Launch monitor setup- how it effects specific readings

[Babydaddy]

I hooked up my Garmin R10 for the first time yesterday, and had to be quick about it as it was our league day. I feel pretty confident I had the alignment correct in terms of the target line, but I do think some of the angle of attack numbers may be slightly off and I’m wondering if this has to do with the vertical leveling or lack thereof.

 

The data in terms of deviation from the target line was absolutely spot on, but I’m thinking now because the ground may not have been level that I may have had the unit either facing too far up or too far down to give truly accurate angle of attack numbers.

 

I thought it might be a good idea to have a thread where we discuss cause-and-effect when it comes to launch monitor, set up an calibration so that if you begin to see certain patterns, you can say what you did to help fix those things.

[mgoblue83]

Most launch monitors need to be aligned perfectly to have reliable data. That includes being level, being level with the ball, proper distance from the ball, aligned perfectly to the target and more. If it's misaligned it will probably still provide accurate ball data but all of the horizontal and vertical launch data as well as club data will be off by however much the alignment is off. Even being off by 2 degrees for example is enough to turn a 1 degree in to out path into a 1 degree out to in path. 

 

The very high end launch monitors like Trackman can auto level and detect and correct issues with alignment automatically but almost all cheaper monitors including GCQ, GC3, Mevo+, R10 need to be perfectly aligned. 

Edited March 7, 2023 by mgoblue83

[Dan13]

My experience with M+ is that it’s relatively easy to get aligned with a target - at least with the same accuracy I would align myself to a target while playing. 
 

I would be interested in knowing how much the pitch and roll and/or a small inaccuracy in the elevation difference btw ball and unit affects angle of attack and low point for instance. I don’t have the same level of confidence in those numbers as some of the others. 

[Babydaddy]

19 hours ago, mgoblue83 said:

Most launch monitors need to be aligned perfectly to have reliable data. That includes being level, being level with the ball, proper distance from the ball, aligned perfectly to the target and more. If it's misaligned it will probably still provide accurate ball data but all of the horizontal and vertical launch data as well as club data will be off by however much the alignment is off. Even being off by 2 degrees for example is enough to turn a 1 degree in to out path into a 1 degree out to in path. 

 

The very high end launch monitors like Trackman can auto level and detect and correct issues with alignment automatically but almost all cheaper monitors including GCQ, GC3, Mevo+, R10 need to be perfectly aligned. 

Thank you! I’m learning a lot each session. I bought a leveling stand for my R10 with a laser so it should make it easier.