When it comes to launch monitors and possibly consumer facing models at that, few things in the space have been as anticipated as this launch. The teasers have set the stage for a lot of buzz and with that a lot of questions. Today we hope to answer all of them for you.
This is a dual launch for two separate products. The Foresight GC3 and the Bushnell Launch Pro. Before we get to the technical side of things, it is important to note that these two devices are identical from a hardware standpoint. They do however, function quite differently from a cost perspective.
Before getting to the structure of purchase, let’s go over what it does and to do that, we dropped the new Foresight GC3 into the THP Tech Studio for a full test.
Similar in fashion to the GCQuad we use for all of our equipment testing in the studio, the GC3 uses multiple cameras (in this case 3) and features the same level of accuracy that are considered by many to the be the gold standard in measurement. Why? Well a lot of reasons, but the most glaring being that cameras capture more ball and club data such as spin axis rather than use algorithms to derive what is taking place.
The unlocked GC3 does much of what the slightly larger and more expensive GCQuad does but there are some small differences. Face angle and impact location stand out as well as a much larger hitting area being 18×14 rather than 7×10 for the new GC3, but what Foresight has been able to cram into this, makes this the launch monitor that many golfers have been waiting for.
This is the part of the story where we explain the dual launch part of this. Foresight is launching the GC3, which is what we featured in the video above. Bushnell is releasing the Launch Pro, which is the exact same device from a hardware stand point, but it comes with a much different pricing structure.
The Foresight GC3 comes fully unlocked and ready to go for the price of $7,000. The Bushnell Launch Pro comes with the same hardware, but requires one of their subscription services for the cost of $3,000. We will expand on those packages below, but their costs are
Basic: $99 Per Year (1st Year Free)
Silver: $399 Per Year
Gold: $799 Per Year
How do these breakdown with what is unlocked with each package? This chart should help, but the gist of it is, Silver is needed to put golf courses on the device and Gold is going to be necessary if you want Spin Data.
The pricing proposition really comes down to what you are going to be using the device for. Fun simulation with a few friends, the Silver Package might work out pretty well for your needs. Looking for an accurate launch monitor that will offer full spin readings? Gold is the only way to achieve that. Which definitely brings the question of the best way to purchase this device? Unlocked with no ongoing fees or unlockable with yearly costs going forward?
Regardless of which way you fall on the pricing spectrum, know you are going to receive one of the most versatile units available. Seamlessly going from indoors to out without the need for much setup. Literally put it down, turn it on and off you go.
The GC3 and Launch Pro will be available for purchase beginning October 4th. International customers, stay tuned because the GC3 with subscription based model will be coming in 2022.
We will have a lot more coming soon on the Foresight GC3 and Bushnell Launch Pro as our testing continues with the device. If you have questions, ask them below.
So to confirm, if you’re fully unlocked, you still have to pay an additional 500 for FSX play?
As of now, yes. Not sure if that’ll change in time.
They increased the price of a GC3 to $7500 to cover the FSX Play software (not included with their special 4th of July promotion)
When I need to go full sim, I’ll worry about it. For the moment, I don’t. I’ve got a buddy with fsx play and his upstairs sim is almost complete. He may have had a few cocktails one night and did some course shopping so we have some nice options ?
Just FYI, they typically run specials on courses where they do 2-for-1 or 3-for-2 so it’s not quite as painful to drop a few hundred per course
for sure, I was happy to take advantage of the Fourth of July promotion they have going on right now, I’m sure Black Friday might lead to another promotion of sorts just the same haha
Yep always seem to run the 4th and Black Friday deals
I have GSPro and it works fine with my GC3. I prefer it to TGC and FSX2020.
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Thanks for the heads up! I’ll check it out. Do you need to have a GC3 or BLP with gold subscription/full unlock for it to work correctly?
I think I’ve read it will work with silver.
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Are you up to the latest firmware? They’ve made some updates to the BLP/GC3 that has improved connection and other behind the scenes stuff
That’s disappointing. I haven’t had many issues with the PC and FSX Pro ever (and I used it last weekend). Although I might have a different experience if I was using the BLP/GC3 on board wifi
I actually updated last week and started noticing some dropouts again where I’d have to restart the FSX app. Might end up rolling back again. Are there any updates in the latest firmwares that make dealing with the intermittent drop-outs worth it? I saw some new tabs in the UI on the BLP screen, but not sure if that’s purely cosmetic.
But their hardware is top notch
Best out there.
Ever tried gspro?
He’s only using an iPad
Search around the web. The traffic here on this is quite light. I’ve read a fair share of love stories and not so happy repair stories. A close friend of mine has one and so far he has not had any significant issues (fingers crossed).
