New Rapsodo Product/Launch?

[hammersia]

21 hours ago, GolfANA said:

 

The direct measurement of the club path on the Mevo+ Pro is also a measurement that gives the Mevo+ a huge nod over this (albiet at a considerably higher price). I dont see why Rapsodo couldn't measure club path with two cameras plus direct measurement of spin, spin axis and launch angles. Adding that measurement (even if it is partially calculated using the other measurements) would be a game changer at this price. 

Indeed, at the moment the cameras don't seem to be doing all that much, the replay view from the rear of the clubhead impact seems like a gimmick that's not going to be useful. Seems like R10 plus spin axis when using the correctly marked ball, so not an advantage for general range use.

 

On the bright side we do know that these radar units can be receptive to a lot of software development so IF the hardware is a generation on from R10 then more measured metrics (closer to Mevo+) might occur in future.

 

(Some of the blurb almost suggests like they intend to read clubhead path from the camera images not the radar - at some point..... which also suggests at the moment there's no club head speed training possible without a ball)

 

Haven't seen any particular reference to levelling yet. Less levelling effort required would be good. 

Edited January 27, 2023 by hammersia

[Simpsonia]

6 hours ago, hammersia said:

Indeed, at the moment the cameras don't seem to be doing all that much, the replay view from the rear of the clubhead impact seems like a gimmick that's not going to be useful. Seems like R10 plus spin axis when using the correctly marked ball, so not an advantage for general range use.

 

On the bright side we do know that these radar units can be receptive to a lot of software development so IF the hardware is a generation on from R10 then more measured metrics (closer to Mevo+) might occur in future.

 

Haven't seen any particular reference to levelling yet. Less levelling effort required would be good. 

 

I've been as big an R10 cheerleader as there is on these forums, but the addition of accurate spin axis is game changing (right now) for sub $2000 sim golf. Garmin may come out with its own hybrid radar/camera LM as they do have one patent for a hybrid LM system, though it does seem to potentially conflict with other Rapsodo patents. Rapsodo does also have a patent on unique ball pattern recognition, so likely not that. That said, the future looks bright for affordable LMs these days!  

[golfman009]

In the process of planning a DIY simulator in my garage and diving into the world of golf simulators...lots of options now! Obviously this is product is brand new with only a few reviews on Youtube but people who have used the Skytrak and Mevo +, does what they claim this will do compare with those? I'd be using the device for indoor use 90% of the time and trying to figure out which way to go. Any help would be appreciated!

[Simpsonia]

43 minutes ago, golfman009 said:

In the process of planning a DIY simulator in my garage and diving into the world of golf simulators...lots of options now! Obviously this is product is brand new with only a few reviews on Youtube but people who have used the Skytrak and Mevo +, does what they claim this will do compare with those? I'd be using the device for indoor use 90% of the time and trying to figure out which way to go. Any help would be appreciated!

 

Too early to tell. I think its claims metrics would put it up there with Mevo+ (without the pro package), but that's only if they prove accurate, and you would need to use the specially marked ball, which discounts range use. Really need to wait until we get some unbiased and rigorous testing. 

Edited January 27, 2023 by Simpsonia

[golfman009]

12 minutes ago, Simpsonia said:

 

Too early to tell. I think its claims metrics would put it up there with Mevo+ (without the pro package), but that's only if they prove accurate, and you would need to use the specially marked ball, which discounts range use. Really need to wait until we get some unbiased and rigorous testing. 

 

Thanks, that is kinda what I was thinking. 

 

Seems like for use on the range it would still give the basic data right? Just not the spin metrics? 

 

Or with the doppler would it still do the spin because it was able to track the ball flight longer? does it just need the marked balls for the shorter distances? 

[whumber]

On 1/26/2023 at 11:45 AM, hammersia said:

Not convinced this is offering anything over the R10 at the moment, honestly. 

The youtube video of it being hit side by side with the GCQuad is seriously impressive. Aside from one wedge shot all the shots, at least all of the ones where they showed the GCQuad screen, were almost dead on not just in spin, but also spin axis.

[golfun]

I saw in the comparison video to the GCQUAD driver carry was off around 6yards for the shot they showed (198vs204). Is that acceptable in your opinion? What’s the max difference you’d accept?

