SC4 Pro tested? Anyone?

[golfun]

Been out around a week looking for opinions.

[golfun]

I can’t find any reviews online video or otherwise kind of weird unless people don’t want this unit

[Spinozist]

I have lost any trust in Voice Caddie as a company. I had their T11 watch, but it refused to do a firmware update on iOS, Android, Windows, and MacOS. thankfully I was able to return it to the retailer. I also had the original SC4, but sold it because of consistency issues. I'm glad I did, because the new unit is the same as the old one but with better software! OG SC4 owners should be upset. The original unit came out fairly recently (maybe a year ago?) and already they're basically junk.

[lasse-s]

Any new opinions/reviews on the sc4 pro?

Looks very promising and if they finally add their app to google play store an device that i would consider buying.

[golfun]

 

The only one so far. Would love to see it tested against the R10. 

[Duffer Mark]

I got mine yesterday and hit some balls into my home net. It was cold and just getting dark when I started to hit. So, I haven’t had time to make sure my distances from the ball, net, etc. I good as well as the leveling of the unit. I’m not convinced the yardages are correct with my current setup. 
 

Here’s a video clip of a shot and then me going through the stats it provides. There are a couple of reviews on YouTube now, too. 

[CHRISTOPHER DESANA]

On 12/8/2024 at 9:31 PM, golfun said:

 

The only one so far. Would love to see it tested against the R10. 

This guy does good reviews, especially since he compares similar products and price points at the end of all of them. Sounds like he still prefers the R10 for outdoor range work.

[yinzerniner]

Breaking 80 did a pretty good full rundown. Seems like overall accuracy is still at a B/B- level, below that of the mlm2pro or R10. New app looks really good, and other features are very nice. The bad and stand are highway robbery though. 

seems like a viable alternative if support has improved and the features suit the end user who can live with the mediocre shot pickup reliability. 
 

 

[i*windows]

looks like a very interesting device, would be perfect for outdoors practising wedges if its accurate enough. Shame the SC4 cant be updated though.

[Triple Lindy]

I’m surprised that the OG SC4 customers were left behind. You’d think they’d be offered at least a high value trade in program. Makes me a little leary of SC/VC.

 

I recently bought an SC300i because of the simplicity and the price finally got to the level that I felt was justified ($250). A device that offers simplicity and a sim experience when I want to take the time to set it up is attractive.

[LBB]

Just ordered one, so we’ll see.  Mainly looking for outdoor range use with my iPhone or iPad.  No subscription is the key for me and the app looks solid with ability to export data.  
 

Not expecting anything earth shattering.  If it gives me reasonable reads 4 out of 5 times I’ll be satisfied.  I can always delete outliers.  I enjoy geeking out on data in excel on my free time, so this is more of a toy for me to play with more data around my golf game. 
 

 

[LBB]

Mine came in Sunday.  First impressions in one sentence...I hope I have a defective model that can be replaced.  I've contacted customer service and plan to do some side by side testing with my original Rapsodo MLM, which for the most part was a solid unit meeting my expectations.  The reason I got the SC4 Pro was I wanted the same functionality of the MLM combined with the new SC4 app that had no subscription.  I also planned to use outdoor only at the range, given I have no space at home to hit balls and I have weather I can golf year round in shorts and a polo.

 

My main issue was launch direction.  It was terrible.  Over 70% of the time it was incorrect to the right by 8-12 degrees.  Spin axis was also significantly fade/slice biased, even when I was hitting big sweeping draws.

 

I can't imagine anyone who would have tested with my specific unit would ever imagine this could be launched to the public so hoping I just have a unit where the doppler is basically broken.  Or it's a really bad case of user error.  I did follow all the instructions on how to place the unit 5 feet behind the ball, and used the case/alignment plate to get the unit to ball level.

Edited December 23, 2024 by LBB

[jimecherry]

 

[LBB]

Took the SC4 out against my old Rapsodo MLM.  I set up the SC4 directly behind the ball at exactly 5 feet.  I put the Rapsodo MLM right next to the SC4, to the inside of the ball line (closer to my feet).  I'll be returning the SC4 Pro as the overall accuracy of the dispersion was terrible on longer clubs for me.  

