SkyTrack - Full Metal Jacket protection shield

[awisnia]

Finally had a chance to finish a prototype of my SkyTrak protection. (I had my last unit take a ball to the IR lens while IN the protective case from SkyTrak - it didn't work again.)

Being lucky enough to own a business with a good bit of sheet metal equipment, and finally the time. (having a party this weekend and need to protect my unit!) The leveling feet need a bit wider spacing, and I need to test that the unit still reads shots. I went with a minimum of openings to try to keep balls from sneaking through the front. I popped off the IR lens so that it's easy to see the parts that need to "see" - I'll obviously be putting it on before testing. Still unsure if I'll screw the unit to the base and leave an air gap, or use foam on 5 sides to isolate the SkyTrak from the steel.

I added a lip in the front so I can drop an alignment rod in for a visual reference.

Holes on bottom need adjustment, and maybe slotting to allow the SkyTrak to be adjusted to the base for alignment.

Interested in comments!

[martinobros]

awesome. I was starting to draw one out myself, but I like your design. Give me a couple of weeks before your copy right.


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[awisnia]

I actually posted a scale pdf a few weeks ago if you want to grab the vector art

http://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/skytrak/60587-skytrak-protective-case?p=92469#post92469

[awisnia]

Busy w Houston at the moment!

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[Jwheels9876]

Thank god we were playing Houston last night and not Pittsburgh because that was an ugly performance....

[awisnia]

Jwheels9876 Tru that!! it was a fun night at "the razor" nonetheless. The brought the defense for sure.

[Ron Patterson Golf]

Just bought one!!

[SirNeedaSim]

I would like start by thanking you for getting a more robust product to market quickly. After reading the posts concerning damage potential I committed to buying a FMJ before even ordering my SkyTrak. I have the version 2 unit with the holes off centered. After much delay from RBG, my ST finally arrived Thursday afternoon.

That at evening I got it set up and started hitting balls. I was too excited to even bolt the ST in the case at that point. However, I did set it loosely in the FMJ centered and very close to the steel face of the FMJ. I must have hit 100 shots and it never missed a beat. Ball flights seemed to be similar to what I would expect at the range IRL. However, I wasn't happy with the distances on all my irons as they seemed to be consistently 20 yards shorter than what they should have been. I was hitting a lot of shots ever so slightly fat on a CCE mat that is also new to me so I looked past that.

Friday evening I had one of my regular golf buddies over as he was all pumped up and wanted to give the new sim a whirl. Before we started I took the time to anchor ST in the FMJ with the 3 screws and I thought to myself I better leave a little room between the ST and FMJ just in case it takes a hit. I left about a 1/8" gap.

After getting set up my buddy pulled his driver out and tee's up his 1st ball. Wham, Bang, Pow, Clang!!! I stood there looking at the FMJ & ST that slide across the concrete a foot after taking a direct driver toe hit ball to the lens area. My heart stopped for a moment and then it started again when the ready lights and laser came back on.

I reset the FMJ & ST into position. My buddy tee's up ball number 2 and takes his stance again with driver in hand. I think I started praying to the golf god's at that point. Wham, Bang, Pow, Clang...two in a row. Another driver toe hit ball to the lens area. This time no lights came back on and unit appeared to be dead with no power at all. I was holding my breathe and praying sure at point. It was a very quite and awkward moment. I pressed the power button and it came to life again. After setting things back in place my buddy tee's ball number 3 up with driver in hand. While standing on the mat he say maybe I oughta try a different club like a 4i. I responded, maybe you oughta start with a 7i. Everything went good after that.

Adam, I'm very appreciative that you came to market quickly with your product. Your product helped to preserve a good a friendship and that is priceless. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! However, there are some improvements I would suggest from this experience. When I examined the FMJ today I discovered it did dent it pretty good at the jail bar window closest to the projection screen. I hammered the dent and jail bar out using a heavy piece of steel plate as a backer. Had I not left the 1/8" gap, I honestly believe the 2 driver toe hit balls would have broken the unit. I also noticed some blocked right shots and misreads as meantioned in previous threads. However, I haven't opened up the holes and centered the unit yet either. I will do that tomorrow.

