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I currently own a Uneekor QED and I thoroughly enjoy it and find that it is the perfect unit for sim golf. However, I would like to have something that provides a little bit more club data for fitting (hobby) and swing training, I would also prefer to have something that I can take out on the range with me (so I am ruling out upgrading to the eye XO for this reason). I plan on keeping my QED, so I am just looking for something that can give me club data while indoors, but both ball and club data outdoors. I have searched Trackman’s website and other than the 4 being dual radar and the 3e being single radar, I cannot figure out what the differences are between the two units. If the 3e would fit my needs I would rather save the money, but I want to make sure that it provides the data that I am looking for. Can anyone point out the specific differences in parameters and function between the two units? Thanks
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Prior to getting my TM4, I owned an indoor 3e for a few years and really enjoyed both the unit and the software. Both are very solidly built. If you go to their website, under products and then under 3e there is a chart at the bottom of the page that lists the main physical differences between the units. A few things I would note are
1. The 3e does not do as good of job at providing an accurate representation of the indoor gear effect. This is mainly related to miss hits from your driver and I believe on a toe strike if I remember what TM represented a number of years ago in a write up they did that you can likely still find under their blog section. I tested the two side by side indoors and on irons etc they were very comparable in terms of what they were outputting (spin differences were less than 100rpm of difference on my 7 iron and were usually within 50 of each other).
2. indoor, the 3e does require more space. At least two feet, but I would likely say it should be 4 feet (especially if you have high driver swing speeds). I also don’t know if the highly anticipated indoor firmware update will also work for the 3e. This one will be huge as it will reduce the footprint required for a TM4 rather significantly. Apparently, TM states that they can get an accurate spin measurement after seeing only one revolution of the ball (versus two before). I am really looking forward to this firmware update even though I have more than enough space. I think they can also get the radar 6 feet behind the ball versus the current 7 for a TM4.
3. TM4 has putting and OERT (this is where they can get accurate gear effect computations).
4. My TM3e did have difficulty providing club data for my wedges. Even my 4 still misses a few, but it is much much rarer. I did find a way to dramatically increase my chances of success for getting club data on wedges with my TM3e by changing where I put the ball and how my TM3e was orientated, but the 4 defiantly does a way better job in this area.
5. Both are fantastic units and the 3e is still very good (TM still sells them and still supports the unit). TM has very tight tolerances and the 3e still operates within the tolerances that TM strives to achieve. Outdoors, I actually think you will see little difference between the two other than the additional features that the 4 can now do (impact location, putting etc).
6. TM notes that they still have some additional announcements that they will be making this year for the TM4. Not sure what these might be, but they seem pretty exited about them.
7. the camera in the TM4 is much better than the camera in the 3e. However, the software does allow for additional cameras to be used (iPhones and iPads) and thus, this shortfall can easily be overcome. I would say the syncing of cameras with there software is one of the best features as you can have multiple cameras working at one time and the video integrates very well with TPS.
If it were me, I would call a rep and have them send you a demo version of each to try out. This way, you can compare what they output as compared with your Uneekor. If the 3e is giving you what you are looking for, then for the price difference there is likely no need to spend more unless the additional features of the 4 are something you want (this would include their great sim software, but you already have that).
if price matters, then I would also look into their certified pre owned units. TM2’s are still out there being used and working and this goes a long way in showing just how long these things will last.
let me know if you have other questions and I can do my best to help.-
bbjr I think it may be a 4 as the 3e cannot provide impact location. Apology as I cannot recall if TM3e could measure lie angle. This is something that a TM rep should be able to answer for you.
I would just add to make sure you have at least 10 feet of ball flight for the 3e. The reason for saying this is that you will not get any data if the unit is not able to capture the shot.
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Alternatively, Flightscope X3 could serve as a middle ground between TM3e and TM4. It's around 15K and no annual fees, and has most of the features of TM4. I know it can do putting and chipping, as well as club data, I'm just not sure if it gets lie angle. I don't think it does impact location, but I honestly don't even trust TM4 for that because it can't see the clubface. It only requires 8 feet of space radar to ball and 8 feet of flight. Outdoors, it works just as well as TM4. If you're looking at Trackman products, I would also consider X3.Comment
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With the amount you'd be spending considering getting a Trackman, I'd get a GCQuad with club data, then distance isn't an issue, plus unless you have righty/lefty players regularly, you can use that for an indoor sim too and sell the QEDComment
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If I need to step up to the TM4, I would also take the Quad into consideration, but I would keep my QED for sim use. I have absolutely no complaints with it in regards to sim use, and I really like the overhead mount. That being said, I may wait another year or two, and see if anyone puts out another product at a better price point. I’ve seen the 3e used under $10k pretty often, and if it was able to do what I needed, I would probably purchase one at that price. At $16-20k I will probably keep using impact tape or foot spray for impact location, and ball launch direction/flight for dynamic lie angle.
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Fabulous write up by Dax. I’d just like to add that the TM4 for outdoor use is better on slower ball speeds chipping and pitching etc...
Also the TM3 isn’t powerful enough to use as a simulator. (So I’ve been told by the rep)Comment
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If you can wait a year, then there more than likely will be a TM5 added, which would then bring down the pricing in the TM4 and the TM3’s. Also, the TM3’s that go for under $10k are usually indoor only units I believe that would require a payment to TM to unlock the outdoor features. This would likely get you to about $10k.Comment
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That’s is the only thing that has me a little nervous about getting a TM4 right now. It seems that they are due to release some new hardware just based on when TM 4 came out. Not sure what they would add from a hardware perspective though. The longer range radar doesn’t really need to be tweaked. The camera is more than acceptable to capture what it needs to. Maybe more sensitivity on the short range radar to further improve putting, chipping, and club head delivery in general?
Anybody know how TM handled trade-ins when someone bought a 3e < 12 months before the 4 came out. Maybe I would feel better if I know how they handled that.
Thx! -
From the TM comments from late last year it seemed like nothing was expected soon as they were still happy with the tech and what they were getting from the TM4. I think next PGA show might be when they may release something, but who knows.
On my TM3e that I owned for about a year prior to TM4 release, I believe they offered me about $6k difference to do an upgrade to a TM4 indoor.
Another thing will be pricing. In the last month or so, the price of a TM4 indoor has increased by $1k. Lots of people are buying them at the moment which is great!
I think you should try one out on demo.
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Hey everyone, I just wanted to clarify the questions about demo units. We don’t send out demo units for prospective owners to test. However, we have incredible coverage on a global level by a dedicated sales team, and your local representative will always be happy to come to your home and conduct a demo with our units, or meet with you at a nearby facility that uses TrackMan. We are very easy to get a hold of and we can schedule a demo with you very quickly. And there’s no concern of “pressure sales” tactics. We don’t operate that way. Also please note, everyone you work with at TrackMan will be a TM employee. We don’t have distributors or 3rd party vendors. Great dialogue here, and good info from Dax. If I can do anything to help you move this further along just let me know and happy to help.Comment
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The TM4 is probably day in day out the best unit even better than Quad, but that comes at a price, not only the unit, it is the yearly subscription fees you have to consider, they are $2400 CAD a year, hardware and software. You really have to know what you want from the unit. There is no perfect unit out there, but Quad and TM4 are definitely the closest at the moment.Comment
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