If there’s one product everyone, and I mean everyone, wanted to see at the PGA Show last week, it was the new Shot Scope LM1 launch monitor.
I mean, $199 with no subscription fees is nothing if not an attention getter.
When we first ran our story on the LM1 a couple of weeks ago, details were scarce. After having the chance to get a good look at it and talk with the Shot Scope team, we have a few more details for you.
What is the Shot Scope LM1?
It’s a very basic Doppler radar-based launch monitor. Shot Scope told us from the get-go the LM1 will provide only the most basic information including club speed, ball speed, smash factor, carry distance and total distance.
The unit does not provide spin numbers but Shot Scope’s Gavin Dear told us that it does, in fact, measure spin but only to the degree that allows the unit to extrapolate distance numbers using its proprietary algorithms.
In terms of accuracy, we can’t give you anything definitive until we get one in our hands and compare it to a GC Quad or Trackman. Shot Scope tells us that in its initial testing, the LM1 distances were within a couple of yards of those industry standards when those units were set to range balls. When they were switched to premium balls, the numbers were even closer.
The LM1 does not offer a ball adjustment.
And it does not offer simulation play. It’s a practice tool exclusively.
Setup and operation
In the demonstrations we saw, the LM1 seemed silly-easy to set up. You place it four to five feet behind the ball, press the power button and then toggle to the mode you wish to use. A range session would use the Practice Range mode.
Once that’s set, you start swinging. The Shot Scope LM1 picks up and presents your data almost immediately. You can switch clubs at the press of a button so you can map out your distances throughout the bag easily and quickly.
The unit itself stores up to 1,000 swings.
In our initial report, many placed the LM1 in the same category as units from PRGR or Voice Caddie. In terms of basic functionality, those units and the LM1 do give you the same information. Where the Shot Scope model differs, however, is in what you can do with that information. The LM1 can transfer all of that information into your Shot Scope profile. There, your data can be used in conjunction with your on-course shot-tracking data to make club recommendations. That info ties into Shot Scope’s shot-tracking GPS watch, the Shot Scope app or the new H50 handheld GPS. The H50, by the way, looks like another winner of a product.
Additionally, the LM1 data can also be used with Shot Scope’s My Strategy feature. My Strategy allows you to map out a plan of attack on any course based on your club data history.
Other operating modes include Speed Training which you can use with various swing speed training devices (no ball is needed) and On Course mode. That mode functions similarly to the practice mode but is intended for use during practice rounds. The info can be synced with the shot-tracking data captured by Shot Scope’s other devices which gives Shot Scope options for future functionality in its app.
Final (preliminary) thoughts
We hit a handful of shots at Demo Day using the LM1. I can say it did pick up my swing speed pretty accurately as I know I’m usually 94.5 mph. The distances it gave me were also pretty much what I would expect in terms of both carry and total. Again, we can’t say how it stacks up against units that cost $20,000. We’ll start testing as soon as we get our hands on one.
However, we can say that, for $199, it appears to be a very solid value. It doesn’t have advanced analytics but, for the price, it’s a useful tool for golfers who just want the basics.
And did we mention there are no subscription fees?
Shot Scope expects the LM1 to hit the market on March 26th at select retailers and online. Given the popularity of the product at the PGA Show, Shot Scope’s biggest challenge may be whether they made enough of them.
Luke
5 months ago
The difference between a monitor that tells you club path and face position info vs one that doesn’t is huge. You learn so much once you start seeing your club and face data.
Andrew the Great!
4 months ago
The bank account difference is huge, too.