I'm torn on what simulator to get

[Z1ggy16]

Budget is about $1800, which means I'm debating over Mevo+, skytrak and r10 essentially. I need your experience and advice on which would most likely be for me.

 

Main use: practicing swing and using ball flight data to get feedback. Of all parameters, path, face to path and spin axis are the ones I care about the most.

 

Secondary use: playing courses, having ppl over to play with me.

 

About the set up: in a garage, hitting into a standard net off a high quality 5x4 mat. I have enough space for both radar and obviously camera. 

 

I'm leaning R10 due to value... But my main concern is that it can't directly measure spin axis tilt and I'm concerned that my shots will appear much straighter than they really would be. Skytrak seems like it addresses my primary use the best, but because I'm left handed and everyone else is righty, I'm not sure how feasible it is to keep moving the unit back and forth every shot. Although, I'm probably going to be the sole user like 98% of the time. 

 

Feedback appreciated.

[JAM01]

R10 or the small Mevo will work. If you eventually want to play sim golf courses go Skytrak or Mevo+. Radar needs 16ish feet and metal like garage doors and even some lights or appliances can interfere. I’ve also seen some negative comments on the accuracy of the Garmin. If you have righties and lefties, Skytrak is a no go. If you intend to take it out side Skytrak might be a no go, tough there are some rumblings that the Skytrak maker might have something new soon??. Regardless, hook a small TV up so you can see your shots. 
 

I started like this, but with all stuff Golf it’s a rabbit hole. I now have a retractable screen, ceiling mounted short throw projector and a GC3! 
 

good luck and keep us posted. These are fun threads. 

[JAM01]

This was version 1.0 of my set up

[simshawk]

Where’d you pickup the computer stand? Link?

Edited January 16, 2023 by simshawk

[Hateto3Putt]

Love that setup, I wish I had the ceiling height to pull it off.

 

I'm always amazed by pristine garages. I have a two car that only fits one due to my accumulated stuff.

 

 

[SaltyShepherd]

I was going to recommend skytrak until you mentioned being left handed and playing with others. Flipping it back and forth while keeping it properly aligned might be a PIA. I guess you could mark both left and right sides with tape or a marker, but that might get annoying really fast.

 

I agree with the other poster about going down a rabbit hole. My goal was a skytrak with a net and PC only. A month later and I have this.

 

 

[Canada8888]

if you do go the radar route ...  use RCT golf balls (very expensive) ... if you do not the spin numbers will be very poor indoors

[JAM01]

18 hours ago, simshawk said:

Where’d you pickup the computer stand? Link?

That was an Amazon purchase, basically searched for conference room tv stand. 

[JAM01]

8 hours ago, Jcupo6 said:

I was going to recommend skytrak until you mentioned being left handed and playing with others. Flipping it back and forth while keeping it properly aligned might be a PIA. I guess you could mark both left and right sides with tape or a marker, but that might get annoying really fast.

 

I agree with the other poster about going down a rabbit hole. My goal was a skytrak with a net and PC only. A month later and I have this.

 

/cdn-cgi/mirage/e7549045455b02c1e4dd55cd9c158750b835c990d012716c6b42e7ec2c92bbec/1280/cdn-cgi/mirage/e7549045455b02c1e4dd55cd9c158750b835c990d012716c6b42e7ec2c92bbec/1280/https://wrxcdn.golfwrx.com/uploads/monthly_2023_01/F0BEDDF4-E960-4BBA-BF38-C416A7BE9CC9.jpeg.adc86047bc7c0e6011de76838859a371.jpeg

 

Rabbit hole for sure.  Net, mat, Skytrak and iPad he decided! A year later… 

[JAM01]

18 hours ago, simshawk said:

Where’d you pickup the computer stand? Link?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07FXMX241?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

[Z1ggy16]

Is it going to be worth looking into a used GC2? Unlikely I'm going to find used GC3/LP for $2k but several others seem to suggest an M+ might fit best because of being lefty, and most friends/others are Righty. But the thought of radar inside is kind of meh, and once you look at the price of the M+ and the pro package, I wonder if it's about the same as the gc2?

 

Yes I'd need to move it back and forth but I feel like the alignment issue wouldn't be as bad, as long as I mark it out with tape and measure it to be perfectly aligned to the net before.

