Low Cost Launch Monitor

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frankqt

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Fellow Golfers,

I have posted in this forum about a year ago about a start up who wanted my investment, I took your advice and passed. They are back with a spin. (literally)

They have shown me a demo of a device, that can measure speed, launch angle, horizontal angle, spin and spin axis yesterday. I hit balls myself and I observed the results are close to Trackman. I promised to keep the info confidential but it was impressive.

Now, the killer part, they think they can market this for 399$. The team has done a good job and now I am faced with the decision again. The key question in my mind is the following:

- Low cost device such as that, great but so what. I suspect, the market who will buy such a device is very small. What would you do with such data? (Distance, launch angle etc). Would the average golfer buy it? If so why?

I get why the teaching pros would buy it but that is a very small market, not worth the investment. Would you guys buy it? If so why?
 
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Ringer

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I can tell you that I am quite interested as I recently posted about just such a device. So far the only devices that go for that cheap use LED Sensors that are fickle when it comes to lighting and clubhead detection.

Something comparable in price but works better is definitely something I'd buy. Especially if it can connect to my laptop and I can view some readings.
 
Frans@France

Frans@France

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Never invest when they can not explain how it works and/or you fail to understand.

Did they let you test it outdoor or only in an extremly controlled enviroment....if controlled....walk...

Please note that this is what you posted "measure speed, launch angle, horizontal angle, spin and spin axis" All ball data en no club data. Except spin & axis it can be done using a usd 20 cam and some standard software.

In your question you asked "What would you do with such data? (Distance..." However distance is not measured so that data is not available

You are not capable to see with your eyes if the presented values are correct. So do the test again in that non controlled enviroment and have a TM or FS as second machine....you will be suprised

The internet is full of broken promised for these kind of machines. Till now NONE worked as promised. I have a few laying around :D
 
Frans@France

Frans@France

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PS A year ago you mentioned that the price was going to be less then usd 300 so what happened? Development problems.....
 
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frankqt

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Frans@France said:
Never invest when they can not explain how it works and/or you fail to understand.

Did they let you test it outdoor or only in an extremly controlled enviroment....if controlled....walk...

Please note that this is what you posted "measure speed, launch angle, horizontal angle, spin and spin axis" All ball data en no club data. Except spin & axis it can be done using a usd 20 cam and some standard software.

In your question you asked "What would you do with such data? (Distance..." However distance is not measured so that data is not available

You are not capable to see with your eyes if the presented values are correct. So do the test again in that non controlled enviroment and have a TM or FS as second machine....you will be suprised

The internet is full of broken promised for these kind of machines. Till now NONE worked as promised. I have a few laying around :D
Click to expand...

I understand the tech behind. It is reasonable what they are doing. I tested the unit against Trackman and I hit the balls and I asked others hit the balls so it is not exactly controlled. I am not worried about being cheated, I am worried about the size of the market and why people use it for.
 
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cwdlaw223

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I don't care if it measures or calculates face angle, path and attack angle, but, those areas are what I want/need to practice more efficiently. If Flightscope gets below $1,500 I'll probably buy one for the range/indoors. That's my price point.
 
Frans@France

Frans@France

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frankqt said:
I understand the tech behind. It is reasonable what they are doing. I tested the unit against Trackman and I hit the balls and I asked others hit the balls so it is not exactly controlled. I am not worried about being cheated, I am worried about the size of the market and why people use it for.
Click to expand...

There is a market for it
- clubfitters will small budget
- sim builders/owners
- golfers useing it for training

However it must include ball flight calculations because the data in itself has no meaning for most. Getting the ball flight correct including including meteorological parameters is a challenge. They might need to team up with people having more experience in that area like the maker (Todd Kos) of OptimalFlight

Competitors are available at the same price level but not include spin & axis. However who besides this forum understand that that is important :D
 
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wulsy

New
Exactly Frans. Your average golfer is a complete ignoramus when it come to anything at all which requires thought and understanding. They make Johnny Miller look like a PhD scientist.
 
Frans@France

Frans@France

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wulsy said:
Exactly Frans. Your average golfer is a complete ignoramus when it come to anything at all which requires thought and understanding. They make Johnny Miller look like a PhD scientist.
Click to expand...

Ah.... this was a golden opportunity to say "Your average Teaching Pro is a complete ignoramus.." .....;)
 
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frankqt

New
Through the start up I dealt with, I have tested Swingbyte. Super nice device, cannot attest to the accuracy but I liked it.
 
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Ringer

New
I agree with Frans@France. A graphical representation of ball flight would be a requirement at such a price. Some way to plug into a laptop or PC and see a visual representation of the ball flight. Not just numbers.

The people who will be looking for that low cost are not your high end teaching professionals. You wouldn't really want that market anyway. If you want to make money you need to appeal to the lowest common man. That would be the guy who wants to swing the club in his/her home and watch it fly on a screen. It would allow him/her to practice indoors and outdoors.

What is precisely being measured? The club or the ball? Is there a camera built in or is it just sensors?
 
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