignment i didn't need to touch it again and actually placed to small drops of super glue on the rotating part to keep it more secure, but not to much where I wouldn't be able to move it every again as I can just break the bond of the glue pretty easily. Overall I think it is going to work great and I'm seriously considering keeping the SkyTrak over the GC2 since it's much more cost effective, but I mean C'Mon it's a fricking GC2!!!

[DirtyGarry24]

Ha!!! I actually though about the same thing. Super glueing the dart line lens in place once lined up. Love it. Ya, you're gonna keep that GC2 and you know it. But I'd be saying all the right things around my wife as well. Lol! Backup plan.