Golfers know the frustration of a swing gone wrong, but finding the root cause can be tricky. Launch monitors are game-changers, offering insights into every aspect of your swing and ball flight.
If you purchase the wrong launch monitor technology, you can actually make your swing worse!
This post will break down radar vs camera launch monitors – what they are, how they work, their pros and cons – to help you choose what’s best for improving your performance on the green.
Key Takeaways
- Radar launch monitors, such as Trackman and Flightscope Mevo+, use Doppler radar technology to accurately measure ball flight & clubdata.
- Camera-based launch monitors, like SkyTrak+ and Bushnell Launch Pro, use high-speed cameras to capture images of the ball’s flight and provide detailed metrics on factors like smash factor and spin axis.
- Radar launch monitors excel in larger outdoor spaces, providing accuracy over longer distances. Camera-based launch monitors offer a complete view of ball flight in limited spaces and are the best choice indoors.
- Choosing between radar and camera launch monitors depends on where you intend to practice or analyze your game – outdoors or indoors – as both have unique benefits that outweigh the other depending on specific scenarios.
Overview of Radar Vs Camera Launch Monitors
Golf launch monitors, whether radar or camera-based, offer golfers top-tier technology to measure their shots. These compact devices are game-changers when it comes to improving your swing and understanding your game better.
Radar launch monitors like Trackman, Flightscope and Full Swing use Doppler radar technology. Doppler radar is advantageous for outdoor use due to its accuracy in measuring ball flight data.
The Radar system follows the entire ball flight – giving you metrics on the actual performance vs. a calculation.
Meanwhile, Camera-based systems such as GCQuad and
These monitor types project an extrapolation of ball flight from this captured image— providing detailed metrics on smash factor and spin axis among others that could fine-tune your swings faster than expected.
Both monitoring systems have unique benefits depending upon where you intend to practice – outdoors or indoors – with individual perks outweighing the other considering specific scenarios.
How Doppler Radar Technology WORKS in Launch Monitors
In the world of golf technology, radar-based launch monitors have become a game-changer. They operate using a scientific principle known as the Doppler Effect. Much like how weather radars track and forecast storms, radar launch monitors emit microwave signals toward the golf ball and club in action.
Image courtesy of Flightscope
Once these microwaves hit their target, they are instantly reflected back to the monitor. This return signal is slightly changed due to the movement of the ball or club – a phenomenon known as frequency shift.
By interpreting this altered frequency, the device can accurately calculate critical data points about your swing such as speed, spin rate, and carry distance.
Behind-the-scenes processing of these data points provides insightful feedback on your performance to help improve your game. The unique advantage here is that radar-based monitors excel at capturing long-range ball flight parameters since they aren’t constrained by limited field-of-view issues inherent with camera systems.
Technical explanation of how Doppler radar launch monitors work
Doppler radar launch monitors are sophisticated devices used to measure various parameters related to a golf ball’s flight, such as ball speed, launch angle, spin rate, and carry distance.
These devices utilize the principles of Doppler radar to accurately track the movement of the golf ball in real-time. Let’s delve into the technical depth of how Doppler radar launch monitors work:
Doppler Effect: The Doppler effect is a well-known physical phenomenon that occurs when there is relative motion between a wave source and an observer. In the context of a golf ball, the radar emits radio frequency (RF) waves, and these waves bounce off the moving golf ball.
The radar then detects the reflected waves, and any changes in frequency between the transmitted and received waves are analyzed to determine the ball’s velocity.
Radar Components: A typical Doppler radar launch monitor consists of the following main components:
- Antenna: The antenna is responsible for transmitting the RF waves towards the golf ball and receiving the reflected waves.
- Transmitter: The transmitter generates the RF waves that are sent out by the antenna.
- Receiver: The receiver processes the signals received by the antenna after they have bounced off the golf ball.
- Signal Processor: The signal processor analyzes the frequency shifts in the received signals due to the Doppler effect and calculates the ball’s velocity and other parameters.
