First post need advice flight scope to gc2.

[McmanusK]

Good day all,

I have read many posts on this forum and yet I still struggle to make a decision, on which unit to purchase for our sim build. Below are some details on our build, I would appreciate any information or experiences you have.

Main functionality will be to develop my son's golf game. He is 13 and has been getting lessons for 2 years now and is making great progress. I would like to use the unit outdoors with him, so portability is important.

Units I am considering
flightscope XI tour or GC2 (no HMT at least initially)

Room size 12 x 24
Fiberbuilt mat
10' hitting mat to net
10-12' from mat to flightscope spot.


Flightscope

Pros:
Cost
Club head data
Son is used to the data output, as he works on one during lessons.
Outdoor accuracy

Cons:
Indoor accuracy (is this true?)
No chipping or putting (What is the shortest shot that registers consistently.
Dots required indoors on balls

GC2 (no HMT)

Pros:
Chipping and putting
Indoor Accuracy

Cons:
No club data without HMT
Cost ( would likely add HMT down the road)
possible to get hit with errant shot.
FSX is very expensive.


Thank yo

[LEO MODE]

You're pretty much nailed the pros and cons. I think you did a great job already!

It looks like your budget is somewhere around $5000. Used one with Xi Tour goes for about $5000, and $3500 for GC2.

If you are going to mainly use it outdoor, I would recommend you going with Xi Tour. The main reason is GC2 is hard to use outdoor but Xi Tour has no issues using indoor. You didn't mention there but GC2 also has a low spin carry boost and a draw bias. Xi Tour also gives you club data which is extremely valuable for learning.

The only cons you have to suck up with Xi Tour are mainly 1) Spin Axis indoor and 2) putting. You should be fine with chipping as long as it's more than 3-4yds.
1) is not always either as it's with the driver mostly but it is unpredictable. I also did notice Flightscopes yield 2-3mph higher ball speed and slightly lower launch angle indoors but again that's not something to be seriously considering for.

Xi Tour, in my opinion, is a great value for people who want all important ball/club metrics that want to use it outdoor.

My other idea is actually 2 combo: GC2+Xi+ for indoor (GC2 for ball data, Xi+ for club data) and Xi+ for outdoor. Their combined used prices should go around $6000-7000. You lose a few club data such as Club Path/Face Angle but you can kind of predict that with your feel and where the ball is spinning to.

Good luck with your decision either way.

[mthunt]

You're pretty much nailed the pros and cons. I think you did a great job already!

It looks like your budget is somewhere around $5000. Used one with Xi Tour goes for about $5000, and $3500 for GC2.

If you are going to mainly use it outdoor, I would recommend you going with Xi Tour. The main reason is GC2 is hard to use outdoor but Xi Tour has no issues using indoor. You didn't mention there but GC2 also has a low spin carry boost and a draw bias. Xi Tour also gives you club data which is extremely valuable for learning.

The only cons you have to suck up with Xi Tour are mainly 1) Spin Axis indoor and 2) putting. You should be fine with chipping as long as it's more than 3-4yds.
1) is not always either as it's with the driver mostly but it is unpredictable. I also did notice Flightscopes yield 2-3mph higher ball speed and slightly lower launch angle indoors but again that's not something to be seriously considering for.

Xi Tour, in my opinion, is a great value for people who want all important ball/club metrics that want to use it outdoor.

My other idea is actually 2 combo: GC2+Xi+ for indoor (GC2 for ball data, Xi+ for club data) and Xi+ for outdoor. Their combined used prices should go around $6000-7000. You lose a few club data such as Club Path/Face Angle but you can kind of predict that with your feel and where the ball is spinning to.

Good luck with your decision either way.

Xi and GC2 is a solid combo. I was going to do that and was convinced the HMT was better. I hate the stickers.

[McmanusK]

Leo,
Thanks for your input, I have been leaning towards the XI tour. But my concerns started mounting when reading what people us at home, as GC2 seems to be preferred.

2 last questions for everyone
1. how is the sim software for Xi tour (only e6 works correct?)
2. What makes GC2 difficult outdoors? I imagine 40% of our time will be on range practice.

thanks

[mthunt]

Leo,
Thanks for your input, I have been leaning towards the XI tour. But my concerns started mounting when reading what people us at home, as GC2 seems to be preferred.

2 last questions for everyone
1. how is the sim software for Xi tour (only e6 works correct?)
2. What makes GC2 difficult outdoors? I imagine 40% of our time will be on range practice.

thanks

I use my GC2 outside. It works fine. However, without club data it's not real helpful. Except for backspin, it just tells you what the ball does which you can see outside when you hit the ball. With the HMT you get all the club data outside but the stickers get mucked up with dirt then don't work. Radar is Superior outside but I wouldn't say the GC2 is difficult.

[Jay28]

I'd say it depends on the range in terms of how useful GC2 on it's own is... the range I use is into the sun for much of the day when I can practice and the ground is quite undulating. It can sometimes be a little difficult to see exactly how for the ball carried if it doesn't land close to a marker. Before I got the GC2 (which I haven't used yet) and before this lockdown I was using a cheaper launch monitor at the range (Swing Caddie SC300) and it was really useful for me at least at the range. Plus you get the benefit of the shots being recorded for more detailed analysis.

I assume the issue with mud on the dots you mention is only on grass ranges? Off a mat ok?

[mthunt]

Mats are fine. They do nothing to the HMT. Stickers are only for the HMT we well.