What can a $199 launch monitor actually do? More than you might think
Welcome to Tried It, GOLF.com’s series about golf gear – apparel, gear, equipment, etc. – which we just took out to throw away. We are here to offer our reliable, non-golf or near-golf items. So, scroll down to read about our favorite new (or new to us) golf products.
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The internet was set on fire earlier this year when Shot Scope released its $199 LM1 launch monitor.
With a total of four cases of balls, the LM1 launch monitor could not be accurate enough to be a useful practice tool. . . can it?
I’m here to tell you that I — gasp! – think it’s possible!
In testing the new LM1 at the range, I found not only that the ranges are accurate but there are also a few cool features that give you some value over the more expensive launch monitors.
At the lowest price on the market, ShotScope has delivered the perfect product for any golfer looking to improve their game.
Shot Scope LM1 Launch Monitor
The Shot Scope LM1 Launch Monitor is a compact training tool designed for golfers who want reliable data without the hassle. LM1 delivers accurate, fast feedback on the key metrics that matter to game development. These include club speed, ball speed, smash factor, carry distance, and total distance. Test and measure how fast you are with a dedicated speed training mode, which works with speed clubs and sticks. Whether you’re working on speed training, dialing distances on the range, or measuring shots on the course, the LM1 provides clear, easy-to-read data directly from the 3.5inch color screen that can be synced with the Shot Scope mobile app to view your session history. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, the LM1 allows you to select any club from your bag directly from the device. This ensures that all data is recorded for each club, making it easy to synchronize sessions and review performance history in detail.
That’s what LM1 can do
The LM1 gives you five data points: clubhead speed, ball speed, smash factor, travel distance and total distance via radar.
If there is one thing that many experts around the world agree on, it is that beginners do not know how to hit the ball. They may know that once they hit the front of the green 170 yards with their 6-iron, so they think their 6-iron is their 170 club.
The LM1 provides reliable feedback about how far you carry the ball and how far it goes overall.
Data is displayed on a 3.5″ display that I have no problems seeing in sunlight. This is a big difference between other inexpensive launch monitors that require the use of a smartphone or tablet to get data. You don’t need any device to use LM1.
But if you choose to use the Shot Scope app, you can track all the data from your sessions, creating average distances and ball speeds for each of your teams. Not only can that be useful to see how far you are hitting your clubs but also to see your gap. That data can then be used for the MyStrategy function of the Shot Scope app to create game plans for any golf course.
I tested accuracy by shooting shots at clear driving distance and then using the range finder to shoot the target. While I don’t agree with science, I found accuracy to be a very good place. I experimented with wedges because I find that when the speed drops, the lower priced launch monitors tend to falter. LM1 remained strong.
The small size and lightning fast setup (takes just seconds to turn on) also make the LM1 perfect for taking a course and getting your yards in real-world conditions.
What the LM1 can’t do
At such a low price point, the LM1 just can’t do it everythingand we wouldn’t expect it.
The unit cannot measure launch angle, spin or any directional data such as spread or club path.
It is also not a simulator. This is a startup monitor.
Bottom line
The LM1 is a launch monitor that doesn’t try to be more than what it is: an affordable monitor that can provide valuable practice data.
For a cheaper price than most rangefinders, it offers limited intel but does it better than most other models in the price category, both more accurately and more easily.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use and easy-to-find launch monitor, it’s hard to go wrong with the LM1.
