Optishot golf simulator: Anybody have one?

[2porscheguy]

I recently set this up in my basement:



Lots of fun (especially when there's a foot of snow and -10C outside!) but I am having some issues with consistency with the sensors in accurately reading a shot (clubhead speed, club head angle at impact, etc.). I'll be playing a round with a buddy when, out of the blue, I'll hit a 340 yd drive or a 220 yd 7 iron approach shot, or my clubhead will be 25 degrees closed at impact when I know this is clearly not the case.

I've experimented with lighting and have found that it works best at very low light levels but the problem with that, of course, is that it's tough to hit a shot in near darkness!

Anybody else have one of these at home in their basement or man-cave? How has it worked for you? Any insight on proper set up?

Alex

[stealthn]

Alex, can I come over and play?

Give Insight Home Solutions here (used to be Smart Home Systems) a call (or is this where you got it?) as sell those or similar systems.


Bob

[2porscheguy]

Actually Bob it's a total DIY set up. I bought the Optishot base system and added a projector and got a custom made heavy guage tarp for the impact screen and sidescreens from a local tarp company. The carpeting was from my second level...I replaced all carpet with hardwood flooring last winter. I'll probably replace this with artificial turf down the road to give it that more authentic look. Luckily I've got 9 ft ceilings in the basement so I've got ample room for hitting my driver.

As soon as I get the "bugs" worked out I'd be happy to have you come over and give her a try.

[gsxrken]

No tech to add but it looks cool. I know the high speed launch monitor ones in GolfSmith retail stores and some club fitting shops used to go for almost $30k, but like everything technology that'll be three hundred bucks someday.
My basement has some sand wedge dents in the Sheetrock ceiling- I wish I had the nine feet ceilings you have! Enjoy

[flatbutt]

How about a dark room safelight just to illuminate the tee?

[2porscheguy]

flatbutt are those dark room safelights in the infrared range? The sensors on the Optishot unit are all infrared based so I would think that the lights might provide more interference.

gsxrken as I mentioned this set up was all DIY so I was able to keep the cost down quite a bit, but yes, you do need at least 8.5 ft of ceiling for this system to fit unless you can forgo playing with your woods.

Optishot: $250 (slightly used, bought off Kijiji.ca)
short throw Optoma HD projector: $300 (used, bought off Kijiji.ca)
impact screen and side screens: $300 (from Whiteline Custom Tarps)
15 ft HDMI cable: $50

So for an investment of less than $1000 I can put up with some trial and error in order to tweak the system to improve the game.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by 2porscheguy

I've experimented with lighting and have found that it works best at very low light levels but the problem with that, of course, is that it's tough to hit a shot in near darkness!

Works better at low light. Yes, IR sensors are thrown off by too much light.

My first guess is shadows and or reflections throwing off the sensors.

How is your lighting set up? Overhead? Multiple sources?

I would try to make it as consistent as possible or even try to get indirect / diffused lighting from the ground up so shadows are thrown up and no light reflects off you.

IR sensors can also be thrown off by materials and color or even shades of color.

Long shot but you could be affected by a shiny club head picking up reflections from the screen which changes throughout the swing.

[2porscheguy]

stomachmonkey, therein lies the problem! Overhead lighting really messes things up so I've eliminated that. But your suggestion about various materials throwing things off points to another possible cause....since the player is standing directly over the sensors and, of course, is in motion, maybe the colour of his clothing might play a role here?....I'll try playing it wearing only black clothes!

[2porscheguy]

Update.....well upon closer inspection I found that the velcro strip which secures the mat to the sensor board had begun to work it's way forward ever so slighlty and was partially covering a few of the centre IR sensors. So I removed and recentered the strip on the underside of the mat and used a good quality contact cement to secure it....bingo!



Tried her out this pm and the results were very good....shot after shot, accuracy and reliability has greatly improved!



Game on!

Bob I'll have to have you over sometime in January....let me know when?

Alex

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by 2porscheguy

flatbutt are those dark room safelights in the infrared range? The sensors on the Optishot unit are all infrared based so I would think that the lights might provide more interference.

gsxrken as I mentioned this set up was all DIY so I was able to keep the cost down quite a bit, but yes, you do need at least 8.5 ft of ceiling for this system to fit unless you can forgo playing with your woods.

Optishot: $250 (slightly used, bought off Kijiji.ca)
short throw Optoma HD projector: $300 (used, bought off Kijiji.ca)
impact screen and side screens: $300 (from Whiteline Custom Tarps)
15 ft HDMI cable: $50

So for an investment of less than $1000 I can put up with some trial and error in order to tweak the system to improve the game.

I really don't know.

[mattdavis11]

Clear your hips and you'll find that nice draw and 20 yards.

[2porscheguy]

Woooooooo hoooooo! Hole in one!




West Maui Plantation course
Hole #8
164 yd Par 3 / 6 iron

1 shot.....NO mulligans....I swear!



Does this one count?!?

Merry Christmas everyone!

Alex

[hidrake]

I put some photography lights in my space, and pointed them up towards the ceiling and that made a big difference for me. I still kept getting misreads, found out that I had a faulty sensor pad. Luckily it was still under warranty so it was an easy exchange.

I totally get having a way to play golf in the winter. I work in Montana and there are times when there’s three feet of snow on the ground with the wind howling like mad. It’s awesome to have a way to get swings in and courses during all that weather.

I needed something portable so I can take it with me between Montana and Texas. I went with a package that I found online at shopindoorgolf.com. I spent $2800 for it and it came with the Optishot 2, a Net Return Pro Series net, a simulator screen, the Optishot mat, and a projector.

I bought a Terrashield off of Amazon so that I don’t have to mount the projector and can take it with me. It’s awesome. It sits in front of the sensor pad and gives me a nice 4:3 ratio picture. I’m glad that there’s a system out there for us affordable type.

[hidrake]

I put some photography lights in my space, and pointed them up towards the ceiling and that made a big difference for me. I still kept getting misreads, found out that I had a faulty sensor pad. Luckily it was still under warranty so it was an easy exchange.

I totally get having a way to play golf in the winter. I work in Montana and there are times when there’s three feet of snow on the ground with the wind howling like mad. It’s awesome to have a way to get swings in and courses during all that weather.

I needed something portable so I can take it with me between Montana and Texas. I went with a package that I found online at shopindoorgolf.com. I spent $2800 for it and it came with the Optishot 2, a Net Return Pro Series net, a simulator screen, the Optishot mat, and a projector.

I bought a Terrashield off of Amazon so that I don’t have to mount the projector and can take it with me. It’s awesome. It sits in front of the sensor pad and gives me a nice 4:3 ratio picture. I’m glad that there’s a system out there for us affordable type.