 

I suspect that the MLM was picking up more of the ball flight, and the SC4 was doing more algorithmic calculations on a shorter part of the flight.  The spin axis, while I can't compare to the MLM because it doesn't measure or estimate spin, is completely worthless on the SC4 as I am more of a draw player that when I miss right (maybe 30% of the time), it's a straight push, or a push with a 5-10 yard fade at most.  My stock shot is something that launches straight to 2 degrees right and either stays straight or comes back to a certain extent (either back to center or over draw).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specific ball flights on the worst discrepancies in my 6w and Driver below.  In all cases, the MLM was a pretty darn good representation of the actual ball flight and where the ball came down in relation to the target line.  Again, I gave the SC4 preferential treatment in lining up the unit directly behind the ball to the target and the MLM unit was positioned inside (closer to my feet) of the SC4 PRO, hence why the MLM appears to not be lined along the target line.  Despite that, the MLM accurately showed the ball flight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 27, 2024 by LBB

[Duffer Mark]

I haven’t had time to take the SC4 Pro to the range nor to use it with my net at I just got a new one for Christmas and just put it up today. 
 

With limited time today I hit some balls with the monitor. My best 7 iron carry is was 155 yds and most of the hits were 135. On the course I’m hit my 7i 175. 
 

I had the ball 5’ from the unit and the ball 10’ from the net. And still can’t get accurate yardages. Not sure what to do. And if the yardages aren’t right, can I trust the other numbers?

 

Hope to get to the range soon to check the ball flight, etc. 

[ChopR]

Used at home into my net, seemed pretty cool yet I felt like yardage were way short sometimes, went to the range and I was correct, ball landing at the 150 marker and I'm getting 108 to 125 yards, not so sure I'm keeping it

[Duffer Mark]

@ChopR, have you tried changing the distance from the net? I haven’t had a chance to, yet. 

[Duffer Mark]

I’m on the verge of returning this unit so I gave them a call. I was told for Irons to move the unit closer from 5’ behind the ball to 4’ behind the ball. So I’m gonna give this a try - hopefully tomorrow.

[Triple Lindy]

Disappointing to hear about inaccuracies with the SC4. I can somewhat understand the spin axis problems since that’s new territory for Swing Caddie. But carry distance? I have the SC300i and it is great with carry - whether hitting into the net or at the range. You’d think that Swing Caddie would at worst use the SC300i technology for measuring distance. I’ve seen reviews where even earlier Swing Caddie devices were accurate with distance.

 

Regarding spin and dispersion, I’m guessing that @llb was at the range since he alludes to the SC4 measuring a shorter length of ball flight than the MLM. If that’s the case, hopefully it can be corrected via software/firmware. Seems kinda obvious to read as much ball flight as possible via the radar instead of trying to calculate ball flight based on spin. Hitting into a net will probably require some kind of sticker or special ball so that the radar can more accurately detect spin. 
 

I love the simplicity of the SC300i and a device that has that simplicity but also offers sim/ visual portrayal of ball flight is attractive, but it has to be accurate or the latter aspect is worthless. The new Garmin R50 is ideal for me, but out of my price range.

[LBB]

@Triple Lindy I was at the range.  In my previous post, I submitted screen capture images from my MLM swing video that showed the MLM ball flight that was very different than what the SC4 PRO recorded.  Not sure why those images are no longer showing up, but each of the 4 shots I meant to compare were about 60-75 yards apart in terms of L/R dispersion.

 

However, I would say that from my experience, it was pretty good with carry distance, and if anything, was tending to over estimate for my longer clubs compared to the MLM.  I don't have a home setup, so I can't speak for how it works when hitting into a net.

 

Maybe they can fix it with a firmware update later, but I'm not holding my breath.  

 

 

[Triple Lindy]

19 hours ago, LBB said:

@Triple Lindy I was at the range.  In my previous post, I submitted screen capture images from my MLM swing video that showed the MLM ball flight that was very different than what the SC4 PRO recorded.  Not sure why those images are no longer showing up, but each of the 4 shots I meant to compare were about 60-75 yards apart in terms of L/R dispersion.

 

However, I would say that from my experience, it was pretty good with carry distance, and if anything, was tending to over estimate for my longer clubs compared to the MLM.  I don't have a home setup, so I can't speak for how it works when hitting into a net.

 

Maybe they can fix it with a firmware update later, but I'm not holding my breath.  

 

 

I wonder how sensitive it is to alignment? I know the Garmin R10 was pretty finicky when I tested it into the net. Never took it to the range, but most of the time I had opposite shot shapes than what I expected, it was an alignment issue. That’s one of the things I appreciated about the MLM2 Pro - the alignment camera kinda took all of the guesswork out of getting it set up properly.