Appreciate the feedback. I can imagine reports being mixed on any new product. Truth is, I trust THPer feedback over a lot of other places.
Yeah, hard to know when going elsewhere.
I used my buddy’s at the range a fair few times recently and enjoyed it. The IOS app is not great, but it fulfilled my purposes.
I read a recent rumor that the BLP may offer a subscription option for all the data without the sim stuff, which I’d love to see as an option. If I were to buy one, I’d be more interested in the swing/club data than simulation.
Next year will prob be huge for these home LMs.
Zero issue with the one we have for the golf program. And it’s had thousands of balls hit on it, outdoors, and sim setup into a net.
Only issue I had was a screen had a pixel or something die in it, and it made a random black line pop through the screen. Quick phone call and shipping label, they fixed and wasn’t a big deal. No issues since
It’s lethal for short game practice.
I would be all over that subscription; that would definitely be enough to push me over the edge.
I do have a pc built for it so the ios option not being great wouldn’t be a big deal. The $800/year sub to unlock all the numbers is my biggest hold up
Interesting, we use ours constantly on the chipping area and the range working 40, 60, 80, 100’s. Never an issue, same readouts as my GC2, with more data.
I’ve had zero issues with mine so far, hit into a net in my garage and have a PC. Regarding the gold subscription (which I have) I did hear some rumors that they might introduce a version of the gold subscription that gives all the data parameters but is for range only which would be significantly less than the 800. But that’s very much a rumor only so wouldn’t make any decisions based on that info at this stage.
Gonna guess the level part was the issue. Haven’t had that sorta number ever lol
Same.
Just FYI, they’ve floated the subscription will increase when FSX Play is fully released for the BLP.
If you plan to keep the BLP for more than 5 years a full unlock might be the way to go. They ran a 4th of July sale to reduce the price of the full unlock by $1k
Check out this one as well.
https://www.thehackersparadise.com/sigpro-softy-hitting-mat-and-insert/
I’m hoping if they increase the sub price when Play is available that they would also have a "range only – full data" option at a lower rate than current gold. If not I agree that un-lock would be something I’d look at, especially if they would do another 1k off campaign.
Typically Foresight runs sales two times a year. Fourth of July and Black Friday.
Not counting the course purchase sales which have been more regular this year…like once a month
The one @JB referenced is good because after a while (quite a long time usually) the hitting area wears down or gets a small indentation from the constant hitting and you can just swap out the small hitting area instead of replacing the whole mat.
I haven’t seen this with the old style Fiberbuilt mats as much, but I’m sure they wear down too
Yes, upgrades the silver; the kicker is they upped the unit price to 4k which stings.
Looks like even the basic package now gives all club parameters but only 2D range and no simulation, price also up from 99 to 249. Silver at 499 seems similar to Gold but fewer # of players / sessions / etc allowed for saving. For me this makes the subscription model even more attractive compared to GC3 if I read this correctly. I’ll prob go with the basic or silver for next year which compared to current Gold at 799 will still save a ton of cash.
I honestly think this is more to do with the new Uneekor unit than GS Pro
Didn’t notice that. So seems anyone who got in at 3k will benefit from this nicely.
Same here…. I think $3k is my ceiling for investing in a LM.
I’m in the same boat. Could maybe go a bit higher for something fully unlocked
Have to see what the Uneekor unit brings to the table. I haven’t heard pricing yet, but based on their other models and comparison to Foresight similar models, they’ll undercut in price, but I’m not sure what model they’re targeting…the GC3 or the Quad. My guess is GC3 and Bushnell raising the price to $4k with a $250/year sub might be telling as to where Uneekor is bringing in their new unit. TBD on subscription there though
I know you’re in Puerto Rico but looking at a used BLP shipped from the US might work ????
It’s region locked and I don’t know if Puerto Rico qualifies as USA in the region…
That’s a great question; I figure it’s probably US
When does the Uneekor drop? Any idea?
My LM use will likely be used to support range work, as I’m not a big sim guy and prefer to see a ball fly through the air. The LM scene should be interesting next year I think.
Outdoors Mevo+ isn’t terrible…fwiw.
Uneekor initially said September, but I have heard Q4. If they want to get a quick jump on some sales, they should release before a lot of the country is snow covered… September would be ideal to get the Fall/Winter LM buyers
I sort of bought into my buddy’s BLP. Gave him some $ to unlock it a month ago. I can basically use it when I want to. Just have to drive over to his house and grab it. Not a bad deal for now….
Don’t get your hopes up.
They probably just swiped that table from their GC3/GC Quad comparison and added the subscription options
There’s no way they’d cannibalize the Quad