Because of this I was hoping I could buy an sc300i but Im dissapointed that it came out worse than the rapsodo, so now Im less convinced. @Art Chou Does Rapsodo plan to add multiple video angle capabilities like Mevo captures? Although it provides limited metrics, it's the most accurate unit we tested. Learn how your comment data is processed. I find this interesting. The SC300i is the upgraded model to the successful SC300 launch monitor. Well done as always. Lots of great options with these devices and from a consumer POV, awesome that the price point keeps lowering. Did you have the GCquad reading the same shots as the radar models, or did you compare the data between different shots? Why wasnt that one tested? Overall I think this golf swing analyzer setup is a huge value to Foresight Sports FSX 2020 users. Club head speed is almost a useless measurement and never accurate or consistent across different devices even comparing Trackman and GCQuad. Theyre not consistent enough and dont provide the necessary data. Depending on the quality of the cameras, some camera-based launch monitors struggle under certain lighting conditions and in highly reflective environments. I have spent way more time than I would like to admit researching these units. Even the best golf launch monitors on the market must be easy to use. Thank you, that is great information. At the $500 price point, the most accurate unit we tested provides enough data points to help you improve and understand your game. Matched To Your Swing. Thx Helps me work on my distance consistency (not for wedges). The app records all your session data along with your swing which is recorded via video. For most of us, practice time is limited and it shouldnt be wasted trying to configure, connect and use a device meant to help us improve faster. I dont understand how the SC200+ can be accurate for driver (and higher than the SC300) with no spin information and limited flight. I have had a SkyTrak for 2-years and use it exclusively outdoors and it works fine. They are constantly upgrading the software and customer support is pretty good considering they are based in South Africa. Garmin Approach G80 It also comes with a great app that provides rich visuals and can record your swing. I have the SC200 and it works well. The pocket-sized launch monitor fits seamlessly in any golf bag compartment for hassle-free transport. Indoors, however, you will get good numbers for initial launch direction (left/right); combining this with ball speed will give you an idea of whether you have cut across the ball and whether the club face is open or closed.. Best would be to see your outdoor shot shapes and know your ball speeds and launch directions for your typical good and bad shots to use as a comparison to the indoor data.. I dont feel like you can say the Rapsodo device is the best when it limits who has the ability to actually use it. Personal golf launch monitors are the Holy Grail for the average golfer looking to improve. For longer sessions, especially when using video features, battery drain can be an issue. SkyTrak does offer some fitting capabilities and the bag-mapping feature (also available in the Rapsodo MLM) is impressive. Im confused by this. Our technology utilizes the camera on the mobile device; with IOS being Apple-only this makes it much easier to introduce a high-accuracy product on IOS first. So can it work with in umbrella giving a shade over the machine? Nothing. The Rapsodo MLM and Skytrak stand out for their simple interface and layout, though Rapsodo proved to be a battery killer when taking swing videos. Ive got the Skytrak with the Game Improvement package and it is outstanding. With the exception of SkyTrak, all of the models we tested are radar-based. An upgrade from the Mevo, The Mevo Plus comes with more data metrics. Whats the best one for shot shape in limited space. As the category suggests, camera-based launch monitors use high-definition cameras to measure ball data at, and immediately following, impact. What about cloudy weather? Not questioning the algorithm, just trying to fully understand so I can make an informed purchase in the $2K range. Compared to the SC300, it has better Doppler hardware, an extended battery life, and a new app feature that allows you to view video playback of your swing with data overlay. Is L.A.B. All of the devices we tested provide Ball Speed, Club Head Speedand Carry Distance. Our mission is #ConsumerFirst. Set the ball up with the logo or line facing SkyTrak for better spin readings, whether indoors or outside. It just doesnt see the shot. So im guessing its relatively accurate, since its over 90% in your testing categories on 4 of the 5 (and over 80% on the spin rate). Rapsodo was decent but overheated and you need to use your phone. Thanks all, open to other ideas but want to stay under 500.00 Driver-Wilson Cortex with N.S.Pro WT 8000 shaft 3W-Tommy Armour TA1 5W-Kenneth Smith persimmon 4-PW,GW Wilson Staff D7 There are some short comings that personal launch monitors are still working to improve on and develop. Enterprise radar launch monitors like TrackMan and FlightScope X3 feature larger Doppler radars which are capable of tracking a golf ball over its entire flight. The PRGR does NOT pick up wedges very well, if at all. Not sure why you say you cant go outdoors. I kept waiting and they said its coming but I need the ability to get accurate data from a net hitting session. Accurate enough for 4 handicap hobbyist like myself, anyway. It just isnt that practical and we have to take into account every scenario for the consumer. Looking at the features chart, the Flightscopes and Skytrak should be tied for first in features. Its not ideal for range use. Obviously buying a new $600 Apple