[Spinozist]

37 minutes ago, Triple Lindy said:

I wonder how sensitive it is to alignment? I know the Garmin R10 was pretty finicky when I tested it into the net. Never took it to the range, but most of the time I had opposite shot shapes than what I expected, it was an alignment issue. That’s one of the things I appreciated about the MLM2 Pro - the alignment camera kinda took all of the guesswork out of getting it set up properly.

Good question. When I had the original SC4, there were days when it would get wildly inaccurate, and at first I thought it was user error. But no matter what I changed, there would still be random days when I could laser balls on the range and see it was off. When they first announced the pro model, I assumed it was new hardware. It sounds like they still haven't figured out the software issue that plagued the original model. I've found the OG MLM to be both easier to use and more accurate. I might pick up the MLM pro too.

[LBB]

On 1/4/2025 at 9:16 AM, Triple Lindy said:

I wonder how sensitive it is to alignment? I know the Garmin R10 was pretty finicky when I tested it into the net. Never took it to the range, but most of the time I had opposite shot shapes than what I expected, it was an alignment issue. That’s one of the things I appreciated about the MLM2 Pro - the alignment camera kinda took all of the guesswork out of getting it set up properly.

I figured alignment could be a thing too, so I tried micro adjustments of the unit forward, back, inside/outside the line of the ball/path, angled left/right...it didn't matter.  I used a tape measure and an alignment stick to make sure I gave the unit every chance.  But when I see a shot that draws and lands 10 yard left of target line in real life and the unit consistently reads a push fade (spin axis right) that lands 30-60 yards right of target, there is no amount of tinkering I can do to address the issue, nor do I think it is the consumer's responsibility to be that detailed.

 

My MLM...I plop it down, and it reads consistently, within 2-5% yards L/R dispersion and carry distance of reality.  Yes, there are some shots with my driver that reads as a 5 yard fade, when in reality it was a 10 yard draw, but that's within the 2-5% which is understandable for a radar device that may only be seeing the first 50 yards of ball flight.  But with the SC4 Pro, there is nothing I can say that would make me think the first 30-50 yards of measured ball flight looks anything like what the app actually shows on screen.  

 

I tried it at 2 different ranges I most frequent, once during the evening and once during the morning (I know sunlight or artificial light shouldn't matter with radar), so maybe it's just my unit or something about my ball flight that confuses the unit.  As I mentioned earlier, if every unit they produced performed like mine did, all the reviews would be garbage.

 

It's a shame because the app works really really well for something that does not require a subscription.  I would easily pay $200 one time fee to have my current MLM integrate to the SC4 Pro app, even if it doesn't capture spin or spin axis.

[LBB]

Got my full refund, so kudos to Voice Caddie for upholding their end.  

[4rheel]

I met the owner around the time of the SC4 Pro launch and told him about my faulty SC4. He said to go online and trade it in for the SC4 Pro. Pay an additional $350 for the Pro? No thanks. Never buying another product of theirs ever again.

[Duffer Mark]

My return is set to arrive at their office tomorrow. 

[RobbyDeNicola]

On 1/6/2025 at 1:32 PM, LBB said:

I figured alignment could be a thing too, so I tried micro adjustments of the unit forward, back, inside/outside the line of the ball/path, angled left/right...it didn't matter.  I used a tape measure and an alignment stick to make sure I gave the unit every chance.  But when I see a shot that draws and lands 10 yard left of target line in real life and the unit consistently reads a push fade (spin axis right) that lands 30-60 yards right of target, there is no amount of tinkering I can do to address the issue, nor do I think it is the consumer's responsibility to be that detailed.

 

My MLM...I plop it down, and it reads consistently, within 2-5% yards L/R dispersion and carry distance of reality.  Yes, there are some shots with my driver that reads as a 5 yard fade, when in reality it was a 10 yard draw, but that's within the 2-5% which is understandable for a radar device that may only be seeing the first 50 yards of ball flight.  But with the SC4 Pro, there is nothing I can say that would make me think the first 30-50 yards of measured ball flight looks anything like what the app actually shows on screen.  

 

I tried it at 2 different ranges I most frequent, once during the evening and once during the morning (I know sunlight or artificial light shouldn't matter with radar), so maybe it's just my unit or something about my ball flight that confuses the unit.  As I mentioned earlier, if every unit they produced performed like mine did, all the reviews would be garbage.

 

It's a shame because the app works really really well for something that does not require a subscription.  I would easily pay $200 one time fee to have my current MLM integrate to the SC4 Pro app, even if it doesn't capture spin or spin axis.

