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.

[N54TT]

I don't get why the Skytrak necessarily needs to be screwed into the base. You should be able to have some margin of space and not have an issue with misreads. I honestly think the plastic skytrak case is an overall decent design...where it lacks is in the material/heftiness and no lens protection.

If if it's going to be a clamshell design as well maybe you could use foam pads like this To align and cushion it in the case
http://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/...2070#post52070
The skytrak is basically cushioned on 4 sides when the case is closed.

[DirtyGarry24]

As far as foam pads, I talked to a knowledgeable guy in the business this afternoon and he admitted that foam pads or similar are ineffective with a hard mount, such as my design. I already knew this.

The thing is, easy solution to lose hard mounting to case. Been done many times. However, users have asked for repeatability in aligning the ST. It's a real need. I agree. Can't get around it without hard mounting. Regardless of what some might claim with their hijacked designs on my thread.

Put an alignment rod on the front of your case, means absolutely nothing if your case doesn't align with your box or lasers. It's purty though.

[N54TT]

Foam pads would def be ineffective with a hard mount. With my case and the added foam pads...once I close the case the Skytrak is always in the same place. I have spots marked on the floor in my garage where the feet go. I just place it down on the marks and it's aligned perfectly every time.

I'm guessing we would have the ability to not "hard mount" if we wanted by not screwing the bolts up into the bottom of the skytrak?

[DirtyGarry24]

You would definitely be able to remove the screws.

[ADPhillips13]

Any updates on the project? I built my own but it looks like crap... the plexy glass no matter how I try gets scratched up and it just doesn't look clean.

[DirtyGarry24]

ADPhillips13 - I'm taking all the info presented and changing the design up a bit. I'm trying to make this more affordable for everyone. Also making it more generic for each user.

I'll add you to the interested list and send you a PM when I get more information. I'll be putting limited info on the thread to keep some of the trolls out of the loop. LOL!

[wbond]

DirtyGarry24
"Put an alignment rod on the front of your case, means absolutely nothing if your case doesn't align with your box or lasers. It's purty though."

Could your design have some adjustability to get the ST box and your case aligned and at that point tighten up the screws completely. Then you could place the alignment rod going forward if you were to take it somewhere else or even move it within your hitting area. Personally, I would plan to screw it to the case once and just leave it in there. I'm assuming the side would be cutout so we can connect the usb cable.

[DirtyGarry24]

Hey wbond - I'm actually in the process of redesigning my case with a lot of these things in mind. There's too many variables on many of these things and buying hardware that fits everyones needs will be too costly. I'll be adding holes that a user can use and buy their own hardware for.

For instance, if you need a 3" adjustable bolt for leveling feet.

I'll be sending everyone a PM shortly with details. Won't be adding much info on this thread at this point. I've picked up a couple trolls that simply don't add anything positive to the design.

[captnkrusty]

Hi

I am definitely interested. Please add me to the list

JC

[GmanJeff]

I'd appreciate being kept in the loop as well.

[DirtyGarry24]

Everyone that has shown previous interest will be PM'd. Got you guys down.

[wbond]

DirtyGarry24 Are you going to utilize the same size threaded holes on the bottom to attach to or the big one and the small? What if you used the middle one (either big or small threaded hole) as a locater where the hole in your shield is round and the same size as the threaded hole. That one you could snug up just enough where the ST can still rotate inside the case slightly. Then have a slotted hole on your bracket to attach the second screw to. Then you could use alignment rod hooks on the front. You could align the rod and face of your box to your target, then adjust the skytrak within your case as necessary. Once it's aligned, then completely tighten the first and second screw. From there on out, the box is aligned to the rod that could attach to the front. Just trying to think of ways to keep it simple yet adjustable for all. Looking forward to what you've come up with.

[DirtyGarry24]

wbond - that is similar to what I had going on before. Center hole was going to be a dowel pin. Long story short, you will still be able to do all of that, however tolerances will be loosened. No dowel pins will be used though. You will simply have the holes in the case to install whatever hardware that you wish.

As far as alignment rod holders, there will be none. I'm gonna test the laser that I mentioned earlier in this thread this next week. I'm very hopeful in that. Again, the case will have holes for the laser that you can purchase if you wish.

Just give me a little more time guys. I'm going to find out more tomorrow, but this thing may come together quicker than I expected.

[Wyzyguy]

I believe I chimed in early but please put Wyzyguy on the list.. thanks

[DirtyGarry24]

You got it. I've made a list from the beginning.

