Every now and then, we'll find something a little different to review here at Techaeris. Technology is everywhere, even in sports, not only to track statistics, but also to help athletes improve their game.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Our SIQ basketball review looks at basketballs equipped with sensors that help basketball players track their shooting data and show where they can improve. Read on for our full review!
Index
- Detailed description
- What's in the box?
- Draw
- Easy to use
- Software
- show
- Battery life
- price/price
- complete
Detailed description
The SIQ basketball we reviewed has the following features and specifications.
- SIQ Basketball incorporates 9D sensor technology and provides comprehensive analysis of your shooting session and tracks 192 shooting data points including shooting session, tagging/gassing, shooter identification, multi-ball support, shooting conditions.
- With just your smartphone and SIQ Smart Basketball, you can turn any standard basketball hoop into a reliable, automatic shot tracking system. This means improving your shooting skills anywhere and anytime.
- Shooting Form : SIQ not only gives you important information about your shooting form, but also how it has improved over time. On your commute, on the field or on game day. Get feedback on every shot. Be a shooter, not a sniper.
- Consistency : Your form should be repeatable, and the SIQ application will tell you through "Consistency" that you are holding your form throughout the session. Only good practice makes perfect.
- Accuracy: The ball automatically tracks your strokes and errors. But we didn't stop there. SIQ is smart enough to know if a ball has been hit. Great shooters track success and "clean deals" and we track this information in real time.
- Game shooting : AS determines your accuracy by passing, dribbling or accidentally. The heat map tells you how each point on the field is doing. Advanced skills like release speed, "shooting touch" and defensive distance are controlled. A premium professional ball that can be used for practice or play.
- Family & Team: The SIQ Ball is so smart it knows who shot it! Friends and family can use the same ball and track their stats with a unique "fingerprint". This fingerprint is generated automatically after 500 shots using artificial intelligence.
- Ball Style : Indoor (Orange) or Outdoor (Black)
- Ball Size: Size 7 (29.5" (Men)), Size 6 (28.5" (Women/Youth)), Size 5 (27.5" (Men))
What's in the box?
- Love basketball
- Quick start sheet
Draw
If you've seen or used basketball before, you know SIQ Basketball. We chose the outdoor version to play on the street and at home in the local outdoor court, so our color was black. The SIQ logo is an orange "S" covered in silver on the back of the ball. The slogan "Shoot with a Purpose" is engraved on the bottom of the basketball. On one side there is a WiFi signal at the bottom and on the other side there is an air hole with some silver information around the ball. There is also an interior version that comes in the traditional orange color with black stripes.
Our review model is the size 7 (men's) version. So it measures about 29.5 inches. Really, there isn't much to say here as it looks and feels like an official basketball and is even suitable for use in a real game. The weight appears to be the same as the finish texture, just like the original rules for use in basketball (and approved by FIBA for use in the game).
Easy to use
SIQ Basketball is very easy to use. You must download and install the SIQ Basketball app to use the ball and track your shots. Once activated, all you have to do is throw the ball in the air with backspin and register it on the app. We had to enable Bluetooth on our smartphones before the ball registered, but it usually registered after a few throws without any problems.
Once activated/paired to your phone, simply select a mode in the app and start shooting! The company also has a short TikTok video explaining the setup process.
Software
As mentioned above, the SIQ Basketball app (available for Android and iOS) is required to use the ball properly. I mean, you can use it like a normal basketball app, but it has built-in intelligence to track strokes and give feedback, so why wouldn't you?
After downloading and installing the application, you must log in with Google or an email address. You must allow the app to access your phone's location to connect and track the ball.
Next, you have to register. Yes, Ball comes with a 30-day free trial, after which it costs $8.99 per month. Of course, when you buy the ball, you can get a 6 or 12 month membership, which knocks a dollar or two off the monthly price depending on how you go. After you subscribe, you must allow the app to access photos, videos, music and audio, fitness and sensor data (if available) on your device.
When you're done, you're ready to go. Tap Shooterround or Free Throw, throw the ball in the air with backspin and wait for the app to register and start shooting!
You can track your current activity on your phone while playing. Here's a cool trick, if you flip your phone to landscape mode, adjust the app and you'll get a nice, readable current photo layout and try taking a photo. By swiping left or right on the horizontal screen, you can toggle between shots/attempts, speed, launch angle and ball spin per second, depending on what you want to focus on.
Once your session is over and closed, you can view more detailed statistics such as shots taken, hit percentage, consistency and speed. The app tracks your shot distance, release and spin angle per second (ball), your consistency, and your replacement shots after dribbles, passes, layups or layups. The app is very simple and easy to use, and the statistics are very detailed.
show
SIQ Basketball incorporates 9D sensor technology and provides a comprehensive analysis of your shooting sessions and tracks 192 shooting data points, including (as mentioned above) shooting sessions, shots/runs, shot tracking, multi-assist balls and shooting situations.
So despite the great stats, how accurate is SIQ Smart Basketball? During our testing, mostly on our streets with a standard-height basketball net, we found it to be very accurate. I marked the distances on the course and counted the shots fired from each distance. If I tried it, it immediately tracked me by telling me how many baskets I made
While I couldn't test the revolutions per second (RPS) or how fast my release was, the app offers some tips to improve both. After focusing more on this, I found that I had a more consistent RPS and a better average time to get off the shot. I'm far from a professional, but my daughter loves the stats she provides during games (she used to play on her school team) and is especially interested in tips to improve her shooting skills. It soon became a competition to see who could score the most balls in a single attempt, making for fun exercises and quality time together.
In the few times we've played a few games together, the app has been good at tracking down mines at first, ignoring his popularity. While we haven't gone that far yet, the company says that after about 500 recordings, the app can recognize and track multiple users (assuming they each have their own subscription).
Battery life
One thing you will notice is that there is no clear way to reload the ball. According to the company, the SIQ basketball lasts for 500 hours when the ball is in contact with the app. This means you can shoot 1.5 hours a day all year round. Once the ball is 'dead' it can be used like any Wilson or Spalding ball, you can no longer track your stats with it.
A year of life seems pretty good based on 1.5 hours of use per day, but there will come a time when you need to replace the ball. Honestly, I'm not sure how they managed to include this, but a way to reload the ball would be welcome. Perhaps SIQ will incorporate some of the same wireless charging technology used by smartwatches, placing the ball in a small charging pad in a stationary position to charge it. Of course, there are other things to consider, like extra weight and ball control, but like I said, those would definitely be nice additions.
price/price
SIQ Smart Basketball retails for $99.99, but also requires a monthly subscription, although the first month is free (note: Amazon's price seems high at first glance, but it includes a 6-month subscription). The ball comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try it and if you don't like it, you're not ready to subscribe, you can't use it. A subscription costs $6.99 per month annually or $7.99 per month semi-annually. It costs $8.99 per month.
However, a year of tracking stats with this ball will net you an additional $83.88, bringing your total to $183.86. Additionally, after 500 hours of use, you will need to purchase new balls to track your stats and improve your game.
It is very heavy on cost and price. While this may seem expensive to recreational users, if you're an amateur or professional basketball player looking to improve your game, every little bit counts and $200 a year can be a small price to pay.
complete
SIQ Smart Basketball does a great job of tracking your performance, providing statistics and giving you tips to improve your basketball game. While it's a bit pricey once you add in the monthly subscription price, it can definitely be a useful tool if you're looking to step up your game.
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Last updated on November 14, 2022.
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