Seeking TM4 Opinions

[mcgirkke]

Long time reader/lurker on these forums, and have tried to pretty much digest any content on TM4 and VG2 (probably watched every trackman new course vid and stream going back a year), and for the most part it was just window shopping on my part (I have a DIY setup with a mevo+ currently and it works pretty well - putting is ok but not fantastic for me), but I feel like since I have for sure proven to myself that I will use the sim a lot, I feel the itch to step up a bit for the LM, even though lurking in my mind is that Mevo+ has continued to make good progress firmware-wise.

Obviously comparing cost between Mevo+ and TM4 is nonsensical - reminds me of a saying a professor in college had: “what’s one decimal place between friends?” - so my question is more of a question between EyeXO, GC2/3, GCQuad, and then TM4.

I have read the comments regarding EyeXO being a great alternative at half the cost of TM4, and even GCQuad if you don’t get any add-ons will come in well under a TM4, but my question is this: at what cost does TM4/VG2 start to really tip the scales to be the winner in your mind above those “next step up from Mevo+” LM options? 10k? 15k? Full price?

For my setup, I greatly prefer not having a camera based unit right in the hitting area due to “kids fear”, but the thought of taking a LM to the range also is appealing, hence my TM4 thoughts. Also, while I do love TGC2019, the course renditions on VG2 look very very good.

Is this another example of someone appealing to strangers to try to help him muster the courage to jump off an expensive cliff? Probably, but I am curious to get thoughts on the value prop of some of these LMs with dollar amounts considered.

Appreciate all the great thoughts folks put on this forum, it really is an invaluable resource.

[preludesam]

I dream of taking a TM4 to the range. If you have the money and this is your hobby, go for it. I think the RCT ball really changed TM4. You know it’s a ton of money but again if it’s something you’re going to use and enjoy regularly why not? There are a couple used ones on the forum for sale so maybe get one and save a little. Remember Trackman will want you to spend a couple grand to bring it up to date software/firmware wise but you can still save a couple grand off a brand new unit. I think it’s nice you can get coverage on a used unit with a subscription. Or just use it as is and pay when you want the latest features.

[Dax]

TM will charge for firmware license if you want to bring that up to date on a used unit. Software license will be on a go forward basis with no retroactive charge. There is however a transfer fee when buying a used unit.

[mcgirkke]

So transfer is $1k, VG2 is $1k per year or 3 years for $2k, and then firmware license is another $1k?

[DS12]

Not to dissuade you from the TM4, but if I was considering all those options for high end launch monitors, I would have a permanent set up with the EyeXO at your house and keep the Mevo+ for the range. EyeXO is open to almost all simulator software, so you'd get to keep TGC, and you'd have the Mevo+ for the range, and outdoor it really shines. Even with the RCT ball, I still would opt for camera based launch monitors in almost any indoor setting.

[preludesam]

That’s exactly what I have but no one is sure if the Mevo+ is going to be within margin of the other radar based LMs when the Pro Package comes out. I trust Flightscope but still, there are some weak spots in the Mevo+. Battery life, impact to ground tracking, extra data like impact location and putting data just to name a few. I guess it would depend on the where are you going to use the LM most. If you live in a year round golf location and have a club membership with free range balls TM4 might be a better choice? If you’re mostly indoors I agree with with a camera based LM. I just think the decision is not as easy as it was before with the RCT ball out now. One thing is for sure…he’s in the price range where none of these are terrible decisions.

[mcgirkke]

The other aspect of the argument is VG2. Being cut off from user created courses limits things for sure, but from what I see on the videos hard to argue with the quality of the course renditions, and I am a big links fan so Royal County down and the others they have are intriguing for sure.

May have to visit a TM4 sim place to maybe give VG2 a play so I get a feel for the pros/cons on the software side.

[DS12]

preludesam I agree with your comments, but he could also go with a Flightscope X3 which is arguably the same as Trackman and about $5k-$10k cheaper if I saw the correct pricing. Flightscope might even give you a small discount coming from a Mevo+...and he could still get the EyeXO for indoors and be around the same price as TM4

[Wormburner]

Why not looking at X3 unit from flightscope. The software is not as good as Trackman but Flightscope is working on some updates to their software. The X3 unit itself reads as accurate if not more accurate than trackman according to different test I have seen online. It cost half the Trackman, and also integrates well with most 3rd party software. No annual fees. Just sayin look into it as well. remember the trackman and X3 are on floor too with kids, my kids hit or bump my X3 unit more than my quad. Quad is the winner if you are primarily indoors. If you your outdoor more than indoor then the radar units are winner. If your time is split inside and outside then flip the coin!

[iacas]

I second this take. We've tested the TM and the FlightScope and the FS has always performed better when matched against a high-speed Phantom camera.

[preludesam]

Awesome thanks for the info. Makes me feel better about coming Pro Package. I have really come to respect Flightscope, they offer a ton for their users at a fair price.

[Wormburner]

Remember the x3 is flightscopes top tier unit. I run this unit and do not have near the trouble that I see out of the Mevo+. It is a full ball tracking unit outside and the Mevo+ is a limited ball tracker and also the X3 auto levels which is a extremely convenient feature. It will be interesting how the upgrade is on the Mevo+.

[BHartman]

I don't have experience w flightscope, but LOVE everything about my TM 4 inside and outside. Amazing..