device makes this less price attractive. You can buy a Trackman for 20,000 or a Flightscope X3 for. Keep up the 99% accurate good work. If you want enterprise-level accuracy and features (head data, for example), youre looking at $7,000-plus for a used Foresight GC2. You can record your swing for an objective look at your technique. OTOH, I do have a corporate MS Surface Go 2 that would probably work. Otherwise it would be a fantastic choice. They can handle either environment; the option to use metal dots can improve tracking a bit and the video features are well executed. Other metrics produced by each unit are detailed in the chart below. Android is coming soon! Ive had this problem with SO many golf apps. Mevo+ works with iPhone, iPad and Android, but the free courses included with Mevo+ only work with iPad. Lithium-ion battery. However another reply from Rapsodo in the amazon questions implies older versions of hardware dont work with a net? I sold mine and got the ESB1 and find it great. How does it do at extremely cold temps close to freezing? Dimensions of the product (L x W x H): 33cm x 16cm x 8 cm. I really wanted the SC300i to be best, because it is simple and functional in a contained unit. I agree. We'll look at. The SkyTrak provides more data points for you to dial in your game. Otherwise youre hitting out of a divot and the data will not be consistent. Q: What data can I get from a personal golf launch monitor? The ESB1 connects to your device over Bluetooth which only takes a few seconds. I listened to your podcast on this today and read your article, so disregarding the PW metrics. Question at this price level do any of these accurately predict where the ball in going (height, right, left) based on either spin or direction? While consistent readouts 60 yards and under is an area in need of improvement, you can still derive some short game data from personal launch monitors. My local driving range is closing at the end of the year and Ill have nowhere nearby where I can practice. We did test them with metal dots on the balls and the spin numbers get slightly better. Thats great. It works great on the range, if that is all you want it for, it is easy to use, terrific. Really appreciate your patience we are paddling as fast as we can on this one! Technology is developing rapidly, and personal launch monitors have improved over recent years. For reason, I remember RAPSODO was for outdoor only. As you might imagine, projecting ball flight accurately from the first eight feet of launch is a lot trickier than when you get to see more of the actual ball flight. The Rapsodo was more than 90% accurate on all data sets, with the exception of spin. $2000 was a large investment. Copyright 2023. I may be blinded by the fact that I really desire spin rate data. A:Smash factor is a common club performance metric. Which is the best one for use at the driving range? 0.85 kg in weight. Based on the results of the testing, the Skytrak appeared to be clearly the most accurate across all categories compared to the GCQ though the findings/ranking doesnt support that. We get excellent spin.numbers optically in our Skytrak units (we make them for SkyGolf) but the components require the higher retail price. The performance gap between them and say a used Trackman or Foresight unit is considerable. Golf the next big thing in putters? Accuracy & Performance The Ernest Sports ESB1 launch monitor uses doppler radar to measure six data points: club speed, ball speed, distance, smash factor, spin rate, and launch angle . Swing Caddie SC300i Portable Golf Launch Monitor | Voice Caddie SC300 - Top Shelf Golf About Us Why Buy From Us Financing Reviews Contact Us My Account 0 Questions? Radar-based systems use Doppler radar to follow the flight of the golf ball. Please re-test this review is bogus, otherwise. A:Several thousand dollars and accuracy. Outside not so much. I got a Mevo+ during lockdown and it does a pretty solid job in the back yard net setup. Live in the NE so Ill be indoors hitting for 4-5 months. The SkyTrak allows you to upgrade and download golf courses to play virtual rounds. I use my Skytrak exclusively outdoors off a mat too (apart from the occasional lounge chipping practice when my wife isnt around , but I didnt tell you that).. Scott the new PRGR (HS-130A) picks up my wedges with no problem. Since none of these devices are as accurate as a gc quad. Such as when the ground is muddy and wet and so is the ball??? The Smash Factor formula is simple. The Flightscope Mevo Plus performs well once again in 2021. Works great. It can also record your swing and display your swing with Shot Tracker. I might have missed it somewhere in the article, but did you use the metallic dots indoors for the Mevo and Mevo+? I realized I want additional functionality (shot tracer and related ball side spin also related more visual feedback on club gapping beyond data back to shot tracer). I use it indoors so I think its better than a radar-based system which needs to track the ball flight longer. What I like about ESB1 launch monitor I purchased is being able to tweak my driver (changing lofts and shafts, etc. Cant give exact timeline but will be during 2021 season. Rapsodo is once again the best personal launch monitor. It can also give you a rough idea of your gapping in your set. Most, if not all, launch monitors available today are powered by one of two technologies: radar or cameras. Regards, Makes me wonder if the subset of the smartphone market among golfers looks a lot different than the population at large. I have an Ernest sports ESB1 and its very inaccurate, often off by 10-20 yards and understated low irons and overstated woods making it pointless to use. I have the SC300, because of the all-in-one