Trackman 4 Vs. Bushnell Launch Pro Comparison Overview
Do you really need a high-end launch monitor/golf simulator? While you will be the only one who can answer that question there are certain things you must consider. Do you want to be able to practice indoors and on the range/course?
Are you really interested in lowering your handicap? If so then you may be especially interested in today’s comparison article as we will be taking a look at two high-end golf simulators: the Bushnell Launch Pro and the Trackman 4.
Trackman 4 Overview
The Trackman 4 is the latest and greatest from Trackman that uses a duo of technology to provide accuracy indoors and out.
The first thing you should know about the Trackman 4 is that it uses both high-speed cameras and radar sensors to track ball and club data. As such, it can be used both indoors and outdoors without losing anything in the way of accuracy.
And it is very accurate. Ball speed was accurate to within 2MPH and club head speed was accurate to within 1 MPH. You can also connect the Trackman 4 to your phone or iPad to record your shot while it overlays true shot path and trajectory.
The Trackman 4 can read data for club speed, face angle, swing direction, launch angle, launch direction, spin loft, attack angle, club path and more.
Bushnell Launch Pro Overview
The Bushnell Launch Pro functions better as a golf simulator than the Trackman 4.
We can attribute that to the beautifully simulated courses powered by Foresight Sports. Of course, you will have to pay a subscription for these software packages. Still, the Bushnell Launch Pro was less accurate than the Trackman 4 outdoors.
Since it uses only cameras and infrared to track your swing and the ball, direct sunlight can mess with it’s accuracy. The Bushnell Launch Pro was easier and faster to setup though. It comes with it’s own alignment stick so you will know exactly where it needs to be if you use it outdoors.
The Bushnell Launch Pro can track data such as carry distance, ball speed, total spin, club head speed, smash factor and horizontal launch angle.
The accuracy of the Trackman 4 was very impressive. It also offers more in-depth data while Bushnell will charge you extra for data like side spin and spin tilt axis. However, be aware that the Trackman 4 will cost around $19,000.
Trackman 4
In 20 Words or Less
The Trackman 4 is simply the most advanced golf simulator/launch monitor currently on the market.
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.
Trackman 4 First Impressions
The Trackman 4 actually felt pretty intimidating as it required a professional setup.
After playing around with the Trackman 4, we were struck with just how accurate this thing is.
Key Features
The dual sensor system allows for one radar sensor to be dedicated to your club head and the other to the ball.
This tandem made for very accurate short and long-game readings. Tested against other launch monitors, we found the Trackman 4 to be accurate within 2 yards for wood and iron shots. With our putters, it did suffer a bit but was still more accurate than most other monitors.
Of course, the Trackman 4 will capture shot data like distance, smash factor, angle of attack and much more. You can even use it to enter into online tournaments on the richly-simulated golf courses from around the world.
The Trackman 4 is about the best indoor golf simulator/launch monitor you can get.
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.
Trackman 4 Selling Points
- Dual-radar system
- Professional-grade
- 120+ course simulations
- Custom builds
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 Trackman 4 for?
The Trackman 4 will work best for professional-grade virtual golf studios, course pros and fitters.
Again, this system is probably best for people who have made golf their career in one way or another.
Pros:
- The course simulations look fantastic and includes courses like Donalda Club, Falmouth CC, Real Club Valderrama, Hidden Canyon and much more
- Smartphone compatible
- New courses added every month
- Very accurate readings
Cons:
- Very Expensive
- Requires a lot of space
Overall Score: 95/100
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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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