[rouski12]

20 hours ago, golfun said:

I saw in the comparison video to the GCQUAD driver carry was off around 6yards for the shot they showed (198vs204). Is that acceptable in your opinion? What’s the max difference you’d accept?

 

That's part of a calculation so it could be fine tuned anywawy. GCQ is also known to give extra yardage for low spin drives.

[Magnil]

Anyone seen if it has to be aligned really well like the R10?

[Eeecc]

On 1/27/2023 at 2:16 PM, whumber said:

The youtube video of it being hit side by side with the GCQuad is seriously impressive. Aside from one wedge shot all the shots, at least all of the ones where they showed the GCQuad screen, were almost dead on not just in spin, but also spin axis.

I think in that video they were using regular balls, or did I miss seeing that they are the Callaway marked balls?

[TheDominator273]

So no spin numbers using outdoors on a range or while playing unless using the Callaway balls? If so that takes it from a must buy to a hard pass for me.

[golfun]

If this has better spin numbers on the range over the R10 I’m game, if not pass too. 

[DLiver]

I've gotta say I generally don't care about spin numbers–especially at the range. Range balls are pretty different than balls I play on the course. Now if I could get path, face angle and face-to-path numbers, I would be extremely interested.

[golfun]

So is the impression so far if you are mainly using this on the range it’s not much better (or actually) worse than the R-10?

[Carolina Golfer 2]

On spin outside. A very valid question.  I suspect for some it will still be worth it and some it won’t.  To me the simulation even though that won’t be my primary use, helps justify the higher cost.  Plus as mentioned the built in camera vs having to use my iPhone. 
 

 

I will use it or IPad instead as the face on camera or to view the simulation when I use that.

 

Those are three pretty significant improvements in my mind  

[Allskillz15]

I do not understand the fascination with getting spin numbers while at the range. Most people aren’t hitting premium balls at a range therefore the spin numbers are irrelevant. 
 

For someone who hits into a net like myself, this could be a potential game changer if the spin axis is accurate.

[Simpsonia]

The other aspect to consider is that the R10's ability to read spin by observing ball flight at the range was not a feature at launch, and was only added later on via a software update. My guess is that the Rapsodo unit is likely using a similar (or even the same) doppler radar module as the R10. It's possible that Rapsodo may have the ability to read spin with full ball flight, or may add it later on down the road, like Garmin did with the R10. Whether they will do so is another question altogether. Rapsodo's record of keeping products updated is pretty poor compared to other players in the space. They couldn't even cobble together an Android app for the original MLM, despite user demand, which to me shows a lack of a robust developer team. 

 

 

Edited January 30, 2023 by Simpsonia

[zap311]

3 hours ago, Simpsonia said:

The other aspect to consider is that the R10's ability to read spin by observing ball flight at the range was not a feature at launch, and was only added later on via a software update. My guess is that the Rapsodo unit is likely using a similar (or even the same) doppler radar module as the R10. It's possible that Rapsodo may have the ability to read spin with full ball flight, or may add it later on down the road, like Garmin did with the R10. Whether they will do so is another question altogether. Rapsodo's record of keeping products updated is pretty poor compared to other players in the space. They couldn't even cobble together an Android app for the original MLM, despite user demand, which to me shows a lack of a robust developer team. 

 

 

 

You may be right that expanded spin could come in a future update. However, my guess is that Rapsodo determined you need a specially marked ball to get accurate spin data from a small doppler radar. I tried the R10 and found it wildly inaccurate with spin despite lining it up as well as I could. What good is spin data if it's not reliable?

 

I agree with Allskillz that I wouldn't trust spin data with my local range balls either, since some balls are very beat-up. Plus, research from Ping has shown that range balls don't spin the same as a premium urethane ball, so it would be hard to rely on the numbers.

[elsie451]

7 hours ago, Simpsonia said:

The other aspect to consider is that the R10's ability to read spin by observing ball flight at the range was not a feature at launch, and was only added later on via a software update. My guess is that the Rapsodo unit is likely using a similar (or even the same) doppler radar module as the R10. It's possible that Rapsodo may have the ability to read spin with full ball flight, or may add it later on down the road, like Garmin did with the R10. Whether they will do so is another question altogether. Rapsodo's record of keeping products updated is pretty poor compared to other players in the space. They couldn't even cobble together an Android app for the original MLM, despite user demand, which to me shows a lack of a robust developer team. 