My new ST is still working and I thank you for that. However, I think you oughta seriously consider altering the design to force a gap at the lense area, eliminate the bendable jail bars and increase material thickness. A heavier base and adding a top were also good suggestions I seen others make. I would be very interested in buying a modified 1/8" thick FMM with an open window design I could retro fit to my FMJ. If needed I can reverse Engineer it and have it laser cut at work. However, I'd prefer to go thru you for the part and weld it on myself as that would be the easiest route. Let me know if possible. Thanks Again, Rick

[Stingreye]

Almost had to change your name to SirNeedsAnotherSim! Crazy story thanks for sharing.

[awisnia]

SirNeedaSim awesome report - had me hanging on each word. I especially liked the batman sound effects Mine last unit was killed in a similar fashion - non-golfer + vodka = brick'd Skytrak - that's why I made the case.

I appreciate the comments on the ding to the bars on the face of the FMJ - I actually have seen the same when I tried a few driver shots directly into the case (without skytrak installed) Thickening the steel is trivial from a cost and effort standpoint, but...there's concern about interfering with the SkyTrak's ability to see the ball properly (and yield accurate results) I've been reluctant to make the bars thicker, because there's the very real issue of the IR flash reflecting back and overpowering the cameras. There's very little space between the flash unit and the cameras (1mm literally).

It's all really speculation since we're all working without the ability to get inside the workings of the skytrak. if the reflection is an issue - why is it okay in the davray style shields to leave the lexan there, shouldn't it reflect??

In the end, i decided that it's kind of like automobile bodies, the most unlikely hits (to the grill) will save the passenger, but may damage the body.

After hearing your story, I'm glad the bars are there!

Crumple zone, right??

I am going to make a few thicker samples and see how it goes, maybe even two piece, with a spot welded 16ga grill over the lens and some 11 or 13 gauge for the major body and base.

[awisnia]

also, if you want to experiment - I shared the opening sketch in a pdf a few weeks ago.

http://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/skytrak/60587-skytrak-protective-case?p=92469#post92469

[Ironstrokes]

I would like start by thanking you for getting a more robust product to market quickly. After reading the posts concerning damage potential I committed to buying a FMJ before even ordering my SkyTrak. I have the version 2 unit with the holes off centered. After much delay from RBG, my ST finally arrived Thursday afternoon.

That at evening I got it set up and started hitting balls. I was too excited to even bolt the ST in the case at that point. However, I did set it loosely in the FMJ centered and very close to the steel face of the FMJ. I must have hit 100 shots and it never missed a beat. Ball flights seemed to be similar to what I would expect at the range IRL. However, I wasn't happy with the distances on all my irons as they seemed to be consistently 20 yards shorter than what they should have been. I was hitting a lot of shots ever so slightly fat on a CCE mat that is also new to me so I looked past that.

Friday evening I had one of my regular golf buddies over as he was all pumped up and wanted to give the new sim a whirl. Before we started I took the time to anchor ST in the FMJ with the 3 screws and I thought to myself I better leave a little room between the ST and FMJ just in case it takes a hit. I left about a 1/8" gap.

After getting set up my buddy pulled his driver out and tee's up his 1st ball. Wham, Bang, Pow, Clang!!! I stood there looking at the FMJ & ST that slide across the concrete a foot after taking a direct driver toe hit ball to the lens area. My heart stopped for a moment and then it started again when the ready lights and laser came back on.

I reset the FMJ & ST into position. My buddy tee's up ball number 2 and takes his stance again with driver in hand. I think I started praying to the golf god's at that point. Wham, Bang, Pow, Clang...two in a row. Another driver toe hit ball to the lens area. This time no lights came back on and unit appeared to be dead with no power at all. I was holding my breathe and praying sure at point. It was a very quite and awkward moment. I pressed the power button and it came to life again. After setting things back in place my buddy tee's ball number 3 up with driver in hand. While standing on the mat he say maybe I oughta try a different club like a 4i. I responded, maybe you oughta start with a 7i. Everything went good after that.

