The race to create the best launch monitor is heating up! With more options available, buyers have more questions. In this review, Marc, our golf expert, breaks down where the Bushnell Launch Pro stands. He covers everything from its price, data points, and subscriptions to its simulation features.
The Bushnell Launch Pro is set up on the range, with a pyramid of golf balls and a golf bag in the background.
Bushnell Launch Pro Review (2024 Update): Should You Buy It? Check out our in-depth analysis.
The race for the best golf launch monitor is heating up. If there’s one thing our recent trip to the PGA Show made clear, it’s that shot-tracking and simulator devices, especially for home use, are driving the golf industry today. Brands are investing heavily in what feels like an arms race to create the best product.
Not long ago, the Bushnell Launch Pro, and its Foresight Sports GC3 predecessor (which we’ll discuss later), was the clear top choice for the best golf launch monitor under $5,000.
But what about now?
In 2024, with more great launch monitor options than ever, how does it compare?
I spent over a month testing the Bushnell Launch Pro on the range, in a simulator studio, and out on the course. My goal wasn’t to compare it to one specific product but to see if it stands out after testing many different launch monitors.
If you’ve been following the golf simulator market, you’ve probably heard a lot about the Launch Pro’s accuracy. It’s widely preferred by many playing and teaching professionals, along with its bigger models like the GCQuad and QuadMAX.
You’ve probably also heard about the changing price and subscription plans. In just a few years, the pricing for the Bushnell Launch Pro has shifted multiple times.
There have also been software updates and changes in simulator course options.
So, where do we stand today? With all the rapid developments in the launch monitor and simulator market, is the Bushnell Launch Pro still worth buying in 2024?
I’ve spent time with it, and I’ve got some thoughts to share. Let me tell you about my experience.
Bushnell Launch Pro vs Foresight Sports GC3
Before we dive into the performance of the Launch Pro, let’s clear up some confusion. How are the Bushnell Launch Pro and Foresight Sports GC3 different?
To put it simply, they aren’t.
But in a way, they kind of are…
Let me explain. These two launch monitors are identical in form and function. They are the same device. The only real difference is the logos on the units. When it comes to hardware, technology, data delivery, and software, everything is exactly the same.
In 2021, Bushnell’s parent company, Vista Outdoor, bought Foresight Sports. At that time, Foresight Sports had already released the GC3 golf launch monitor. Instead of leaving things as they were, Bushnell chose to rebrand the GC3 as the Bushnell Launch Pro while still selling the original GC3.
This can be a bit confusing, right?
The main difference between the two products is their pricing. The Launch Pro has a lower purchase price but a higher subscription fee. In contrast, the GC3 costs more upfront but offers a one-time payment option.
Here’s how the Bushnell Launch Pro pricing looks:
- Ball Data Only Launch Pro: $1,999.99
- Ball and Club Data Launch Pro: $3,499.99
- Gold software package for simulation (available with either model): $499 per year, with a free 14-day trial
For the GC3, the pricing options are:
- Ball Data Only (with 25 sim courses and Awesome Golf): $5,999.00
- Ball and Club Data (with 25 sim courses and Awesome Golf): $7,999.00
- Ball and Club Data (with 25 sim courses, 10 premium courses, and Awesome Golf): $8,499.00
If you buy a GC3, you get full simulator compatibility without needing to pay an annual subscription. That may sound appealing. However, here’s the catch: If you buy the Ball Data Only units and pay the annual subscription, you could own a Bushnell Launch Pro for eight years before you reach the cost of a Foresight Sports GC3. For the Ball and Club Data model, it would take nine years to catch up. That’s a long time, especially with how quickly golf launch monitor technology is changing.
Because of this, I believe most people would be better off purchasing the Bushnell Launch Pro. Yes, subscriptions can be annoying. But the potential savings over time make it worth considering.
In this Bushnell Launch Pro review, we will look at the data each device provides. Spoiler alert: It’s impressive. But for its price, is it impressive enough? Read on to find out.
First Impressions and Setting Up the Bushnell Launch Pro
The Bushnell Launch Pro looks and feels like a high-quality golf launch monitor. Its build quality is very strong and impressive.
- When you compare it to other products, that impression gets even better.
I really like both the SkyTrak Plus and the FlightScope Mevo Plus. They are great options for the right users. I mention them here because they are two of the main competitors to the Bushnell Launch Pro. However, both of those monitors feel like cheap plastic toys compared to the sturdiness of the Launch Pro. It’s not even close.
