Launch monitors have come a long way over the years. Today, you could have a small golf simulator that can give you accurate information with every swing and have the ability to easily take it from one place to another. Better yet, the costs don’t tend to be too high either, making it even easier for amateur players improve their game, whether that’s in terms of ball swing speed or driving range.
Portable launch monitors have undoubtedly gained more popularity over recent years, and this is a market that doesn’t show signs of slowing down anytime soon. With plenty of new gadgets being created and the opportunity to get new and more precise swing and launch data, this is the perfect time to invest in a model of your own.
One particular device that you simply can’t overlook is the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor Review. As one of the most popular options right now, there’s no doubt that this technology is worth checking out.
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1-Minute Rapsodo Mobile launch Monitor Review
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If you’ve looked into some of your options for a golf products like launch monitor, there’s a good chance that you’ve come across the Rapsodo Launch Monitor with GPS satellite.
Known for its small size, low costs and high accuracy, these particular gadgets are suitable for both advanced and everyday golfers who are looking for an affordable launch monitor to help them work on their game.
Many consider it to be the best personal launch monitor in its price range, and if you take it out to a golf course and give it a test, you’ll see why. From its clubhead speed, smash factor, and ball speed flight metrics, there’s a lot that you can learn from this small device.
Unlike many of the golf simulators out there, the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor connects to your phone and uses both Doppler radar-technology and your phone’s camera to provide you with precise data on your shots. However, it is fairly limited due to the fact that it’s only compatible with certain iOS devices.
Inside was the Rapsodo MLM , a USB charging cable, and some quick start instructions. I’ve made the mistake many times of opening up a new product at the course. Fortunately for my first foray into the Rapsodo I was smart enough to take it out and charge it the night before.
While many people find the Rapsodo MLM device to be excellent as is, you also have the option to pay for a subscription that allows you to save limitless videos of your shots to the Cloud, as well as other features like slow motion replay, to give you a better opportunity to examine your swings and find areas for improvement.
Overall, if you’re looking for a fairly priced launch monitor that’s as good as some of the more expensive products on the market, it’s worth looking into this device from Rapsodo.
- Thanks to its GPS satellite, you can get a bird’s eye view of the course or range and see where your ball has landed
- Using both a radar system and photometric technology, the device can offer precise data on ball speed and much more
- Access to video recordings of your last 100 shots (and if you pay for a subscription, you’ll get limitless space for storage)
- Additional features like shot tracer technology and games help to make the launch monitor even more interesting
- Its battery tends to last for only 4 hours or so
- At the moment, it’s only compatible with some iOS phones and tablets
- In some instances, it’s not entirely accurate (especially for exceptionally fast swing speeds)
- It has to be connected to your smart device in order to work
Now that you know a little more about what this launch monitor could do for you, why not take the time to get a more in-depth understanding of what it has to offer? Here’s our Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor review in full.
How Rapsodo Mobile launch Monitor works
Most of the launch monitor gadgets available use either radar systems (Doppler launch monitors) or are camera-based (photometric launch monitors), but one of the interesting factors of the Rapsodo MLM is that it’s a combination of both.
This is certainly a feature that can come in handy, since radar-based systems tend to work better on outdoor golf courses, and photometric ones are often better for indoor practice sessions. Plus, the device has indoor net capability, which only makes it even more viable for whatever you need it to do.
This level of versatility alone is enough to make this one of the best choices on the market for its affordable price. It does exactly what it says, and with the addition of software updates like NET Mode and much more, the Rapsodo golf launch monitor is without a doubt here to stay.
The mobile app
Being able to connect your launch monitor to your iOS phone or tablet (unfortunately, they’re not available on Android phone just yet) can be a significant bonus, especially if the manufactures design it well.
The Rapsodo app has a lot to offer; from its video playback capabilities to a feature that can detect what correct club you use when you change it. It is worth noting that it’s not available on all iOS products, namely older ones.
If this all sounds good to you, you’ll be excited to hear that there’s even more on offer from the Rapsodo MLM!
One great advantage that you’ll want to consider is its GPS capabilities, which will allow you to see all your shots on a bird’s eye view of the course and an indication of your driving ranges too.
Another great addition is that there are quite a few games that you can play. If you ever want to spice things up a little during your practice sessions, it might be worth trying something like the long drive challenges.
