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What Data Points Do You Get When You Buy a Golf Launch Monitor?

Which Should You Buy? From the core metrics to detailed feedback—we're comparing them all!

Are you looking for a golf launch monitor that simply provides the fundamentals about your golf shot—or are you a golfer who wants all the data with the ability to store and analyze it from session to session?

In our PlayBetter collection, we offer the best brands that can do all of this and everything in between.

Many of these personal golf gadgets are available to the average golfer because they use doppler radar technology. These devices sit behind the golfer and use radar doppler technology to read the ball trajectory, spin, and more after it is struck. These include:

  • Garmin R10 (integrated with Titleist RCT balls)
  • FlightScope Mevo+ (integrated with Titleist RCT balls)
  • Full Swing KIT
  • Rapsodo MLM2PRO (integrated with Callaway RCT balls)
  • Swing Caddie SC4
  • FlightScope Mevo (does not offer simulation)
  • Rapsodo MLM (does not offer simulation)
  • Swing Caddie SC300i (does not offer simulation)

Photometric (camera-based) launch monitors sit right next to the hitting area and take a series of photos of the ball as it is struck to calculate data. These include:

  • SkyTrak
  • Bushnell Launch Pro

These launch monitors are typically more expensive and are considered to have better accuracy indoors. However, with the advent of radar capture balls (RCT) and some exciting software technology (see the FS Mevo+), radar launch monitors are gaining indoor respect.

All launch monitors are programmed with their own algorithm to produce data after reading the ball at impact. This data can range from basic to spin data to club data.

In this article, we tell you which units offer what data to help you decide which golf launch monitor belongs in your bag or home golf simulator.


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What Data Metrics Do You Get with a FlightScope Mevo+?

The FlightScope Mevo+ is a doppler radar-based golf launch monitor. However, the software upgrades bring the camera into play with video capture.

Data points you get with the Mevo Plus unit:

  • Carry Distance
  • Club Head Speed
  • Smash Factor
  • Apex Height
  • Flight Time
  • Ball Speed
  • Vertical Launch Angle
  • Horizontal Launch Angle
  • Lateral Landing
  • Angle of Attack
  • Total Distance
  • Roll Distance
  • Spin Axis
  • Spin Rate
  • Spin Loft
  • Shot Shape

With Pro Package Software Upgrade ($1,000)

  • Club path
  • Face to path
  • Face to target
  • Vertical Swing plane
  • Horizontal swing plane
  • Low point
  • Dynamic loft
  • Vertical descent angle
  • Curve
  • Speed Profile
  • Acceleration Profile

With Face Impact Location Software Upgrade ($499.99) (must own Mevo+ Pro Package):

  • Lateral impact
  • Vertical impact

Looking for a more affordable, easy-to-set-up complete home golf studio for your home? Check out our FlightScope Mevo+ SimStudios.


What Data Parameters Come with the NEW SkyTrak+ Launch Monitor?

The 2023 SkyTrak+ is a photometric (camera-based) golf launch monitor that also integrates dual doppler radar technology to add club data. This next-gen SkyTrak is offers highly accurate, game-improving feedback.

Here's the data you get with a SkyTrak unit:

  • Ball speed
  • Launch angle
  • Backspin
  • Sidespin
  • Side angle
  • Carry distance
  • Roll out and total distance
  • Distance offline
  • Clubhead speed
  • Angle of descent
  • 3D Flight path

Plus the new Club Data:

  • Smash Factor
  • Club Path
  • Face Angle
  • Face to Path
  • Face to Target

Looking for a more affordable, easy-to-set-up complete home golf studio for your home? Check out our SkyTrak+ SimStudios.


What Are the Club & Swing Metrics Options with the Bushnell Launch Pro?

The Bushnell Launch Pro is a triscopic photometric golf launch monitor. That's three cameras recording your shot for some of the most accurate and reliable data on the market.

As of October 2023 there are two Launch Pro purchase options that offer two data set choices.

