^ That’s a big plus on the Mevo, but … I’ve read that stickers on the ball are required to get accurate spin numbers (and so, other data points) … But double-check that.
The updated Mevo is a compelling buy!
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Skytrak seems like the best way to go. $2K for the monitor. The skies (pun intended) the limit on how pimped out you want to go. Net, mat, projector or monitor. I’ve gotten by with an Optishot past 2 winters. 1 word review, wonky. I hit foam or wiffle balls into a a 10’x10’ white tarp in the garage. Using the laptop’s 14" monitor is ok. Much more enjoyable if I plug into an old 32" tv . The local place with a sim is $20 per ½ hour and has Trugolf. Way more expensive & way more accurate version of Optishot. Read 'em & weep gals/fellas …
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I’m with you. I question how much I’d really use it outside anyway. I use my eyes and feel to tell me how a shot went on course or on the range. I don’t really need the data feedback.
I’m 90/10 leaning toward Skytrak. Just so bummed I won’t have it til midwinter at this point.
I have a SkyTrak and a mat/net set up in my garage. My plan is to warm up for a few and then figure out my yardages once and for all. Plan is with each club to hit 20 shots, measure longest, shortest and average. Then shortest is useful for “must carry” situations and average for the majority of the time.
Then practicing wedge distances. I’m thinking pick a yardage and try to hit it there, then before looking see if I think I was short or long. I think that will get it pretty much down. Right now I don’t know how hard to hit it to make it go 60 yards or 70 yards. I’m basically just guessing.
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Glad you posted it, I can see getting an Optishot and I have a 32" monitor on my computer. Indoor golf at home!
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I just got my SkyTrak and I’m in the process of finishing off a room in the garage to isolate and heat. So far, the SkyTrak is really awesome, way better than the OptiShot (by a long way) and the Mevo, both of which I sold to help pay for the SkyTrak.
Optishot
The Optishot has cameras before and after, built into the mat, and picks up on basic club data only. If you hit down on the ball it will sense a slower transition from rear to front camera. If you swing fast, it is really bad. I had several “400 yard drives” that hooked 150 yards. Also, if your room isn’t dim with a light shining directly down on the cameras and a shiny club sole, you may see inaccuracies or missed shots.
Mevo
The Mevo is really a decent device. It is doppler, so you put it 6’ behind you and hit balls. Works really well at the range and does a decent job for wedge distance practice too. I had trouble aligning it (I’m thinking the doppler pattern is pretty tight compared to a wide Trackman or Flightscope) and it wasn’t consistent with picking up my drives. It works decent indoors but you don’t get a lot of ways to use the numbers.
Mevo+
I have never owned a Mevo+ but I went with SkyTrak simply because the Mevo+ needs to be placed 15’ behind the ball. I don’t have that kind of room after I account for a net, a mat, etc.
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This is the exact set up I WANT. Hard to get a hold of a Skytrak right now, though. How has this setup been for you? Do you feel like you’re missing out by not having a screen and projector?
I know you replied to @Ty_Webb but I can weigh in here too. I have a Spornia SPG net with a white target for my projector. At this point, I haven’t even turned the projector on yet since I am still building the room. That said, I am not sure I’ll hook up the projector or, if I do I may not use it consistently. Two reasons. First, for simulator use you’ll need to interact with your iPad or computer on a regular basis. Second, and more importantly, after each shot it is really convenient to just look straight forward at the screen rather than “left” and down the line to see the results.
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Agreed! Also have a SkyTrak and a Spornia net (in an unfinished garage) - unit is hooked up to a basic PC with a large enough monitor atop a shelving unit placed in front of where I’m facing on the hitting mat.
Pretty convenient and fewer things to install and maintain. That said … Projector and screen would be nice if you want to use the sim / play / compete features (I don’t).
I recently downloaded and tried the SkyTrak smartphone app – I only used it on the practice range but if you’re just interested in seeing the numbers and the ball flight tracers it was pretty handy!