Performance
So far, we can see that this launch monitor has a considerable amount of potential – and in many ways, it lives up to the hype.
The majority of golfers will find that the android device offers fairly readings on carry distance accuracy, and as long as you position it correctly, you shouldn’t have much of an issue with its metrics. For the most part, if you want a ball park estimate (at the very least), you’ll find that the Rapsodo Mobile launch Monitor is more than capable.
Looking closer into the Rapsodo MLM app, you’re likely to find that it also offers great performance. It’s typically easy to connect to Bluetooth and sort out the other aspects of the setup process, and there are quite a few different things that make it good too.
The Rapsodo MLM app just further proves that you don’t need to buy expensive launch monitors products to get data accuracy, featuring video recording, shot data and so much more.
Does it offer precise launch angle stats?
As a whole, you’ll find the precision on the Rapsodo MLM is great, but what about launch angle in particular?
Well, while statistics like this (as well as carry total distance overall accuracy and clubhead speed) may not be necessarily perfect, they’re on a similar level to android devices that cost a lot more. So, if you’re looking for decent launch direction metrics on a less expensive product, you’ll be pleased with the performance.
How to make the most out of the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor
As you can tell, there are several things that make this particular launch monitor an excellent choice; from instant video replay, to smart club recognition. However, you might be wondering how you get the most out of it during your practice sessions.
This is often up to you. This launch monitor offers a variety of important data, a shot active tracer and a good level of accuracy, but all of these are only beneficial if you use them right.
When playing, examine the different aspects of your game; from your launch angles, to shot distances. Consider where you’re going wrong and figure out how you can improve. Perhaps you could even use the shot library on your iOS device to review several of your hits.
Stat history can be used to take a look at a variety of other factors too, such as dispersion, averages and more. Instant video feedback can also be essential, providing you with a data overlay and active shot trace to make it even easier for you to break down your game.
The best thing you can do is use the camera and radar to its full potential. If so, you’re likely to get excellent results. Alongside the shot tracer technology and its many other capabilities, there’s a good chance that the Rapsodo mobile device will be able to help you improve your game.
Limitations
While there are a number of things that can make this device an appealing choice, there are also a few drawbacks that you may want to consider before making your final decision.
Unlike some of the more high-end models available out there, the Rapsodo launch monitors may lack in advanced features.
It doesn’t measure swing data, which includes factors such as face to path angle, shaft angle at setup and more. There are still the key metrics though, like golf ball speed and ball flight.
This may not be a huge downside for everyone, but if you want metrics like these, you may have to invest in more expensive launch monitors.
It’s not always 100% accurate
As you may expect from an affordable, personal launch monitor, this small device isn’t always the best when it comes to precision.
There are certainly instances where it can offer you excellent estimates, but likewise, there may also be times where it falls short of reality and is a little off. For its low cost though, it’s understandable that it isn’t always perfect.
Also, the Rapsodo MLM outdoor mode isn’t available on all Apple devices, so if you have an older model, you may not be able to download the app. Android version compatibility isn’t ready yet either, so your options may be a little limited.
Ease of set up and use
While it may take a while to get used to the device, it’s typically not too much hassle to set it up after a couple of tries. At first, you might find it hard to calibrate the launch monitor, and it might take a little trial and error to figure out how to get it all working properly.
When you know what you’re doing, setting up the device can be a swift process that takes less than a minute. All you’ll need to do is connect the device to the app and start hitting balls. Outside of that, using this smart little gadget shouldn’t be too complicated.
A portable device
One of the benefits that you can’t overlook is its small size. It’s so easy to take around with you, just fit it in your golf bag (which shouldn’t be a challenge) and you’re good to go.
Having a portable and compact device that can do so much is easily one of the most appealing factors of personal launch monitors.
Reliability
Despite the fact that you may not always get 100% accuracy on every metric on each swing, these devices are still quite reliable. If you’re not too bothered about a little misreading here or there, you shouldn’t have any issue with this launch monitor.
On a side note, the feature of being able to detect your club when you change it is certainly attractive, but it won’t always able to figure out which club you have in specific. The good news is that it’s not hard to do it manually anyway, but it’s worth mentioning.
