Every launch monitor works one of two ways. It either bounces radio waves off the ball as it flies, or it photographs the ball in the instant after impact. Some combine both. The method decides where the unit sits, how much room it needs, and which numbers it's best at.
How radar works
Doppler radar sends out microwaves and measures how the reflections change as the ball and club move. The unit sits behind you, facing the target, and follows the ball for as long as it can see it. Outdoors, that means the whole flight. Indoors, it means the few feet before the screen, which is why radar units need distance behind the ball.
Small radar units often calculate spin from other measurements rather than reading it directly. Premium radar like the Full Swing KIT and Trackman measures far more.
How camera units work
Photometric, or camera, units sit beside the ball and take high-speed images at impact. From those images they measure ball speed, launch direction and spin. Because they don't need to see the flight, they work in short rooms. Most need a mat or a level surface, and some need stickers or marked balls for club and spin data.
Side by side
| Radar | Camera | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it sits | Behind you | Beside the ball |
| Indoor depth | About 16 ft | About 10 ft |
| Best at | Full ball flight outdoors | Spin and launch at impact |
| Outdoors | Excellent | Varies by model |
| Left and right hand | No change | Unit moves sides |
| Examples | Garmin R10, Mevo Gen2, Full Swing KIT | SkyTrak ST MAX, Square Omni, Launch Pro, Garmin R50 |
Hybrids and ceiling units
Several units blend the two. The Rapsodo MLM2PRO adds cameras to radar for measured spin and video. The FlightScope Mevo Gen2 pairs radar with a camera. The SkyTrak ST MAX adds dual radar to its camera. Ceiling-mounted units like the Trackman iO look down on the ball and avoid the left-or-right problem entirely.
Which should you choose?
If you'll mainly practice outdoors, or you have a deep room, radar gives you the most for the money. If you're building a simulator in a garage or spare room, a camera unit is usually the only practical choice.
Questions
Is radar or camera more accurate?
Both can be very accurate. Premium radar like Trackman and premium cameras like Foresight's are used by tour players and club fitters. At lower prices, camera units tend to measure spin better indoors.
Why do some units need stickers?
Camera units read marks on the club to measure club data, and some need special balls to measure spin.
