GCQuad Vs. Bushnell Launch Pro Comparison Overview
A lot of people are averse to using launch monitors that rely on radar technology because these kinds of launch monitors have a hard time tracking club metrics like club face orientation and impact location. Plus, radar systems tend to lose accuracy indoors.
So if you prefer a launch monitor that doesn’t use radar, pay close attention to the following comparison overview as we tested two of the most popular, non-radar based launch monitor systems.
CGQuad Overview
The GCQuad comes from Foresight Sports: the makers of one of the most realistic golf simulation software suites on the market.
To give you a little perspective, Foresight Sports usually provides the software packages for professional fitters and commercial setups. Still, even aside from the rich simulations you get with this launch monitor, one of it’s biggest advantages is that it can be used indoors and outdoors.
However, since the GCQuad uses high speed cameras to track ball and club data, direct sunlight can really throw readings off. Outdoors, the GCQuad runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that lasts about 7 hours on a full charge.
The GCQuad tracks data for ball speed, launch angle, total spin, spin tilt axis, club speed, impact point and angle of attack.
Bushnell Launch Pro Overview
The Bushnell Launch Pro also uses cameras (plus infrared) to track shots, can be used indoors and outdoors and is even almost the same size as the GCQuad.
The Bushnell Launch Pro is about a foot tall and 6 inches wide which is almost the exact same size as the GCQuad. However, since infrared is used to supplement the high speed cameras, we found that the Bushnell Launch Pro was more reliable outdoors in terms of accuracy.
We were a bit disappointed with a couple aspects of this launch monitor though. For instance, the battery life is only about 4 hours on a full charge. Certain data like back spin, spin tilt axis, side spin, club path and angle of attack are only included in paid upgrade packages.
Still, the Bushnell Launch Pro also uses Foresight Sports simulation software so the quality of the simulations was on par with the GCQuad.
Both of these launch monitors also have a headsup, onboard displays which was a nice convenience feature. However, the GCQuad read out data quicker and you get more data included in the upfront cost.
GC Quad in 20 Words or Less
In 20 Words Or Less
The GC Quad is a versatile and extremely accurate golf launch monitor with a good degree of convenience as well.
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.
GC Quad First Impressions
The GC Quad first struck us for its unique design.
This thing looks like a sci-fi device of some kind but later on, what we were more taken with was the convenience and portability.
Key Features
The GC Quad has 4 main modes that include play, compete and improve modes.
The GC Quad relies on 4 quadrascopic cameras to accurately capture your club head and the ball at point of impact. It also has an onboard display so you can see instant shot readings.
The GC Quad can also be used outdoors so long as the weather isn’t too bad. You can also save your shot data to the cloud and review it at your leisure.
The simulator mode allows you to play world-renowned courses like Pebble Beach where you can see real-life conditions like wind speed, elevation and more.
The GC Quad is best-played with a projector setup.
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.
GC Quad Selling Points
- Indoor/outdoor use
- 4 on-board cameras
- On-board display
- Multiple skill challenges
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 the GC Quad for?
The GC Quad would be best-suited to low handicap players who are looking for acute accuracy and detailed shot metrics.
It would also be a good choice for anyone who likes to get outdoors and have detailed practice sessions.
Pros:
- Provides wide shot pickup range
- It can be set up relatively easily
- You can use it outdoors and have data displayed right on the screen
- Metrics include horizontal club path, club head speed, dynamic loft, smash factor, impact location, lie, ball speed, carry, closure rate and total distance
Cons:
- Not a lot of options in terms of software
- The battery life isn’t very good
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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