New Voice Caddie SC4 Launch Monitor

[pdxhak]

16 hours ago, Petroguy said:

Long time reader of the forums.  First post. 

 

Have had my SC4 since the preorders shipped.  I am not an "influencer," nor do I want to be, so no slick "review" from me, but I can answer questions and give you my opinion.  

 

I can confirm the preorder missing case issue.  I did not receive mine.  I was pissed.  The website splash screen that I ordered it from before LAUNCH was the exact screen that stated that it included one.  It also stated free shipping.  Didn't get that either and didn't catch it till I had finished check out.  I may have had a beer or two.  🙂  I'm not happy about either item being left out.  I called, and called, and emailed.  I finally talked to a defeated sounding guy who had to "talk it over with the marketing guys" and they finally relented and shipped one.  I was kind of surprised when it actually showed up, given he didn't provide any tracking info that I specifically asked for and he agreed to provide.  Not the best start to my experience obviously.  As someone who is taking a chance on your product, sans reviews or evidence it works properly, I am surprised it was handled so sloppily when it clearly said one was included IN HUGE FONT on the website landing screen.  He insisted I missed some tiny writing on the next page that it was only valid two days before I ordered, but off the record, I think he was full of... excrement.  No explanation as to why the landing page ad was left up when I asked.  It seems they had no intention of ever sending them.  

 

As for the unit itself, it is really good for the cost. 

It does not show spin on any wedges.  That is stated in the manual.  I don't find this to be a deal breaker.

I find it EXTREMELY accurate IF, and I mean IF it is set up properly, and it is slightly finnicky.  The stand has to be manipulated to show a level reading on the unit to have accurate data.  I would also suggest a flat range and area 10 ft behind the ball (the unit must be placed DIRECTLY, and I mean directly, behind the ball about 5 ft out.  If your range has you hitting out of a depression or on an incline, you better move.  If you hit off a mat, you have to raise the unit to the height of the mat.  The factory case has a platform feature you can use to raise it, but I find it too high.  I have gotten around this the one time I was forced to hit off the green squares of shame by setting it on a book (it had rained, and they shut the grass tees down).  High tech, I know.  I'd also recommend entering the parameters for each club including loft and lie adjustments, to help with the data accuracy.  I assume it makes a difference.  I did, and it seems spot on.  

The app is, and I don't use this term lightly or often.... a dumpster fire.  Want to delete a club you have set up in your "bag"?  Nope.  Can't.  Or if you can, it is so unintuitive that this educated tech nerd hasn't figured it out.  Entering clubs is cumbersome.  I had issues with the bluetooth disconnecting from the app, but that has gotten better.  Maybe a firmware fix?  I don't know because Voicecaddie doesn't give details of what they are fixing or adding in each firmware release.  Thats fun.  

 

Would I buy it again?  Thats tough.  It IS accurate.  I think they all are mostly.  I am mostly turned off by the experience with the app and the included free perks con that I got roped into.   I do love its size and form factor.  I also appreciate the clear to read display.  The battery is outstanding.  The bluetooth feature allows me to connect a pair of wireless earbuds to my phone and hear the distance on each shot without turning around and staring at the ground oddly.  The spin algorithm is good and very close to the numbers I know I am usually putting on the ball.  While it lacks a second camera to track ball indicators or special balls, I am not a net user, so I wouIdn't use them anyway. I am pretty happy with it.  

 

If someone out there has figured out how to delete clubs, let me know.  I will gladly change my post or update it.

 

Regarding the case, I searched, and ordered, a couple of 3rd party cases when I thought all was lost on their included case promise (I have screenshots of that ad page btw).  It is tough to get the right size.  This one though, is nice.  It has straps that you can move around to secure the SC4.  Since I am new here, I don't want to post a link in fear of it appearing I am pushing something.  Just search for the Vansom Gopro case in medium.  It leaves some extra room for your charger, and manual just like the official case and it's much much cheaper.  

 

Hope this helps someone.  

 

-Jason
 

 

I have the case and it is nothing special. I'm shocked Voice Caddie is selling them for $50. As you mentioned it also comes with a board to help with alignment and something to put the SC4 on. It does not seem that useful but I will take it to the range to see if it makes a difference.

The SC4 does measure spin for PW but not any of the lower wedges. The other day I set the SC4 to PW and hit my SW to see spin but not sure how that impacts the numbers. I may try to enter a PW and change the loft to match my SW to see if it makes a difference.

