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!

[Sandhugolf]

Got mine last week... Looks and works great... Great product.. Now my kids can hit with me. Thanks Cheers

[awisnia]

Had my first session with my GolfTEC coach since they closed his Golfsmith location. When I arrived in the bay I saw this. Too funny!

When I left, I saw this



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[N54TT]

Is the skytrak level with that mat when its in the FMJ? I have the same fiberbuilt mat and need to raise the original case to the end of the threads...to have it level.

[awisnia]

Yup - cranked it right up to the end of the threads - didn't miss a shot.

[pkim813]

awisnia - Hi, received my FMJ a week or so ago and just received my ST so waiting to set it all up… There have been a lot of tidbits of how to "optimize" the actual setup and placement/location… Angle a little to the right.. a little to the left… ST right up to the FMJ face… some say leave a little space.. some use screws, some don't… Others use some padding or adhesive/velcro…

Any chance of summarizing at least the most commonly used setup? And then can tweak from there?

[awisnia]

pkim813 Only the small original batch had an issue with the location of the center screw holes. If you have the instruction sheet with the photos and the two screws, just follow that and you'll be fine. Please offer feedback after you've tried it out.

[Darke1]

Had mine for about two weeks and held off using the ST until the FMJ arrived. Good thing. Bounced a good one off it on day 1 and she kept going just fine. Not afraid to let my kids gets some practice in as well. Doesn't seem to be any misreads either. Great Job and Thanks Awisnia!!

[Lgnir]

My FMJ just arrived 20 min ago! Although I haven't hit the plastic case yet, this thing will give me WAY more confidence when hitting balls, and I may allow others to try it out now! Thanks Awisnia, for creating such a great product for us SkyTrak users!!

[Gnox]

My FMJ arrived yesterday. Quality piece of kit. No misreads on a long range session tonight and I find the alignment rod slot a huge help in aiming.
Well done Awisnia - an essential for every Skytrak owner in my opinion.

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[pkim813]

Been using FMJ this week... no missed reads. When using the included screws, it appears to be centered in the holes. Great device!! Thanks awisnia

Question: I know ST is supposed to be at same level as hitting mat. So if I use mine next to the mat, does that mean the bottom of the unit be at the same level of the mat? I find I need the leveling feet to have it stay upright in which case it likely sits slightly above my mat even when lowered all the way down.

it seems to be having no problem with reads.. Should I try to get it down to the same level or don't mess with success? Does having it slightly higher result in bad information? It overall seems to be behaving normally with what I would expect on iron shots so far.

[wbond]

If it's working, leave it be.

Been using FMJ this week... no missed reads. When using the included screws, it appears to be centered in the holes. Great device!! Thanks awisnia

Question: I know ST is supposed to be at same level as hitting mat. So if I use mine next to the mat, does that mean the bottom of the unit be at the same level of the mat? I find I need the leveling feet to have it stay upright in which case it likely sits slightly above my mat even when lowered all the way down.

it seems to be having no problem with reads.. Should I try to get it down to the same level or don't mess with success? Does having it slightly higher result in bad information? It overall seems to be behaving normally with what I would expect on iron shots so far.

[awisnia]

Always good advice! You can also put the leveling feet in the other way around so that the screw touches the ground if you want to get lower. I put it right on my mat as I have a 10x5 foot fastened to a platform, but use the upside down leveling feet to get it perfect level, and sort of "spike" it into the turf.

[awisnia]

The 200th FMJ just left the door - my son keeps track of the shipping locations on this google map....pretty cool.



In the open-source spirit - here's the cad file for the current version - have fun making or moding and please share any knowledge you gain.

It's in a step file and should open into any 3d cad software.

( SkyTrak_Seth - We're expecting at least a photo of your new case to be posted below if you download - only fair! )

Next-gen V5 is in the swing lab (basement)

[Andre Liloc]

Very cool congrats awisnia!

[doublebogey]

awisnia, how old is your son? He should really keep a detailed report of this whole experience. I'm telling you this might get him into Harvard one day. Besides the design, manufacturing and sales (heck international sales), he's also learned:
- pricing your product at a sweet spot that people will not think before buying;
- importance of time-to-market (the Armour might actually turn out to be the better product at the end but your time-to-market has made your product the dominant one in the marketplace so far); and
- tell him to not lament the 10% to eBay as eBay has made your selling reliable and efficient (which prob also helped in getting to 200 sales so quickly).