Adam, I'm very appreciative that you came to market quickly with your product. Your product helped to preserve a good a friendship and that is priceless. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! However, there are some improvements I would suggest from this experience. When I examined the FMJ today I discovered it did dent it pretty good at the jail bar window closest to the projection screen. I hammered the dent and jail bar out using a heavy piece of steel plate as a backer. Had I not left the 1/8" gap, I honestly believe the 2 driver toe hit balls would have broken the unit. I also noticed some blocked right shots and misreads as meantioned in previous threads. However, I haven't opened up the holes and centered the unit yet either. I will do that tomorrow.

My new ST is still working and I thank you for that. However, I think you oughta seriously consider altering the design to force a gap at the lense area, eliminate the bendable jail bars and increase material thickness. A heavier base and adding a top were also good suggestions I seen others make. I would be very interested in buying a modified 1/8" thick FMM with an open window design I could retro fit to my FMJ. If needed I can reverse Engineer it and have it laser cut at work. However, I'd prefer to go thru you for the part and weld it on myself as that would be the easiest route. Let me know if possible. Thanks Again, Rick

Crazy story man, I would have told my friend "we'll looks like you're done hitting for the day" after the second one. At least no more drivers. Glad for you that everything held up. Now no more horror stories before I go to bed haha.

[Genghis]

At least a few warmup shots into the net without the ST in place just so he can prove himself... I guess this answers the questions some have posed about a direct driver shot to the FMJ face...

[SirNeedaSim]

This is my regular golf partner I'm referring to. I've played between 25 to 35 rounds a year with him for the last 2 years. Hence, I was very familiar with his game and trusted his ability completely. Maybe it was just some initial swinging inside jitters or something. However, I will practice your suggestion going forward.

[JohnSl8r]

Just bought the FMJ on eBay bought my skytrak a month ago have used it myself with its normal protective case but terrified to let anyone else hit on it.... this is exactly what I was looking for... I live in Ireland 🇮🇪 just wondering when you think I will receive it... also have a friend who has a skytrak and I'm sure he will be interested in buying one too... side note - LETS GO GREEN BAY

[Ken Robie]

Go Pack Go!!!

[Moz]

Just placed an order as well. Thanks!

[Gnox]

Just bought the FMJ on eBay bought my skytrak a month ago have used it myself with its normal protective case but terrified to let anyone else hit on it.... this is exactly what I was looking for... I live in Ireland 🇮🇪 just wondering when you think I will receive it... also have a friend who has a skytrak and I'm sure he will be interested in buying one too... side note - LETS GO GREEN BAY

Looks like us Irish are ramping up the old Skytrak user base
Picked up the unit on a trip to the US last week. Set everything up last night and I have to say (compared to my old p3proswing) this device rocks!
Just ordered the FMJ on eBay - want to keep my new baby safe!

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[awisnia]

UPDATE 1/17/17


Oops, just hit the ebay monthly selling limit with these

Ebay will not raise the limit for me until Sunday.

Should be back on line by Monday.

PM me if you want something in the mail sooner.

[Lexkaiba]

I ordered one yesterday, can't wait for it go arrive in Ireland!

[Fantastish]

Received my unit yesterday. Played 18 holes. The unit worked great. Thanks for the quality!

[Godfather]

You've made a good product. My suspicions that my SkyTrak needed to be aimed slightly left of the target have been confirmed thanks to the shield. One suggestion - move the hole for the 3 lights up some so you can see them without bending down. I'm looking down at such an angle that I can only see the bottom two due to the slight space between the SkyTrak and the shield.

[awisnia]

Godfather - great idea, I have the same complaint when looking for the lights...

[BadEddieKit]

Just an update, I bought from the original batch and love it! Haven't used the screws as of yet, But I have the skytrak pressed up against the front edge with a pillow behind it. I havent noticed any increase in misreads or no reads. Happy with my purchase!

[peesh23]

Great to hear you like it BadEddieKit! Ordered mine last week and it should be here this Saturday! Looking forward to the peace of mind! Thanks for doing this awisnia!

[hadoken]

I received my FMJ on Tuesday. I finally installed it last night. Fitment was perfect. I had some issue with mis-reads. Turns out I had the Sky Trak set too high. Once I have it set on the lowest setting with the stands, everything was back to normal. Now I have piece of mind in case I hit a bad toe shot. Hopefully I don't need to test the FMJ any time soon. Awisnia, very nice case at a great price!