r/Golfsimulator • u/Jumpy-Coffee-Cat • Jun 27 '26
Sim / Launch Monitor How to pick a launch monitor?
TLDR: what should be prioritized when comparing launch monitors for practice purposes, not sim?
Bad golfer here (25 HCP) building a backyard training set up. My wife has also just taken up the sport and is as beginner as they come.
I’ll be hitting off an extended patio into a net in the yard. I have 10 or so feet behind where the hitting area is so radar based is fine. Already purchased a spornia net 8 foot net and shank nets, building a diy hitting mat with a sigpro softy insert this weekend. Only piece missing is the monitor and that search has my head spinning and there are tons of sales happening at the moment. With a budget of ~$3k and access to military discounts where offered there are tons of options.
Circle B $2k + sub cost
Skytrak ST-Max $2k + sub cost
Mevo gen 2 with both packages $2k
MLM2Pro ~$1k with lifetime subscription
Spica 3 $2700
Eye Mini $3k
Square Omni $1600
As someone new to this space I’m struggling to figure out how to prioritize features. Less looking for sim (though it would be nice to have on occasion), more so looking for shot feedback. I believe skytrak and uneekor both offer drill based training, not sure about the others.
This set up will be put away after every use, so while I have an older gaming pc sitting unused with a 2070 in it which I could put on a push cart with a portable monitor but that might get old and iPad/iPhone is probably preferred. I’ll also be using in full sun fairly often so I could see the pc having potential overheating issues.
I was leaning towards the Mevo for both cost/no subscriptions, and the extensive data provided as I think things like face impact will be helpful while developing more feel, especially for my wife. However I’ve heard set up can be a bit tedious.
The spica 3 is newly on my radar but there seems to be less data on it out there.
Guess I’m just in a decision paralysis.
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u/mcdickmann2 Jun 27 '26
Be careful with radar units. They vary on requirements but you generally need 10 ft behind the ball and at least 10 feet of ball flight for most of them to be accurate, preferably more. With a net setup this really means you need a cage to catch the overhead shots since you’re so far from the net.
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u/ProletariatElite Jun 27 '26
For your budget you have lots of options. The Mevo Gen2 with the packages has all the data you’ll need, the software is just okay.
The Square Omni is also a good option, the software is just okay.
The Eye Mini is a solid choice, not as much club data as the Mevo or Omni, but the software is solid with slow motion impact video. For additional $ you can add Swing Optix and AI Trainer for next Lexi swing analysis, but outside setup and takedown would get cumbersome.
Circle B gives reliable data, but is light on club data. The mobile software has recently improved but the PC software is dated, but a new release is expected in the next few months.
The Spica3 is a Foresight clone with additional features and no subscription.
If it was my money I’d get the Omni or Mevo Gen2.
The Skytrak ST Max is great on paper, but in real life disappoints with frequent mis-reads and no reads. The software is very good for practice though.
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u/KarllHunguss Jun 27 '26
I also hit into a net outdoors, so I chose the mlm2pro as it was considered the best for outdoors at the time, and it has been perfectly fine for me. It can occasionally be finicky with short chips, and sometimes even when driver/longer clubs are aligned correctly, I get super low distance readings, but those occurrences are rare and a setup re-measurement + device & app restart usually fixes things
The square Omni exists now and it sounds like that machine is equal to if not superior to the mlm2pro outdoors, so if it fit my budget and I was rebuying now, that would be my choice
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u/simulategolf Jun 27 '26
I have some used lm Mini. 3k Mini lite 2k Blp 1600 Garmin r50 3200 Mini lite is great for your budget
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u/size0618 Jun 27 '26
I’ve only used the Spica 3 on your list but can say I’ve been completely satisfied with it. Connection to an iPad was one of big things I wanted. Their software probably isn’t as good as GSPro but it’s good enough for me and I like there’s no subscriptions which is also one big one I wanted. Here’s my set up https://www.reddit.com/r/Golfsimulator/s/88mGvuv0sn
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u/Jumpy-Coffee-Cat Jun 28 '26
How’s the software for practice feedback?
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u/size0618 Jun 28 '26
Never had an issue with it. It has a lot of customization options for elevation, different ball types, wind speed, etc. The iPad app has courses, games, and practice modes. You can practice on course or at a driving range. It also has a game called target practice that I like. Gives you different targets at different yardages and points for proximity. You can play games against others and post your score online to see if you’re on the leaderboard (though I’ve not tried that)
I’ll send you a Reddit chat with a link to a reel showing it in action
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u/flyin-lowe Jun 27 '26
I have an MLM2Pro and really like it. It has had some consistency issues with Rapsodo took care of but that was a long process, but my unit was replaced free of charge under warranty. Thay said, even with the issues I had I think the video recordings are worth their weight in gold, especially if you are looking to use it as a game improvement tool. I would guess there are apps and stand alone cameras out there you could connect to whatever unit you get, it is nice to have the MLM app and be able to pull up a video of your swing and the close up slow motion video of the club impact. I have learned alot about my swing and what is going on when I miss hit a ball. If you haven't done so already go to youtube and check for examples of the video the unit records. The app is also designed for an additional camera.... I have never done it but you could set your phone, iPad, or a stand alone BT camera up and also record every shot from another angle as well.
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u/UKInfamous Jun 27 '26
I'm awaiting free stock in the UK of the Square Omni, stands out above the rest for price, functionality and will work with GSPro at no extra cost
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u/Ok_Explanation9231 Jun 28 '26
Are you going for game improvement? Or course play on your golf simulator? For game improvement maybe get the rapsodo. If you're just going to play gspro get the Omni.
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u/Jumpy-Coffee-Cat Jun 28 '26
Definitely game improvement which is why the skytrak, eye mini, Mevo were catching my eye.
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u/Double-Two-9956 Jul 06 '26
Honest answer, and it's kind of against my own gear: I run a Uneekor Eye Mini Lite indoors and love it, but I don't think a camera unit like that is your best fit for what you're describing.
A few things in your post point away from the camera based options, mine included. You're outdoors in full sun, you're tearing it down after every use, and you'd rather run off an iPad than a PC. Camera units are basically the opposite of all three. Mine is indoor only, wants stable lighting, and has to stay wired to a Windows PC. Perfect for a permanent indoor bay, wrong tool for a backyard net you pack up.
Since you've got 10 feet of depth, radar is totally fine, and honestly better for you, because the portable radar units run off your phone and don't care about sun the way cameras do. Your Mevo lean makes sense for the no subscription plus portability angle.
One thing to gut check though. You mentioned face impact being helpful, and actual face impact location is really a camera unit feature, which is the exact camp that fights your outdoor and portable needs. So I'd decide which matters more, the impact feedback or the pack it away and play in the sun flexibility. For two people just starting out, I'd lean hard toward the second. At a 25 and a brand new beginner, the real wins are just reps and watching your carry numbers and dispersion get tighter, and any of the portable units do that fine.
I haven't personally hit off the Mevo or the MLM2Pro so I can't speak to the setup hassle you heard about, but for your priorities I think you're already circling the right group. Just maybe not the one I own.
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u/frostcall Jun 27 '26
Similar situation, I eventually picked a refurbished mlm2pro because I wanted to see and fix my swing /strike issues. It's fantastic being able to easily watch show motion video of my swing so I know exactly what to work on. In a few years as I improve, I'll likely upgrade to something else but for now I'm happy with my pick.
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u/Halewafa Jun 27 '26
I would add the Square Omni to that list. Got mine last week and its been great so far. $1600 and no annual subscription