 

I just got my SC4 Pro and I had a similar trip to the range, everything was "launching right" no matter how much I pulled it (I'm a righty). The shot shapes were way off and the spins directions were way off as well. I brought it home and experimented with it into a net and I discovered, using a bubble level, that if the device is even 1/8 bubble out of level side to side it will give wacky numbers. Also, the location of where the ball is makes a HUGE difference. I placed a marker on the ground and put the ball on the marker and hit dead straight into my net aligned with the device and it read basically 0 angle. Then I put the ball 1" further away from me on the other side of the marker and hit the same spot in the net and it showed it being pushed 3.5 degrees (the opposite of what actually happened). I then moved the ball 1" closer and hit the same spot in the net and it showed pulled 3.5 degrees (the opposite again). I then put the ball down 1" closer again and then intentionally pushed the ball a foot to the right into my net and the SCR4 still showed the ball being pushed only about 1 degree. When I put the ball back on the marker I could intentionally push and pull and fade and draw into my net and the SC4 pro read it exactly as I'd expect it to. I really think this thing is just SUUUUUPER sensitive to alignment with the ball. Maybe that is why they sell a level plate with a damn laser on it! If your ball is not DEAD smack on that line, the reads are way off. They really shouldn't even sell the device with the laser level in my opinion. I'm eager to go back to the range and try to get this thing properly aligned and see what results I get. 

[DJ412]

On 3/14/2025 at 8:49 PM, RobbyDeNicola said:

 

I just got my SC4 Pro and I had a similar trip to the range, everything was "launching right" no matter how much I pulled it (I'm a righty). The shot shapes were way off and the spins directions were way off as well. I brought it home and experimented with it into a net and I discovered, using a bubble level, that if the device is even 1/8 bubble out of level side to side it will give wacky numbers. Also, the location of where the ball is makes a HUGE difference. I placed a marker on the ground and put the ball on the marker and hit dead straight into my net aligned with the device and it read basically 0 angle. Then I put the ball 1" further away from me on the other side of the marker and hit the same spot in the net and it showed it being pushed 3.5 degrees (the opposite of what actually happened). I then moved the ball 1" closer and hit the same spot in the net and it showed pulled 3.5 degrees (the opposite again). I then put the ball down 1" closer again and then intentionally pushed the ball a foot to the right into my net and the SCR4 still showed the ball being pushed only about 1 degree. When I put the ball back on the marker I could intentionally push and pull and fade and draw into my net and the SC4 pro read it exactly as I'd expect it to. I really think this thing is just SUUUUUPER sensitive to alignment with the ball. Maybe that is why they sell a level plate with a damn laser on it! If your ball is not DEAD smack on that line, the reads are way off. They really shouldn't even sell the device with the laser level in my opinion. I'm eager to go back to the range and try to get this thing properly aligned and see what results I get. 

 

Good to know!  I have 1 arriving this week. It's a little crazy every review seems different. I've seen indoor and outdoor reviews that say it's great and reviews that say it is awful. 

[mktrout]

Everyone one of their launch monitor has always been terrible, so i dont know why this one would be any different

[Carolina Golfer 2]

So I have had mixed results, mostly god but the latest is a bit disappointment.  For the first 2-3 weeks I was mostly limited to using it n the range, and irons seemed spot on in both distance and shot shape.  There would be an occasional  misdirection but very rare.   When it came to driver, the ball speeds seemed a bit off compared to my normal ball speed, but we are just coming out of winter and I have not done any of my usual speed training yet to build up some speed, so wasn't' overly concerned.    The distances were maybe coming up 10 to 15 yards short of what I'd expect.      Then our Head pro hit 5 or 6 drives absolutely nuked.   He has ball speed near 170 to 175 usually and the shots didn't' even register at all.    No CHS, no ball speed nothing.   He hit about 5 shots then just turned around and left, I even moved the unit back a foot or so as he usually has an apex of 130 feet or so.

Then I took it on course this week and set up on a tee box just like I'd do on the range.  Probably hit 25 to 30 driver shots and not one of hem registered below 4200 backspin   So there fore the carry was only showing 150 to 160 yards on my pretty much average SS for this time of year at 82-84.    When I went to pick up the balls, I had marked the starting point with my GPS and every ball was anywhere from 196 yards to 218 in total carry.  I know I wasn'tg getting 60 yards of roll ...ha

I have read a lot here about spin axis, what about backspin anyone have major issues with that as well .