NEW Skytrak 2021 Fall 2021 Release Prediction

[nicholasbufano]

Hey everyone. After analyzing the patent for the original Skytrak released in November 2014 and their current patent-pending Skytrak 3D Launch Monitor, I believe it is safe to say the new Skytrak will be released by the end of the year 2021, most likely November. 

 

Link to new Skytrak patent: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20200282283A1/en

Link to current Skytrak patent: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20140028838A1/en

 

The patent for the original Skytrak:

Started 11/2011

Filed 10/2013 

Assigned 10/2013 

Published 01/2014 

Released 11/2014 --- released exactly 3 years from start, 10 months from publication, and 1 year 1 month from assignment

 

The patent for the new Skytrak:

Started 05/2018

Filed 05/2019 - 

Published 09/2020 -

Assigned 11/2020

Released: ? May 2021 was 3 years from the start, JULY 2021 would be 10 months from publication, DECEMBER 2021 would be 1 year 1 month from assignment. 

 

Assuming this new launch monitor will follow a similar timeline to their old one, which it's doing exactly right now, a Fall 2021 release seems plausible. Even if Rapsodo (the company that makes Skytrak) is ready for a release this summer as one of the predictions states, they would most likely release in the fall due to a higher demand for launch monitors considering golf is just out of season at that time. 

 

Final Prediction: November, 2021

[Hoogerdyk]

Is there any info on the new SkyTrak anywhere other than the patent application?

[larrybud]

just because their patent is expiring doesn't mean a new product will be out. 

[ChadL]

19 hours ago, larrybud said:

just because their patent is expiring doesn't mean a new product will be out. 

Well…..if you look at Rapsodo’s patent/product release history with Skytrak one can ascertain a new product is coming given the new product patent has followed the same timeline as the OG Skytrak. 

Edited July 10, 2021 by ChadL

[North Butte]

What date does your formula predict for the new KIRKLAND 4-piece ball? 

 

Just kidding, even Nostradamus couldn't forecast that one.😈

[larrybud]

On 7/10/2021 at 7:29 AM, ChadL said:

Well…..if you look at Rapsodo’s patent/product release history with Skytrak one can ascertain a new product is coming given the new product patent has followed the same timeline as the OG Skytrak. 

 

Did they have it at the PGA show this year?

 

[MiuraWanKinobi]

The application has been granted

 

https://patents.google.com/patent/US20200282283A1/en

 

Wonder when this new device will come out, will it compete with the GC3 ?

 

Sure hope they improve on the current design for more accuracy and less misreads. 

[hammersia]

15 hours ago, MiuraWanKinobi said:

The application has been granted

 

https://patents.google.com/patent/US20200282283A1/en

 

Wonder when this new device will come out, will it compete with the GC3 ?

 

Sure hope they improve on the current design for more accuracy and less misreads. 

Good link, but I can't really read all of that - what's your summary please?

 

Looks a bit like multiple cameras and units including radar positioned in different locations, measuring the whole swing? Doesn't look much a Skytrak single box?

[tdeutmeyer]

Interesting...

[wolfyand1]

it looks as if this will be placed behind the golfer similar to the rapsodo

 

[Simpsonia]

My best guess is that this is a full suite box at the side like the QCQuad. It uses 4 cameras (two high-FPS low resolution cameras for club data measurement and two low-FPS high resolution cameras for ball flight measurement) and a radar for club speed to trigger measurement modes. The solution also allows the user to use the cameras to 'scan' the users' clubs (especially driver) so that it can create a full 3d model of the club. This is important to measure the face characteristics so that it can better calculate and offset for gear effect on off-center hits. Another possibility is a two-box implementation, ie one SkyTrak like unit at the side for ball flight measurement and a box behind the golfer with the high FPS cameras and radar for club data measurement. If it's a single-box solution I'm not sure how they would be able to accurately measure club face data from the side without dots like the GCQuad. 

[MiuraWanKinobi]

Im suprised no one really has picked up on this patent status changing, all seems very quiet about this. Anyone perhaps asked a Skytrak Rep? 