Measurement Process:
- Initial Calibration: Before taking any measurements, the radar launch monitor needs to be calibrated. This involves establishing a reference point and understanding how the radar’s signals behave under various conditions.
- Data Collection: Once calibrated, the radar launch monitor is ready to measure the golf ball’s flight. When a golfer hits the ball, the radar emits RF waves directed at the ball’s trajectory.
- Doppler Shift Analysis: As the RF waves hit the golf ball, they reflect back towards the radar’s antenna. If the ball is moving toward the radar, the reflected waves have a higher frequency (shorter wavelength) due to the Doppler effect. Conversely, if the ball is moving away from the radar, the reflected waves have a lower frequency (longer wavelength). By analyzing these frequency shifts, the radar can determine the ball’s velocity in the direction of the radar.
- Additional Parameters: Besides velocity, the launch monitor can calculate other parameters like launch angle and spin rate. For spin rate, the radar analyzes the changes in the reflected signal’s phase as the ball rotates. The launch angle can be inferred from the combination of the vertical and horizontal components of the ball’s velocity.
- Data Processing: The radar launch monitor processes the collected data and uses algorithms to filter out noise, make corrections for environmental factors (e.g., wind), and calculate the final parameters.
Multiple Radar Units: Some high-end launch monitors use multiple radar units or cameras to capture data from different angles, enhancing the accuracy and precision of measurements. These units work in tandem to provide a comprehensive analysis of the golf ball’s flight.
Display and Feedback: The calculated data, such as ball speed, launch angle, spin rate, and carry distance, is displayed on a screen or provided as feedback to the golfer or coach, helping them understand their performance and make adjustments to their swing or equipment if necessary.
In conclusion, Doppler radar launch monitors use the principles of the Doppler effect to accurately measure the golf ball’s flight parameters.
By analyzing the frequency shifts in the reflected radar waves, these devices can calculate the ball’s velocity, launch angle, spin rate, and other relevant data, providing valuable insights for golfers to improve their game.
Therefore, if you frequently play outdoors in larger areas or wish to focus more on tracking longer shots with precision, radar launch equipment could be an ideal choice for you based on its ability to evaluate ball flight over an extended range efficiently and accurately.
Pros and Cons of Radar Launch Monitors
Radar launch monitors offer high accuracy in larger spaces but have a limited view of ball flight. Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of radar-based launch monitors!
Pros
The most accurate outdoors
Radar launch monitors will typically be slightly (very slightly) more accurate than camera launch monitors as they track the entire ball flight
No Club Stickers Required
No club stickers are required to track club head data
Works great for left & right-handed golfers
Since radar launch monitors sit directly behind the hitting zone, you don’t need to move it for a left-handed golfer vs a right-handed golfer
Cons
Not as accurate indoors
Radar is designed to track the entire ball flight. This cannot be done indoors, leading to less accurate data and more problems with chips & putts
Massive space requirements
They need to track the entire ball flight for the best precision. This means a minimum of 23′ feet indoors, but ideally, they are suited for outdoor use
Inflexible
They are really only useful outdoors and not indoors
Prone to indoor interference
Fluorescent lights & fans can interfere with operation
Accuracy in larger spaces
When comparing radar and camera launch monitors, accuracy in larger spaces is a key factor to consider. Radar technology excels in this aspect, as it uses signals to track the ball’s flight, providing accurate measurements even over significant distances.
This makes radar launch monitors like the FlightScope Mevo+ or X3 ideal for golfers who often practice on large courses or ranges.
Any obstruction or light variations might affect the images’ clarity and subsequently impact data analysis accuracy. Therefore, if you’re looking for precision tracking and analysis in large spaces, radar launch monitors hold a slight edge.
However, the top-end camera-based launch monitors (such as the GCQuad) are almost as accurate as radar outdoors. You can see many PGA Tour players using a GCQuad instead of a Trackman due to its incredible accuracy and ease of use.