package but I use my radar on the course while Im playing. In 2020 we're starting to see a successful personal launch monitor take it's shape and for $500 you can reasonably expect some of these devices to give you information to help you in your game. The lack of data is partially offset by features like shot tracking, launch, and dispersion charts and the ability to film your swing. If Im reading a review of 4 door sedans I dont think the best way to say one has less horse power than the others is to say it has less horsepower than a Ferrari 488 Pista., Because we already know the obvious. Furthermore, once you hit a shot on grass you have to pick up the unit and move it for the ball to be picked up. today. I recently purchased the Ernest Sports ESB1 during a Labor Day sale (for $450), and im very pleased with it. Thats all I need. Great fot @stacksystem, too! It is a little problematic the fact that is dependent on the iOS device you have, it is not supported on all device. The Rapsodo has launch angle and is displayed on the features chart. An iPhone in direct sunlight that is being tasked to film/compute just doesnt hold up too well so not blaming the unit completely, but it is part of the design. While measuring the flight of the golf ball is the primary purpose for all of the units we tested, most offer some additional features. I think the real question is what the user wants to answer. Irons and wedges hit directly off the grass create dirt and grass particles from the divots that can make for inconsistent shot capture. However, there is one key metric that unit is missing for me personally. Models tested do a reasonably good job of measuring ball speed and launch angle for the most part. It seems an odd and illogical recommendation to make and undermines the credibility of the Most Wanted project. Any chance this will be updated to include the new Garmin R10? However, real spin measurements, come at a cost. Garmin. Q: Whats the difference between a personal launch monitor and an enterprise solution? SkyTrak is the only camera-based system included in this test. Please send me one of those god-awful custom head covers you have to cheer me up! The VC SC 200 tells me everything I need to know as an under 10 index amateur andIt cost less than 300$ new on Amazon ! Art. And on top of that, it was going against the Skytrak and Mevo+, which both cost FOUR times as much. Others add elements of gamification like long-drive contests and closest-to-the-pin challenges. I use my skytrak with my Samsung phone and tablet everyday. HmmRapsodo only works with iOSdeal breaker. When you buy through our links, we earn a commission on whatever you choose. The most accurate personal launch monitors are Rapsodo and the Mevo Plus. I move it forward, back, elevate it on a book. I would expect the radars to be less consistent if they were measuring shots with a GCquad a few inches away from the ball. Before you purchase a launch monitor, make sure you know where youre going to use it. MyGolfSpy, INC. All rights reserved. You can also upgrade your package to play well known golf courses around the world. While consistent readouts 60 yards and under is an area in need of improvement, you can still derive some short-game data from personal launch monitors. That is the one that I am looking into. We do measure spin but the accuracy level is just not good enough yet for us to show the data. Given that many of the best players in the world use these devices to drive both equipment and on-course decisions, its understandable that average golfers would be hungry to do the same. How can this be called the best when more than half the customers cant even access it? Quite frankly you will get a better shot shaping experience outdoor than indoors. Just wanted to give some insight on the IOS comments. If it had spin rate, It would be a done deal. Q: What data can I get from a personal golf launch monitor? Im going to give it a couple more tries, but may end up returning it. If you want to compete for long-drive or a skills challenge, you can do so with others around the world. My game is better with the G80 and learning my true yardages. Is it only carry distance? That was one of the major improvements over the older model (HS-120A) that was tested in this article. As a matter of fact, Ive been using it to improve my wedge distance control. Coming soon. Ernest Sports ESB1 Golf Launch Monitor Ernest Sports $550.00 FlightScope Face Impact Location Upgrade (Software Only) FlightScope $499.00 Sold out Ernest Sports ES14 Pro Golf Launch Monitor Ernest Sports $220.00 FlightScope FS Golf PC Software FlightScope $99.00 Voice Caddie VSE Indoor Golf Simulator Voice Caddie $12,000.00 Sold out You lose your history when you do that but sometimes it remembers your bag and the distances associated with the clubs. Its ball speed divided by head speed. Most hit those into a net, which means ball speed and launch angles are important in guessing/estimating carry distances. Exactly the same here. Ive owned or hit on several of these. I did test SkyTrak outside and after 45 minutes of trying to capture data I gave up. Ernest Sports ESB1 Golf Launch Monitor If you're in the market for a mobile portable launch monitor you can use out on the golf courses, check out the ESB1 portable launch monitor from Ernest Sports. With the exception of SkyTrak, all of the models we tested are radar-based. Agreed. today. If you go all out, youre upwards of $25k for a brand-new, fully featured unit. How about if its drizzling or foggy with that wetness all around? The Rapsodo was more than 90 percent accurate on all data sets with the exception of spin. