u/ProletariatElite

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair."

Two old guard golf launch monitor technology companies, both recently launched new products; hardware and software. One, Flightscope updated and improved the performance of the technology, Mevo Gen2 compared to the device it replaced the Mevo+ and lowered the price from $2,299 to $1,299. The other, Foresight, downgraded the technology from 3 cameras to 2 and eliminated club data and lowered the price, I’m comparing the Launch Pro to the new GC2 $2,999 to $1,699.

Both are or are going to introduce new software, one, Foresight, created multiple confusing tiers and paywalls to content, with an annual subscription cost, the other Flightscope is introducing an updated experience, free to all Flightscope owners.

I always had some regret selling my Mevo+, it was awesome at the range, and no other LM delivered as much data for the price. The Square Omni has replaced it in my bag. I have a GCQuad I will be selling in a few months for anyone interested in making an offer. I’m replacing it with a VTrack for those wondering.

“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I ever have done…”

Indoor Golf spilled the beans early, thoughts?

It’s just ball data, seven measured metrics:

1. Ball Speed
2. Launch Direction
3. Launch Angle
4. Total Spin
5. Back Spin
6. Side Spin
7. Tilt axis

Six calculated metrics

1. Peak Height
2. Hang Time
3. Decent Angle
4. Offline
5. Carry Distance
6. Total Distance

TLDR: The Omni isn't perfect, but it's definitely the best solution out there I’ve seen for ease of setup, data, and performance; I'm keeping it. plan on using the Omni as my range companion, keeping it in my bag and when I get an opportunity to hit a range, after work, lunchtime, whenever, I’ll pull it out, get a bucket and work on one of the many things I need to improve on.

I setup my patio rig to test out the Omni with the GCQuad outside in full sunlight. It was super sunny and if the Omni was going to struggle it would have been evident, and it didn't. I

Bright sunlight was not a problem with performance per se. It was a problem with getting data from the Omni. The built in displays were rendered ineffective, and my iPad needed some engineered modifications to be useful. I was planning on taking synchronized photos of every shot but it was so washed out and there was so much glare I gave up.

I built a protective enclosure for the Omni from 80/20 and Lexan, but after my first session I thought I’d never use it because of how much closer the Square is to the tee. I’ve toed a few into the Quad and demolished a 3D printed case for it, hence the steel one. It was breezy and the wind blew my net over and it crashed inches from the Omni barely missing it, so maybe my protective enclosure will be useful after all!

The Omni is finnicky to get the hitting area defined. It’s talking announcement of “ready” is welcome in bright sunlight where the Omni’s LEDs aren’t easy to see; I’m referring to both the display and status indicator. Once set it was perfect and once I get some more time with the Omni it’ll become second nature I’m sure, and in comparison to my last range monitor, the Mevo+ it’s easier.

Because both units use club stickers, and the placement of dots on the face are different I wasn't able to test the club data simultaneously, and despite the YT videos I've seen, making pronouncements about swing consistency testing, unless it's one of those servo controlled swing robots swinging, I don't believe it. However I do believe in comparing the shot shapes and using that as a basis to compare accuracy, because after all, I'm playing golf, not golf swing, and I'm ultimately trying to get the ball to go where I want it to go.

I hit about 40 balls, mostly driver, but started with a 7 iron with Omni club markers only. Here are my observations.

I aligned both units with the same target line after getting the detection zones set. (the Quad's alignment stick works for the Omni too BTW) The ball data between the two varied more outside than it did inside, but not to a degree that I believe is significant for the vast majority of golfers to notice. I had 1 no read from the Omni and 2 noticeably different reads between the two otherwise the data was remarkably close. Both mis-reads had opposite side spin on shots that would have been baby push draws but the Omni reported a slight push fade. On those shots the ball started right and should have come back to center or just left, but the Omni had them continuing their journey further right. The club data from both would have been really useful to figure out why, but I didn't have the Omni stickers on the driver.

Full disclosure, I am a crappy novice with an inconsistent game that’s slowly getting better. I try to play a draw but at the end of my sessions my dispersion looks like there was an explosion at the golf ball factory.

I am a novice with Square's software, and I'm not a big fan, but to be fair, I'm certain I'll get better with it and it'll be good enough. Also to be fair, I am experienced with Foresight's software, but I'm not a fan of that either, Uneekor's is the best I've used, IMO, Square can , and hopefully will improve here.

The Omni's display outside is not good. It's a great idea that was poorly executed. The screen is small, located too low and totally washed out in sunlight. I used my iPad, the same one I used with my Mevo+ and Eye Mini, and I think you’ll have to use the app with your phone to get data from the Omni outside. I meant to test if the Omni stores session data on the device, but I didn’t test that. Compared to the Quad’s display which is crisp and clear in sunlight, the Omni’s is unusable outside.

I didn’t think through my impact location test very well, I had impact stickers ready, but they cover the club markers, and I didn’t have foot spray ready, so that test will be a different day.

Overall I am really happy with the Omni, it’s performance consistent, I have confidence in its data, it does what it says it does and is a compelling value. There is no perfect LM, but this unit is really close. If Square works on its software they will be hard to beat.

Playbetter shipped Monday and it arrived today. I opened it up and charged it, after about an hour I fired it up, it connected easily and it wanted to update the firmware.

I tweaked my ankle somehow this week but I had to test the Omni along side my Quad. I can report after my "extensive" (4 shots) ball only data analysis it was worth the wait.

I will test it outside later this week.