$199 launch monitor is creating a buzz
Finally, somebody has come up with an easy-to-use, portable and affordable launch monitor. Say hello to the Shot Scope LM1. Retail price – $199.99.
Not everybody understands the multitude of data points those high-dollar launch monitors provide. You’ve heard the expression “Paralysis by analysis”? It almost takes a team of engineers to explain what all the information means regarding a person’s golf swing. Information overload is real but not always spectacular.
That’s where the LM1 – comes into play. As the most affordable portable launch monitor on the market at $199.99, Shot Scope’s LM1 offers just five data points – swing speed, ball speed, smash factor, carry distance and overall distance. At the recent PGA Show in Orlando, the Shot Scope booth had a stead stream of visitors seeking information about the LM1.
Jennifer Saxton, a former college golfer from Scotland who has worked for Shot Scope for eight years, said it was the most excited she has seen visitors to the Shot Scope booth.
“This is the most interest I’ve ever seen in any product we’ve launched,” she said. “People have been calling, saying, ‘Please make more as quickly as you can,’ which is a good problem to have. It’s also been great for brand awareness — people come to see this product and then realize we do rangefinders, accessories, and other gear, as well.”
Saxton said aside from the price, simplicity and accuracy are two of the major selling points for the Shot Scope LM1.
“The main selling point of this is how quick and easy it is to set up,” she said. “You turn it on, start a session, and you can use it for training at the range, on the course, or even for short-game practice.”
Shot Scope LM1 data: Less is more
The Shot Scope LM1 technology consists of a Doppler radar that picks up the ball as it travels through the first few feet of the shot. From there, it calculates smash factor, carry distance, and shot direction.
Saxton said the five core stats the LM1 provides are the most necessary for golfers.
“They are arguably the ones most golfers actually need,” she said. “Everything else is nice to have, but not essential. Most people don’t really know what to do with half the data that other launch monitors give them anyway. That’s part of what makes this appealing, beyond just the price point. You get four key metrics that are easy to understand at a glance. Smash factor, for example — some people know what it is, some don’t, but overall the information is very accessible. I really think the simplicity is what’s generated so much interest.”
Saxton emphasized that other data gleaned from a lesson is important, but most people are concerned about exactly what the LM1 provides.
“It’s great if you go for a lesson and start learning about path, launch angle, and angle of attack,” she said. “But for someone who just wants to go to the range and get instant feedback on how far they’re actually hitting the ball, this is perfect.”
Simplicity and ease of use
Saxton explained the simplicity of the Shot Scope LM1 and the ease in which it is used.
“It’s incredibly straightforward to use. You simply set it up about five feet behind the ball,” she said. “You can change clubs just by pressing a button on the side. Once you finish your session, you can connect it to the app and view your average distances from that practice session. They get saved automatically. That said, connecting to the app isn’t required — it works perfectly well as a standalone device.”
Accuracy matters, though, and Saxton said the LM1 compares favorably with competitors like TrackMan and Foresight.
“It’s consistently within one to two yards,” she said. “Before this, I’d only ever used TrackMan, so I was skeptical. I’ve been testing this unit since November, and I’ve been genuinely impressed.”
There’s no subscription required with Shot Scope’s LM1 – it’s simply a one-time purchase.
“We knew it was going to be good, but we didn’t quite expect it to blow up the way it has,” Saxton said. “It’s been a very nice surprise. There are other products out there, so it’s not groundbreaking in that sense. But I truly believe its success comes back to how simple and usable it is.”
The LM1 is battery-powered with about five hours of life. You can fold it up and put it straight in your golf bag.
Shot Scope offers a wide variety of other products. The LM1 is available at most golf retailers or online at shotscope.com.
Gregg Dewalt is the editor of Alabama Golf News
Have a story idea or a news item to report to Alabama Golf News? Email gregg@alabamagolfnews.com
Photos courtesy of Shot Scope
