GC2 vs Bushnell Launch Pro

[Joe_T]

I've been tracking used sales of the GC2 and BLP on ebay for the last 2 months and think I must be missing something. Basically, the GC2's and the BLPs are going for the same price and sometimes the GC2's with software go for more than a new BLP with a year of basic. There seem to be lots of scam sales so it is kind of hard to figure out what real prices are (even on FB and here prices seem in the same ballpark).

The GC2's seem inferior to me with a smaller hitting area, are older and require replacement of parts like the flash, battery or screens due to age. Also kind of crazy is foresight has a CPO bundle with the GC2 (super flash), computer, FSX202 in the purchases name (10 courses) and warranty for $4k which I would think would decrease the second hand pricing for GC2s.

The BLP's require a subscription but the basic is $250 and many of the units are less than a year old so still have a subscription for a bit of time.

Is the demand for the GC2 because people want to match it up with an HMT unit? Is it because they are old but reliable? I wasn't looking at this 2-3 years ago but see the price has dropped a lot in that time so maybe people are anchored to the old price?

Any insight on what I'm missing with the GC2 second hand market?

[Instron4204]

You seemed to have hit all the main points. The GC2 with an HMT is extremely cheap now compared to a few years ago. The GC2's are very reliable and easy to connect to many devices using Bluetooth. I believe the lower prices seen on the GC2's is from people upgrading to the BLP/GC3. As far I know, the BLP is still only available to the US market which means users in other countries need to go with a GC3, but now Foresight is offering ball only GC3's at a very attractive price. Great time to get into the golf simulator market.

[wjf67]

I transitioned from the GC2 to the UK GC3 ball only. I never had the BLP, but the move was a stepping stone as it was always my intention to add the one-dot club data when I could afford it. At the same time, I was getting some lessons, using Trackman, and the focus was on club path & AoA. which encouraged me to empty my pockets to add the club data. That has been extremely helpful.

I would love face angle and impact location. That’s out of my reach but when I hit a shot, if my path, AoA & efficiency are correct, the visual ball flight enables me to fill in the blank and work out what my face angle was doing.

I hope this helps.

[Joe_T]

I believe the lower prices seen on the GC2's is from people upgrading to the BLP/GC3.

The thing is the prices for second hand GC2's are basically the same as, or more than the Bushnell Launch Pro. So if someone is upgrading to the BLP it's possible they make money and at worst are out of pocket a small amount.

I'm saying I would have thought the GC2s would be in the $1800-2500 range as opposed to the $2500-$3500 that the BLPs are in and don't really get why people are buying the second hand GC2's instead of BLPs. The second hand GC2s are also going to have software costs which is essentially what the BLP subscription is right?

[Godfather]

The GC2 hitting zone specs never seemed to be published or is just hard to find now. Having owned a GC2 and BLP, the hitting zone was basically the same. Both needed very carefully placed to be able to hit from my normal spot and still be able to use my tee location.

GC2 has the following going for it over a BLP with basic subscription:
1) no annual fee!
2) older software like FR1 and CG3D work with it
3) FR1 range is still my favorite range and you don’t get a 3D range with the BLP basic subscription so if you have TGC, your range and analysis options suck.
4) HMT as a possible upgrade for full club data using 4 dots or even 1-dot club data
5) no fear of subscription changes or future lock-outs from some software
6) iPad connection app options were better (again older software that just works)

BLP advantages over GC2 (many things you said):
1) newer tech has slightly less shot delay
2) alignment stick is great
3) more portable
4) includes 1-dot club data functionality
5) no flash to worry about

Which is better for you? It depends. To me the lack of a good range and data analysis with the basic subscription was a deal breaker.

[Godfather]

bubbtubbs fixed 😂

[stubious]

Can you elaborate on the range/data analysis problems with BLP? Is the issue that FSX Pro is no good? Or something else?

[Godfather]

stubious You don’t get the 3D range with the Basic Subscription. You can basically see the numbers and the shape afterwards, but no flight. Even having a quad now, the old FR1 range and data in one nice table is still superior to FSX Pro and FSX 2020 range.

[Ronsc1985]

Another benefit of a GC2 is if you have a blue dongle there are about 90 + FR1 courses available essentially for free as several people on this board, me included, will give you access to the data required.

Recently there was a poster who had a great deal of trouble with a GC3 battery since it is not by design easily replaceable. I'm sure it can be done by anyone with minimal mechanica/l.electrical skills but it is not as easy as taking out a few screws, disconnecting a three pin connector and taking the battery pack to some place like batteries plus for a $40 or less rebuild. If your chose is to send it back to Foresight then the cost of shipping both ways with insurance, and the battery and labor cost will swamp out the $150 or so cost of a really good flash unit from Andy.

[Bob Ferguson]

I've noticed that pricing for the gc2 has been coming down lately. Ask prices of over 3 k+, sell pricing 2 -2.5 k. I've been following the for sale section and and have missed out due to hoping for "fire sale" pricing!

[Joe_T]

I've also been waiting for a really good deal, because I'm planning on the Uneekor Eye Mini when it comes out, so hopefully would just be using the GC2 or BLP for a short time.

[michaelk]

I noticed Bushnell has dropped their silver membership from the website. Options are now basic, gold, and unlocked.

I wonder why - perhaps a new plan will appear with partner integration?

https://www.bushnellgolf.com/products/launch-monitors/launch-pro

[Sh00ter_McGavin]

I purchased the GC3. I love the unit, however, if I had it to do over, I would have purchased the BLP, gone with the basic subscription and connected to the software that we are not allowed to mention on this site. FSXPlay is so full of bugs that I hardly use it. Ever since I dropped the $250 for a yearly subscription to the other unnamed software, I have got over 100 extra courses with better more realistic graphics than FSXPlay. Now, I do think the software I cannot mention is comparable to FSX2020. However, it then comes down to the amount of courses I get for free vs having to pay for each one individually through Foresight. I realize this comment may rub people the wrong way, I am just trying to relay my experience as a new Golf simulator user.