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 hope that’s not the case. Still up and is the only listing as of right now. Maybe some folks waiting to see how it goes to set the market. I think it will depend on availability going forward. Working in the tech industry, I know how hard chips, and components are to come by right now. But, this isn’t like a $500 gaming console. $3k is a big investment in it’s own right. Don’t know how many people would be willing to pay 33%+ more than retail for it.
I’m not saying it will move super fast, but I’d bet that it moves. Someone who has the disposable income that doesn’t want to wait. I’m with you though that I hope it doesn’t happen
Looking at the manual for the GC3 I would guess it would be difficult to do with no subscription. Even the fully unlocked GC3 needs to connect to their online servers once every 14 days to remain fully functional.
But, it would be fantastic if it was an option. Essentially, the upgraded memberships unlock the FSX functionality. If we could get the option to use another software it would be helpful.
Launch Pro says every 45 days it needs connected to the internet.
Not that it would ever happen but Bushnell should prevent ownership change prior to the device shipping. Subscription should be tied to the unit.
I wonder what the difference is between these two things
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Makes you wonder what the reasoning is. Worried about people hacking the firmware? Wonder if the gcquad has similar requirements.
My GCQuad has to connect every 30 days I believe. It functions fine from looking at the screen, but using FSX will not work, without connecting.
Disappointed about the preorders selling out so quickly, but was able to get ahold of Tim and he mentioned a second batch of GC3 should be available sometime in November. Thanks for the advice on reaching out to him @JB. He was a pleasure to chat with and very knowledgeable/helpful. Also I think he briefly mentioned there were about 145 units available for preorder which seems really low, but I have no idea what kind of hardware volume they typically do so I’m guessing they just under-forecasted the demand.
Over $400k in revenue generated in a 5 minute time span. Not a bad little Monday haha.
Tim is an old friend and a great guy, always helps THPers when he can
We were chatting about the GC3, so I think he was referring the to # of units on the Foresight side of things, which would mean even higher revenue figures.
He also mentioned the demand has been so high that he wouldn’t be surprised if they continue to sell out each new batch all the way through next year
I better be quick next time they come available! Luckily I just dropped the bomb to my wife that I wanted one. She didn’t say no…may be rolled her eyes a bit! It’s on now!!!
That’s all you need!
Had the same conversation today, went about the exact same as you
You made my morning Chris, I needed that laugh!!
Everything. We want to know everything haha.
Most specifically I’d like to see how you use it for progress tracking. Are you going to have a session where you’re trying to attain specific club delivery numbers? I’d like to know how that info is collected, recorded, and put to use during your session to help guide you.
I like the sim idea at the range. It says that the sim play requires a gaming pc though. Not sure if you’d be able to run a round on an iPad like that or not.
Man I was about to say you guys are getting darn lucky! I told my wife about wanting one and she laughed at me when I told her the price
That is hysterical!
Those are the same things i work on and without that feedback at the range you just don’t know. I cant wait for you to get this and track the data. I am excited to follow your thoughts on this once you get it.
I never made it to my wife. I told my son who is a competitive high school golfer that I was thinking about just picking up the LaunchPro and using it as a stand alone unit without worrying about subscriptions since we wouldn’t use it at home as a simulator. He told my I was an idiot. So there was no way I was getting approval at the moment. So I’m now thinking maybe I can get one in a year or two second hand for a little less? Who knows.
That is a great point on the extra lessons to fix what you already fixed at a previous lesson. I totally see the benefit of these units if you are someone who likes to work on your game. Your results might cost me some cash
Well I want to make the trip down to get some time on it. I assume you could, but would need an iPad on the range with you.
The folks on the range might think your crazy when they start hearing you say…135yds to carry the bunker & 200 to carry the water.
Do it…I’ll come visit!
Specs look really good for the price. Don’t know what kind of setup you will have. A laptop would be nice to be able to move around. Otherwise, you could possibly go with a more powerful desktop. I don’t know how much more taxing the FSX software will be when it’s updated (sounds like later this year?)
I explicitly asked the Foresight rep if the recommended specs would be changing for the new program and he said they would not be. I hope that is accurate.
Rep told me new software should be out by end of the month or beginning of next.
I called because i don’t want to go spend a bunch of money on a laptop and it turns out the new program needs something new but he said the video card specs should remain.
For now my set up would be hitting into a net going to the laptop and projecting onto a TV. Hoping to grow in the future but current house has ceiling limitations of 9 feet.
If that is the case, then you should be fine based on their recommendation. I don’t have any experience with the FSX software so I cannot say first hand how taxing it is on the GPU. Compared to the minimum hardware requirement they list on their site, the GPU in that laptop should be a significant step up from what they say is the minimum.
GSPro shows a minimum GPU of an Nvidia 1070. Now, looking at the benchmark between the two, the 1070 is scoring higher than the GPU in that laptop. You may want to target a desktop with a 2060 or 3060 in it to give yourself enough wiggle room for other software. The 3060 has gotten a lot of love. Of course, the overall cost of the hardware will be a bit higher than the sub $1k laptop you were looking at.
Of course, those benchmarks will not be the end all be all of how the software would work with the graphics card. I would advise you to reach out to any other company that you are considering for software and ask what their recommendation would be.
I would confirm with either of those other two companies to make sure that GPU will be sufficient before committing $1k to that laptop. Would hate to see you buy and be disappointed in the performance.
Just be careful with how many balls you pound. I did this last year and I am so OCD I keep hammering balls and it messed my knee up. The one negative of being able to hit balls whenever you want is the real danger of overuse injuries.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hmmm that is going to cause me to spend some cash.
Where did you find that video?
That looks sick….
The video posted below your post is the one I watched
Yeah, GC3s are being delivered already. No word on BLPs going out the door yet. Still hearing October 20 as the target date for first shipments.
Man I had my…
ready for the trip south.
Oh, they (Dan) wanted me to do it
Cheers, thanks!! I’m like a sponge with any information I can find on this new model, so didn’t want to miss out!
Just for budgeting what are the going lodge rates…I am ready to get some live action on the GC3/BLP so I can make sure I am making the right decision.