[Garydean]

19 minutes ago, pdxhak said:

 

The MLM2 has had a very messy launch and problems that still need to be resolved. Honestly seems like the majority of the devices released have had numerous issues that were resolved with firmware updates or are still pending. I think the biggest gripe most have with the SC4 is the lack of reviews and the lack of public updates from Voice Caddie. I took mine to the course the other day but only had the opportunity to use it on one home from 75 yds and do not have anything meaningful data to share.

Atleast rapsodo is putting out videos reaffirming that they know about issues and working on them, I am glad I went with the mlm2 because searching Instagram, youtube or Google you can't find anything on sc4

 

[pdxhak]

2 hours ago, Garydean said:

Atleast rapsodo is putting out videos reaffirming that they know about issues and working on them, I am glad I went with the mlm2 because searching Instagram, youtube or Google you can't find anything on sc4

 

 

Yep kudos to Rapsodo. No doubt they did so because there was/is a significant issue with wifi and the public and private feedback was something they knew they had to publicly address.

 

As for the SC4, there has not been enough testing and public reviews. Voice Caddie has done a horrible job with its release. 

Edited May 17, 2023 by pdxhak

[Petroguy]

I am pretty sure there is a distributor here in the states that seems to be a separate entity from the manufacturer.  The lack of communication.  Promised extras that were not included in the preordered models.  Lack of an organized state side marketing effort at launch.  The poor app.  Less than stellar customer service.  It makes you wonder if the right hand knows what the left is doing.  

 

Word of mouth travels fast this day and age.  You can launch something like this and forgo the support and advertising, pass on heavy hitters giving their opinion in reviews, but then you are leaving it to the rest of the experience to lift the product above other companies that do.  If I were Voice Caddie, or even the US distributor, I would be scrambling to fill in the gaps.  Right now, it is good, but I think there are options equally as good, and priced near it, that I would lean towards given what I have seen and experienced with my purchase. 

[Mych]

On 5/17/2023 at 4:20 PM, pdxhak said:

 

Yep kudos to Rapsodo. No doubt they did so because there was/is a significant issue with wifi and the public and private feedback was something they knew they had to publicly address.

 

As for the SC4, there has not been enough testing and public reviews. Voice Caddie has done a horrible job with its release. 

 

I agree completely. I feel like every review site had an R10 video up before they were publicly available. There were concerns that the simulation system looked like Nintendo golf and the distances were shaky, but at least we knew which features were available and which data was reliable/unreliable. The SC4 has been one of the most frustrating product rollouts I've seen. 

 

On a different note, I find it interesting that Rapsodo tech is also powering the new Skytrak. It means a lot more feedback, which should drive them to refine their software a lot faster. But it could also mean that their non-flagship device(s) may struggle to get timely updates. Even with Skytrak being a partnership product, I could see it being a higher priority than the MLM2 for them. 

Edited May 18, 2023 by Mych

[Garydean]

2 hours ago, Mych said:

 

I agree completely. I feel like every review site had an R10 video up before they were publicly available. There were concerns that the simulation system looked like Nintendo golf and the distances were shaky, but at least we knew which features were available and which data was reliable/unreliable. The SC4 has been one of the most frustrating product rollouts I've seen. 

 

On a different note, I find it interesting that Rapsodo tech is also powering the new Skytrak. It means a lot more feedback, which drive them to refine their software a lot faster. But it could also mean that their non-flagship device(s) may struggle to get timely updates. Even with Skytrak being a partnership product, I could see it being a higher priority than the MLM2 for them. 

Mlm2pro just got another update today seemed to fix alot of issues and added more features. Rapsodo is definitely listening and working with the community on issues, voice caddie on the other hand who knows what they're trying to accomplish

[pdxhak]

1 hour ago, Garydean said:

Mlm2pro just got another update today seemed to fix alot of issues and added more features. Rapsodo is definitely listening and working with the community on issues, voice caddie on the other hand who knows what they're trying to accomplish

 

Rapsodo has to work with the community due to all the reported issues. Voice Caddie SC4 as far as we know has considerably less reported issues so there could be or is less for them to work on. Obviously we have no idea because it is so quiet with the SC4. But we do know about MLM2 issues.

[enfuego]

 

 

TLDR for those that don't want to watch. Indoor with regular balls vs a BLP. Ball Speed was usually 1 mph less. Carry 1 yard less on irons. Spin was about 2000rpms more on 9i, 7i and driver. 