Limited view of ball flight indoors
Radar-based launch monitors, while highly accurate in larger spaces, have a limited view of the ball flight indoors. These systems rely on radar technology to track the movement of the ball, which means they excel outdoors where they can capture the entire trajectory and flight path.
However, when used indoors or in smaller spaces, radar-based launch monitors may not provide a complete view of the ball’s flight. This limitation is something golfers need to consider when choosing between radar and camera launch monitors for their practice sessions or game analysis.
How Camera Launch Monitors (Photometric) Work
Camera launch monitors utilize a different technology compared to radar-based ones. Instead of relying on microwave signals, camera-based launch monitors use high-speed cameras to capture images of the ball’s flight and analyze them to determine various data points.
Once the images are captured, sophisticated algorithms then analyze the frames in order to extract relevant data such as ball speed, launch angle, spin rate, and carry distance.
By carefully examining each frame and tracking the ball’s trajectory throughout its entire flight, camera launch monitors provide a comprehensive view of how the ball behaves in real-time.
Technical Details of how photometric launch monitors work
Photometric launch monitors, also known as camera-based launch monitors, are devices that use high-speed cameras to track and analyze the flight of a golf ball.
These systems rely on image processing and computer vision techniques to extract data and calculate various parameters related to the ball’s trajectory, such as ball speed, launch angle, spin rate, and carry distance. Let’s explore the technical workings of photometric launch monitors:
Camera Setup: A photometric launch monitor typically consists of multiple high-speed cameras. The number of cameras can vary, but having at least two cameras is common for 2D tracking. More advanced systems may employ multiple cameras to achieve 3D tracking.
Data Collection
Pre-shot Calibration: Before taking measurements, the system requires a calibration process. During this stage, the cameras establish a reference frame by capturing images of known objects or markers in the hitting area. By understanding the spatial relationship between these reference points, the system can accurately measure distances and angles in subsequent shots.
Ball Tracking: When a golfer hits the ball, the high-speed cameras capture a sequence of images as the ball travels through the air. These cameras record the ball’s position at a high frame rate, typically several thousand frames per second.
Image Analysis: The real challenge lies in tracking the ball’s movement across the series of images. Image processing algorithms are used to identify the golf ball’s position in each frame accurately. This can involve various techniques such as edge detection, color filtering, object tracking, and pattern recognition.
Data Processing
Positional Data: After successfully tracking the ball’s position in each frame, the system compiles this positional data to create a trajectory of the ball’s flight. By knowing the position of the ball over time, the system can determine the ball’s velocity, direction, and distance traveled.
Calculating Launch Parameters: The launch monitor calculates essential launch parameters, such as ball speed, launch angle, and spin rate, using the tracked trajectory. For instance:
Ball Speed: The ball’s speed is determined by measuring the time it takes to travel a known distance within the captured frames.
Launch Angle: The launch angle is calculated based on the ball’s initial and final positions and the distance between the camera(s) and the hitting area.
Spin Rate: Spin rate is inferred by analyzing the ball’s rotation in the images captured during flight. By examining the dimples on the ball’s surface, the system can calculate the spin rate.
Display and Feedback
The launch monitor’s software processes the collected data and displays the results on a screen or provides feedback to the golfer. This feedback includes metrics like ball speed, launch angle, spin rate, and carry distance, helping the golfer understand their performance and make improvements.
In conclusion, photometric launch monitors use high-speed cameras and image processing algorithms to track the golf ball’s flight and calculate various launch parameters accurately.
By capturing and analyzing the ball’s movement in real-time, these systems provide valuable data to help golfers improve their game and make informed decisions about their equipment and swing technique.
Pros and Cons of Camera Launch Monitors
Camera launch monitors have the advantage of providing a complete view of ball flight and accurate analysis in limited spaces, but they may not offer the same level of accuracy as radar-based monitors outdoors.
