I've used a few in the sub-$1000 category, and what I'll say is that I struggled to get really "accurate" results since most of the PLMs in this segment or category use algorithms to generate the numbers. The best results I've had were with the simpler Rapsodo MLM -- but I do believe the new 2 Pro will be a worthwhile upgrade.

But the Garmin R10 and a couple others relied too much precise setup to get relatively accurate numbers.

I used all of these at a range without premium balls, and did notice a pretty big difference when I compared my numbers to those from a range with premium balls.

Metrics-wise, it depends on what you're interested in, but I used mostly for yardages and gapping, smash factor for efficiency, and dispersion -- numbers beyond that I didn't trust in this price segment.

Great info! i've looked at the Garmin just because of affordability. Me personally, i would try and pull some directional stats just to see how i'm hitting it and the other numbers you mentioned. I think the Garmin is a great piece for off season hitting to keep form. for any of the really important numbers i'm going to go to my local shop to get that info. Again mainly affordability, and someone to tell me what the heck i'm reading!

I don't have a launch monitor personally at the moment, but a friend of mine has a flightscope mevo. I have seen him use his and it seems rather accurate. That is the one currently on my radar and can be had for sub-$500 when on sale.

here's the thing. range balls aren't going to do anything for you. they don't launch the same, spin the same, or come off with the same ball speeds, the distance they go isn't consistent from club to club.

you could take a GC Quad to a driving range, hit a bucket of range balls, and leave without much useful data aside from the club metrics.

if you go with one of the cheap radar units, you're getting essentially nothing of value, as it pertains to your game, from the driving range.



you can't really do gapping well enough because range balls fly further on lower swing speeds and shorter on higher swing speeds, so everything will bunch up as you start hitting it harder. the spin won't be close (if you can get your cheap monitor to even read it properly). the only thing you can really take from it is your curvature, and you don't need a damn launch monitor to tell you that. you can see it happening.


i'd spend the 800 bucks on lessons and fitting in a bay with a gc quad. you can get gapped, figure out your club tendencies, and start working towards meaningful improvements in your game.

I bought a SC300i and I love it. I tend to use it on the course to reverify my distances with my current ball (Pro V1). I like the ability to video my swings (with Iphone) and use the target mode to dial in half shots with wedges.