The Ball Data Only Launch Pro ($1,999.99)

When you choose the Ball Data Only model—it is a straight golf launch monitor that measures the following ball and launch metrics:

  • Carry Distance
  • Ball Speed
  • Total Spin
  • Horizontal Launch Angle
  • Vertical Launch Angle
  • Back Spin
  • Side Spin
  • Spin Tilt Axis
  • Includes Barometer

Ball & Club Data Bushnell Launch Pro ($3,499.99)

With this Launch Pro option, you’ll get all the ball metrics listed above, the barometer, plus, when you use one of the included club stickers, it will measure:

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

*Requires Club Stickers (included with purchase)

On both of these, 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.

Looking for a more affordable, easy-to-set-up complete home golf studio for your home? Check out our Bushnell Launch Pro SimStudio Options.

Check out our Bushnell Launch Pro product update page to see all the simulator features you can upgrade to.


Which Data Points Do You Get with the Full Swing KIT?

The Full Swing KIT is a doppler-based launch monitor that also has a built-in camera for recording your swing.

It provides 16 points of club & ball data, including:

  • Carry Distance
  • Total Distance
  • Spin Rate
  • Spin Axis
  • Face Angle
  • Face to Path
  • Attack Angle
  • Launch Angle
  • Ball Speed
  • Club Speed
  • Smash Factor
  • Club Path
  • Horizontal Angle
  • Apex Height
  • Side Carry Distance
  • Side Total Distance

Looking for a more affordable, easy-to-set-up complete home golf studio for your home? Check out our PlayBetter SimStudios.


What Club & Swing Metrics Are Available with the Garmin Approach R10?

The very affordable Garmin R10 uses doppler radar technology to give you 16 data points, which include:

  • Ball speed
  • Launch angle
  • Launch direction
  • Club head speed
  • Club path
  • Back swing and down swing times
  • Angle of attack
  • Club face angle
  • Spin rate
  • Spin axis
  • Observed ball flight range
  • Carry distance
  • Total distance
  • Smash factor
  • Swing tempo
  • Apex height

Looking for a more affordable, easy-to-set-up complete home golf studio for your home? Check out our Garmin Approach R10 SimStudio Options.


What Data Parameters Does the Rapsodo MLM2PRO Offer?

The Rapsodo MLM2PRO is a doppler radar-based golf launch monitor that incorporates two built-in high-speed cameras for even more feedback.

The MLM2PRO data points are:

  • Spin Rate
  • Spin Axis
  • Ball Speed
  • Club Speed
  • Launch Angle
  • Launch Direction
  • Carry Distance
  • Total Distance
  • Descent Angle
  • Apex
  • Shot Type
  • Side Carry
  • Smash Factor

Looking for a more affordable, easy-to-set-up complete home golf studio for your home? Check out our Rapsodo MLM2PRO SimStudios.


What Data Points Do You Get with the Swing Caddie SC4?

The 2023 Swing Caddie SC4 is a radar-based golf launch monitor that offers data on both a built-in display and through the MySwingCaddie app.

SC4 data metrics include:

  • Carry/Total Distance
  • Smash Factor
  • Launch Angle
  • Swing Speed
  • Apex (Max Height)
  • Ball Speed
  • Launch Direction
  • Spin Rate

Looking for a more affordable, easy-to-set-up complete home golf studio for your home? Check out our Swing Caddie SimStudios.


Which Metrics Come with the FlightScope Mevo?

The FlightScope Mevo is an affordable, highly portable golf launch monitor offering the following data points:

  • Carry Distance
  • Club Head Speed
  • Ball Speed
  • Smash Factor
  • Vertical Launch Angle
  • Spin Rate
  • Apex Height
  • Flight Time

What Are the Swing Caddie SC300i's Data Points

The highly accurate Swing Caddie SC300i offers data metrics both on-unit and through the MySwingCaddie app, which include:

  • Carry Distance
  • Total Distance
  • Smash Factor
  • Launch Angle
  • Swing Speed
  • Apex (Max Height)
  • Ball Speed
  • Spin Data (now available in app)

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