Foresight Sports GC3 and GC3S System Requirements: What Do I Need to Run This Golf Launch Monitor?
The Foresight GC3, GC3S, and Bushnell Launch Pro all share the same hardware—but what you need to run them depends on how deep you want to go. From no extra device at all to a powerful gaming PC or an iPad for analysis, here’s exactly what it takes.
First, the easy stuff. Let’s clarify a couple of things that are going to make understanding the Foresight GC3 system requirements a lot easier.
Alright, the GC3 and GC3S are the exact same golf launch monitor. No differences whatsoever regarding the hardware.
The only thing different about these devices is how they are priced. The “S” in the GC3S stands for “subscription,” meaning it allows users to buy into the device for a cheaper up-front price in exchange for an ongoing subscription cost.
That’s it. Simple, right?
Well, it gets even simpler.
The Foresight GC3 and GC3S are also the exact same golf launch monitor as the Bushnell Launch Pro Circle B. Again, same exact hardware. Only differences are in the names and the pricing and what comes with the device. With both the GC3 and GC3S, you get a Bushnell Pro X3+ LINK rangefinder that allows you to pair your launch monitor and rangefinder for on-course personalized club recommendations. With the Launch Pro, you don’t get a rangefinder, but you get a lower up-front retail price.
The point is this: To understand the system requirements of a Foresight GC3 is the same thing as understanding the system requirements for a GC3S and Bushnell Launch Pro. So if you already have knowledge of any of these products, you know everything there is to know hardware-and-software-wise about the other products.
OK, with that background out of the way, let’s get to it. What type of computer, tablet, or mobile device, if any, do you need to run a Foresight GC3 (or GC3S, or Bushnell Launch Pro…)?
What Are the Foresight GC3/GC3S System Requirements?
Here’s one of the biggest differentiators for the Foresight GC3 and GC3S: Thanks to its built-in display, you don’t actually need any additional device to get data from your launch monitor. Nothing at all.
You can simply turn on the launch monitor, set it down next to your ball, hit a shot, and immediately see all of your data populate on the launch monitor screen.
That makes it unbelievably convenient when you just want to get your numbers and aren’t worried about playing simulated golf courses or engaging with extra practice features.
However, when you do want to play sim golf and go deeper with all that this incredible launch monitor can deliver, that’s when things change. For that, you’re going to need a PC computer, and it’s going to have to be a somewhat robust one.
The GC3 and GC3S connect natively to Foresight’s own sim software, and it’s outstanding. Their FSX Play package includes some of the most detailed, lifelike golf course recreations of any sim software platforms. It’s one of the best reasons to buy into the Foresight ecosystem.
If there’s a downside, it’s that it’s going to take some firepower to run that software. Here’s what you’ll need at minimum (more is even better and allows for a smoother experience).
Minimum Foresight FSX Play Spec System Requirements:
- Operating System: 64 Bit Windows 10 or greater
- Not supported: iOS, Linux
- Processor: 7th Gen or greater Intel i5, i7, and i9 processors
- Not recommended: AMD CPU
- Memory/RAM: 8 GB system memory
- Recommended: 16GB+ for Swing Camera/Swing Catalyst use
- Video Card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 or greater
- Recommended for quality/optimal performance: GeForce RTX 3070ti/3080/3090
- Not supported: Nvidia Quadro, AMD CPU
You also have the option, via subscription, to use your GC3/S with third-party simulator software packages like GSPro. And the good news is that the computer you’ll use to run FSX Play will be plenty powerful enough for any of those additional options.
What About Using an iPad with the Foresight GC3 or GC3S?
While you really ought to think of the Foresight GC3 as a PC-compatible device when it comes to sim software, there is one software option that allows you to use your Foresight launch monitor in tandem with an iPad. And that’s Foresight’s FSX Pro software package.
This is a very popular feature with teaching pros or anyone very serious about studying their golf swing. FSX Pro gives you things like 3D views of your shot dispersion and apex, the ability to customize your data tiles for more focused viewing, side view and overview angles, session storage and organization tools, analysis, and much more.
But the other big thing about FSX Pro is that you can run this software using either a PC or an iPad.
With a PC, the specs are the same as those listed above for FSX Play.
FSX Pro iPad is optimized for iPads with 3GB RAM, which include:
- iPad
- 7th Gen (2019)
- 8th Gen (2020)
- 9th Gen (2021)
- 10th Gen (2022)
- iPad Air
- 3rd Gen (2019)
- 4th Gen (2022)
- 5th Gen (2022)
- iPad Mini
- 5th Gen (2019)
- 6th Gen (2021)
- iPad Pro
- 1st Gen (2016) (size: 12.9" / 11.0" )
- 2nd Gen (2017) (size: 12.9" / 10.5")
- 3rd Gen (2018) (size: 12.9" / 11.0")
- 4th Gen (2020) (size: 11.0")
PLEASE NOTE: FSX Pro is the only software option you can use with an iPad. You cannot run FSX Play, FSX 2020, or any third-party simulation software through an iPad with the GC3 or GC3S.
What Do I Need to Run a Foresight Sports GC3/GC3S Launch Monitor?
As you hopefully now understand, you’ve got options when it comes to enjoying your GC3 or GC3S.
You can use it with nothing more than the launch monitor itself and get the most accurate data anywhere near this price point right on the device’s built-in screen.
Or, to enjoy some of the most realistic simulator course play on the market, you can go the PC route and fire up FSX Play. And now you know the exact minimum computer specs you’ll need for a good experience.
And, finally, you’ve got the option to go the iPad route. No, you won’t get to play Pebble Beach doing it that way, but you can unlock some incredibly impressive analysis tools that might be perfect for you if you're a teacher, clubfitter, or competitive player.
No matter which route you choose, you’re not going to find a more durable, more portable, and more accurate launch monitor than the Foresight GC3.
About PlayBetter Golf Reviewer Marc Sheforgen
Marc Sheforgen is a golf writer whose passion for the game far exceeds his ability to play it well. Marc covers all things golf, from product reviews and equipment recommendations to event coverage and tournament analysis. When he’s not playing, watching, or writing about golf, he enjoys traveling (often golf-related), youth sports coaching, volunteering, and record collecting.