Skytrack Vs GC2 vs GCQuad – Whats The Best Buy
Are you shopping for the launch monitor of your dreams? Do you want the most robust shot metrics paired with the richest golf simulator experience you ever had? Then it sounds like you are ready for a premium golf launch monitor made by the best in the business.
Today’s review was a real treat to compose because we took a firsthand look at three of the most innovative, exciting and downright premium golf launch monitors on the market today. We wanted to share the details of these three monitors and let you know what differentiates them from one another.
Since you are ready to drop some serious coin on a launch monitor, you should have all the facts. Buyer’s remorse isn’t limited to small dollar purchases. So read on to learn everything you will need to know to make a sound purchasing decision.
The Skytrak
Skytrak has been a household name in golf launch monitors for a long time. It is known for reliability and in-depth shot metrics. The Skytrak uses photometric sensors to track your swings and the initial flight path of your balls.
The high-speed photo technology allows the Skytrak to work seamlessly both indoors and outdoors. We tested it at a driving range and at some of our indoor practice setups and it performed pretty well in both arenas. Although, it should be noted that it worked best outdoors when there was lots of clearance space.
The Skytrak can be synced wirelessly to your devices such as your smartphone or tablet. This is a nice feature for when you want instant feedback on all your shots without having to get tangled up with USB cables and the like.
The metrics you get are nearly endless too. You get all the basics you would expect like distance, ball speed, launch angle, side spin and spin rate. And then you get more in-depth club data like shot dispersion, angle tendencies, shot shape tendencies and gap information.
In short, you can really fine-tune your game with the Skytrak. So if you are a serious golfer or tour competitor, the Skytrak would be a good choice for you.
Skytrak Software Options And Courses
And as far as simulation goes, the Skytrak offers a very immersive experience. Set it up with your projector and impact screen and you will have a simulation experience that rivals Top Golf. Plus, the Skytrak is compatible with third-party software so you get a ton of simulation and game options.
The Skytrak can be loaded up with World Tour Golf which gives you access to beautiful 3-D renderings of Pebble Beach, Chambers Bay, Pinehurst, Bethpage Black and more.
Other compatible software like TruGolf E6 and Jack Nicklaus Perfect Golf offer challenging games of skill that will sharpen your abilities in the comfort of your own home.
The Skytrak Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Great for entertaining guests
- Very useful shot data
- Doesn’t take long to set up
- Relatively affordable
- Lots of third-party software options to choose from
- Simulation software through Skytrak is more affordable than other entries on our list
Cons:
- A little slow with calculating shot data
- Annual fee for Skytrak simulation software
- Missed some of our iron shots
- It has to be perfectly level to work properly
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The Foresight GC2
The Foresight GC2 has its roots in the professional sector. When it was initially released, it was touted as a commercial-grade launch monitor and quickly adopted by coaches, club fitters and other industry professionals.
But since its inception, it has made its way into the homes of more and more golfers just looking to improve their game and lower their handicaps – and with good reason. The Foresight GC2 gives a wealth of invaluable shot and swing data.
For starters, you get ball speed, carry, launch angle, push/pull degree measurements, side spin and back spin readouts. And then, if you want even more detailed information on your shot, you can purchase the HMT software.
HMT stands for Head Measurement Technology. And when you pair this software with the standard software of the Foresight GC2, you will be privy to metrics like club head speed, smash factor, club path, face to path, angle of attack, lie and loft.
So the Foresight GC2 has pretty much everything you need to perfect your swing. But what about the simulation experience? The Foresight GC2 can be outfitted with the FSX 2020 software which offers a ton of skill-building games and challenges.
It also richly simulates driving ranges and 5 of the most prestigious courses including St. Andrews Links basic, St. Andrews Links premium, Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Spanish Bay.
The Foresight GC2 Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Reads data almost immediately
- Plenty of fun golf challenges
- Very wide shot pickup area
- Did not miss our slices
- Very accurate
- Has an on-board screen for shot information
Cons:
- It’s a more expensive than Skytrak
- Not compatible with third-party software
- Needs additional software for club data
- Limited amount of simulated golf courses available
Check Out More Reviews Here:
The Foresight GCQuad
The Foresight GCQuad is the latest and greatest entry into the Foresight family. A step up from the GC2, the Foresight GCQuad features 4 Quadrascopic cameras mounted strategically on the launch monitor that measure the ball and the club head with pinpoint accuracy.
You can use the Foresight GCQuad both indoors and outdoors for amazingly accurately data that shows up instantly on the on-board display screen. You can also save your sessions at the range or on the course and analyze it later because all the data gets backed up to the cloud.
The Foresight GCQuad is weather resistant too so it can be played outside in a light drizzle without losing accuracy. You get metrics like horizontal club path, club head speed, dynamic loft, smash factor, impact location, lie, ball speed, carry, closure rate and total distance.
This thing even measures barometric pressure and takes it into account in its readings. The Foresight GCQuad is also compatible with the foresight FSX 2020 software which features all the same courses and skill challenges we discussed with the GC2
The Foresight GCQuad Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Enhanced ball capture area
- Striking design
- Can be played in inclement weather
- Doesn’t take up much space
- Easy to carry
- On-screen read-out display
Cons:
- Needs an alignment stick to pick up targets
- Pretty pricey
- Limited software options
- Limited battery life
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Accuracy and Performance
As far as accuracy goes, the Foresight GCQuad was hands down the best launch monitor in this review. It picked up all of our shots and was accurate to within a few yards – even on putts! It was also very easy to set up and play; there was no calibration involved.
The Skytrak and the GC2 were also adequately accurate but the Skytrak didn’t pick up some shots and the GC2 wasn’t as easy to set up out of the box. Plus, you can use the Foresight GCQuad even when it’s raining!
Price Comparison
The Skytrak is going to be your most affordable device on this list at around $2,000. Then, the GC2 takes second place at around $6,000. Rounding out our list at around $11,000 is the Foresight GCQuad.
Which is the Best?
This was a hard one because one thing we really like about the Skytrak was the wealth of affordable third-party software available for it. But it simply wasn’t as accurate as the GC2 or the Foresight GCQuad.
The Skytrak has pretty much all the same shot metrics as the Foresight entries without the extra cost too. So we will break it down like this: if you want a fun golf simulator experience, Skytrak offers the best value.
But if you want extreme accuracy and playability in any conditions, the Foresight GCQuad is worth the extra money. Try them out for yourself soon!
Get The Best Price On The Skytrak Simulator Here:
Get The Best Price On The Foresight GC2 Here:
Aidan Lehane is a serial entrepreneur and scratch golfer who loves to get out on the course as often as possible. Aidan loves testing out new golf products and bringing his views to the public. I am not a pro yet but my handicap is improving every year and the new equipment always helps!