[Ironstrokes]

Can add me to the list as well, just caught up on all the goings on here. Looks like nice work you are doing here so far, very interested on how it turns out

[DirtyGarry24]

You're on the list Ironstrokes. Want to personally thank you for the work you have done on improving ST and TGC. Am loving it more each day.

[snoozeulooz]

Add me to the list please

[DirtyGarry24]

Got ya down snoozeulooz.

[V8burble]

Hi, I'm interested too.. UK based SkyTrak reseller and would love to have a solution to offer concerned customers. Thanks

[DirtyGarry24]

You've been added to the list V8burble.

[DirtyGarry24]

Hey guys, I got the dart laser line today and was able to try it out a little bit. I'm not sure if anyone checked that out yet, but I posted a pic about it a few days ago.

It's got some positives and negatives. First off, the thing oscillates so you can adjust the line placement. That's great. Second, it has some rotation which will skew the line direction which is perfect for guys with misaligned skytraks. I was hoping for that. So, basically you could get it set perfectly and have a toggle on/off for quick alignment. In that regard, it's a real solution. Would bolt to the front of the case.

Finally (the negative), the projected line is very short. 5ish inches depending on height and distance from the desired area. I was afraid of this. So, I'm going to talk to the company and see what I can do about that. It's definitely possible. So I'm still hopeful in that regard.

To me, it's a definite contender. In my opinion the 5 inch line sounds much worse than it is. I set it up earlier and hit some shots with it on. Gave me a pretty good reference for target line and would allow me to go straight to TGC and get started. Even still, I know guys are going to want it longer.

In the end, I'll use it on my case. Could easily roll a few putts in TGC and know that I'm aligned correctly.

So, tell me what you guys think.

[Thinman]

sounds like a great option to have

[N54TT]

While I think the 5inch line is better than nothing, I'm not sure it's worth it. Even with the dots (much more than 5 inch) I still lay an alignment stick down on the dots to really visualize where it's aimed. If you were to offer two options to buyers, one with and without, I'd rather order it without the dart line and spend that money on something that will TRUELY give me perfect alignment relative to displayed ballflight....like a crossline laser level.

[DirtyGarry24]

N54TT - I've decided earlier that I won't be adding any hardware with the case, so that won't be an issue. I'm simply adding holes for things like the dart line laser to be added by each user. Therefore, it won't be a problem if you choose to go in another direction.

It's no question that users want things for different reasons. The idea that I had for the dart line was that you could line up the case and ST without having to go into the ST app and turn the dots on.

However, you are spot on with thinking that the best way would be to use something like the cross line and line that up with your dots and screen.

[Thinman]

the issue with a laser line is how do you hover it above the actual hitting line? you could mount it to the box real easy, but i'm not sure what that buys us since the line would not hit the screen at hitting location.

i love options, so the more screw holes for things like this, the better imo.

still think a couple of small screw-on cradles to hold an alignment rod would be extremely useful as well.

[DirtyGarry24]

Thinman - the dart line would be attached to the case. The whole idea around the dart line was to give a user the ability to align the ST without having to turn on the ST laser dots. I'm not sure you're going to find anything that attaches to the case that will project onto an impact screen. That laser would need to be set up down the target line from the caddy point of view. I've seen some videos of people doing this. I will say that coupling that with the dart line would get you set up pretty quickly without turning on the ST dots though. Just a thought.

[DirtyGarry24]

Thinman - if you have any reference to screw-on cradles can you please post them here as I'm not familiar. Thanks.

[snoozeulooz]

Gents

Forgive me but I think your over complicating this alignment laser.

If you mount a laser on top of the unit then all the user needs to do is to measure parallel right of the center line in the driving range.
As discussed in here it appears that many users have slightly different alignment so each users measurement will be slightly different.
Once the user has discovered what their personal measurement will be then its a very simple job to re-align.

Also be aware that your laser may interfere with the cameras if you intend to leave it on whilst hitting shots

http://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/skytrak/35314-alignment-issues?p=35574#post35574

[DirtyGarry24]

I like the idea of this snoozeulooz. Especially for the guys that are using the impact screen.

As far as interference, I can only say that I didn't notice any during a range session and 9 holes of TGC yesterday. I left my dart line on the whole time. I actually liked having the line on for putting in TGC. It was just a practice round, so hopefully I won't get hammered for this. LOL!