[JAM01]

23 minutes ago, Z1ggy16 said:

Is it going to be worth looking into a used GC2? Unlikely I'm going to find used GC3/LP for $2k but several others seem to suggest an M+ might fit best because of being lefty, and most friends/others are Righty. But the thought of radar inside is kind of meh, and once you look at the price of the M+ and the pro package, I wonder if it's about the same as the gc2?

 

Yes I'd need to move it back and forth but I feel like the alignment issue wouldn't be as bad, as long as I mark it out with tape and measure it to be perfectly aligned to the net before.

https://shop.foresightsports.com/collections/certified-pre-owned-gc-launch-monitors/products/stocking-stuffer-cpo-gc2-bundle
 

Looks like it has a gaming pc if you need one. 

[tocino]

i have a mevo+, retractable impact screen, ebay short throw projector, an ipad air, and a DIY hitting mat that's squeezed into a 20' long garage. If i had to do this all over again I wish i saved up for a used GC2 instead with the ultimate goal of upgrading to a GC3. if you don't need all the ball/club data and since you're a lefty i would probably go with the R10 then upgrade later. My buddy picked up one and he loves his but i'm not familiar enough with the device to comment on any other issues with it. If you're really set on a camera based system (which i think is way better for indoor use) and you're stuck on your budget, i would go for a used skytrak. It probably would get old switching it for righties but how often do you plan on doing that? I think if its once and awhile it probably wouldn't bug me as much

[Z1ggy16]

43 minutes ago, JAM01 said:

https://shop.foresightsports.com/collections/certified-pre-owned-gc-launch-monitors/products/stocking-stuffer-cpo-gc2-bundle
 

Looks like it has a gaming pc if you need one. 

Lol is the PC used too? I already have one though, and I assume I can use something like Steam Link to run fsx on my PC while I control the app from an iPad in my garage. 

 

Not bad though... Wonder if the software is already preloaded into that PC or if you just get a validation code. 

[JAM01]

2 hours ago, Z1ggy16 said:

Lol is the PC used too? I already have one though, and I assume I can use something like Steam Link to run fsx on my PC while I control the app from an iPad in my garage. 

 

Not bad though... Wonder if the software is already preloaded into that PC or if you just get a validation code. 

Yeah, it’s too bad they don’t sell the preowned unit without the computer. 

[Z1ggy16]

2 minutes ago, JAM01 said:

Yeah, it’s too bad they don’t sell the preowned unit without the computer. 

Do you happen to know if a gc2 is as finicky to align/position as Skytrack? When I see folks online usding GC3/4 between different dexterity, it seems like they just move it, no real thought about if it's perfectly perpendicular to the player/parallel with target. Just make it close enough, seems pretty quick. Not sure if the 2 is that way.

[JAM01]

If GC2 is like GC3 then it’s easier than SkyTrak. I believe each version of the GC has a slightly smaller ball placement area so GC2 is maybe 6x8 inches? SkyTrak has a finicky red dot. They just upgraded the Skytrak software it might be better now. 

[macedan]

R10 w/ Spornia net leaves you leftover funds for Laptop/iPad and either GSPro or E6

[Z1ggy16]

1 hour ago, macedan said:

R10 w/ Spornia net leaves you leftover funds for Laptop/iPad and either GSPro or E6

Don't need a net, my home made abomination is working fine. On the surface R10 seemed fine but reading about how it can't directly measure face to path, face angle or therefore path has me worried. I'm relatively straight with my irons but when I got fit on Trackman several months ago, I was hitting pretty bad hooks at times. It seems especially bad at simulating lots of ball curvature because of that.

 

I'm leaning Skytrak if I can score one for like $1000. Otherwise, somebody sent me a link to a gc2 with a PC and FSX for $4k. If I could get a 1 or 2 year 0% rate deal, I'd probably just do that, as I hit balls 5-6 days a week in my garage and it would pay back in <2yrs.

 

I could even get PGA certified and start lessons in my house if I wanted.

[Canada8888]

3 hours ago, JAM01 said:

If GC2 is like GC3 then it’s easier than SkyTrak. I believe each version of the GC has a slightly smaller ball placement area so GC2 is maybe 6x8 inches? SkyTrak has a finicky red dot. They just upgraded the Skytrak software it might be better now. 

all the gc2s are the same for ball placement area  ...easy to see where to put the ball as it is one the screen on the device. the gc2 and sky track are both a hassle to switch over for right to left.  (ie getting them perfectly pointed at the target line).  the GC3 is faster to align ... you just put down a stick it sees and it aligns to the stick ...but doing that back and forth during a round is a hassle

[Z1ggy16]

What would you guys say if I could get a used BLP for $2800? Worth it?

