SkyTrak - An affordable launch monitor

[Mr_Theoo]

Looks like the makers of SkyCaddie have came out with a launch monitor. One that is much more affordable and supposed to be as accurate as the super expensive trackmans and flightscopes.



I looked it up on their website and device is just under 2,000 dollars. While its not cheap its definitely cheaper than 25,000 which is the cost of trackman.

[hckymeyer]

Very interesting, need to see some reviews before it could ever become a reality though.

[The Dansome]

I gotta try this, it's got fricken laser beams!

[furu]

Interesting. Thanks for posting. 

 

I'm saving to buy a Flightscope. Would like to see a test with the Skytrak against both that and Trackman.

[furu]

Is the laser going to be a problem? Will it cut balls in half if you place them incorrectly?

[Kenny B]

Is the laser going to be a problem? Will it cut balls in half if you place them incorrectly?

LOL - only if you put a bad swing on it!

[Mr_Theoo]

Interesting. Thanks for posting.

 

I'm saving to buy a Flightscope. Would like to see a test with the Skytrak against both that and Trackman.

I agree, for the money I still think the flightscope XI+ is the best deal but I wouldn't hesitate to get this instead if I knew it was as accurate as the top products

[MattF]

If their track record is any indication, this thing will work great for a bit, then die. Their customer service bites hard.

 

Take a look at their forums sometime, it's all just whinging that their product is either broken or the software has developed a big glitch.

 

ETA: Their new skycaddie touch is less than a spectacular success. Looking at the forums this morning there seems to be an issue with the software and there looks to be quite a few who are returning them and sticking with their older units.

 

And par for the course with this company, nothing being said by them as to when an update will be available.

[furu]

It is impossible to get in touch with these people. Had to send a message to SkyGolf on Twitter. Wanted to know if it would be available in Europe and if it's meant for play/practice and not good enough for club comparisons (not fitting). Sent it on 10.Nov. Got a reply on 14.Nov - "Will check and get back to you." Nothing yet. Ok, it's a weekend. The world stops. 

[MattF]

furu,

 

Honestly, from what I'm seeing on their forums, don't expect customer service from skygolf and if you do, it's lousy. 

[wbealsd]

Flightscope is great, but if you're going to be using a launch monitor indoors, I think, dollar for dollar, the Foresight GC2 is hard to beat.  

 

The ProTee simulator can also provide very accurate data, plus you can buy the components to DIY and get more golf courses to play at a lower cost.

 

If you want data for club fitting, you'd probably want the GC2, but for simulated play the ProTee is pretty impressive.

[furu]

Finally got some answers. 

 

No release date for Europe. Can't promise anything. Will pass my information to the team who deals with it in Europe. When they launch it. 

 

Not sure if they're taking me seriously. I've "offered" them coverage in two magazines and two or three websites, reaching 500-700.000 readers. They just don't seem interested. And what does that tell me? Either arrogant or don't believe in the product. Sorry.

 

Units have shipped in the USA. I expect some reviews to be up soon.

[MattF]

furu,

 

That's skygolf...arrogant. Their new touch gps is an absolute disaster. Released way too soon with too many glitches, bugs and disappointment for the users.

[GolfSpy Tim]

SkyTrak has landed and will be part of our Personal Launch Monitor roundup.

[furu]

Skytrak contacted me the day after I wrote my previous post in this thread I'm sure it won't lead to anything. Since we're European we have to wait 6-8 months. Or something like that. Spring or early summer looks likely for a launch. 

 

I've been reading on other forums where members have started using their Skytrak. Everyone has reported problems with short clubs/high spin. Message from Skytrak is that they are aware of this and will fix it with an update. It's an algorithm problem. Skytrak reads correct numbers but the distance isn't correct.

 

I still feel this is an exciting product. Anyone else think we're going to see similar devices at the PGA Show?

[GolfSpy Tim]

The SkyTrak test unit landed this week and it's been dumping rain.... But the skies cleared today and I sacraficed my afternoon to test.... Nothing backed by TrackMan/ForeSight/FlightScope numbers for comparison...

 

But, a bucket of balls later I can tell you we're onto something here... Carry numbers are very real. Spin as well.

 

 

The launch angles are where they should be.

 

Only initial questionable data comes when a ball launches way off the target line (tech speak... Horizontal Azimuth)

 

Can't wait to put a TrackMan behind me while testing this bad boy out.

 

Questions?

[GolfSpy Tim]

And yes... I hit that pitching wedge like my wife... But the reading was accurate outside of the roll out

[hckymeyer]

They already have a graphical interface for the ipad, is there any plans for a model that can hook up to a monitor or projector?  Looking for something that could be the brains of a simulator that is accurate and not $10k+

[Blade]

And yes... I hit that pitching wedge like my wife... But the reading was accurate outside of the roll out

Geez, don't hit your wife!!! Haha!

[furu]

They already have a graphical interface for the ipad, is there any plans for a model that can hook up to a monitor or projector?  Looking for something that could be the brains of a simulator that is accurate and not $10k+

 

There will be simulator software. I don't know much about home sims, but I've read that they'll use E6. Price around $4500-5000.

[Alex1975]

Really looking forward to the test, is it coming soon?

[Tinkering]

Anything new on this? I understand they have released a few updates and have another one slated shortly.

 

I am torn between this and a flightscope xi+

Can't really afford or justify more money than that.

