Launch Monitor / Sim Advice

[GMR]

Hi all,

I've been following golf sims for the past few years but haven't really had a chance to pull the trigger due to a lack of space for a setup. However, I recently moved and now have more than ample room for a garage setup.

Most of my usage from the new unit will still likely be in the context of a sim setup, and I had planned on getting a SkyTrak, but things are complicated (in a good way) by the fact that my new house now backs up to the fairway of my club. As such, I forsee using the launch monitor much more outdoors and off grass lies than I thought I probably would, and have heard that the SkyTrak does not really excel in that regard..

What are your suggestions for a unit that provides good accuracy indoors and a good sim experience (TGC and/or PP), while also providing good and meaningful data when used as a more traditional launch monitor setup outdoors? Will I need a radar unit if I want to hit off fairway and rough lies? Do any of the radar units have decent indoor accuracy and TGC/PP integration? Ability to read short chips and putts?

Thanks very much for the input!

[wbond]

GC2, has a big enough window for grass usage and works well with TGC. If you go radar, you will need more space indoors than a gc2.

[GMR]

Thanks. Have always wanted the GC2 but negatives to me are really just around cost (both hardware and software). I feel if I'm spending that much I might as well buy a flightscope and get better ball data outdoors as well as club data. My garage is actually quite big--how much space do you think you'd need for ballflight before the accuracy is close to that of the GC2?

[legendsfan]

If you want club data you should step up to getting a GCQuad or used Trackman 4. Both about the same price and both have similar readings. Trackman 1 -3 don't have reliable short game data in my opinion but the 4 is solid. I haven't had a shot missed with the GCQuad yet on a mat outdoors but I'm sure uneven lies it would struggle with. For me getting actuall ball spin and seeing where on face I hit the ball is worth the money for a Quad. The FSX for sim play is so so but for training it's very good. I've never used a Flightscope but I believe they will ship you one to try out.

The GCQuad will provide everything you are looking for but it's also the price of a Honda Civic.

[GMR]

Thanks for the replay. Think the GCQ and TM probably a bit above my budget. I don't really NEED club data, and never even planned to get a monitor with club data. But if I'm going to spring for the price of the GC2 I figure why not just get a flightscope xi+ or xi tour, which will give me more reliable ball data outside while also providing the added benefit of club data. That said, I know nothing about the software packages for those (which are available, cost, etc.), how short game and putting tracking is for them, or what I would realistically need in terms of indoor space to get results as reliable as a GC2. Also not sure if there are other options I should be considering...ES16 maybe?

[docsmilez]

I would suggest a GC2 for your needs. I'm selling a complete sim setup if you are Interested check out the classifieds I have my listing there

[LEO MODE]

Thanks. Have always wanted the GC2 but negatives to me are really just around cost (both hardware and software). I feel if I'm spending that much I might as well buy a flightscope and get better ball data outdoors as well as club data. My garage is actually quite big--how much space do you think you'd need for ballflight before the accuracy is close to that of the GC2?

I think it really boils down to your budget situation. How much do you want to afford? Do you want reliable/trustworthy data? Do you want consistency of the company's customer support? Do you not want subscription fees? After answering this I think I'll be able to help you out.

The main difference between radar and camera launch monitors are the use of space. Since you don't care about club data and thinking of using it outside, I would recommend a Flightscope which can also play some external sims (I think e6). On the camera side, ES16 could be a good choice (having both camera and radar). Both are obtainable with around $5-6k.

I'm an owner of Trackman 4 by the way. So no bias there.

[GMR]

Thanks for the responses. Sounds like I need to do a little more research on the FlightScope to see if maybe that would fit my needs. Would probably opt for the Xi+ as I don't really see the additional data of the Tour as worth it given the big spread in price. If anyone has any thoughts on that unit (predominantly accuracy indoors, sim integration, etc.) or anything else I should really be considering please let me know, but in any event really appreciate the feedback!

[ProTee United]

Please be aware that Flightscope has no TGC integration...

[GMR]

Thanks. Is there any radar unit that does?

[LEO MODE]

Please be aware that Flightscope has no TGC integration...

Thanks for clearing that up ProTee.

[LEO MODE]

Thanks for the responses. Sounds like I need to do a little more research on the FlightScope to see if maybe that would fit my needs. Would probably opt for the Xi+ as I don't really see the additional data of the Tour as worth it given the big spread in price. If anyone has any thoughts on that unit (predominantly accuracy indoors, sim integration, etc.) or anything else I should really be considering please let me know, but in any event really appreciate the feedback!

While I haven't used it, from what I saw online it looks like Flightscope data is pretty reliable as the company has been around the longest and is used in club shops (which signals that it's usable).

For me the software is also important. Flightscope seems like it's geared a little more towards the consumer compared to Trackman which is good if you're a consumer.

Lastly, if you want chipping/putting data, you would definitely need to buy the latest X3. But it's in the same GC/Trackman ball park. I mean, that was why I just bit the bullet and got Trackman 4 since it is just a jack of all trades.

Finally, just FYI, for radar system the outdoor mode is only for balls going farther than 30yds (at least with Trackman), which means that even if you hit it on your backyard if you don't have 30+yds backyard you would still have to use it as an indoor mode. On the flip side, if you have more than 30+yds, then you have to use it in outdoor mode.

Hope you make a wise choice.