From a technological perspective, the Bushnell Launch Pro and the Foresight Sports GC3 are almost identical launch monitors. They both rely on a high-speed, triscopic camera setup, which makes both of these units exceptionally accurate.
On this point, it is worth noting that the Foresight Sports GC Quad relies on a similar multiple high-speed camera setup, and the GC Quad is considered the gold standard in the launch monitor industry. The difference is that the GC Quad uses a Quadrascopic setup (4 cameras), whereas the GC3 and the Launch Pro use a Triscopic setup (3 cameras).
So, unlike some of the lower-end launch monitors like the Mevo Plus and the Skytrak which rely on Doppler technology, you really don’t need to worry about launch monitor accuracy if you invest in the Bushnell Launch Pro or the GC3. That is one area where both of these products truly shine, and it is very reassuring to eliminate this particular concern from your purchase decision early on.
Table of Contents
Specs Comparison - Bushnell Launch Pro vs GC3
| Launch Monitor Specs | Bushnell Launch Pro | Foresight Sports GC3 |
|---|---|---|
| Ball Speed | Basic Software | Yes |
| Horizontal Launch Angle | Basic Software | Yes |
| Vertical Launch Angle | Basic Software | Yes |
| Total Spin | Basic Software | Yes |
| Carry Distance | Basic Software | Yes |
| Club Head Speed | Basic Software | Yes |
| Smash Factor | Basic Software | Yes |
| Total Distance | Basic Software | Yes |
| Offline Distance | Basic Software | Yes |
| Descent Angle | Basic Software | Yes |
| Peak Height | Basic Software | Yes |
| Back Spin | Gold Software | Yes |
| Side Spin | Gold Software | Yes |
| Spin Axis | Gold Software | Yes |
| Angle of Attack | Gold Software | Yes |
| Club Path | Gold Software | Yes |
| Putting Analysis | No | No |
| Warranty | 1-Year US | 1-Year US |
| Weight | 5lbs / 2.3kg | 5lbs / 2.3kg |
| Battery Life | 5-7 Hours | 5-7 Hours |
| Size | 6” (w) x 12” (h) x 5” (d) | 6” (w) x 12” (h) x 5” (d) |
| Minimum Space Requirements | 7'W x 7'H x 10'D | 7'W x 7'H x 10'D |
| Battery Type | Fixed Lithium Ion | Fixed Lithium Ion |
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| Ethernet | Yes | Yes |
| USB C | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
Key Differences - Bushnell Launch Pro vs GC3
Product Price
Product price is by far the biggest difference between the Bushnell Launch Pro and the Foresight Sports GC3. The recommended resale price of the Bushnell Launch Pro is $2,999.00, whereas the recommended resale price of the GC3 is $7,499.00.
Now, given that the units are so closely matched in terms of measurements, readings, and launch monitor accuracy, you might automatically conclude that the Bushnell Launch Pro is the better choice. After all, the product price of the Launch Pro is literally less than half the price of the GC3.
However, the reason for the massive difference in price comes down to the software, which has a massive influence on the indoor simulation capabilities.
With the GC3, you effectively get lifetime access to all of Foresights sports software packages. This is quite literally why the GC3 is so much more expensive than the Bushnell unit. With the Bushnell Launch Pro, you get 1 year of free access to the most basic Software package, but all the other software packages need to be paid for separately, and most of them need to be updated annually.
Foresight Sports Software
To fully understand how much of a difference the software packages make, is worth noting that to unlock lifetime access to Foresights Sports software packages using the Bushnell Pro, you need to pay a one-time fee of $3,995.00
So, if you were to purchase the Bushnell Launch Pro and the Lifetime Software Access, the total would come to $6,995.00 Purchasing the GC3, which includes Lifetime Software Access, is $7,499.
In other words, if you fully eliminate software costs, the price difference between these products is only about $500. However, the Bushnell does allow you to pick and choose the software packages, and it is still the cheaper of the two products. If you are budget conscious or want to experiment with the software before you commit to a lifetime purchase, it obviously makes sense to go with the Bushnell Launch Pro.
It is also important to point out that the software option you choose with the Launch Pro has a direct impact on the metrics that are available to you when using the indoor launch monitor features. More specifically, if you don’t pay for the Gold Software package, then you lose access to the following metrics and features:
- Back Spin
- Side Spin
- Spin Axis
- Angle of Attack
- Club Path
- 10 Golf Courses
If you choose to remain on the basic package, you get no golf courses and you lose out on the metrics above. The same applies if you choose the Silver software package, except the silver package does give you access to 4 golf courses.
