Launch Monitor for backyard use

[BadBaldGolfer]

Hi folks,

 

I am deciding between GCQuad and Trackman 4 for my backyard setup.

Primary use case is as follows:

- Average golfer(18-20 hcp) focused on using launch monitor to improve game

- For use in backyard hitting into a net

- ideally would like to convert it into a sim in the medium term.

 

I have done some research and have seen indoor vs outdoor comparisons. But would appreciate any advice on folks who have used either in the backyard hitting into a net vs range or completely indoor environment.

 

Thanks!

 

 

[ajlacombe]

That is a great user name 🙂 I have a SIm-in-a-Box on order from Foresight Sports with a GC Quad - I also have a 10 x 10 x 10 hitting cage in my backyard and an artificial green.  I plan on using the GC Quad in all three areas - I doubt I will keep the putting software after the trial period though.

 

Unfortunately there is an 8 week lead time and mine will not be here until around the Masters.  Obviously I can post my experiences once it gets here and I learn how to use it and set up the simulator.

 

The quad is a less expensive solution than TrackMan.

[BadBaldGolfer]

Thank you 🙂 Yes, would love to hear your thoughts once your set up arrives. 

The lead times are crazy!

[Linkkingx]

I would personally go with the quad here. Trackman really excels outdoors on a full range where it can track the full flight of the ball. Hitting into a net is basically like hitting indoors. It's still great, but I would say the quad is probably more accurate reading spin in such a limited space. The quad also doesn't require an annual software subscription upwards of $1000 like trackman. Another benefit is that the quad has a display so you can just plop it down and go. The only consideration would be for your eventual sim setup if you will need left/right play. The quad would have to be moved around to accommodate left handers where the trackman wouldn't.

[MPAndreassi]

I agree with the above. Trackmans outdoor benefit is only there if it can track the full flight. If you’re hitting it into a net it’s virtually the same as being “indoor” in terms of what Trackman will see. Quad is the way. 

[Stuart_G]

23 hours ago, MPAndreassi said:

I agree with the above. Trackmans outdoor benefit is only there if it can track the full flight. If you’re hitting it into a net it’s virtually the same as being “indoor” in terms of what Trackman will see.

 

That's not completely true - but depends on the details outdoor setup.

 

The biggest source of problems indoors for radar tends to be limited space - especially for faster ball speeds.  Outdoors - even into a net would potentially allow for longer ball flights and much less problems getting the accurate spin numbers.

 

The second source of problems tend to be from higher radar signal "noise" from reflections of the radar signal from structures (particularly in garages) or from things like florecent lights.   That may be much easier to avoid outdoors than indoors.

[Krt22]

4 hours ago, Stuart_G said:

 

That's not completely true - but depends on the details outdoor setup.

 

The biggest source of problems indoors for radar tends to be limited space - especially for faster ball speeds.  Outdoors - even into a net would potentially allow for longer ball flights and much less problems getting the accurate spin numbers.

 

The second source of problems tend to be from higher radar signal "noise" from reflections of the radar signal from structures (particularly in garages) or from things like florecent lights.   That may be much easier to avoid outdoors than indoors.

I've been a flightscope owner for a few years now, original intention was to use it both indoor and outdoor. In reality, I almost never use it outdoors and there are definitely some limitations indoors with spin and higher speed. I theoretically could build an outdoor net and likely get much more reliable data, but that brings in issues with weather, annoying my neighbors, etc. With that being said, I've been looking at getting a GCquad to replace it.

[Stuart_G]

38 minutes ago, Krt22 said:

I've been a flightscope owner for a few years now, original intention was to use it both indoor and outdoor. In reality, I almost never use it outdoors and there are definitely some limitations indoors with spin and higher speed. I theoretically could build an outdoor net and likely get much more reliable data, but that brings in issues with weather, annoying my neighbors, etc. With that being said, I've been looking at getting a GCquad to replace it.

 

I prefer indoors as well (and never had to worry about those high speed 'problems' 🙂  But sounds like indoors isn't really an option for the OP.

 

But since we're on the subject, I have both the Xi Tour and a GC2 and still prefer the radar indoors as well as when I want to take one to the range.  So if I ever did want to dump that much money into an LM (which I don't see happening anytime soon), I'd still stick with Flightscope and upgrade to the X3.   But that's me.  Everyone has to weigh all their own individual priorities.

