Most important metrics for launch monitors are ball speed and carry. Club head speed is almost a useless measurement and never accurate or consistent across different devices even comparing Trackman and GCQuad. That being said, the Garmin G80 looks like it is the most accurate for carry and ball speed both indoors and outdoors, it is handheld, easy to use, comparable price to other devices, and functions as a GPS on top of that. Makes no sense how it was not chosen as the best personal launch monitor out of these devices. its not even included in the top 3 which is ridiculous. I’ve noticed a lot of the highest ranked products in a lot of the tests are not actually the best and almost chosen randomly. G80 hands down is better than the Rapsodo.

Any chance this will be updated to include the new Garmin R10?

Garmin Approach R10 seems to be new to the market.
I have not seen much out there for reviews.

Is there any way to add some testing of this new launch monitor/ simulator to the article?

I have the Mevo, and it works great, for what it is. I realized I want additional functionality (shot tracer and related… ball side spin… also related… more visual feedback on club gapping beyond data – back to shot tracer). So I’m trying to decide between the Mevo+ and the Skytrak. Based on the results of the testing, the Skytrak appeared to be clearly the most accurate across all categories compared to the GCQ – though the findings/ranking doesn’t support that. I understand there were knocks against Skytrak for having difficulty in direct sunlight – but other than that… what makes Mevo+ rank higher? Not questioning the algorithm, just trying to fully understand so I can make an informed purchase in the $2K range. Thanks.

Harry, looking at the outdoor graph alone the regular Mevois close to 100% in nearly all metrics yet you recommended the Rapsodo and 300i

What am I missing?

I was hoping to get more thoughts on why the MEVO plus did worse in most categories than the smaller MEVO.
I would think the larger unit would have a larger radar system and work better from an accuracy standpoint.
How does the mevo plus compare to the skytrack in the outdoor setting?

I am looking for a simple PLM for a indoor simulator set up, but would like to take to the range as well.

I said it last year and will continue to say it until it gets addressed but a HUGE con for Rapsodo continues to be the lack of an Android option. Not sure how you can consider this to be “best” when a huge segment of the market literally can’t use it and don’t even mention this glaring issue that is still lingering a year later in their product offering. It’d be like an OEM offering a brand new driver…..but only for lefties.

How can skytrack be 5th for accuracy? It looks to be the most accurate to me?

Ummm….. what about weather considerations? You didn’t test for weather.
How is Rapsodo’s operation in 100 degree sunny weather? I think the phone would have overheat problems, the screen will be hard to see as it overheats. So can it work with in umbrella giving a shade over the machine?
What about cloudy weather? How about if it’s drizzling or foggy with that wetness all around? Such as when the ground is muddy and wet and so is the ball???
Cold weather? How does it do at extremely cold temps close to freezing?
Please re-test…… this review is bogus, otherwise.

Well done as always. I got a Mevo+ during lockdown and it does a pretty solid job in the back yard net setup. It’s pretty much the only option in the <= $2k range if you want simulator capabilities outdoors. I do think it has come a long way in the short time I've had it. The last few firmware updates fixed a lot of the issues with short game stuff..

I'm wondering how you guys compared data for accuracy. Did you have the GCquad reading the same shots as the radar models, or did you compare the data between different shots? I ask because I've had a couple different radar PLMs and both made sure to remind me to remove any electronics in front of the launch monitor for the most accurate results. I would expect the radars to be less consistent if they were measuring shots with a GCquad a few inches away from the ball.

Only one device scored over 90% accuracy in all five categories. SkyTrak.
Add in interoperability with The Golf Club 2019 and you can’t beat it.
I don’t have the room for a Rhapsodo due to feet required beyond the hitting area for the Dopler technology, but the SkyTrak only needs a few feet beyond the hitting area. Granted, the SkyTrak is more expensive, but you get what you pay for. For a home simulator, it’s not even a close competition – for getting stats on the range, I can see the appeal of Rhapsodo. But since SkyTrak accuracy is so high, I don’t have to go to the range, I can hit balls indoors at home.

I’m dissapointed with the results- sad face. (Not your testing.)

I really wanted the SC300i to be best, because it is simple and functional in a contained unit.
I live in Florida, and trying to use the rapsodo on the range doesn’t work- my phone will overheat and turn off with too much direct sunlight. Also battery life is an issue- using it on the range for an hour and then trying to get a round with arccos won’t happen, the battery on my phone will be dead before I finish.
Because of this I was hoping I could buy an sc300i but I’m dissapointed that it came out worse than the rapsodo, so now I’m less convinced.

Many sad faces. Please send me one of those god-awful custom head covers you have to cheer me up!

Hmm…Rapsodo only works with iOS…deal breaker. They’ve had that device out for, what, 2 or 3 years and they STILL haven’t added Android support?

Many moons ago I got a Voice Caddie and used it very infrequently. When I was trying to teach my kid to swing a club, I got a PRGR so that we could get swing speed numbers without hitting a ball. Again, it was used infrequently. After heart surgery, I got a Skytrak so that I could get meaningful data while I tried to learn how to swing a golf club again. The cost of the Skytrak was almost unjustifiable. However, in retrospect it was one of the best golf related purchases I’ve ever made. The app can be flakey at times and I’ve had to re-install it several times. You lose your history when you do that but sometimes it remembers your bag and the distances associated with the clubs. I use the Skytrak every day. Even if I spent the day playing a round of golf, in the evening I’ll still go back into the garage and work on stuff I had problems with on the course. The wedge matrix thing is awesome and I’m much more confident that I’ll hit a partial wedge shot to the distance I need. I know the carry, total distance and accuracy I can get from full, go-for-broke swings with all my clubs and the distances/accuracy I get from the 90% swing. The accuracy (expected dispersion) is something that the Voice Caddie and PRGR can’t provide.

