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.
I agree, and think those would be tough to measure w/ only one dot, but I’m all about the wishful thinking haha
Not going to lie impact location would be awesome
Dr Scholl is cheaper than Mr Quad
It’s not as fancy as the computer image though
I’m guessing the Basic sub wouldn’t be enough at that point for 3rd party integration
Yeah, this was really poorly framed on my part.
There are other programs besides fsx play for simulation golf that will connect to launch monitors. Some are already supported by the GC Quad and Hawk (e6 connect is a popular one). Right now none are officially supported by Foresight for the GC3 or BLP.
It looks like Foresight is close to opening up the device for official integration for those programs. Imho e6 isn’t worth it, but GS Pro is quickly gaining in popularity and there are at least talks ongoing.
I think in their recently changed subscription information it said Gold/Unlocked for 3rd party software
Thanls for this; I was looking for this info.
I’ll have a month with the included Gold package and will try out all the included options before figuring out my best option. Another big discount on the full unlock for Black Friday would be appealing if that provides an easy window to 3rd party software.
Right now the GC2 gives the best bang for your buck, but it has its own limiations and the bit of club data I will get from the BLP is a big plus for me.
Bit of a long story, but here goes -the day after ordering I received an email that the unit had shipped; the tracking number provided was invalid in all the tracking pages though so I emailed them. CS responded the unit had shipped but had the wrong tracking # and they would provide me a correct one. By this time the site had updated its price for the unit to the new amount.
Next day no new tracking # so I called and was told the same, that they were waiting for the updated tracking number.
Yesterday I received a refund for the shipping cost. I wrote another email and another of their CS reps answered, stating that they had updated their procedures and since my order had been paid through paypal they wold not ship the unit “internationally” and had to cancel the order, a full refund coming supposedly in 3-5 business days.
So, yeah… I had purchased from the a few times in the past due to them having the best shipping options here, but they lost a customer. Whole thing kinda sucked.
Good idea, let me do that. Never had to before
Do you have the metal sticker on the club face?
No i do not. So i am guess Ill check the setting and test with a dot so see if that fixes it.
Without the sticker, no club data will be read
Huh. Don’t think I ever put two and two together on that
It reads them for me. But, it has to be kept in mind they are still range balls and will impact spin numbers you see off of those rocks. ?
Yellow is not recommended, but it "should" read them. I have not tried to confirm if it will read (obviously @Jman has ?)
Sorry you’ve had this experience.
I can understand the issue with the divots outdoors and constantly repositioning, but that would happen with almost any device. I had a Mevo+ for a blink of an eye, and took it to the range twice and had to adjust because the hitting area isn’t huge. Even though the Quad has a much larger hitting window, there will still be times that needs moved.
I use my solely indoors, so moving isn’t an issue, but I do have it unplugged and on WiFi 100% of the time when I use it and I’ve gone for almost two hours and still had about 60% left on the battery. So could it just be a bad battery?
FSX mobile apps are bad, not going to lie there. I’ve only used it a couple times on my iPad when I didn’t want to fire up the PC in the garage and you could tell the connection wasn’t great because it would fail to display a few shots on the app that showed on the GC3 screen.
Outdoors radar has it’s advantages, but be warned every unit has a "window" to hit the ball from and tou might be constantly adjusting any unit you end up with.
Heck to save a few bucks (thousands actually) go with the Garmin R10. Heck maybe around the PGA Show in 2023 they announce a new model ?
I use it indoors and out, and I’ve been impressed. It’s does all my GC2 did for me and then some with the same accuracy. I’ll add, the battery life is much better as well, I can get 4-5 long sessions out of mine, including this summer out in the heat.
Add in that FSX does what I need, though their apps are still their weak link imo, and I’m pleased.
The battery thing is odd, I haven’t had this issue at all :/
Dang that battery thing is an issue. I really feel like these are best used off a mat to avoid what you described.
We use ours out in the dirt/grass all the time ?
Same, though I do agree that moving it can be a pain in the butt. Times like this, idgaf about the line divot pattern.
Wasn’t saying it wouldn’t work just feel like if you don’t have to move it much its more ideal, like the old setup at the tech studio. I’d still love to have one for an indoor sim type setup.
I’ve had the same experience with mine. Software works, visually not the best/cleanest, but that doesn’t matter as much to me (for now)
Hahaha, I’m used to it from testing with the GC2
I don’t worry about the alignment within reason. So long as I know where I’m aiming, I can visually see a push, pull, etc. A simulator setup, way different. But just me going why do I suck and how do I fix this, or hit a consistent carry? Eh. I got that.
So when I work on path issues, I use driver or fairway woods so I don’t have to move it once I get it where it’s set. When I want to work on irons and wedges, I wait till Thursdays when it’s mats only so the range gets an extra day to chill out.
I want something for a golf simulator in the winter and then for practice when the warm weather comes.
Anyone using the GSPro software with the GC3?
Uneekor Eye Mini is supposed to be released in Q4 2022…just to add another wrinkle in. That’s their version of the GC3, essentially
I read that… but it seems to have disappeared a bit. And they’ve removed features the last I saw. Wondering if it’ll be delayed further….
Their Korean website still says "coming soon" for what it’s worth
Toooooooooo many options…..
Correct
I think the budget golf coupon works on this and gets the price a little lower. They might have changed that though
Buy it off Budget and it gets the price down to just under $6.5k for the bushnell fully unlocked
Well that’s even better…..
Didn’t work for me. Or I just have the wrong code….
I got it to work. Make sure you grab the newest code off the THP homepage
THPMEMBERSONLY
That’s better than the one that got emailed out from budget ?
Yeah, I was using an old one. For some reason i couldn’t see it on my laptop on the home page… but I could with my phone. ???? Thank you again…. to you and @The Dave
Yeah, like $3,200 after taxes and saving an extra 1.5% from Capital One savings browser thing. That makes for a happy me.