[ajlacombe]

46 minutes ago, Krt22 said:

I've been a flightscope owner for a few years now, original intention was to use it both indoor and outdoor. In reality, I almost never use it outdoors and there are definitely some limitations indoors with spin and higher speed. I theoretically could build an outdoor net and likely get much more reliable data, but that brings in issues with weather, annoying my neighbors, etc. With that being said, I've been looking at getting a GCquad to replace it.

A hitting cage is awesome

this one is from DW Quail and it is not that much money.  The mats are personal preference - I got the stance part from DW Quail and the hitting strip is a urethane backed mat with ¼" yoga mat glued to the bottom for more cushion - it accepts a tee and has great feel.

 

The lower pile turf is leftovers from my green.

 

Drivers are the only really loud club and its not that bad

[Krt22]

1 minute ago, ajlacombe said:

A hitting cage is awesome

this one is from DW Quail and it is not that much money.  The mats are personal preference - I got the stance part from DW Quail and the hitting strip is a urethane backed mat with ¼" yoga mat glued to the bottom for more cushion - it accepts a tee and has great feel.

 

The lower pile turf is leftovers from my green.

 

Drivers are the only really loud club and its not that bad

I live in the much more densely populated SF bay area, even though I'm in the suburbs. my neighbors can still hear me hitting irons inside my fully finished garage lol. The FSX software honestly seems really polished, much more so than flightscope right now so that is the other factor. 

[Stuart_G]

1 minute ago, Krt22 said:

The FSX software honestly seems really polished, much more so than flightscope right now so that is the other factor. 

 

It's true that the FScope PC software isnt' the greatest, but at least it was included in the cost of the LM.  While FSX is nicer, it's also (IMO) way over priced.  At least that was the case the last time I checked. I know these things can change.  The fact that it took so long for Foresight to start to relax their sim integration policy also doesn't give a lot of confidence in the company.

[Krt22]

4 minutes ago, Stuart_G said:

 

It's true that the FScope PC software isnt' the greatest, but at least it was included in the cost of the LM.  While FSX is nicer, it's also (IMO) way over priced.  At least that was the case the last time I checked. I know these things can change.  The fact that it took so long for Foresight to start to relax their sim integration policy also doesn't give a lot of confidence in the company.

I agree the price is steep, but I was able to get a pretty decent price for the quad+club data+FSX+14 courses.  It's only a bit more expensive than what FS quoted me to upgrade to the X3. Im in CA, so I can play year round, so the sim integration isn't super important, but it's nice that I will have a few courses to play if I so desire. 

[Stuart_G]

1 hour ago, Krt22 said:

I agree the price is steep, but I was able to get a pretty decent price for the quad+club data+FSX+14 courses.  It's only a bit more expensive than what FS quoted me to upgrade to the X3. Im in CA, so I can play year round, so the sim integration isn't super important, but it's nice that I will have a few courses to play if I so desire. 

 

A perfect example of why everyone is going to be different in what they need/want and what will work well.   Being in NH with a very short golf season, the sim play was a huge part of my decision.  That and having left handed friends was a factor as well.

Edited March 8, 2021 by Stuart_G

[BadBaldGolfer]

Thank you All! Super useful. I finally pulled the plug on Trackman. The primary factor was that I felt Trackman had more educational content and material to help me interpret the data and improve. Quite likely that GCQ also has some of this but felt that Trackman was more comprehensive and better put together.

[CMHitman]

Congratulations!  I was debating the exact same thing, and just bought the GC Quad. It came down to personal preference and the fact that I would use it indoors 80-90% of the time realistically.

[mgoblue83]

On 3/10/2021 at 10:22 PM, BadBaldGolfer said:

Thank you All! Super useful. I finally pulled the plug on Trackman. The primary factor was that I felt Trackman had more educational content and material to help me interpret the data and improve. Quite likely that GCQ also has some of this but felt that Trackman was more comprehensive and better put together.

 

Good choice! Trackman software is second to none and as long as you setup your hitting bay properly the data will be every bit as accurate as GCQ.