Bushnell Launch Pro vs GC3 vs GCQuad Comparison | Golf Launch Monitors by Foresight Sports

We Compare the Bushnell Launch Pro vs Foresight Sports GC3 & GCQuad. Plus, What's Going on Between Bushnell Golf and Foresight Sports?

***This article was updated with current GC3 content on 7/21/23***

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Is the Launch Pro/GC3 a Relative of the GCQuad?

Yup, it sure is! After a recent acquisition, Foresight Sports is now under the same corporate umbrella as Bushnell Golf. And with this meeting of 2 golf tech titans, the bridge between launch monitors for golf pros and the everyday golfer just got better with the advent of the Launch Pro and the GC3!

Hardware-wise, these camera-based golf launch monitors are no different! They're both manufactured by Foresight—one stamped by the Bushnell Golf brand (the Launch Pro), and one with the Foresight Sports brand (GC3). It's what you can do with them out of the box that makes all the difference. 

What else does this compelling collaboration mean? These launch monitors and simulators are related to the GCQuad. How closely related are they, you ask? In this article, we're clearing it all up with an in-depth comparison between the GCQuad from Foresight Sports, their new GC3, and the new Bushnell Launch Pro!

Short on time? Jump to this Launch Monitor Comparison Chart from our Partners at Yardstick Golf or check out the PlayBetter Bottom Line at the end of this article! 

Foresight Sports GCQuad Launch Monitor & Simulator

The GCQuad is a three-time Golf Digest Editors' Choice Award Winner for a reason. As the only launch monitor in the industry to utilize Quadrascopic imaging, the GCQuad delivers the most accurate detailed picture of ball and club head performance analysis, providing repeatable and reliable data indoors and out. 

Starting at $14,500 out of the box (that's without Club Head & Essential Putting Analysis add-ons), this amazing golf launch monitor and simulator is, let's face it, not in the cards for most everyday golfers.

To help bridge that gap, Foresight and Bushnell have created two new golf launch monitors with near-GCQuad accuracy that are the same in every way hardware-wise, but offer different feature bundles to make more affordable options for golfers. 

For the sake of comparison, we're starting with the flagship, tour-dominating GCQuad to give you an understanding of the technology that the GC3 and Launch Pro descend from.

Four Cameras = The Most Accuracy

When you use the GCQuad on your shot, four cameras catch 200 pictures during impact from four different perspectives. That combination allows unprecedented pinpointing of your club and ball features, providing wickedly precise strike and shot data within seconds.

Foresight Sports GCQuad Stats:

• Launch Angle
• Side Angle
• Ball Speed
• Total Spin
• Back Spin
• Carry
• Side Spin
• Spin Axis

GCQuad Golf Simulation Software

The GCQuad comes with FSX Play and FSX 2020 simulation software. As one of the best virtual golf experiences, it offers stunning imaging technology and ultra fast processing power. This true-to-life home golf simulator experience includes:

• FSX Pro Performance Software
• Exclusive 10 golf course bundle
• Foresight Fairgrounds
• Carry Bag
• Foot Golf
• Glass Break (skill building module)
• Inside 6 Feet (skill building module)
• Tournament mode in Compete
• Range mode support
• Updates to club images and club analysis screen
• Refinement of impact location reporting on club face

Club Head Add-On Metrics (+$4,000)

• Club Head Speed
• Smash Factor
• Club Path  
• Angle of Attack
• Loft/Lie
• Face Angle
• Impact Location
• Closure Rate 

Essential Putting Analysis Add-On Data (+$2,500)

The GCQuad can give insight into your putting you've never dreamed of. But Foresight Sports did, and it looks like this:

• Ball velocity
• Vertical launch angle
• Horizontal launch direction
• Total spin
• Spin-tilt axis
• Back spin
• Side spin
• Club speed
• Smash factor
• Club path
• Angle of attack
• Impact face angle
• Impact lie
• Impact location 
• Skid rate
• Time to full roll
• RPM's at full roll

Foresight Sports GC3 Launch Monitor & Simulator

According to Foresight Sports US Sales Director Rick Cuellar, “The GC3 was designed from the start to fill the gap between our original ball-data-only GC2 and the unmatched data insight of our GCQuad. It delivers the essential ball and club data players need to reliably improve their game as well as power a true-to-life virtual golf experience. No other product on the market comes close to delivering this range of options – nor this level of indoor/outdoor accuracy – at this price.”

That price, ranges from $5,999.00 to $8,999.00 for three different GC3 bundles.

Foresight Triscopic Photometric Technology

This high-speed camera-based system uses three eyes to capture every detail at impact. Not quite the precision of four, of course, but damn close. And certainly more than the GC2. 

The Ball Data Only Bundle—$5,999.00

All of the ball data metrics you get with the GCQuad, which includes:

• Ball Speed
• Horizontal & Vertical Launch Angles
• Total Spin
• Side Spin / Spin Axis
• Carry Distance

The GC3 Essentials Plus Bundle—$7,499.00

This bundle has everything the Ball Data Bundle offers + Club Data:

• Club Head Speed
• Smash Factor
• Club Path
• Angle of Attack

The Players Plus Bundle for the GC3—$8,999.00

This Foresight GC3 bundle comes with everything in the Essentials Plus Bundle, plus adds on 10 extra golf courses in addition to the 10 that come with every bundle (see below). 