Then there’s the new competitor, the Uneekor EYE MINI. I have to say, its build quality is also impressive. Why? Because it looks and feels almost exactly like the Bushnell Launch Pro! You might call it a copycat. Regardless, while the EYE MINI is a nice launch monitor, I think the Launch Pro feels a bit sturdier and classier overall.
First Impressions and Setting Up the Bushnell Launch Pro
The Bushnell Launch Pro looks and feels like a top-quality golf launch monitor. Its build quality is very strong and impressive.
When you compare it to other products, that feeling only improves.
I really like the SkyTrak Plus and the FlightScope Mevo Plus. They are both great choices for the right users. I mention them because they are two main competitors to the Bushnell Launch Pro. However, both of those monitors feel like cheap plastic toys when compared to the sturdiness of the Launch Pro. It’s not even close.
Then there’s the new competitor, the Uneekor EYE MINI. Its build quality is also impressive. Why? Because it looks and feels almost exactly like the Bushnell Launch Pro! You could call it a copycat. Still, while the EYE MINI is a nice launch monitor, I believe the Launch Pro feels a bit sturdier and classier overall.
Bushnell Launch Pro Data and Accuracy
Let’s get straight to the most important point: The Bushnell Launch Pro is definitely the most accurate golf launch monitor I’ve tested.
Have I tried every product on the market? No, but I have tested a lot.
If you don’t want to take my word for it, do some research. You might find it boring because you’ll keep reading how accurate the Bushnell Launch Pro is. Professional players have praised it. Teaching professionals have talked about it. Reviewers have mentioned it. And many users all say the same thing: it’s very accurate.
Space-Saving Opportunities With the Bushnell Launch Pro
The Bushnell Launch Pro uses three cameras to read golf shots. It is placed right next to the golf ball. This means that if you are indoors, you only need enough space behind you to swing a golf club comfortably.
In contrast, a radar golf launch monitor typically needs to be at least 8 feet behind the ball. This requires much more depth in your indoor setup.
Another advantage of the Launch Pro is that if you play with both right-handed and left-handed golfers, you don’t need to move the monitor around. A monitor set up behind the ball can stay in place, while the Launch Pro would need to be moved for each side.
Luckily, it only takes a few seconds to realign the Launch Pro. Radar devices, like the FlightScope Mevo Plus, can be harder to align perfectly.
This could be an important factor for many indoor users. If you have limited depth in your space, that’s one more reason to consider the Bushnell Launch Pro. However, if you regularly play indoor golf with both righties and lefties, this might be a valid reason to look at other options.
Bushnell Launch Pro Simulator Software and Third-Party Limitations
To use the Bushnell Launch Pro as a golf simulator, you need to purchase the Foresight Sports Gold subscription package. This costs $499 per year after a free 14-day trial.
With this subscription, you get access to all of Foresight Sports’ software, which includes:
FSX Pro (Foresight’s mobile app)
FSX Play (Foresight’s latest simulator software)
25 simulated golf courses (additional courses can be purchased)
Awesome Golf (a more animated, arcade-like version of simulator golf)
The included golf courses are decent. There are some fun tracks among the 25 options, but you won’t find any big-name courses. It’s disappointing to learn that adding a course like Pebble Beach costs $150 each.
Another downside is that if you want to use third-party simulator software with the Bushnell Launch Pro, you still need to buy the Gold subscription. Previously, you could use the Launch Pro with software like GSPro, which many sim golfers prefer, without a Foresight subscription. Now, you must pay for both the Foresight subscription and the third-party subscription, which costs $250 per year for GSPro.
Additionally, the Bushnell Launch Pro does not have access to E6 Connect. This means you can’t play simulated golf using a mobile device. Instead, you will need a good computer to run the software properly.
Is the Bushnell Launch Pro Still Worth It in 2024?
Overall, I believe that buying the Bushnell Launch Pro is the best way to spend $2,000 to $3,500 on golf simulator technology in 2024.
However, things are rarely equal.
If you plan to set up an indoor space that will entertain both right-handed and left-handed players, consider a launch monitor that is positioned behind the ball or mounted on the ceiling. The Bushnell Launch Pro does not fit that description.
If you want to play mobile, on-the-go simulator golf, the Bushnell Launch Pro isn’t the right choice.
And if you want a golf simulator but can’t handle annual subscriptions, you will need to look elsewhere.
However, when those factors aren’t a concern and you’re just searching for the most accurate golf launch monitor under $5,000, the Bushnell Launch Pro is unbeatable. This has been true for a few years, and it remains true in 2024.
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