The issue here is that these are some of the most valuable metrics to have when using an indoor launch monitor. It’s pretty clear why Foresight Sports have hidden these features behind a payment gateway. They are golden metrics that vastly improve the experience when hitting balls indoors. It’s almost like you have to pay for the Gold subscription in order to get full value from the Bushnell Launch Pro.
Bushnell Is New To The Launch Monitor Scene
Bushnell is a trustworthy and reputable outdoor sports brand. Generally speaking, they only make high-quality products that function exceptionally well and last a long time. This is true of their shooting rifles, and their golf products.
However, the Launch Pro represents Bushnell’s first foray into the Launch Monitor equipment category. This isn’t necessarily a weakness. Bushnell has effectively partnered with Foresights Sports in producing the Launch Pro. It seems pretty clear that Foresights Sports sees the Bushnell Launch Pro as a channel for growing their software subscription services.
Key Similarities
1. Product Size & Space Required
These products are the same dimensions physically 6” x 12” x 5” and the minimum recommended space when hitting indoors is exactly the same 7’W x 7’H x 10’D.
This is reassuring if you only have a small space in your house for hitting balls, and it means that you can slot the launch monitor next to you on the range, without interrupting any other players.
2. Triscopic Camera Setup Is Very Accurate
You can expect accuracy readings to be within 1-2% of the GC Quad, which is the gold standard in the launch monitor industry.
3. Both Products work on Foresight Sports Software
If you look closely at the Bushnell Launch Pro, you will see the Foresight Sports Logo is actually built onto the product. Said another way, the Bushnell Launch Pro is actually a Foresight Sports Product. It is just manufactured by Bushnell.
4. Simulator Mode Works Best with a Gaming PC
This aspect of Foresight Sports Launch Monitors doesn’t really get enough attention.
While you can get a limited amount of data using an iPad with a Bluetooth connection, to unlock the full simulation experience, you need to invest in a gaming PC.
The recommendations of Foresight Sports is a PC/laptop with at least 8GB of Ram, and a good quality graphics card. For most people, buying a Gaming Laptop with 16GB of Ram and an Nvidia Graphics card is the most convenient solution to this problem. However, if you are technically inclined, you could build a desktop gaming PC with similar specs for a bit less money.
The underlying point here is that you need a relatively powerful PC to truly unlock the full potential of a Foresight Sports Launch monitor (both products fall into this category).
Final Thoughts
When you take a long hard look at the specs of the Bushnell Launch Pro and the GC3, it should become clear that they are carbon copies of one another. We would go so far as to say that the Launch Pro is actually a GC3, except it is released under the Bushnell name. They are almost certainly manufactured in the same factory, and Foresight Sports clearly have an underlying partnership with Bushnell.
More importantly, it is actually the pricing and access to Foresights Sports advanced simulation software that separates these two products. With the Bushnell Launch Pro, you pay for the software separately, and this makes it considerably more affordable during the first few years of ownership. With the GC3, you get lifetime access to the software, from the moment you make the purchase.
So to summarize, the Launch Pro and the GC3 are literally identical in terms of hardware. However, they differ massively in terms how you access and pay for Foresight Sports golf simulation software. That is the krux of this particular decision.
If you do choose the Bushnell Launch Pro (which works on annual software subscriptions), it is worth noting that you do have the option to purchase lifetime access to the software at any point in time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much space does the Bushnell Launch Pro need?
The minimum recommended space is 7’W x 7’H x 10’D. The ideal recommended space is 9’W x 9’H x 10’D.
How much space does the GC3 need?
The minimum recommended space is 7’W x 7’H x 10’D. The ideal recommended space is 9’W x 9’H x 10’D.
Why do some Bushnell Launch Pro metrics require club stickers?
There are 4 metrics that require you to put a sticker on the club, namely:
- Clubhead Speed
- Smash Factor
- Club Path
- Angle of Attack
The sticker helps the unit identify which club is being used automatically
This is important because the club that you use has a direct impact on these metrics. Using stickers is an effective and affordable way to unlock these data points, allowing you to maximize the convenience of owning a photometric launch monitor.
