SkyTrak vs OptiShot 2
SkyTrak vs OptiShot 2 Golf Simulators
Whether you are an avid golfer or just getting into the game, a golf simulator is a fun and convenient way to improve your skills. The Optishot 2 and the Skytrak simulators are two of the most popular and affordable options available. We’ll give you a solid comparison of these two simulators to help you make your decision.
OptiShot 2
The OptiShot 2 was born out of a passion for golf and a desire to bring the joy of golf simulation to the masses. It has become one of the best selling entry level golf simulators on the market. The system itself is relatively simple in design and makes for a highly portable and user-friendly setup.
How it works:
The OptiShot 2 tracks the club speed, path and face angle using two rows of high-speed infrared sensors. As your club moves from the back row of sensors to the front row, the OptiShot 2 records every movement. This data is then relayed to your Mac or PC through their integrated simulation software. So with each swing, you can get real-time feedback on your shot, and watch your ball sail through the air just like you’re on the course. The OptiShot 2 is unique because it tracks your club instead of the ball, which means you can actually use foam, plastic balls, or no ball at all. This feature gives you a lot of flexibility when it comes to location and space.
Tracking only the club swing does come with some disadvantages. Since no ball data is recorded, the OptiShot 2 cannot accurately read how your club impacts the ball, so if you top the ball or even miss entirely, the OptiShot 2 will show that you made solid contact. This is definitely one of the biggest downsides to infrared simulators. If you normally don’t have an issue making contact with the ball or are just wanting to improve your swing then this will be less of an issue.
The OptiShot 2 is basically a small hitting mat with built-in sensors and is linked directly to your computer. It is extremely portable and the hitting mat can be customized with thicker turf in order to give a more realistic hitting surface. It is a lower priced option that is fun for all golfing types.
Skytrak
The Skytrak is an interesting beast. It is a launch monitor and simulator all in one. It has accuracy that is comparable to systems that are 10 times the price. While it still isn’t in everyone’s budget, it is arguably the best bang for the buck in the industry. Golfers of every skill level can not only enjoy, but also improve with a SkyTrak simulator.
How it works:
The SkyTrak uses high-speed photometric sensors to record your balls behavior after impact. These sensors read the Speed, Launch Angle, Side Angle, Back Spin, and Side Spin of your ball in order to give you an almost exact simulation of where your shot will land. These key metrics can also be used to make corrections to your technique, which is why SkyTrak is such a popular choice for game improvement.
The SkyTrak unit is set up on your hitting mat, as you hit the ball, your SkyTrak simulates your shots on an iPad or similar device using SkyTraks provided software. The unit is super portable and can be used at home or on the range to provide instant data for every shot.
We’ll look at some of the most important categories in order to compare these simulators: Accuracy, User Experience, Features, and Price.
Accuracy:
The SkyTrak is one of the most accurate launch monitors on the market. The high-speed optical sensors give very accurate data that has been tested and will generally only vary a foot or two from actual shots at the range. It is safe to say that the SkyTrak can be trusted to give you precise feedback that you can use to better your skills.
Given that the OptiShot 2 is a club and swing analyzer, it is not designed for ball accuracy. Instead, it gives you a prediction of what your ball is likely to do given the data from your swing. The OptiShot 2’s infrared technology provides excellent club speed and angle data but does have a higher tendency for misreads. OptiShot 2 does give you the option to calibrate your clubs with your simulator, which will give you a much higher level of accuracy than playing right out of the box. Most users find their irons and drivers to be most accurate while chipping and putting tend to be less exact.
So while the OptiShot 2 can give accurate data in ideal conditions, it is not set up to give any ball data and is, therefore, a less accurate simulator than the SkyTrak.
Most Accurate: SkyTrak
User Experience:
The OptiShot 2 and the SkyTrak both give the user a fun and interactive golfing experience. The software that comes stock with the OptiShot 2 is phenomenal for the price and gives golfers an easy and fun way to golf at home. OptiShot 2 users don’t have to use real golf balls while using the simulator which can be a big perk for golfing in a living room or other smaller space. Since you don’t have to use a ball you can dial in your swing without chasing balls around your garage or having to purchase a hitting net. For recreational golfers and people looking to entertain guests the OptiShot 2 gives an awesome user experience with good graphics and hours of fun.
The SkyTrak can be used recreationally with friends and family, but can also be used as a training aid for serious golfers. Users will definitely want to invest in a net to go with their simulator as they will need to use real golf balls for best results. The SkyTrak’s software provides players with hours of challenging and engaging golf. It comes with beautiful graphics and can be used with some of the most popular third-party software packages available.
The OptiShot 2 does give a very flexible user experience, but the SkyTrak has done a great job at covering all of their bases. Most golfers who try both will prefer the experience of using the SkyTrak over the OptiShot 2.
Best User Experience: SkyTrak
Features:
SkyTrak is a complete package that gives you a built-in simulation software with practice modes, games and fun courses to play. SkyTrak can also be used with popular software packages like World Golf Tour, The Golf Club Game, TruGolf E6 and much more. While these options do cost more money, it certainly opens up a world full of exciting and challenging courses that can really help you get over the winter blues, and give you the feeling of being right there on the course.
The OptiShot 2 is an all in one golf simulator package. It gives golfers the ability to practice their swing at the simulated driving range or play on 15 amazing courses with additional courses available for extra. Another incredible feature is OptiShot’s built-in online gameplay. This gives you the ability to play tournaments with other OptiShot 2 golfers from around the world. This is a feature that is not found on some simulators that cost thousands of dollars more than the OptiShot 2.
The OptiShot has a lot to offer in the feature department, but it is limited and cannot be used with any third party software. The SkyTrak is full of advanced features and gives you access to the best golf simulation software available, giving it the advantage over the OptiShot 2.
Best Features: SkyTrak
Price:
The SkyTrak shocked the market when it came out, being one of the first low priced launch monitor simulators. At $1,995 it is priced far below competitive simulators and provides enormous value for the price. That being said, not all golfers are looking to spend a couple thousand on a launch monitor and so, the SkyTrak may be out of range for some. The OptiShot 2 is almost $1500 less at $400 shipped, making it an excellent option for players who are on a budget.
Lowest Price: OptiShot 2
Summary OptiShot 2 vs SkyTrak:
The OptiShot 2 is a great option for golfers looking to play indoors for less than $1000. It is a great choice for those who want to keep their game alive during the offseason or for beginners who want to improve their swing and break 100. The SkyTrak is more expensive but is still the overall best value for the price. It can benefit players of all skill levels, from those picking up a club for the first time, to seasoned professionals.
Deciding between the OptiShot 2 vs the Skytrak really comes down to price and user need. If you are on a budget and looking for a fun way to bring your golf game indoors, and improving your skills is secondary, then the OptiShot 2 is a great option. If money is less of an issue and you are looking for a tool to help you enhance your game, then the SkyTrak is a must have.
