Comparison of Pure Launch and Trackman

During our testing I decided to do a comparison of ball carry accuracy between Track Man and Pure Launch. Having done some testing at the driving range I knew at some distances the carry distance that Pure Launch displays  are fairly good (at 150 yards or so) but at distances shorter and longer the accuracy falls off quite a bit.  In version 5 of the software the carry accuracy of the driver distances are really bad according to Optimal Flight. In the older Version 4.2.3 they weren’t as bad but still the question begs are they good enough to fit with?   Since Zelocity claims accuracy of their  four “measured” parameters to be very close  (here)  I would expect carry distance approximations to be very good.  I will let the data “tell the tale” at this point.  The files attached are in Adobe PDF format and can be read online. A copy can be saved from adobe Reader if you like. Please use the “back” button on your browser to navigate back to the main article when you are done with the PDF files.

Optimal Flight Report Pure Launch 4.2.3 and 5.1 using OF

Optimal Flight Report Track Man

Data Comparison of PL and TM accuracy

All attached files have been sent to Zelocity and the response I received from them was, and I quote ……

“Hi James,

Thank you for putting together some data for us to review.  I wish we could get more information like this when someone believes there is an error.

Well, congratulations, you indeed did find a minor problem in the carry distance calculation for the driver. Some of the problem was with the lower spin and that has been fixed.  The part of the driver distance logic causing the problem has been changed and the estimated carry you would now see for similar driver shots you sent me would be 180.8, 178.4, 188.9, 187.8   We are putting together a new software build and will include this fix.”

End of quote….

When this e-mail was written I had complained about problems with data output for the 20 months since I bought my unit.  I know others had complained also , so how can they say they “wish” others would send in data?

I still haven’t figured out how a 20 yard inaccuracy is considered a “minor error”?  They did say they have fixed the problem in a new software release (update)  but I have asked for my copy and have yet to receive it so I can test the accuracy.  I own version 5 so I would think the update would be something I am entitled to since the problem was in the original release? I would be glad to run this test again  should they ever send the update to me.

I also don’t understand how a company can release a new version of software that promised to fix flaws in Version 4.2.3 and the carry distance is worse than the old version? It took months to release the new version so one would think these problems would have been found , and fixed, long before the software was released?  Does  their testing not find these types of problems? According to their technology page they test with a robot do they not?

While my data doesn’t include  Optimal Flight tests on distances of approximately 100 yards I did do some laser testing and the average error was 10 yards (give or take a couple of yards).

James

Zelocity Owner’s Problems Solved

Zelocity sells many of their units through retailers. One of our group members was using his Pure Launch unit to fit golfers indoors. According to the Zelocity web site with 12ft of ball flight it can be used indoors. This owner, and many others, had noticed the L/R ball flight calculations were opposite of where the ball was impacting the net. This is one problem  in Version 4 of their software and was supposed to be fixed in version 5.  Unfortunately version 5, at the time of this writing, still shows an incorrect ball flight.  Since he could get no resolution from Zelocity so he made the linked video and sent it to Zelocity and the retailer he purchased it from (Golf Smith in this case). Once Golf Smith had seen the video they immediately offered him a full credit for his purchase. Considering the owner had purchased the unit several months ago he was surprised at this offer. He has since sent the unit back, received his credit and purchased another Launch Monitor.  Kudos to Golf Smith for doing what was right by their customer! Those of you that purchased a Pure Launch unit from a retailer and are experiencing the same problem might want to give them a call.  Please call Zelocity also and voice your concerns.

Zelocity Video Link

Think about it.  If L/R ball flight is off this much wouldn’t one of the “measured” and “accurate” parameters have to be off?  I personally have checked these findings in an outdoor setting and can verify they are true.   L/R ball flight is opposite of what the unit states.