Congrats!

Now I just need to wait for my FMJ to arrive to try for myself as apparently it is currently stuck at FedEx's Anchorage, Alaska facility as it was apparently closed last couple of days (snowstorm?).

[awisnia]

Thanks doublebogey My son has really had a great experience. Along with the obvious nuts-and-bolts of taking an idea "to market", It's been a real opportunity to offer some guidance on business (life?) practices. After explaining to him that people can indeed say whatever they want, unless it's against the rules - he's be able to learn first hand what taking the high-road means. Anchorage? Are you in BC?

[Bubba22]

Very cool stuff!

[Lgnir]

Had my first session with the ST in the FMJ today, and it was a complete success! With my new mat, and hitting off wood tees, my driver data is right were it should be now. Only hit for about an hour, but all the club data was right on and the only misreads I had were (as normal) on really bad shots where I know I hit it fat as hell, or topped it.

The unit screwed into the case nicely (I only finger tightened the screws) and it was very easy to level using the adjustable feet and the SkyTrak's software leveling. I easily got it to 0 degrees and 0 degrees.

I can't wait to play my first full 9 holes on TGC tonight when I get home from work. (is Magnolia Par 3 a little much for my first time?)

Once again, great job Awisnia!!

[awisnia]

Awesome - please feedback after you have had a chance to play with it some more. Cheers!

[doublebogey]

awisnia, just received your FMJ and tested it out. Seems to read great - misreads as usual on super high flop shots, etc. Good product overall.

Just one little feedback, and not sure if others have experienced same, but side angle seems to be more excessively left than normal even w balls hitting middle of screen? Now w SkyTrak set in FMJ perfectly, didn't want to remove it and test hitting w/o the FMJ + I'm not a robot so doubt I can recreate same swing and shot to compare w vs. w/o FMJ. Could be no problem and was just me somehow launching balls left today. But as you are collecting feedbacks, just wanted to throw this little observation out there for you. Also you think a cover over lens area could actually affect image causing bad reading of side angles? I doubt it, but you're the designer (and the expert here) so just wanted your thoughts on this. Thanks.

And again congrats on having designed, produced and sold so many so far of this great product.

And also congrats on your Pats - and you should thank Matty "Ice" who melted late w the fumble and then the sack to take them out of FG range where a FG by their All-Pro kicker Matt Bryant would have sealed the victory (they should change Ryan's nickname from Matty "Ice" to Matty "Slush" going forward).

[awisnia]

Thanks - it was a quite an emotion night here in Boston. My oldest son was at the game with a friend! The feedback is appreciated - please give some more after you have had a chance to make a good number of shots.

[GolfGuy72_2000]

awisnia I received your SkyTrak case over the weekend. It appears to be very well-built, and I can't imagine an errant ball doing any damage to the SkyTrak itself given the solid metal shield. I'm hoping I never find out! All my shots registered as they normally would, too, and connection via direct WiFi was perfect as usual. Thanks for offering a great product at a very reasonable price point! And, best wishes to you and your son as you continue to refine the FMJ case. Just don't make it so good I need to buy another one, okay? Thanks again!

[Cubsmjy]

awisnia I received the FMJ last week and was able to finally use it this weekend. I have 3 younger boys and for the first time I had no apprehension with them using the Sky Trak...thank you for the piece of mind.

With regards to the product, I have to give you high marks. It looks great, was easy to place and secure the Sky Trak, all of my shots read just like they did without the FMJ and again I can play with my sons and not worry about them hitting the unit.

Great job...congrats to you and your son!

[Jwheels9876]

Hey guys, just wanted to say that this case works very well...I had a friend smash 2 shots solidly into it today and it didn't skip a beat. My heart stopped beating I think when I heard the ting of the metal but the light never even went out and it read the next shot without issue...ditto on the next one he shanked into it.. I wish my drywall was as tough lol... As you can see by the scores, they're not very good but I wasn't worried after it got hit and kept running smooth...

[awisnia]

Full Metal Wallpaper? Appreciate the feedback - love to know every time a SkyTrak is saved