Skytrak Vs. Bushnell Launch Pro Comparison Overview
When shopping for launch monitors/golf simulators, you really need to carefully assess what it is you want and need. That’s because launch monitors can get very expensive, very quickly. So you have to ask yourself what your goals are.
Do you want to just have some fun around the house? Do you want to be able to entertain guests? Or are you really serious about improving your game? In the following comparison overview, we will be taking a look at two systems that would be best for players who are serious about their game.
Skytrak Overview
It should be noted that there are a variety of Skytrak packages that range from $2000 to $2345.
The most basic package includes just the launch monitor and that’s what we tested. The Skytrak uses Trugolf E6 Connect to render beautifully simulated courses in gorgeous 4K resolution. You get access to over 170,000 simulated courses from around the world.
Of course, the Skytrak is best used with a projector and impact screen. The Skytrak system uses high-speed cameras for it’s readings and it can’t be used outdoors. However, there are a ton of game improvement features and it was very accurate.
The Skytrak launch monitor can track stats like ball speed, launch angle, back spin, side spin, carry distance and more.
Bushnell Launch Pro Overview
The Bushnell Launch Pro uses both cameras and infrared so it can be used indoors and outdoors.
This was definitely a plus – especially because it doesn’t lose any accuracy when used outdoors. The downside is that you have to pay quite a bit for the simulation software and even though the software comes from Foresight Sports and the courses look amazing, even the most expensive package includes only 10 courses.
You also have to put club markers on your clubs in order for the Bushnell Launch Pro to get accurate readings. The Bushnell Launch Pro costs $3000 and it comes with a free year of the basic software package. It can track data like club head speed, smash factor, carry distance and ball speed.
Overall, the Skytrak represented the best value – even though it can’t be used outdoors. The game improvement modes will really provide you with key insights into your game and the simulation experience is much more immersive than the Bushnell Launch Pro.
That all being said, if you primarily want to use your launch monitor outdoors, the Bushnell Launch Pro is the obvious choice.
Skytrak
In 20 Words Or Less
The Skytrak is a more basic launch monitor/simulator that may be more intuitive for recreational players.
Bushnell Launch Pro
In 20 Words or Less
The Bushnell Launch Pro provides a wealth of shot and ball metrics that can truly help improve your game.
Skytrak First Impressions
The Skytrak also sets up wirelessly so it was convenient to use indoors.
We don’t like wire management so it was nice that the Skytrak sets up without any USB cables or anything. The long-game accuracy was good but short-game accuracy suffered a bit.
Key Features
The Skytrak uses photometric technology to give shot readings.
The good thing about the use of cameras as opposed to radar is that it maintains its accuracy outdoors. The Skytrak gives you only one real swing metric and that;s club head speed.
Still, it provides launch degree, side spin rates, apex height, carry distance, roll distance and of course, total distance.
The Skytrak also simulates courses nicely on your tablet or laptop.
With fewer metrics, it’s a bit hard to reconcile the fact that the Skytrak costs as much as the Mevo Plus.
Bushnell Launch Pro First Impressions
We were first taken with how easy it is to set up right out of the box.
While it’s good to go right away, we gave it a full charge before taking it out onto the range. Fully charging the Bushnell Launch Pro took about an hour and a half and it lasted for about 3 hours.
We also really liked that the heads-up display is touch enabled so you can easily scroll through different modes and see different metrics. It is only a foot tall though, so taller players may have to stoop down uncomfortably low to operate the screen.
Key Features
The Bushnell Launch Pro comes with a free month of the Gold Package and there are a number of different annual software subscriptions to choose from.
Just keep in mind that all of these software packages are paid. With the most expensive package (a one-time fee of $4,000) you get 10 simulated courses (Butterfield, Tall Pines, Beaver Hills, Willow Crest, Teton Pines and more), online play capability, access to online competitions and tournaments, simulated driving range, access for 8 users and data archiving.
The device itself uses 3 high-speed cameras and an infrared sensor to capture your shot at point of launch and estimate a variety of ball and shot metrics. It also has a 3 inch by 2 inch touchscreen LCD display.
Some of the metrics that you get with the Bushnell Launch Pro include carry distance, ball speed, total spin, vertical launch angle, horizontal launch angle, club head speed and smash factor.
And while the Bushnell Launch Pro does a good job of accurately tracking these metrics, the depth of data on other devices we have tested was greater. Quite frankly, we were expecting many more tracking metrics for a device this expensive.
The fact that it uses cameras and infrared instead of radar means that it is very accurate both indoors and outdoors. It can be set up with a prepackaged or custom net system, simulation system (with impact projector) or simply used with your PC or TV.
The Bushnell Launch Pro comes with 28 club markers that you have to put on the face of your clubs in order for it to track accurate club data. You can also connect to the internet via an ethernet cable or Wi-Fi.
Some of the features like club tags and the non-colored LCD screen seem a bit archaic but if you’re looking for accuracy, the Bushnell Launch Pro is one of the most accurate upper mid-level launch monitors on the market.
Skytrak Selling Points
- Weather settings
- Portable
- Side angle readings
- Wireless setup
- Photometric readings
Bushnell Launch Pro Selling Points
- It’s easy to set up
- Includes one free year of the basic software package
- In-depth shot and club data
- Wireless internet enabled
- Up to 10 simulated courses
Who is Skytrak for?
The Skytrak is more for recreational use or players who just want to have fun with challenge games and course simulations.
Still, it provides all the necessary data that average golfers need to improve different aspects of their game.
Pros:
- It rivals the accuracy of much more expensive launch monitors
- The simulated renderings of famous courses looks really nice
- The wireless connection is reliable
- You can archive your shot data and review it whenever you want
Cons:
- Fewer shot metrics than the Mevo Plus
- It can take between 5 and 7 seconds to pull up shout metrics
Overall Score: 94/100
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Who is the Bushnell Launch Pro for?
The great thing about the Bushnell Launch Pro is that it occupies that middle ground of upper mid-level launch monitors that would be helpful for casual golfers and course pros alike.
Having said that, you should not spend the money for this launch monitor unless you are very serious about improving your game. Like we mentioned near the top of the article, the Bushnell Launch Pro is nice as a golf simulator; but it’s true value is as a launch monitor.
The simulations are fun and you can even enter in online tournaments; but after testing the Bushnell Launch Pro, the simulation features almost seem like an afterthought
It’s obvious that the bulk of the Research & Development for this device went into its launch monitor capabilities.
We found that the Bushnell Launch Pro was accurate to within 2 yards on drive distance, fairway wood distance readings and accurate to within 3 yards with our irons and wedges. And these numbers apply to both indoor and outdoor settings.
Where it struggled a bit was ball speed. When tested against another launch monitor, there was a 5MPH variance which we couldn’t quite figure out. All other readings were very accurate.
Pros:
- It maintains its accuracy both indoors and outdoors
- It comes with its own alignment stick and is very easy to set up
- You set it up right on front of you so it’s very easy to see your swing/ball data right on the screen in front of you
- It provides easy to understand graphs that give you great insight into your swing
- It can connect wirelessly to your internet
- The Foresight Sports simulation packages are some of the best in the industry
Cons:
- Almost all of the software packages are very expensive
- Even with the most expensive software packages, you only get 10 simulated courses
- The battery life isn’t great
- You have to pay extra to get advanced shot/ball metrics like side spin, back spin, spin tilt axis, club path and angle of attack
Overall Score: 92/100
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