Should have mentioned that Rapsodo requires an iPhone or iPad – and that Android users need not apply.

Mevo+ works with iPhone, iPad and Android, but the free courses included with Mevo+ only work with iPad,

SkyTrak works with iPad and PC, but not Android. No love for Android, and who wants to take their PC to the range? OTOH, I do have a corporate MS Surface Go 2 that would probably work.

can you guys include Yetiperu into the test too？ I jears it uses a similar radar to the sc200 but cost less than 150

Looking at the features chart, the Flightscopes and Skytrak should be tied for first in features. Why is Rapsodo tied for first? It doesn’t measure spin.

I’ve got the Skytrak with the Game Improvement package and it is outstanding. I use it indoors so I think it’s better than a radar-based system which needs to track the ball flight longer. For me it’s a perfect solution. My local driving range is closing at the end of the year and I’ll have nowhere nearby where I can practice. This will pay for itself in a couple of seasons.

I have to disagree on the Rapsodo. I bought one this winter purely for indoor use with an excellent mat and a 10×10 white hitting screen designed for golf from Dave’s. I tried for a month to get a reading indoors, following all the suggestions from the troubleshooting team. I think it could not pick up the white ball against the white screen. I ended up sending it back for a complete refund.

…I’m just here for the “Rapsodo doesn’t work with Android” comments 🙂

Which is the best one for use at the driving range?

I don’t feel like you can say the Rapsodo device is the best when it limits who has the ability to actually use it. Since it’s IOS only and you have to have an iPhone, only users that have one can essentially buy it. This limits a huge audience (Android users) and none of the other monitors have this limitation. They’ve been promising Android support for years but it hasn’t arrived. Until it’s open to everyone, I don’t feel it should be included.

Raspsodo working only with iOS might be an issue for many. I’m definitely surprised this is not listed as a con.

The just released PRGR has better doppler radar and thus improved accuracy on ball (and club head) speed. Which means each manufacture will be improving what can be measured in a short distance (ball speed, spin and launch angle)

Most monitors guess at carry distance based on the measured items above. Other do try and factor in other items that impact carry distance like humidity, air pressure, temperature. I don’t know if any take into account wind or ball type.

I think the real question is what the user wants to answer. I assume most are not hitting game balls at the range. Most hit those into a net, which means ball speed and launch angles are important in guessing/estimating carry distances. Which of course ignores the other factors listed above.

The VC SC 200 tells me everything I need to know as an under 10 index amateur and…It cost less than 300$ new on Amazon !

I have tried both the ESB1 and PRGR and I’m happy with both. When demoing the ESB1, the app was a bit buggy but I did like that I could get launch and spin numbers AND it kept a record of all my shots + metrics per club that I could then download in a spreadsheet and drill down further into each shot. However, I began to notice that launch angle was the same on a majority of shots (I’m not that consistent). The ESB1 is great if you like to tinker with your bag setup. Any club, shaft, or loft changes you can leverage the ESB1 to help you understand the impact to better optimize and gap your setup. The PRGR is great for gapping your clubs as well and it is easy to carry along and use anytime. Helps me work on my distance consistency (not for wedges). The PRGR does NOT pick up wedges very well, if at all. Decent with a 9 iron but 8 iron and longer clubs works just fine.

Bought the PRGR Black for <2$00 as the newest model is selling for approximately $230.. Bigger screen and more accurate. Unfortunately doesn't have lainch angle but has all that you need to work indoors/ outdoors with or without a ball. Great fot @stacksystem, too!

Wanted to get the rapsodo on the prime day deal this year, but their site says they still don’t support Android.

I find this interesting. Couple of points. Why would all the Voice Caddie instruments be so different in their accuracy? Are they using completely different algorithms and hardware? I have to imagine the 300 and 300i are almost identical in their data collection. I have owned and used the VC100, Vc200, Sc300, ES14, And PGBR. My wife destroyed the es100 with a toed driver. LOL I never liked the Sc300 so I sold it. Didn’t seem accurate. The VC200 was fine and the ES14 was good. PGBR was excellent. Also, I own the Raposdo which is excellent as well. I believe the PGBR is the only one that can measure swing speed without hitting a ball. So it is useful for swing speed training as well as launch monitor functions. I have commented before that the use of these entry devices is for comparison more than accurate data collection. They are all fairly good but the best use is for say comparing your Mizuno 8 iron to maybe Callaway 8 iron or similar head to head. It can also give you a rough idea of your gapping in your set. The most useful function is evaluating swing tweaks. “If I take the club back this way vs that way, or if I make a bigger chest turn or higher hands how does that affect my distance.” This is the true value of personal launch monitors. If you are looking for accurate spin data and dispersion and carry distance to the yard, these aren’t going to meet your needs.

Question, why is the Mevo+ the only launch monitor to get the con, ‘Not as accurate as a GC Quad’, none of these launch monitors is as accurate as a $20000 device. I think it’s being really picky. For $2000 I think Mevo+ at the moment is the closet we’ll get to the high priced model

Until the prices come down to below $500, count me out. I can’t see any reason that a shot tracker should cost much more than a decent cell phone.