A few launch monitor questions, not results oriented

[Placebo]

Which brand is the most accurate?

 

Where would you go to buy one?

 

Are there companies that sell components to build your own launch monitor?

 

Basically I'm looking for these things:

 

measures launch angle and ball speed.

measures backspin, sidespin and side angle of every shot.

 

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

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Shameless bump...

[themouth1]

I like the Vector. They have it in the Golf Works catalog. I think it is 4200.00...Costs quite a bit but, a great machine.

[Placebo]

Thanks for the info themouth1.

 

Anyone else?

[shaftnut]

check out Zelocity they make a nice one also

[Placebo]

check out Zelocity they make a nice one also

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

 

Exactly what I was looking for!

[joesgonegolfing]

Your choices come down to three types of systems: Camera, Laser, and Radar

 

Camera: GA CAM and Vector

Laser: GA2 and various floor reading sensor units like Maltby

Radar: Zelocity and Flightscope

 

The Basics:

 

Camera systems read the ball in a small frame and accuratley measure ball spin. Almost everything else they compute is an calcualtion. Club head speed is not measured but calculated. You can upgrade the units with speed readers. Upside is that they are small and portable work in the direct sun. Poor inside units.

 

Laser: Measure in a larger frame more items than a cameras system and are more accurate. The more you measure v calculate the better the information. These are more exspensive than most cameras systems. The GA2 is a tank and is very reliable. Reads club information like face angle and lie, but hard to use in direct sun.

Great inside units.

 

Radar Systems: Zeloicty and Flightscope measure the ball as it flies and also measure all aspects of the swing. More accurate than the other devices bit usually more money. Can be used in any conditions and indoors but you need at least 15 feet to read the ball flight.

 

Summary: If money is not an issue Flightscope is tops at 15,000.00, a great deal on Zelocity at 3800.00

The GA2 laser is 5500.00, and the Cameras GACAM is 3850 and the Vector 4200.00

 

I have had most of the units, inside I like the GA2, outside I like the Radar systems. The camera systems miss more reads than the others. Lastly,

 

In live testing and comparing LM data to a live hit, all of these devices are with 5-6 yards of each other. Scary but true, you hit it live, measure the carry and flight and all the devices are going to almost be spot on....frightening.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Joe

[jmb731]

Joe--have you used the less expensive models from zelocity?

 

John Butler

[joesgonegolfing]

No not yet, but it works on the same radar as the bigger unit, BUT it does not track the ball as long and therefore may not be as accurate.

 

I'd say its a worthwhile investment for the golfer who wants some data. In fitting enviroment I'd go with their 3800.00 unit.

 

Joe

[kingyoda]

Joe,

 

How do the laser and radar systems detect spin rate?

[joesgonegolfing]

The Radar units are tracking the ball and getting the read. In the end after the initial read whether its a camera, laser or radar the rest is a math equation. The best info comes from the amount of time a ball can be tracked. High ball speed players have a tough time on camera based systems, the read is not long enough and the ball gets out frame very quick.

 

Laser is the same read as the ball passes over or thru the matrix but rely on the math.

 

My take is all of the units have plus and minus qualities and if you are consitent you get an apples to apples read.

 

Joe