BAL.ON Smart Kit Review

[IceyShanks]

This looks so cool, love the data, but I don't know if I could swallow the price for what I might get out of it, especially if I didn't use it enough

 

[Inioch]

I tested a similar product a few years ago. The biggest struggle was correlating the data to what you are / are not supposed to do. EG, my left heal is red at X spot of the swing...okay, is that good? bad? Why am I doing it that way? How do I fix it? What should it be? The review shows a great deal more information made available to the user here, which could potentially be very helpful, such as the graph with the 100 scale on the Y axis. Interesting evolution of the concept.

I feel like the real killer here is if the AI based correction detection and instructions actually work. Then you can get meaningful tips and drills to improve. Me by myself with this would be lost in trying to chase something that's probably not the right thing.

But with a coach or good AI based system, the potential is huge!

 

[Jman]

I have the salted insoles and I thought they were really cool but a bit glitchy. These seem like a solid upgrade from those.

Honestly, Salted don’t merit being in the same sentence as these, that’s how different they are.

These absolutely blew me away.

 

[Templet0n]

Honestly, Salted don’t merit being in the same sentence as these, that’s how different they are.

These absolutely blew me away.

Very cool!!

 

[Jman]

I tested a similar product a few years ago. The biggest struggle was correlating the data to what you are / are not supposed to do. EG, my left heal is red at X spot of the swing...okay, is that good? bad? Why am I doing it that way? How do I fix it? What should it be? The review shows a great deal more information made available to the user here, which could potentially be very helpful, such as the graph with the 100 scale on the Y axis. Interesting evolution of the concept.

These are very different than other attempts at such pressure feedback devices.

The engineering here is absolutely incredible.

 

[Jman]

I feel like the real killer here is if the AI based correction detection and instructions actually work. Then you can get meaningful tips and drills to improve. Me by myself with this would be lost in trying to chase something that's probably not the right thing.

But with a coach or good AI based system, the potential is huge!

It works really well.

The user interface is pretty darn seamless, and the info given is digestible.

When I saw them at the show, I had in my head what I hoped they would be, they exceeded that though.

 

[Jman]

Performance is pretty solid. The app had some pages that didn't yet seem functional - the tips section in particular, but there were others that did.

I like to see a bit better integration with the instruction and feedback, because they are located in different spots right now. It would be helpful to have some sort of guided practice routine with feedback if that makes sense.

Some of those things have increased in integration or are part of the next tier you can unlock.

 

[Jman]

support is a good thing. lol. I wonder if these guys tried the salted soles and then said "we can do way better"..

These were in design prior to those

 

[Templet0n]

These were in design prior to those

Oh nice!!

 

[CBaker]

Super interesting. I used Carve for skiing to help teach myself to ski, and it was super helpful. This looks and sounds to be a lot like that and could be really cool to see, especially for someone like myself that struggles with consistent weight shifting during the swing.

 

[Jman]

Super interesting. I used Carve for skiing to help teach myself to ski, and it was super helpful. This looks and sounds to be a lot like that and could be really cool to see, especially for someone like myself that struggles with consistent weight shifting during the swing.

It’s really really cool.

I know it’s not cheap, but the ease of use and the way you don’t need to replace your insoles is killer.

It is a LOT of data, but if you can mentally take a breath and parse it down, or better yet work with an instructor, it’s invaluable.

Pressure plate training can bring massive benefits to understanding and tuning one’s swing efficiency, and to not need a 20K studio is pretty darn neat haha

 

[CBaker]

It’s really really cool.

I know it’s not cheap, but the ease of use and the way you don’t need to replace your insoles is killer.

It is a LOT of data, but if you can mentally take a breath and parse it down, or better yet work with an instructor, it’s invaluable.

Pressure plate training can bring massive benefits to understanding and tuning one’s swing efficiency, and to not need a 20K studio is pretty darn neat haha

Yea foot pressure is a really vital piece for understanding your swing if you ever want to be down near scratch or plus, if you don't naturally have a really good feel of it.

 

[Jman]

Yea foot pressure is a really vital piece for understanding your swing if you ever want to be down near scratch or plus, if you don't naturally have a really good feel of it.

It will also absolutely humble you hahaha

 

[tequila4kapp]

Performance is pretty solid. The app had some pages that didn't yet seem functional - the tips section in particular, but there were others that did.

I like to see a bit better integration with the instruction and feedback, because they are located in different spots right now. It would be helpful to have some sort of guided practice routine with feedback if that makes sense.

This is a much more articulate way of expressing what I was getting at above. Yes, this type of help would push a product over the finish line.

 

[Jman]

The nice thing about these, and I mentioned it in the article, is that I’ve worn them to the course to practice a few times. Because I put them under the insoles, it’s a no hassle situation, and I have to say I absolutely LOVE having the heat map feedback in front of me when I’m practicing wedges at the short game area, it really paid off this week as the member guest.

 

[Inioch]

It works really well.

The user interface is pretty darn seamless, and the info given is digestible.

When I saw them at the show, I had in my head what I hoped they would be, they exceeded that though.

The product is incredibly interesting and I'd love to see what I can do with it. Like others, I'm a bit hesitant to just buy it even though the value would surely be there.

Ground force is something I've been super interested in since seeing some long videos of it from TPI.

 

[leftybob]

Honestly, Salted don’t merit being in the same sentence as these, that’s how different they are.

These absolutely blew me away.

It’s a shame that salted hasn’t invested in making their software actually good. They could be in the discussion but they just aren’t.

 

[leftybob]

The footbed and module on the side looks a lot like the original Carv ski insole that came out a few years ago.

The Carv Hardware

Improve your skiing technique with real-time audio coaching. Carv uses pressure and motion analysis to score your technique and help you improve.

getcarv.com

The V2 of Carv they were able to take the data from V1 and use ai to eliminate the need for the footbed entirely.

 

[Jman]

It’s a shame that salted hasn’t invested in making their software actually good. They could be in the discussion but they just aren’t.

Even then, I don’t think they’d be in the conversation with these.

The development behind these from the hardware to the software is another tier.

 

[outlawx]

Once things settle down this might have to be on the radar.

 

[Jman]

Once things settle down this might have to be on the radar.

It’s pretty fun to just walk around while looking at the heat map and see what all is going on.

Plus, with each update it has improved and that really excites me.

 

[Inioch]

It would be helpful to have some sort of guided practice routine with feedback if that makes sense.

This is a much more articulate way of expressing what I was getting at above. Yes, this type of help would push a product over the finish line.

That is what I was after as well.

 

[outlawx]

It’s pretty fun to just walk around while looking at the heat map and see what all is going on.

Plus, with each update it has improved and that really excites me.

The software and support is really what is pushing me over the edge.

 

[checkered]

These are super slick sounding. I love that this sort of tech is a thing. Pretty wild how much data they can get. Love that they work both on top and under your existing insoles. That is darn slick. I wish I could afford some of these, as I know my weight shift is a weak point in my swing. Pretty cool they have them $100 off for father's day.

 

[tahoebum]

These are very different than other attempts at such pressure feedback devices.

The engineering here is absolutely incredible.

Great review and this is fantastic to hear. I’ve been waiting for a pressure plate system that wasn’t many thousands of dollars and this looks like it. Maintaining distance as I age is a constant battle and I‘ve been working on getting more of my weight to my left foot sooner in the swing and the feedback and drills from this should make it easier.

It’s Father’s Day Sunday so my wife will be happy that I just found my gift. The $100 off coupon helps as well, it was $535.80 with sales tax. I’m excited for this to arrive.!