So if you're like me, I discovered this about a week before Christmas and my family had gotten me an Optishot which was my original choice. I'm glad I sent the Optishot back and got this. Almost every problem I had with it was a result of me being more tech-dead than I thought. A few notes:
This does seem more of a game than a golf simulator, it is fun and does show swing stats that seem most accurate when your hit decent shots. They don't have to be perfect, but decent. If you nick the top of the ball, it reads it as a hit. If you nick the mat on a practice swing it reads it as a hit, etc. I used a Voice Caddie with it and the two pair well if you want a relatively accurate picture of swing and ball speed as well as yardage. On decent hits they are 4-5 yards less apart, typically within the 2-3 yard range. On mishits, the Voice Caddie is more reliable but can't determine ball flight path.
Software:
If you get a little excited and download the phone/tablet app and create an account prior to it's arrival (in my case, it was a week before it arrived due to the holidays) they will send you an email with download links for TGC and the control software. Check your junk folder! You need to have both installed before you start messing with it or the PC program will constantly close. Your sensor is your product key.
If your computer can't get a connection to the R-Motion servers you'll probably have to go into task manager to shut down some programs or services. In my case I have a Dell with bloatware and have to go in and shut down the Dell digital delivery service that's running everytime I reboot the computer. Windows Defender can make it a short-lived pain too, you may have to shut it down in order for it to recognize the USB dongle (the little thing that plugs in the USB port).
The Clips:
I had installed my clips snug, but not too tight but I think I had a perfect storm of snug and off balance. Don't be "that guy" and by "that guy" I mean an 800lb gorilla who tightens stuff so hard that no mere mortal can get it loose. If your clips are maligned (i.e. left band has 2-3 more notches on it than the right band) you WILL break the bands and send the sensor into the club head (they're durable). Keep them even and tighten it to snug, a quarter turn to re-tighten every 10ish swings is not really an inconvenience. I leave the clips on my clubs on the actual course and haven't had a problem.
You may wonder why your paying a little more than $7 a clip, it's because of malalignment and over-tightening - breakage vs weight savings. Oh, and customer service.
Customer Service:
It's odd there's no phone number, but younger generations may prefer text or email rather than talking to a human. I prefer talking to a human when I have a problem and tech support isn't 24/7, BUT in a day or two their responses make up for it. I broke a clip, emailed them with a picture of the broken clip, in two days I essentially got advice not over tighten and make sure the clip bands are aligned along with a tracking number. I checked my other clubs for alignment and today received two replacement clips - apparently they know their customers.
Overall, its not a 5-star golf SIMULATOR, but more than worth the price coupled with customer service makes it 5-stars in the price range. If you're a scratch golfer with a fat wallet and want a 5-star golf simulator go dump $2k-$20K. I was worried I would break the Optishot's pad and that's not a concern here. The sensor is durable, the measuring can be a pain in the beginning, but takes less than an hour for a full set. Set the club at address and measure from the floor to the band, then measure the difference between the band and the bottom of the grip. Subtract the difference (which I think was .75") and you can measure your clubs without the hassle of having the clip installed and trying to line up the tape measure. The R on the sensor is your guide as are the two copper charging prongs, the prongs go up and should face you - make sure the sensor is seated when you slide it into the clip. The customer service is excellent, responsive, and seems to know their customers well. If you're on the edge just dive in.
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 7.2 x 5.6 x 5.6 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 0.45 Kilograms |
| Brand Name | Rapsodo |
| Warranty Description | Rapsodo Inc. provides a (1) one-year limited warranty for the device |
| Model Name | FBA_RM03A |
| Color | Black |
| Material | Ploypropylene |
| Suggested Users | unisex-adult |
| Manufacturer | Rapsodo |
| Part Number | FBA_RM03A |
| Included Components | Sensor, 14 Golf club clips, charger |