Edited May 18, 2023 by enfuego
TLDR

[jimecherry]

1 hour ago, enfuego said:

 

 

TLDR for those that don't want to watch. Indoor with regular balls vs a BLP. Ball Speed was usually 1 mph less. Carry 1 yard less on irons. Spin was about 2000rpms more on 9i, 7i and driver. 

sounds like its not actually measuring spin just calculating it based on limited ball flight

[Petroguy]

The spin is measured using an algorithm I believe.  I have not noticed the spin discrepancies while hitting outdoors that the reviewer did.  In fact, I found the figures remarkably accurate based on what I know I hit, especially with my driver.  I wonder if the spin numbers are less accurate into a net?

[golfun]

Ok now this is looking pretty good. Hopefully they update it soon. This on the range looks gold. 

[whumber]

On 5/18/2023 at 6:04 PM, jimecherry said:

sounds like its not actually measuring spin just calculating it based on limited ball flight

It sounds like it's the same spin numbers that the SC300/SC300i gave through the app.

[mktrout]

On the SC4 Luanch monitor, are you able to accurately adjust the lofts on the device to more modern lofts? I tried the sc300 before and their "loft adjustment" only let you adjust it a few degrees and it was more for traditional lofted irons. Modern stronger lofted irons it wouldnt let you tell the unit the loft becuase it was too strong for what they thought a specific iron would be. Like if you had a 30 degree 7 iron it only let you adjust it down to 32 degrees, etc.

 

I emailed them about it a couple years ago and they said well then just add a few more yards to what it says on the screen... uh no.

[emack]

On 5/21/2023 at 8:30 AM, mktrout said:

On the SC4 Luanch monitor, are you able to accurately adjust the lofts on the device to more modern lofts? I tried the sc300 before and their "loft adjustment" only let you adjust it a few degrees and it was more for traditional lofted irons. Modern stronger lofted irons it wouldnt let you tell the unit the loft becuase it was too strong for what they thought a specific iron would be. Like if you had a 30 degree 7 iron it only let you adjust it down to 32 degrees, etc.

 

I emailed them about it a couple years ago and they said well then just add a few more yards to what it says on the screen... uh no.

Yes, you can change it by .5 degree intervals. For example, if you select 7 iron you can change it between 26-36 degrees. Also, you can change Lie Angle too but, only by whole degrees.

[Tyrone_4]

So, I was finally able to get out on the range with the SC4 yesterday and was pleasantly surprised by its accuracy on distances. I have already gone into the app and plugged in all of my clubs with the proper loft and lie adjustments as well. Also, just to note i am a high swing speed player, avg driver swing speed is 118 mph, avg 6 iron is 101 mph, and avg wedge is 89 mph. I set up the unit 5 feet behind the ball on the case to bring it to mat level as is suggested but tried moving the ball closer to 4 feet and further away to 6 feet and did not notice any change in the distance accuracy, so anywhere around 5 feet shout be fine. Everything seemed to be very accurate with what i know i hit my clubs as i go use a trackman every few months to see what my numbers are at. There was one big discrepancy with a surprise mixed in. All of my irons were reading 1500 to 2000 high on spin rate and my long irons were an even larger spin rate differential on the high side. However, when i got to my driver i found that the spin rate was very accurate, possibly just two or three hundred high but plenty accurate for a budget launch monitor like this. I just hope Voice Caddy can get the iron spin algorithm fixed in a firmware update.

[mktrout]

On 5/22/2023 at 3:07 PM, emack said:

Yes, you can change it by .5 degree intervals. For example, if you select 7 iron you can change it between 26-36 degrees. Also, you can change Lie Angle too but, only by whole degrees.

I looked at the app, seems like you can adjust the loft on all the clubs except a GW the lowest loft it lets you select is 50 degrees. Thats a big miss with modern sets.  Also kinda stupid the amount if irrelevant brands in the "clubs selector" yet they dont have some of the most popular brands.  Seems stupid you can't delete clubs from your list of what in your bag too, so you have to scroll though a ton of clubs you dont use like 9 wood, every hybrid and utility etc.   

[emack]

On 5/27/2023 at 8:53 AM, mktrout said:

I looked at the app, seems like you can adjust the loft on all the clubs except a GW the lowest loft it lets you select is 50 degrees. Thats a big miss with modern sets.  Also kinda stupid the amount if irrelevant brands in the "clubs selector" yet they dont have some of the most popular brands.  Seems stupid you can't delete clubs from your list of what in your bag too, so you have to scroll though a ton of clubs you dont use like 9 wood, every hybrid and utility etc.   