These extra golf courses are:

• Pebble Beach Golf Links™
• The Links at Spanish Bay™
• Spyglass Hill® Golf Course
• Old Course at St Andrews Links™
• The Castle Course at St Andrews Links™
• Jubilee Course at St Andrews Links™
• New Course at St Andrews Links™
• Pitch N Putt
• Carnoustie Golf Links
• Real Club Valderrama

For Your Home Golf Simulator Studio

All three Foresight GC3 bundles come with:

• FSX Play Software 
• FSX 2020 Software 
• 10 Courses:
• Blue Bayou Golf and Fishing Club
• Broken Tree Golf Course
• Linfield National Golf Club
• Teton Pines Golf Course
• Willow Crest Golf Club
• The Farms Golf Club
• Beaver Hills Country Club
• Tall Pines
• Butterfield Country Club (Red/Blue)
• Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club
• FSX Pro Performance Software
• Foresight Fairgrounds
• Foresight Sports Performance App 
• The ability go add on third-party simulation like E6 Connect

Bushnell Launch Pro Golf Launch Monitor

While it is being manufactured by Foresight Sports, the Launch Pro is sold by Bushnell Golf, in order to offer tour-level metrics in a package (or packages) that is more affordable for the everyday golfer. The Launch Pro is not cheap, but the accuracy you are getting with this photometric golf launch monitor is near GC Quad-level, and you won't find anything like it at this price.

Let's jump right into what you get when you purchase a Launch Pro. 

Out-of-the-Box, Basic Functionality for $3,499.99

All of the ball data metrics and no head data, which includes:

• Launch Angle
• Side Angle
• Ball Speed
• Total Spin
• Back Spin
• Side Spin
• Spin Axis
• Carry Distance

Data is limited to a single shot; you get what's displayed on the Launch Pro’s LCD screen. You can't store, export, or save your performance data. Again, while this seems limited, it offers what entry-level GLMs offer, but with premium accuracy and robust technology.

Launch Pro Annual Subscription Plans

You can opt for one of the tiered subscription plans below or unlock the Bushnell Launch Pro entirely for $3,499 to get basically the same features at the Foresight GC3.

Jump to our Launch Pro Subscription Plan Comparison Chart to compare every detail of the plans side by side.

Activate subscription plans during your product setup/registration with a credit card.

Basic Plan (first year is free): $249/year lets you:

• FSX Pro softwqre (iPad required)
• Connect to an iPad and see 2D ball flight on a range similar to what originally came with the GC Quad.
  
  
• Save 1 session locally and another 10 in the cloud.
  
  
• Get these metrics: Carry Distance, Ball Speed, Total Spin, Horizontal Launch Angle, Vertical Launch Angle, Clubhead Speed, and Smash Factor.
  
  
• As of 8/1/22, get additional features that were previously only available with the Gold Plan, which include: Spin Tilt Axis, Back Spin, Side Spin, Club Path, Angle of Attack, and Barometer.

Again, see our Launch Pro Subscription Plan Comparison Chart to get a full understanding of the price and subscription plan changes.

Silver Plan: $499/year gets you a robust upgrade with a basic simulation package, which includes:

• As of 8/1/22, get additional features that were previously only available with the Gold Plan, which include: Spin Tilt Axis, Back Spin, Side Spin, Club Path, Angle of Attack, and Barometer.
• The ability to connect to a computer or project onto a screen.
• Virtual golf on 5 courses and practice on the range.
• The ability for up to 4 players to play at once.
• The ability to get data for Total Distance, Offline Distance, Descent Angle, and Peak Height with FSX 2020 or FSX Pro (FSX Pro not included) software packages.
• Save up to 5 sessions locally and 20 more in the cloud.
• Add on additional courses ($150 standard; $250 premium) and Zombie Golf and Foresight Fairgrounds games ($125 each).
• Includes Simulation and FSX Play.
• iPad required for FSX Pro; PC gaming computer required for FSX 2020.

Gold Plan (free 30-day trial with purchase): $699/year allows you the full package: full simulation capabilities (up to 8 golfers at a time), as well as all of the ball and clubhead metrics offered by the GC3, which include:

• Launch Angle
• Side Angle
• Ball Speed
• Total Spin
• Back Spin
• Spide Spin
• Spin Axis
• Carry Distance
• Total Distance*
• Offline Distance*
• Descent Angle*
• Peak Height*
• Clubhead Speed
• Smash Factor
• Club Path
• Angle of Attack

* through FSX or FSX Pro Software only

Additional courses for Gold package users are $125 (standard course) and $200 (premium course). Zombie golf and Fairgrounds are $99 each.

The $699 Bushnell Launch Pro package puts the device almost on even footing with the Foresight GC3. Both include the ability to connect third-party simulation software.

Tip: Think group share: If you have several friends who would play with you (remember up to 8 players in simulation with the gold package) you could split that annual cost, making it more affordable!

Jump to our Launch Pro Subscription Plan Comparison Chart to compare every detail of the plans side by side.

The PlayBetter Bottom Line on the Bushnell Launch Pro

Do we think the Bushnell Launch Pro personal launch monitor and home golf simulator is worth the $3,500 + annual subscription fees? For the accuracy? Heck yeah! The question is: Are you the kind of golfer who wants to invest in this before now unavailable, tour-level quality and accuracy?

You will not find this kind of robustness or precision in another launch monitor close to this price point. And that's due to the proven photometric (camera-based) technology of Foresight Sports that puts it on par with the GC Quad, while costing almost a quarter the price.

It's well-known that camera-based golf launch monitors give more precise indoor or limited-space data. Does that mean a great portable launch monitor and simulator for $500-$2,000 won't help you improve your golf game? Of course not. It just begs the question of how dialed into your swing and your numbers do you want to get. 

If you're a serious golfer who has plateaued in their data performance and who needs (and wants!) a system that can get them to the next level, the Launch Pro should prove to be life-changing.

If you just want to do away with subscription prices and know you want a launch monitor by Foresight sports that comes with the simulation already built-in to the price, we suggest you look at the GC3 and GCQuad by Foresight Sports.