 

Questions:

- is there any kind of transfer fee?

- would I need to also get my own software or can I "take over" this person's? 

- do I need fsx or does it come stock with a range?

- easier to align and switch around? 

- I assume I can connect it right to my phone or iPad for range only use?

[Canada8888]

I do not know the BLP world as I have a GC3 ..

 

for the GC3

 

there is a transfer fee but you can avoid it unless you need service

 

you can take over the software without the transfer fee

 

the range is inside FSX

 

to switch it around you push a button on the unit to change it from right to left, then you put a reflecting stick down on the ground pointed at the target ...the unit sets to the stick (this would be a hassle to do 70 times in a round)

 

for range sessions you can use an iPad or iPhone ...and you can email the results to yourself in excel or store them on the cloud

 

 

the BLP seems to have different plans ....i think the fully unlocked plan is the same as a GC3 but do not know

 

 

 

Edited January 18, 2023 by Canada8888
typos

[Canada8888]

if you search for Golfwrx and GC3 you will find a post with hundreds of page from BLP users here ...

 

https://forums.golfwrx.com/topic/1825070-bushnell-launch-pro-device-with-foresight/page/170/#comment-24585850

[JAM01]

At $2800, plus the $3500ish ?.  I think for the Bushnell, you’re probably in at less than the GC3. 

[Z1ggy16]

21 hours ago, JAM01 said:

At $2800, plus the $3500ish ?.  I think for the Bushnell, you’re probably in at less than the GC3. 

But I'd still have to pay the $250 for the basic after year 1, and with GC3 you get everything with no yearly subscription fee, right? So eventually the BLP becomes more expensive.

[JAM01]

1 hour ago, Z1ggy16 said:

But I'd still have to pay the $250 for the basic after year 1, and with GC3 you get everything with no yearly subscription fee, right? So eventually the BLP becomes more expensive.

I believe that you can get an unlocked version for $3999. So $2800 and $4k gets you in below $7000. Please verify that. The FSX Pro has better graphics than FSX 2020 but does need a more robust computer. 

[Z1ggy16]

6 minutes ago, JAM01 said:

I believe that you can get an unlocked version for $3999. So $2800 and $4k gets you in below $7000. Please verify that. The FSX Pro has better graphics than FSX 2020 but does need a more robust computer. 

I'll confirm it... But after 3 yrs that advantage goes away, so I'd have to be really diligent about saving lol. 

[Krt22]

6 minutes ago, JAM01 said:

I believe that you can get an unlocked version for $3999. So $2800 and $4k gets you in below $7000. Please verify that. The FSX Pro has better graphics than FSX 2020 but does need a more robust computer. 

The full unlock is $3499. In most states the GC3 will be fully taxed, but the unlock is not since it's software, so that might be the cheaper option.

[Z1ggy16]

1 hour ago, Krt22 said:

The full unlock is $3499. In most states the GC3 will be fully taxed, but the unlock is not since it's software, so that might be the cheaper option.

And with the unlock, the per year subscription goes away totally right? So with this blp I can it used and get a few months hopefully of the remaining free basic package, maybe have to pay $250 to get another year then next year pay $3499 and essentially get a full gc3 with all features unlocked for $6549 all in? 

[Triple Lindy]

I’ve tried both the R10 and Skytrak in an outdoor setup, hitting into a net. I have enough space for either one, but the shortest iron I was comfortable with using the R10 was an 8 because of the distance to the net. I was worried about hitting anything shorter over the net. With the Skytrak, I could position the hitting mat as close to the net as I could get.

 

I didn’t have any issues with Skytrak outdoors and I was in direct sunlight. Lots of people say it won’t work in sunlight, but that wasn’t my experience over the 30 day trial. Both the R10 and Skytrak were really easy to setup and use. Skytrak’s software and simulator felt more professional. I really liked the gapping tool, especially with wedges, which I couldn’t hit with the R10.

 

My biggest complaint about Skytrak was the cost of simulation. They don’t include any simulation, whereas Garmin and Mevo provide a limited version of E6 Connect - something like 5 courses. Plus, Garmin includes 42,000 courses. They’re kind of cartoonish, but still fun. 
 

If you want to give either one a trial run, give Playbetter.com a try. You can try Skytrak for 30 days and the R10 for 60 days. No questions asked for returns.