[Turing46]

I called customer support and was told something new was coming around Christmas or beginning of next year. Was kind of a confusing call so I don’t think I got the best info. A new product with a trade in option was first mentioned. Then an add-on device. Maybe someone else can narrow it down. 

[jbb6789]

2 hours ago, Turing46 said:

I called customer support and was told something new was coming around Christmas or beginning of next year. Was kind of a confusing call so I don’t think I got the best info. A new product with a trade in option was first mentioned. Then an add-on device. Maybe someone else can narrow it down. 

I tried asking about it in a chat and got nothing. Its easier to say you don't know about anything new in a chat than on the phone.

[noodle24]

Takes "about 10 images of the ball". Seems like more of a club detection add on.

 

[James495738]

This will be interesting. If it is even a modest improvement on the original (which is already excellent for its cost) this could eliminate the gc3 market.

[MiuraWanKinobi]

Yes as GC3 eliminates TGC2019 user group. Also the fact that anyone running a gaming pc with a AMD card is excluded from GC3/Bushnell LP as their substandard software is only written to support Nvidia cards eliminating 50% of the community.

 

A upgraded Skytrak that is on a par with GC3 in terms of accuracy is a winner

[Oscar Rydberg]

On 10/1/2021 at 1:37 PM, noodle24 said:

Takes "about 10 images of the ball". Seems like more of a club detection add on.

 

Disclaimer: I don't have details on the inner workings of Skytrak or GC2, other than from forums, so this is pure SPECULATION.

Skytrak v1 seems to use optical laser curtain to detect ball movement and trigger camera system, AFTER impact.
I guess it uses the laser trigger timing and distance from red dot on the ground, perhaps very inprecise on such a short distance.

If you trigger 1 flash every X ms to work for a certain driver speed, you'r likely to miss balls with high speeds, and blur with lower ball speeds. (Ball doesnt move further than its radius before next flash, overlapping previous flash on the same image)

If you look at GC2 IR images you'll see a delay from impact and the next flash, probably time GC2 uses to detect movement and speed before discarding the impact frame. Knowing ball speed, they can then flash at good intervals for best pictures, without need of any laser.

 

Seems to me ST1 trigger system left a lot in terms of accuracy to time flashes.

 

10 images rather than just 2 are surely taken to find some sort of "quorum" on the ballflight, two flashes has been mentioned for ST1.

With a supposed v2 using radar, I'm not sure why they want to measure clubhead speed rather than ball speed directly to time the following flashes.

 

With the radar they can probably time camera and flash for one or multiple image(s)  before/at/after impact with much better accuracy.

Should result in an overall much better shot detection and probably improved accuracy from better pictures, all which seems to have been ST1s weaknesses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 2, 2021 by Oscar Rydberg

[wolfyand1]

I wonder if they can improve the outdoor performance with the current tech they are using. I am not sure how gc 2 or 4 or 3 perform outside, I have only ever use inside at a fitting. 

 

It is the one thing that I am hesitant with in buying a skytrak. I practice in my backyard outside and there is so much mixed info with performance outside.

[jimmies78]

If there is in fact a new device coming out in the next 3 to 6 months....Skygolf really need to get some info out otherwise they risk losing people gc3/LP.

 

I'm in the market for a new one as I'm not happy with the R10 output....but I can't spend cash on the current skytrak and tgc2019 when there is noise around a potential new one. I'm on the fence about a LP with subs but would pull the trigger on an updated Skytrak at around $2.5k if it works with tcg/e6 and is just a slicker unit than the current one

[James495738]

2 hours ago, jimmies78 said:

If there is in fact a new device coming out in the next 3 to 6 months....Skygolf really need to get some info out otherwise they risk losing people gc3/LP.

 

I'm in the market for a new one as I'm not happy with the R10 output....but I can't spend cash on the current skytrak and tgc2019 when there is noise around a potential new one. I'm on the fence about a LP with subs but would pull the trigger on an updated Skytrak at around $2.5k if it works with tcg/e6 and is just a slicker unit than the current one

Agree. It's surprising they haven't made noise about a ST2 even if it's a year away because it would disrupt gc3 discussions.