Pros
Excellent accuracy indoors
Camera-based launch monitors offer a distinct advantage when it comes to accuracy in limited spaces. These launch monitors use photometric technology to track the ball’s flight and provide precise measurements.
Minimal space requirements
Unlike radar-based launch monitors, which may struggle in small areas where not much of the actual ball flight can be observed, camera-based models excel at capturing data with precision in small spaces
Flexible
They still can be very accurate outdoors–almost as accurate as radar launch monitors
Cons
Not the most accurate outdoors
They are close to radar launch monitors outdoors, but a radar unit will typically be slightly (very slightly) more accurate
Club Stickers
Most require club stickers to track club head data
Requires moving for left & right-handed golfers
Unless you get a mounted camera-based launch monitor, it will need to be moved each time a left-handed golfer hits vs a right-handed golfer
This makes photometric launch monitors an excellent choice for indoor practice facilities or home setups where space is limited.
By providing a complete view of the ball’s trajectory, camera launch monitors allow golfers to analyze their performance and make adjustments that can lead to improved swing mechanics and lower scores on the course.
Differences between Radar and Camera Launch Monitors
Radar-based launch monitors use Doppler technology to track the ball’s flight, while camera-based launch monitors use photometric technology to analyze the movement of the ball and player’s swing.
Technology used
Radar-based launch monitors and camera-based launch monitors use different technologies to track and analyze golf ball flight. Radar launch monitors utilize Doppler technology, which measures the change in frequency of waves as they bounce off an object, in this case, the golf ball.
This allows for accurate tracking of the ball’s speed, spin rate, and direction. On the other hand, camera-based launch monitors use photometric technology, which uses high-speed cameras to capture images of the ball before and after impact.
Through advanced image processing algorithms, these systems can calculate various parameters such as clubhead speed, angle of attack, and carry distance. Both technologies have their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to accuracy and performance in different settings.
Accuracy in different settings
Radar and camera launch monitors differ in their accuracy depending on the setting in which they are used.
Radar-based launch monitors, such as Trackman and Mevo+, excel outside or in larger spaces due to their ability to track the ball using Doppler radar technology.
However, as noted above radar launch monitors are not as accurate indoors as camera-based launch monitors. Camera-based launch monitors are the best choice for the majority of golfers
Almost all camera-based launch monitors work great outdoors as well (except the original SkyTrak). The accuracy differences are not big enough to purchase a radar launch monitor over a camera launch monitor.
So, when choosing a launch monitor, you should consider where they plan to use it and determine which type of technology will provide the most accurate data for their specific needs.
Popular Radar-based Launch Monitors
Popular Radar-based Launch Monitors include Trackman, FlightScope Mevo+ and FlightScope X3.
Popular Camera-based Launch Monitors
Popular camera-based launch monitors include SkyTrak+, GCQuad, Uneekor EYE MINI, and Bushnell Launch Pro.
See our page on Launch Monitors for reviews on all of the top models.
Factors to Consider when Choosing a Launch Monitor
Factors to consider when choosing a launch monitor include the type of technology used, space requirements, and budget. Radar-based launch monitors are great for outdoor use and larger spaces, while camera-based launch monitors excel in limited spaces.
For most golfers, a camera-based launch monitor offers tons of advantages with only a few drawbacks.
Summary
The only reason to get a radar-based launch monitor is the following:
- You teach outdoors and have a lot of left & right-handed students
- You want club metrics without using club stickers (although the SkyTrak+ now has this feature)
Otherwise, grab a camera-based launch monitor and get the best of both worlds! For more help, visit our Launch Monitor Wizard below
Launch Monitor Wizard
The Launch Monitor Wizard will walk you through a series of questions designed to find the best launch monitors for your unique purpose. It will then provide a list of the best golf launch monitors that fit your requirements and price range.
The Wizard can be restarted at any time if you make an incorrect selection.
More on Launch Monitors
See Launch Monitors for more details on how to use them, features, benefits, reviews, and more!
