TECH: Bushnell and Foresight Develop Launch Pro Launch Monitor

Bushnell Golf and Foresight Sports are leaders in their respective fields.  While Bushnell has become the established, gold standard option in laser rangefinders, Foresight has become a top tier, camera-based launch monitor manufacturer who’s products can often be found on the range at Tour events.

And up until now, the two have never crossed paths, despite offering complementary products.

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Hozel Rocket 🚀 (@hozel_rocket)

Bushnell and Foresight have partnered together to develop the Launch Pro, a personal launch monitor that will leverage the data and technology that have helped separate each respective brand from their competitors.

“Bushnell Golf is committed to innovation, technology advancements and supporting the golfing consumer as they build confidence in their game. The Launch Pro will offer our core consumer access to the best technology in ball striking measurement and analysis, which will support our consumers in their pursuit of improvement,” said Vishak Sankaran, President of Bushnell. “Launch Pro also expands our offerings in the off-course, lifestyle inspired golf segment. Launch Pro users will have access to multiple course simulations to enhance their in-home or off-course playing experience.”

According to Bushnell Golf Director John DeCastro:

“The partnership with Foresight Sports is all about bringing the right technology to the broader golf community. All who are passionate about the sport have come to learn that launch monitors – particularly Foresight Sports launch monitors – have become a core part of the game. Our partnership with the Foresight Sports team is about a shared, singular vision – to deliver breakthrough technology to heighten both enjoyment and player skill in the game of golf. Adding Launch Pro to our suite of industry leading products is just one more example of how our companies are accomplishing that vision and remaining dedicated to the game.”

“Our two teams are the right combination to win in the growing launch monitor market. Foresight Sports’ leading technology combined with the strength of the Bushnell Golf brand will facilitate growth in new and existing golf markets,” says Foresight Sports Co-Founder, Jon Watters. “It’s an incredibly exciting time to be a part of this sport. Not only to be witnessing the evolution of our game toward a broader, more enhanced user experience through technology, but to be actively helping golfers improve while growing the game and reaching new users. We are excited for the future and this partnership with Bushnell Golf.”

Although little information has been confirmed about the Launch Pro, a few details have been confirmed:

• the Launch Pro will be a camera-based launch monitor, featuring three high-speed, high resolution cameras;
• the Launch Pro will be floor mounted, and positioned directly in front of the golfer and the ball to help capture the post accurate data immediately before, at, and immediately after impact; and
• the Launch Pro will be capable of accurately measuring, at a minimum, clubhead speed, ball speed, launch angle, carry distance, spin rate, and roll out.

The most noteworthy benefit of a camera-based system is that it can be used anywhere you can swing a golf club, indoors or outdoors (unlike a radar system, which usually requires a larger amount of space to accurately capture ball flight data). 

Additionally, Bushnell is claiming that the Launch Pro will be capable of auto-calibrating, meaning you don’t have to go through a lengthy setup process whenever you take it from your garage to the range.

For those of you who remember, the Launch Pro might sound like a hybrid between Foresight’s GC2 launch monitor and the cleaner, more modern packaging of the GCQuad—Foresight’s current flagship model that is priced at $11,000 (excluding the FSX and clubhead measurement licenses).

Pricing hasn’t been confirmed, but I believe it’ll be slightly more expensive than the FlightScope Mevo+ ($2,000) because of the three proprietary high speed, high resolution cameras.  Instead, I anticipate that it’ll fall somewhere in the $4,000 range, which positions the Launch Pro against the upcoming Full Swing Golf Kit, a radar-based system with a 1080p camera to capture swing video that was commissioned at the request of Tiger Woods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Hozel Rocket 🚀 (@hozel_rocket)

That said, it’ll be very interesting to see if the Bushnell Launch Pro‘s purchase price includes all features, and only perhaps only charge an annual fee for a simulator experience, or (like the GCQuad) will charge users an additional fee to unlock certain features (e.g., clubhead data).

Bushnell recently claimed they will start taking orders in September, with a shipping target date of October, meaning it’ll be showing up just in time to for dedicated golfers to grab up a launch monitor that can (potentially) rival Tour level equipment and help keep their games sharp at a substantially more reasonable price point.

Cover Image Via Instagram