 

 

I sure hope they eventually support spin without requiring the special balls.  But it could be possible that between Trackman and Garmin and whoever else that all of the known ways of measuring spin with a radar are covered under someone else's patent already.  And with the unit so far away from the ball (compared to a gcquad), it probably needs the markings to see the ball with enough accuracy.

[zlawson36]

You will never get accurate spin numbers on a driving range unless you’re playing a premium ball that hasn’t been hit 10,000 times. This unit to me is primarily meant to be used hitting into a net. Yes, you can take it to the range, but realistically if you want good spin readings, you need to use the technology the device requires. Simulation with the Callaway proprietary ball in a net in my backyard or garage sounds great during the cold months. $700 is a bargain if this device achieves the goal assuming it is being used as intended. Cheers! 

[athill1]

Can this be used without a ball for swing speeds, such as stack system?

[prusd]

Am I missing something?  When I went to checkout on the pre-order page, it looks like I cant buy the unit without also purchasing the 100 dollar basic subscription.  So after the first year, does that mean I would be paying 300 dollars a year in sub fees?????  Thats over my limit of what I wanted to do.  200 a year was my breaking point.  

 

Am I right or am I missing something on the checkout page?   Can I buy the unit with only the 200 dollar sub package?  Or was it truly 300 dollars for all the hype this past week?

[T_Golf_23]

14 minutes ago, prusd said:

Am I missing something?  When I went to checkout on the pre-order page, it looks like I cant buy the unit without also purchasing the 100 dollar basic subscription.  So after the first year, does that mean I would be paying 300 dollars a year in sub fees?????  Thats over my limit of what I wanted to do.  200 a year was my breaking point.  

 

Am I right or am I missing something on the checkout page?   Can I buy the unit with only the 200 dollar sub package?  Or was it truly 300 dollars for all the hype this past week?

Just delete the premium subscription at checkout. 
 

it’s included. 

Also, there are tons of discount codes for 10% off

 

golficitymlm 

[prusd]

Yea, it appears they updated their checkout web page.  It appears it is back to normal.  Earlier in the evening, right after the site went live,  I could not progress without purchasing the standard subscription.  Glad to see its resolved.

[T_Golf_23]

8 minutes ago, prusd said:

Yea, it appears they updated their checkout web page.  It appears it is back to normal.  Earlier in the evening, right after the site went live,  I could not progress without purchasing the standard subscription.  Glad to see its resolved.

Seems like a really good value at $630 all in for the first year. 

[sparky1_2007]

Well, I pre-ordered one when it first dropped. Here's to hoping it'll be better than the R10.

 

I had one prior and used it exclusively on the range, but ended up returning it due to it not picking up shots frequently after their latest update at the time.

 

This having a hybrid camera + radar techs seems very promising for the price point.

[DLiver]

I pre-ordered this, but have reservations. I want to see a good, thorough side-by-side comparison with a high-end LM before I decide whether to go through with the purchase (I've seen the Golficity mini review). The $200 subscription rankles me a bit--I'd prolly pay another $500 or so due to that before I more on. Rapsodo doesn't strike me as particularly customer oriented either.

 

I also have a Mevo+/PP on order too. We'll see if that can live up to the type, too.

[Simpsonia]

I'm not pre-ordering yet, mainly for two reasons. One, I'd like to see some more rigorous testing of accuracy. Second, on the website it appears that they are locking two of the most important metrics (spin and spin axis) behind their premium subscription. As a GSPro user, I wouldn't be using their sim software so I don't need any of that other jazz. But if I can't pass basic spin metrics to GSPro without an additional $200/yr that's just really damn annoying since it's now $400/yr for sim stuff ($200 for GSPro (grandfathered in) and $200 for Rapsodo). 

[Bob Ferguson]

I wonder if the time will come when one of these companies will actually offer a free launch monitor? Seems like many consumers like the old," zero interest", "no money down", "no payments for 12 months" scams!

Fine print would be interesting! Wack you with subscription inflated fees!

[swoosh21]

In order to get spin, you have to use those special marked balls, correct?