I agree. Not being able to delete the excess clubs or ones you've already entered is lazy. They need to integrate a function that imports club specs/data based on the Brand/Model.

[golfun]

So the verdict so far is wait for an update? 

[mktrout]

3 hours ago, golfun said:

So the verdict so far is wait for an update? 

My verdict was return it before the return window closed since it seems like its going to be like every other swing caddie product and never get updated or work right.  Calling them and having a recording that they dont answer the phones or have voicemail, and the lack of replies to multiple emails over a few weeks was the last straw.

[dwboston]

No one should be surprised by any of this.  They release half-baked products, with a joke of a mobile app, with few/no updates and pitiful support.  I fell for it once with the SC300, but never again.  There's a reason they didn't let anyone try it at the PGA show and there have been few reviews of the SC4.

[jimecherry]

4 hours ago, dwboston said:

No one should be surprised by any of this.  They release half-baked products, with a joke of a mobile app, with few/no updates and pitiful support.  I fell for it once with the SC300, but never again.  There's a reason they didn't let anyone try it at the PGA show and there have been few reviews of the SC4.

add into the fact its going to be rebranded as the optishot orbit anyone considering this who isnt ok with a limited use LM should just wait till the actual product comes out whenever that is.

[emack]

There is a new pop-up on the App that says simulator mode will be released "soon" and the APP will update accordingly. Also, there is a SIMULATOR tab now, but just has another pop-up to wait and check your email for an exclusive code (don't know if the code is for something like E6 or their own simulator software).  I haven't seen an email as of yet.

[golfun]

On 6/13/2023 at 12:32 AM, jimecherry said:

add into the fact its going to be rebranded as the optishot orbit anyone considering this who isnt ok with a limited use LM should just wait till the actual product comes out whenever that is.

What do you mean "wait till the actual product comes out"? Is the Optishot going to be different?

[jimecherry]

1 hour ago, golfun said:

What do you mean "wait till the actual product comes out"? Is the Optishot going to be different?

i'm implying that the sc4 without software and support isnt as much of a product as the optishot orbit. however right now there isnt much info on the orbit.

[Kenner300]

Fyi

https://optishotgolf.com/products/orbit-golf-simulator?fbclid=PAAaa96e4GrGT-zISs5UFZbaVEzKjcSr6AhtlfxV2nLSqdZEWHQedeyNzQxaA_aem_AZNW1zSKc3ajdLylm4dZevC38iO2QWvryegvbALe_FA5gHU4o7m16HlD35syegdkN1YNF5V12LoTt4frNqGlHTrI&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&campaign_id=6326008042243&ad_id=6326036257843

 

[SwingBlues]

4 hours ago, Kenner300 said:

Fyi

https://optishotgolf.com/products/orbit-golf-simulator?fbclid=PAAaa96e4GrGT-zISs5UFZbaVEzKjcSr6AhtlfxV2nLSqdZEWHQedeyNzQxaA_aem_AZNW1zSKc3ajdLylm4dZevC38iO2QWvryegvbALe_FA5gHU4o7m16HlD35syegdkN1YNF5V12LoTt4frNqGlHTrI&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&campaign_id=6326008042243&ad_id=6326036257843

 

 

If it's essentially the same, why the $200 difference from SC4 to this? looking at the optishot website, its just partnering with VoiceCaddie for the LMs. Not sure if this is just a partnership or who owns who ala Bushnell - Foresight...

 

I think the SC4/Optishot needs some time to mature & iron bugs out, every LM early launch is not perfect, look at the R10 and how long it took to get to where it is now. Same with the bigger boys as well.

 

The key is how and when companies like Garmin want to improve & bug fix. Hope VoiceCaddie is up to it...

 

On a side, note, it's Full Swing KIT mini-me 🧐

 

 

Edited June 23, 2023 by SwingBlues

[golfun]

If it can’t show shot shape what’s the point?

[pdxhak]

Apparently simulation has been released. I have not checked for the update yet.

 

 

 

[CAD Golfer]

On 6/23/2023 at 6:45 PM, golfun said:

If it can’t show shot shape what’s the point?

Yup ... totally agree ... such a nice looking product but without shape, everyone is a PGA tour pro and legend in their own mind.  

 

A high priced golf gaming unit right now... hope they add side spin metric.

[Barnacle]

Should we spin off a seperate thread for the Optishot version of this? Its more expensive but comes with Orion simulator with 20 courses and different driving ranges etc. 
Depending on how quickly someone gets this working with GSPro though it could be a great option.