[furu]

Still some issues with Skytrak. Users are getting readings that are off on most factors - ball speed, spin, distance ++. It looks like a software problem. Updates with new algorithms are slowly making it better. 

 

I'm worried that a focus on the home simulator market will hinder further improvements on accuracy. A sim player may not be worried about a fee % wrong numbers.

 

Xi+ seems to be miles ahead of Skytrak. Can't compare them at the moment. Xi+ reads - Skytrak calculates too many numbers.

[Tinkering]

A lot of people seem to like gc2 though and that is basically the same with higher quality cameras right? Maybe that quality difference is much greater than I realized.

 

The big thing causing my hesitation has been the super slow responses people get from Skytrak, which I understand is typical of the company. I don't mind mind starting out with a less than optimum product if the dedication to the product and customer is there, but it sounds like it's not.

[furu]

GC2 has excellent cameras. I'd say it's up there with Trackman. Flightscope has a higher spec model that is just as good as GC2 and TM.

 

Skytrak is a cool product. I want one. Based on what the people who have one say - I shouldn't get one Not yet, at least. It's cheaper than your options, but still a lot of money. I'd wait and see how it develops. 

[Mike Z]

I have had a SkyTrak from the first shipment and I have used it a LOT.  I even had a chance to use it during a lesson alongside a FlightScope unit.

 

A few observations:

 

The actual ball data gatered seems to be good and checked out favorably with FlightScope (again a pretty limited sample).  Specifically, spin (side and back), vertical launch angle, horizontal launch angle and ball speed seem to be accurate.  That is, IF the unit is lined-up properly and leveled. 

 

That can take a little bit of getting used-to.  I use a leveling plate I made (nail plate and nuts/bolts from the local hardware store) and a laser pointer and that seems to work well for me inside.  Outdoors, I will have to see what I can do when mother nature sees fit to give us some decent weather.

 

With that said, the ball flight algorithms need some work.  Direction seems to get over-penalize especially as side-spin increases and the distances are off on the latest verson on the longer clubs.  The first versions of the software the short clubs were off.  I thing it has to do with conpensating for spin.

 

Club head data is not measured and I generally disregard the calculated clubhead speed. 

 

At present you need an ipad to use the device. 

 

You don't need as much space as you do with a flightscope.  If you can swing the club and have a couple of feet for the ball to fly, that's all you need.

 

A lot of my decision came down to economics and what I wanted to get out of the device.  At the time I bought, I got $500 off so that more than covered the ipad that I didnt have.  If there were no discount and I didnt have or want an ipad then I would have maybe gone with the xi - or if I were really interested in club data I would have had to look at other options.

 

It is perfect for what I am using it for, working down launch angles on irons and working on accuracy.  I can do both with this machine.  Had I been interested in using it to hone in my distance control then I would have been disapointed in the software up to this point. That said, the machine is pretty consistent within itself - meaning that if I hit it what the machine says is 165 then I have to hit it the same way to get 165 again, so all is not lost.

 

So again its economics and what you want to get out of your time with it.

 

Any questions, ask away - I will try to be as objective as possible. 

[Tinkering]

I appreciate the write up.

 

A couple of things come to mind:

 

1. Would you feel confident in the yardage if you were able to come up with a multiplier? Or is it inconsistent from club to club (only consistent within the club currently used)?

 

2. Do you feel that you can easily get numbers based on the swings you take? Such as hitting a ball thin, off the heel/toe, or intention manipulation of swing plane and face angle affecting spin? I ask this one because I don't really care if the numbers are accurate as long as they are consistent. Accuracy will come with advances in their software. If the hardware is able to be consistent I would be very pleased and be on board. Most people care if it's off vs their actual numbers, personally I think that's irrelevant (you just adjust what is "normal" while using it) but that is probably just me.

 

Thanks again!

[Tinkering]

I just realized how wordy that last post was.

 

I guess what I truly want to know is. If I make an in to out swing with a face open to the path, will it be a push fade? In to out, square, a push? In to out, closed to path but right of target (for rh player), a push draw? Etc.

[Mike Z]

I just realized how wordy that last post was.

 

I guess what I truly want to know is. If I make an in to out swing with a face open to the path, will it be a push fade? In to out, square, a push? In to out, closed to path but right of target (for rh player), a push draw? Etc.

yes.  Flight will show what you did.  Curvature gets a little exaggerated, in my opinion.  I would say this:  A draw is going to be a draw.  A fade is going to be a fade.  A hook could get turned-into a severe hook.  If that makes sense.

 

On yardage, I haven't really looked at it from a standpoint of converting it.  I am looking at it from the perspective of being concistent in what it tells me.  So, if I flush a 6-iron 180 and real world should be closer to 170 then I am more apt to use the 180 number in trying to make all my 6-irons be within a range of that.  So, I am not trying to gap clubs or work on distances at this point.  I am working on making my swing more consistent and efficient.  I honestly think that if you are really working on distance control and that is what is important for you - to have a good hard number - this may not be the option for you yet.  With one exception.  I am finding the wedge distances pretty consisten with what I would expect.  

 

I am confident they will get there.  Despite their horrid response to questions directly asked (sales and customer service team), the people who are actually working on the app monotor a few forums for feedback and acknowledge the issues and that they are working on them. 

 

Hope that helps.

[Tinkering]

That helps a lot actually. Hopefully they release another promo soon, because I think I will jump on the wagon. I just don't have an iPad (want one) but can't justify that and the skytrak. Fingers crossed.

 

Thanks again. Great info.