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Before you purchase a launch monitor, make sure you know where youre going to use it. I ask because I've had a couple different radar PLMs and both made sure to remind me to remove any electronics in front of the launch monitor for the most accurate results. SkyTrak and Mevo Plus provide games, range sessions and courses to play, no matter the weather. If you really need better side spin / shot shape data indoors Id suggest the SkyTrak product that we make for SkyGolf. No love for Android, and who wants to take their PC to the range? As of March 2021 you can update your software to Version 3.30, or newer, using Garmin Express and be able to track training swings. Is it possible to do a screen mirror to a tv or use a lightning to HDMI cable to see results on a screen instead of just the phone/iPad on the ground? Hi Art, thanks for all the info. Thanks, Wayne. Enterprise radar launch monitors like TrackMan and FlightScope X3 feature larger Doppler radars which are capable of tracking a golf ball over its entire flight. While camera-based systems cant measure the full flight of the golf ball, they typically provide more accurate axis tilt and spin measurements and are far more reliable in limited-flight scenarios. For longer sessions, especially when using video features, battery drain can be an issue. I just dont have the space (indoors or out) needed for any of the doppler based units to get a reading. The best launch monitors for outdoor use are the SC300iand the Rapsodo for under $500. Ummm.. what about weather considerations? Hey, drop me a line at [emailprotected]. We want you to get the most out of your Garmin Approach R10 seems to be new to the market. Is this a newer version? #PowerToThePlayer. If I take the club back this way vs that way, or if I make a bigger chest turn or higher hands how does that affect my distance. This is the true value of personal launch monitors. in the $500 range you likely wont get any club data with most of the units. Perhaps a better thing to list is.not among the most accurate in out test group if thats the case Some units require more precise placement at setup. While measuring the flight of the golf ball is the primary purpose for all of the units we tested, most offer some additional features. We are here to help educate and empower golfers. Overall it is a unit for inside for consistent, reliable data. as well as honest reporting on the latest issues affecting the game As a result, it simplifies the task of practicing anywhere, anytime. As an engineer, I was wondering the same thing. However, I'd guess it's calculating this via an algorithm, rather than measuring it directly like you'd find on a more expensive device like the Bushnell Launch Pro. I fiddled with the alignment, it was level and 6-8 behind me. He also confirmed that recording swing videos drains the battery big time. The Mevo+ video feature also really assist you in possibly identifying swing flaws that may result in a poor flight. After heart surgery, I got a Skytrak so that I could get meaningful data while I tried to learn how to swing a golf club again. It will come up with some numbers every now and again that seem a bit off. The most useful function is evaluating swing tweaks. The graphics are clear and easy to read. If you use the dots the spin number accuracy increases dramatically. comes with an app that displays charts with shot-by-shot information. It doesnt work off grass but the mat is fine! My spin seemed high on my driver, but it was similar to trackman numbers. Admittedly the price is as well. The biggest con for Rapsodo is that certain models of iphones are required. A: If youre in the under-$2,000 price range, you can reasonably expect your launch monitor to give you ball speed, carry, launch angle and spin. I have commented before that the use of these entry devices is for comparison more than accurate data collection. This would be good information to include in future reviewswhat is actually measured vs. what is calculated based on measured quantities. The added benefit of being a launch monitor was a bonus. At every PGA TOUR event, you see a variety of launch monitors on the range. Why is the mevo+ less accurate than the mevo on 7i and Driver? The wedge matrix thing is awesome and Im much more confident that Ill hit a partial wedge shot to the distance I need. The only thing you need to ensure is that the lens is not in direct sunlight. Those leaning towards a more affordable launch monitor indoors need at least eight feet of flight distance before the ball hits the impact net. Even my 2016 ipad pro runs iOS 14. Mevo, Rapsodo, SkyTrak and Voice Caddie include a selection of games that extends the capabilities of the device beyond just capturing data. If youre looking to improve your understanding of the data associated with your game like ball speed, clubhead speed and carry, and not break the bank then there are models like the SC200 Plus, Rapsodo, and Mevo Plus that are reasonably accurate. No Guesswork. Ill be moving on. For those who are looking for a Personal Launch Monitor that can provide data to get dialed in, the SkyTrak is the one for you. money, time and performance. While youre going to get the most accurate information from enterprise solutions like Trackman and Foresight, personal launch monitors offer reasonably accurate measurements. Theyre not consistent enough and dont provide the necessary data. An upgrade from the Mevo, the Mevo Plus comes with more data metrics. How is Rapsodos operation in 100 degree sunny weather? Practice with the ball you play (or at least one that's similar) so the data you collect is consistent and meaningful. Also battery life is an issue- using it on the range for an hour and then trying to get a round with arccos wont happen, the battery on my phone will be dead before I finish.
