Trackman 5 Timing?

[toddbr]

The awesome work on the virtual golf courses has me thinking of upgrading my GC Quad to TM, but the knock on TM has always been the accuracy indoors versus outdoor due to the radar based read versus photo analysis. So, I’m purely speculating, but it seems like the investment TM is doing on indoor simulation play is likely being paralleled by an improvement in hardware that targets the indoor experience.

Its been years since TM4 was released and I’ve searched around but I can’t seem to find any info on when we might see the next generation of TM hardware. Anyone have any ideas as to when we might see the next generation or if its actually years out and I should just bite the bullet and buy in now — I’d hate to buy it and see a new Indoor targeted model come out shortly thereafter.

Thanks all!

[Dax]

I would wait for the Golf show in January and see what the have it have to say. It’s only two months away (hopefully it does not get cancelled, but suspect it might if it has not already been cancelled).

TM4 works great indoors, see the testing by

LEO MODE

however, at this time, I think it is worth waiting for and agree, I suspect that they will likely add some new features to make the unit better for indoor use.

As you can see their sim software has been a fantastic and the new course releases have been very impressive. We are getting a few new courses each month and an informal online league has started.

[toddbr]

Good advice — seems like its would be then or wait another year.

[Stetson]

TM seems to have really made strides for indoor use and their software appears second to none. If they make it a habit to make premium courses a separate charge that will be frustrating. When the time comes for me to purchase a unit a TM5 is definitely something I would strongly consider, a TM4 maybe not so much due to exclusive indoor use for me.

[toddbr]

This is exactly what’s holding me back.

[Stetson]

It just seems like TM and other established companies offer far less value now that Uneekor doesn’t hit you for large annual fees. $1k per year for software should really include everything. It is also very frustrating they charge $4k for outdoor use when it isn’t a separate unit with any additional production cost.

[Dax]

The pricing is what they chose and have been relatively successful at. I agree about the concerns on costing for the extra courses, but suspect it would be only for courses that want a license fee. Pebble has done this for years on e6 and hence why their is an add on package. I believe Foresight is the same. Pebble is charging TM and they are passing the cost on to is. If we want Pebble we pay and if not then we keep using the other courses. I suspect only Augusta will be the same.

[Dax]

Stetson if you have the space and are curious on TM, then why not ask for a demo unit to compare with your quad and see? This may help remove some concerns? However, as noted now might be a good time to wait a little and enjoy what you already have and see what might be announced in the coming months.

[Stetson]

I suspect you are correct about Pebble and licensing cost, which does help justify the cost. That is why I said the optics would be better to just charge $1100 to everyone and include it as standard. I also suspect that as subscriptions go up they may be able to negotiate lower cost for that license. TGC’s cost structure is extremely consumer friendly, and the breadth of courses due to user creation is unmatched. Now that that the competition is increasing for TM I would suspect that they need to make sure they do not fall back in their legacy model and find a way to maintain their prestige without giving up too much market share compared to 2017 for example.

TM is a premium product and rightfully so. However, they are no longer the big dog on TOUR as there are nearly as many GCQ’s and TM’s on driving ranges. They simply need to find a way to maintain premium margins while providing a value to their customers. I do not know what that looks like in the current and future climate. I do believe residential consumers will grow exponentially over the next 10 years and commercial sales will not.

[Dax]

Agree, but suspect this is what TM5 might provide in terms of keeping them ahead. Need to wait and see what they come up with, but they seem to always be pushing forward.

[Eagle1]

Guys for what it worth I have owned products from both companies over the last five years (gc2, GCQuad, TM3e, TM4) what I see as the real differentiator is the Trackman customer service and support! They are by far the very best!

[Jnc10]

i put my quad on the floor hit shots,. never needed CS. The one time I do. then it will be a problem

[Patator100]

Guys

as mentioned earlier I had a long chat with my TM rep in France. There is no plan in a close future to launch a TM5. TM considers that their current hardware is sufficient to answer all their technical needs. All improvements will come through firmware update. In the 2.1 firmware (we re at 2.08), we will get a huge improvement on indoor spin measurement thanks to special balls with a metal insert in it (currently being finalized). Next year, we will also get impact point for putting and also putting distance reading for very short putts - 1.5m.

So, don’t expect a Big Bang with a new TM5 at the virtual PGA show

[Bouxy]

You’re bang on that’s exactly what my Canadian rep told me ... no tm5 in the near future

[Dax]

Well that is great news for my TM4! So maybe TM5 is a year away from completion. On the ball front, that is the one thing that I haveBeen looking forward to the most. I think ball flight indoors is already very good,but Not having to deal with the metal dots will be a nice change.

[Stetson]

Well that is great news for my TM4! So maybe TM5 is a year away from completion. On the ball front, that is the one thing that I haveBeen looking forward to the most. I think ball flight indoors is already very good,but Not having to deal with the metal dots will be a nice change.

If they require special golf balls with metal inserts for accurate reading how big an upgrade is it from stickers? Stickers can atleast go on any ball you choose.

[Dax]

Stetson from the patent document that I read and which expired this past April the new ball will allow them to read spin axis directly. Thus, even though I believe their measurements are pretty good at the moment and this is backed up by the testing done by @leomode, it will likely remove those errors that still pop up.

the other good news is that from the sounds of it they are confirming that TM4 will be capable of reading this new ball and that you will not require the TM5 in order to use the new ball.

they are also noted to have been working with multiple ball manufacturers on the new ball and so hopefully it will not just be limited to one ball, but rather will come in the more popular ones. I suspect though that this ball will likely cost $75 a dozen at least. maybe you only use it when using your driver and woods.

[Stetson]

Well let’s hope that a quality solution is available at a price that can be acceptable to many. Idk where $75/dozen sits with most folks so I won’t make any declarations should your guess end up being fairly accurate.