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I don’t. Right now my side of the garage has turned into storage for my kids’ bikes, scooters and general stuff so I can’t use it easily. Planning to sort things out soon. I haven’t felt the need for a big screen. If I had unlimited funds I’d build out a room in my back yard and fit it out with a GC Quad, big white screen, projector and a putting area. Unfortunately I don’t. 
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Same. Why’s it all have to be so expensive?
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I have set up a simulator in my garage, and I’ve been part of another forum/Discord with a bunch of simulator junkies. A few thoughts on my end:
- There’s simply no better way to practice than with a launch monitor. I didn’t realize how blind my practice was until I started using one.
- Most the guys will say that SkyTrak is the gateway drug, but most look to upgrade to a Foresight GC2 if they can pull together a few extra bucks. That seems to be the LM of choice for folks. It’s a step up from SkyTrak: $2K for a new SkyTrak vs. $3-5K for a used/CPO GC2. Key thing is that you don’t have to move all the way up to GCQ or Trackman ($15K+) to get a quality experience.
- For those who have to pack up the clubs for the winter, there are very active simulator leagues that are a lot of fun. Good group of guys (yes, pretty much all guys) with some good infield chatter.
- I’ve found that my simulator play has translated really well to my outdoor play. Since COVID started, I’ve gained 2 strokes from improved driver play and better distance control with my wedges and putter.
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Any suggestions on where to find a good used GC2? And do you have any experience with it or what feedback have you seen?
I have skytrack with just net and mat. iPad sits on tripod and presents the data very well. I will probably progress to projector and screen but it really is not necessary.
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I’m really hoping my club gets its act together and puts in simulators… it was a part of our proposed remodel and is the only thing left unfinished…
My wife’s boss is on the board and pushing to make it happen… but you never know with these things… the membership doesn’t want to pay to use it and thus doesn’t want to spend the money installing it… i suggested selling access for $100 a year and up to five years, which would have covered both getting installed…
We really split the baby on our remodel, it will be interesting to see what happens… I’m not sure what I do if they go under.
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Three sources: eBay, golfsimulatorforum.com, and directly from Foresight. First two obviously are not as “safe” as Foresight, but especially on the forum, you could look at a seller’s posts on the forum to get a sense of whether they seem legit. You could also try paying via PayPal using the other option that’s not paying to friends (can’t remember what that’s called but gives some buyer protection with a % kicker).
Also, if you’re going to buy, look at the serial number. As the unit ages, you eventually need to replace the flash, which will run ~$500. One of the posters on the Discord had this as good price ranges:
- Non A units: $3300-3700
- Serial #3000-7000: $3700-3900
- Serial #7001-10000: $3900-4100
- Serial #10001+: $4100-4900
The advice is not to go over $4,900 as you can just buy a certified pre-owned GC from Foresight for $5,400. Seems that sometimes when you buy CPO, they just give you a new one.
Key thing here as well is that GC2s hold their value really well. At this point, they’re pretty old, and there continues to be a thriving second-hand market for these units.
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GolfWRX has them listed a ton… I’ve never bought something that expensive but have always had good experiences on the bst.
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Good call. I’m sure there are other spots too…
@LouStagner has a great drill for anyone with a simulator… similar to what Adam posted.
I’m really looking forward to developing skills on the simulator. I’m hoping next winter I can come out of winter a better golfer than I started, and I’m collecting the resources to do just that. I probably should have just bought a divot board when I had the chance!
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I’ve been contemplating various simulator practice ideas, the Lou one above is great…
I realize this is way late in the winter season, but here are the other ideas I’m contemplating:
- Adam’s practice drill of hitting irons a repeatable distance
- Figuring out my dispersion through the bag. I’m not sure how to accurately track this, but 20+ shots over a few different sessions with every full swing club in my bag and figure out my “circles” so I can pick better targets (and possibly figure out if I need to work on / change anything)
- Build out stock 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 swings, especially with wedges.
- Look at my driver numbers, and try to get more optimized. Check and make sure my driver is on the right setting, and work on a better AOA and make sure the whole setup is working for me.
Those are my big ones… our simulators are still not operational, but my back appreciates the downtime!
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