[Simpsonia]

The big delay is likely due to the contractual relationship between Rapsodo and Sky Golf. Rapsodo developed all of the hardware and algorithms for the SkyTrak, and because Rapsodo had run out of money, needed a partner. Sky Golf came in with the cash and also developed the software. Rapsodo has since become a more mature company with more resources to do a full product itself. I also thought I read somewhere that the relationship has soured a bit, which is why there has not been any hardware refresh at all since the original version. My guess is that the relationship soured because there's contractual language that doesn't allow the two to create their own versions of products to compete against the SkyTrak and cut the other partner out. 

 

I can understand the issue though, Rapsodo invents all this hardware and IP but can't actually bring anything to market due to the original partnership, without sacrificing half (or whatever) of the profits even though Sky Golf probably doesn't bring a lot to the table for any new products. 

Edited October 3, 2021 by Simpsonia

[The Coug]

17 hours ago, Simpsonia said:

The big delay is likely due to the contractual relationship between Rapsodo and Sky Golf. Rapsodo developed all of the hardware and algorithms for the SkyTrak, and because Rapsodo had run out of money, needed a partner. Sky Golf came in with the cash and also developed the software. Rapsodo has since become a more mature company with more resources to do a full product itself. I also thought I read somewhere that the relationship has soured a bit, which is why there has not been any hardware refresh at all since the original version. My guess is that the relationship soured because there's contractual language that doesn't allow the two to create their own versions of products to compete against the SkyTrak and cut the other partner out. 

 

I can understand the issue though, Rapsodo invents all this hardware and IP but can't actually bring anything to market due to the original partnership, without sacrificing half (or whatever) of the profits even though Sky Golf probably doesn't bring a lot to the table for any new products. 

Sadly this seems all too plausible. Rapsodo has developed and updated 2.0 versions of their baseball/softball offerings which use radar to trigger high speed cameras (like combining a Rapsodo MLM and Skytrak). 
 

Rapsodo seems to be a company on the rise with MLB/NCAA adoption of their pitching and hitting products. SkyGolf is clinging to handheld GPS (redundant with smartphones), less desirable versions of Arccos and Garmin GPS watches, and the Skytrak which hasn’t had a hardware update in 8 years. 

 

Disclaimer: Armchair expert’s opinion. I knew nothing of Rapsodo prior to this morning. 

[MiuraWanKinobi]

Well hopefully all will be revealed when the new Skytrak device is announced. If it has slightly better accuracy especially with higher swing speeds and less miss reads then they off to a winning start, would be good if they open up to access with GSPro. The next 2 years I’m sure will bring some good changes to the software environment. TGC2019 is still fantastic and far superior graphics wise to the FSX Crap

[true8]

I had an online chat with Skytrak and the rep did confirm a new Skytrak is coming out but did not have any details about it or release date. Hopefully we get more info on it soon.

[MiuraWanKinobi]

Yes it is coming . . . . Really hope some official news soon other than whispers 

[prusd]

HAs anyone followed up with Skytrak to ask about more details regarding their new product??  With Garmin, Bushnell, Flightscope and now Full Swing putting out new devices or upgrades, I am eagerly awaiting to hear what Skytrak has in store.  For me at this point, Im focusing on the Mevo plus and whatever Skytrak has in store.  I'm leaning towards Mevo, but really want to know if Skytrak has an ace up their sleeve.

 

Thanks!

[hammersia]

On 10/28/2021 at 6:56 PM, prusd said:

HAs anyone followed up with Skytrak to ask about more details regarding their new product??  With Garmin, Bushnell, Flightscope and now Full Swing putting out new devices or upgrades, I am eagerly awaiting to hear what Skytrak has in store.  For me at this point, Im focusing on the Mevo plus and whatever Skytrak has in store.  I'm leaning towards Mevo, but really want to know if Skytrak has an ace up their sleeve.

 

Thanks!

Maybe you could ask them yourself?

[bbmjhu]

Hopefully this will be a software update that can be applied to existing Skytraks.

[prusd]

So this topic thread (and some replies) did not age well as of this writing right before the beginning of 2022.  No news from Skytrak.  They also are not appearing at the PGA show this year.  It appears they are going to keep on selling the same product.  Its not far from being a 10 year old product.   Disappointing.