Ongoing Maintenance
The Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor doesn’t necessarily need any maintenance, but remember that app updates can be invaluable.
One of the more recent updates made it easier to use the device in indoor settings or when hitting into a net, which was ideal for many golfers who haven’t been able to get out to play.
Extra Purchases and ongoing costs
If you look closer into what this system has to offer, you’ll find that it has one additional purchase that you may want to take into consideration. On the standard version, you only have access to video clips of your last 100 swings. To get limitless playback of your video recordings and save them to the Cloud, you’ll need to pay for their subscription (which is $99).
Due to the fact that this device is already well priced anyway, those who want the additional footage might not have to worry too much about getting the subscription. However, it’s certainly not a necessity if you’re not bothered.
A couple of alternatives to consider
Don’t have a compatible iOS device, or simply want to take a look at a few of your other options? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a brief look into two other great choices; the Voice Caddie Swing Caddie SC300, and the FlightScope Mevo.
If rivals the FlightScope Mevo in terms of data accuracy and convenience, although it doesn’t measure spin rate like the Mevo does. One of the biggest negatives we’ve found with the MLM is that unlike the Mevo, it’s not supported on Android devices.
Swing Caddie SC300
There are several reasons why the Swing Caddie SC300 is another one of the most popular choices on the market right now; from its speech function, to accuracy. It also has a rechargeable battery which is always a bonus, plus the fact that it’s ready to go right out of the box, no phone or app needed.
When compared to the Rapsodo launch monitor, you’ll find that both offer helpful metrics and are efficient at recording your data, although at times, you might find the MLM to be the more accurate with its readings.
FlightScope Mevo
In many ways, the FlightScope Mevo is similar to the Rapsodo MLM device; both of them are small, offer fairly accurate data and are incredibly efficient despite their lower prices.
While having multiple similarities, these two launch monitors stand out from each other in quite a few ways. For example, the Mevo is a self-contained unit, where as the Rapsodo requires your smart phone (or other smart devices, like an iPad), and notably has more features.
Which one should you buy?
All three of these gadgets are good and have their own ups and downs, so it mostly relies on personal preference when choosing between them. However, with the variety of benefits that the Rapsodo has to offer, it’s certainly a great choice for anyone with a compatible device.
FAQs
How accurate is Rapsodo launch monitor?
In terms of accuracy, many people compare it to the TrackMan. While it may not exactly be as precise as the TrackMan, it comes for a cheaper price and is still accurate enough for most golfers.
Does Rapsodo launch monitor work indoors?
While the device wasn’t particularly ideal for indoor usage in the past, the introduction of the Rapsodo Mobile launch Monitor NET has certainly made a difference. This update to the app has made it far more efficient when hitting into a net, both indoors and out.
While it has many features which are only suitable for golf courses outdoors, like the GPS Satellite, it’s now useful in both settings, which simply makes it an even more appealing choice.
Does Rapsodo MLM work with iPad MINI?
For now, Android devices user won’t be able to use this launch monitor. When it comes to the requirements for iPhones and iPads however, they either have to be at least iPhone 7 and later, or the iPad 2017 onwards. For the most part, if your iPad runs iOS 11 or newer, you shouldn’t have an issue.
If you want to use the NET Mode, it’s worth considering that this is currently compatible with even less devices, limited to iPhone 8 and later and just 6 types of iPads. On the plus side, they are working on support for the app on more iOS devices, as well as compatibility with Android users.
Will shot tracking work while hitting into a net?
Unfortunately, this feature only works at the local range or outdoors when hitting the golf ball a far distance. When hitting into a net, you only get data like ball speed, launch angle and club speed.
What does the premium Cloud subscription offer?
If you want to be able to closely examine your swing using slow motion, you might want to consider paying for the premium subscription, since it’s not a feature available without it. This, alongside the ability view all footage of your swings (rather than just the last 100) can make it a worthwhile choice for some individuals.
Final thoughts
Overall, the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor Review ticks all the boxes and offers users some excellent features. From its small size, to its precision; it’s plain to see why it’s one of the best options within its price category.
The official launch monitor from these industry leaders is an excellent choice for anyone looking for more data for a great cost, from the avid golfer to the more casual players. With a Doppler radar and camera, immediate feedback and the ability to start hitting indoors and out, it has everything you need.