Aubrey
I had been in the research loop of launch monitors after I fell into the "you need to perfect your swing" trap, and had been looking at this one along with some of the others out there. I was ultimately stuck between this one and the Garmin launch monitor. I have a lot of Garmin equipment and that one would sync with my watch, the golf app, and had simulations so you could play virtual courses. I ended up getting this one because of the size and the ball tracking/video reviews and am really happy that I did.
Ease of use: Once you set up an account on your mobile device of choice, it's as easy as turning it on, opening the app, putting your device in the folding holder and pointing the video feed where you're hitting from. Now all you have to do is swing away. There are some other steps about picking if you're outdoors or in a net and opening the practice part or combine if you pay for the pro version. As far as devices go, it's probably the easiest I've ever used and gives a ton of data.
Data tracked: It tracks spin, direction, trends, club speed, ball speed, smash factor, and a load more of data. I need to preface that the sheer amount of data that it tracks and shows trends on was a huge deciding factor for me, a data nerd. There are some users that say the numbers are a little off but I have hit on a range with very specific distances marked and the distance seems pretty spot on. After using it for a few months, I've changed my approach (pun not intended), because the trend had been that all golfers need to adjust their swing to fit a box and I found myself not enjoying the game because every single move I made had way too much thought. Short version; it tracks a ton of data about your shot, at the range, on the course, or hitting into a net. If the goal is to get better, it captures more than enough data. At the end of the day, the goal is to hit the ball where you want to hit it. You get instant feedback and can make the adjustments needed in real time to really help shape your shot. That alone is worth much more than the cost.
All that positivity aside, now it's time for some negatives: 1. You need to have it well placed. 6-8ft behind where you're hitting, pointed slightly down so you can see the whole hitting surface, and see where your shot apex will be. It sounds like it's pretty open with the wider angle of your device's camera but it has to be a bit more accurately placed than it seems. 2. Even with that, sometimes it misses shots. I haven't been able to find an exact reason but it just misses sometimes. It takes a habit of being able to dismiss the shot you just did in your head when it misses so you don't adjust without data. 3. It sits outside and if it's sunny, with the way you have it all placed, my device will overheat fairly often. I'm sure you could put something over it for shade and that would reduce the overheating, but haven't tried that yet.
Extra positives that I didn't realize I would use but love: When at the range, you can just hold your club toward the camera, showing what it is, and it will automatically change it in the app. Shot tracking with video that you can look at later and see what you're doing for those awesome shots and where you're messing up when you top them. The biggest thing for me is, I have data backing the true distance of my shots, along with accuracy. You know those times when you say "I love my 7 iron. It's my most accurate club I have"... Now there's data to back it. The more you use it, the more data you have. I know that I have a lateral range of 100-170 yards with that club and the horizontal range is 15 yards. My other club has that 150-180yd range but horizontally, it's +/- 50yds. That's critical data and helps tremendously on the course.
If you are looking for a device that will have you looking like Rory on the course with a textbook perfect swing, this isn't it. It's not going to help your form or make your hips pivot from your 3:1 swing ratio. What it will do is help you understand what works and what doesn't work with the swing you have and help you really know what your shots look like instead of the dreams of our perfect shots we keep in our head from that one time six years ago when we hit a 7 iron 200 yards and landed it with perfect backswing, 2 inches from the pin. Best yet, it's small enough that you can have all that in a tiny bag that is easier to forget you brought with you that it is to forget to bring it.
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 6.73 x 4.72 x 2.24 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 0.63 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 6.85 x 7.72 x 2.28 inches |
| Item Weight | 440 Grams |
| Brand Name | Rapsodo |
| Warranty Description | 1-year limited warranty, 30-day return policy |
| Model Name | MLM |
| Color | Black/Red |
| Material | Plastic |
| Suggested Users | mens |
| Manufacturer | Rapsodo |
| Part Number | MLM01E |
| Model Year | 2019 |
| Style | Monitor |
| Included Components | MLM unit, Charging cord, Carrying case, Quick start guide |
| Sport Type | Golf |