Best launch monitor under 1000 dollars

It would have never been conceivable that you could have a launch monitor under 1000 dollars that was more than a gadget not so long ago. Instead, nowadays with not such a big spend you can find yourself a launch monitor that is capable of tracking for useful data that will help you improve your game. Of course, these are not going to have the same features as the monitor’s such as those we reviewed in our best budget launch monitor review or the even more expensive elite level launch monitors such as trackman. But what they do offer are much more mobile possibilities so that you can even use them during actual play, or in a makeshift practice environment not suitable for the other monitors. 

In our evaluations we found three monitors coming in under our ceiling price mark that we felt comfortable recommending to our readers. Hopefully we can give you a hand in understanding their differences so you can find the fit most suitable for what you are looking for.

---

Our contenders

---

Our Choice

Last weekend we all sat down and had a lengthy deliberation on the merits of each of our contenders for the best launch monitor under 1000 dollars after a fun day on the course. We came to an agreement on how our picks where basically grouped into 2 classifications/groups but the coming to an agreement on which type was best was a much longer discussion.

While all provided accurate and meaningful metrics for analysis, we found ourselves trying to decide between the launch monitor that provided more data for analysis vs the monitor that enhanced the existing data creating a great tool for game improvement. Ultimately, we went with the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor (MLM) siding game improvement.

There are many features to love about the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor starting with how it integrates with your mobile device to provide you with not only ball metrics but the view of the swing that created them. This instantly changes the MLM from a statistic gathering device to a teaching aid. With Rapsodo’s Coach Connect you are clicks away from being able to use this data to get real coaching insights to improve your game. You are able to store your last 100 shots but really to get the full benefit of the MLM you should consider taking the premium subscription.

The integration with the mobile device also makes the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor perfectly portable and useable almost everywhere you have the room to swing a club. It does require to be placed 8ft behind the ball for optimal accuracy but this was never a concern in our trials. It tracks 7 key metrics; shot distance, ball speed, club speed, shot shape, smash factor, launch angle and launch direction but as mentioned the video overlay compensates for in our opinion for the those that it does not.

We classified the technology as Doplar / Photometric, but to be honest I am not sure if this is the correct terminology. The MLM uses radar to understand that it is time to start tracking the ball sending a signal to the mobile device instructing it to begin taking a rapid series of pictures. These pictures are the baseline for the calculations of the metrics. The data results that we received were very consistent with some of the more expensive budget monitors we tested. 

We did not validate that the MLM is only 2% less accurate than a trackman as is advertised but honestly there is not really a reason too. The fact is that it is more than capable of providing reliable data that will allow you to improve your game. And a slight deviation in the value of your swing speed is not material enough to justify spending exponentially more.

While indoor and outdoor use is supported all of our trials were outdoors. We don’t see a reason to believe that indoor use should be any less effective given the space requirements are respected. 

We believe the ultimate goal of a launch monitor is to help you improve your game. This is why we decided to make the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor our choice for the best launch monitor under 1000 dollars.

Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor’s key selling points:

Ground-Breaking Features

From shot tracking to club gapping, the Rapsodo MLM is the only golf launch monitor that provides instant feedback with video replay, an active shot tracer, and data overlay. Get industry-validated, pro-level launch data on distance, ball speed, club speed, smash factor, launch angle, and launch direction.

Rapsodo data can be used to build a golf resume that can be shared with coaches and recruiters. Improve your golf swing with Rapsodo’s golf swing training tools. Get a clearer, more trackable understanding of your shot strengths, weaknesses and tendencies. Discover how the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor can take your game to the next level with its golf swing analyzer capabilities.

---

Our Runner Up – Best launch monitor under $1000

Our close second place for the best launch monitor under 1000 dollars is the FlightScope Mevo. As mentioned, there is a valid argument to be made that the Mevo is the frontrunner based on its ability to track some additional metrics such as Apex Height, Flight time and back spin.

While we felt that the MLM was superior in its video recording for coaching the Mevo us still capable of automatic video clipping while interfacing with your mobile device. While the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor is currently limited to iOS devices the Mevo can also be used with Android devices so if you are not an Apple user then this would be a better option for you.

The space requirements for both devices are very similar and for the Mevo you should have about 7 feet of space available behind the ball. While the Mevo can be used indoors and outdoors like our front runner it does require the use of metallic stickers (included with the purchase) to be placed on the ball when used indoors in order to get reliable results. This is at most an inconvenience for some but when we made our trials it was a non-factor.

The Mevo is slightly smaller and lighter than the MLM but this also was a non-factor in our decision as both devices are more than compact. The battery life of both units is likewise similar at approximately 4 hours when fully charged. A mobile device is required to use the Mevo but if you are not interested in capturing video there is no need to set up your device with the Mevo so in some ways it is more of a standalone device than the MLM.

So, if you prioritize maximizing your data metric points or are an Android user the FlightScope Mevo would be a great choice for you.

---

FlightScope Mevo’s key selling points:

Dial In your distances 

Mevo provides real time data to help you practice and improve with every club in your bag, on the range, on the course and in your home

Automatic video clipping 

Practice without interruption using the Mevo app on your mobile devices to automatically record, clip and save each video with data overlay

Mevo 3D Doppler radar

Launch monitor can be used indoors and outdoors to practice with purpose and improve your overall game

---

Our next Pick – Best launch monitor under $1000

We may have made it sound like a 2-horse race for the best launch monitor under 1000 dollars but our other recommendation, the Swing Caddie SC300, by no means is not a great little monitor with some nice features.

When it actually comes down to the specifics the Swing Caddie is able to track everything the Mevo does with the exception of flight time. What the SC300 can do that the others can’t is display the actual data on the unit itself making there less need to access your mobile device to view the data. Also voice output of your shot distance is provided so you can really spend more time making your swings and less time accessing the data.

Like the other monitors the Swing Caddie feeds data to your mobile device for analysis but where it separates itself from the others is that you do not need to have access to the app for SC300 to work making it the ultimate stand-alone monitor in the list. It supports both Android and iOS devices so compatibility will not be an issue.

The other advantages the SC300 has is that is requires slightly less space behind the ball at 5 ft compared to the others and its battery life at approximately 20 hrs is about 5 times longer than the others. So, you can really be out on the range our course and not worry about running out of power.

So as you can see the Swing Caddie really is not a last in the list product but rather a great option for a anyone looking for a launch monitors under 1000 dollars. 

---

Swing Caddie SC300’s key selling points:

Swing Caddie SC300 is the latest addition to our family of portable launch monitors. The SC300 is truly portable and provides golfers with complete swing and ball flight metrics found in professional launch monitors, including launch angle and apex data. Using the latest in Doppler radar technology, and calibrating atmospheric pressure sensors, the SC300 provides uncompromised precision. SC300 connects directly to a personal phone or tablet via Bluetooth allowing golfers to track their real-time, integrated data. Voice output of distance and remote control provides the highest levels ofuser convenience.

---

This year I am tracking all the balls I find during my golf rounds to come up with this years winner of the OFF PIST GOLF BALL OF THE YEAR. If you would like to see if any of our recommendations strayed from the fairway come take a look.