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Rapsodo MLM Launch Monitor Review: A Strong Contender In a Growing Category
The personal golf launch monitor category has officially blown up. Over the past several years, there has been a slew of releases that I’ve tested. Recently, Rapsodo announced the release of its Mobile Launch Monitor
I was excited to test out the MLM because Rapsodo is also responsible for the hardware of my favorite launch monitor, the SkyTrak. In this review, I’ll highlight the strengths of the Rapsodo MLM (there are quite a few). I’ll also explain how it fits in with the competition in the $500 and below personal launch monitor category.
Update (9/14/20): Rapsodo has finally announced indoor net capability, which makes this a much stronger product. At the moment it’s limited to the latest iPhone/iPad models. I will update this review when I’ve had to chance to test the indoor feature. Also, Rapsodo is offering Practical Golf readers the lowest price available using this link – it also has extra benefits of our Insider Membership and best-selling book.
Is the Rapsodo MLM Accurate?
With any launch monitor, the number one thing I am concerned with is distance accuracy. If a company can’t get this fundamental feature right, then the product’s value is compromised.
It doesn’t matter if you pay $300 or $20,000 for a launch monitor – none of them are perfect. Every product has its strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, the engineers who create launch monitors have to build inevitable tradeoffs. For example, I’ve had people tell me off the record that some of the most expensive launch monitors are more accurate with certain yardages or circumstances (indoors vs. outdoors), but struggle in others.
On the whole, the $500 category of launch monitors is getting better and better with distance accuracy. Some of the models I’ve tested are within a few percentage points of difference versus industry leaders like Trackman and Foresight Sports.
In the case of the Rapsodo MLM, the unit uses a mixture of radar technology and the camera of your cell phone or tablet to measure the initial ball flight to determine its measurements. Overall, I am very impressed with its accuracy. You can use the MLM outdoors, which is an optimal environment for a radar-based launch monitor to take accurate measurements. As I stated earlier, when I have a chance to test the indoor functionality I will update this review.
I found that ball speed, clubhead speed, distance, and launch angle were comparable (not perfect) to what I have seen on many commercial models that cost significantly more. Overall, the Rapsodo MLM did an excellent job of providing me with comparable metrics that I’ve seen from more expensive products.
The App Is Very Impressive
In my opinion, the app that Rapsodo built is the most robust feature of the product. Right now, I’d say it’s the best in this category. I’ll try to summarize my favorite features, but there are quite a few.
When you first start your session with the MLM, you confirm your exact location on the driving range as well as the direction you’re hitting balls using your phone’s GPS. Going through this exercise allows the app to show a visual representation of where all of your shots went during your session, which is excellent information to have.
Additionally, each shot is recorded on your phone’s camera. You are instantly given a video playback with some cool shot-tracer visuals. Another feature I liked is that the phone calls out the yardage quickly.
When you are finished with each range session, you get access to a library of information that is very useful. The app has a big mapping feature which gives you your typical yardages with each club. You can see how you performed in individual sessions, or as an aggregate measurement. For example, if you were working on adding some distance to your driver, this would allow you to see your progress over time.
Perhaps my favorite feature is taking a deep dive into every session. You can see a visual representation of your shot dispersion with each club along with simulated trajectories.
Lastly, you can scroll through each shot. Some of the key metrics shown are distance, ball speed, and club speed. But they go a step further with some additional data that is not available from the competition.
Each shot is given a designation in terms of its direction and trajectory, which is broken down by this image:
For example, most of my shots register as straight, going to the right, or starting right of my target with a draw. Even more, you can review the video from each shot to confirm the shot shape using the tracer image of the ball flight. I found that the app did a great job of identifying my typical shot directions and shapes.
Another key stat is your launch direction. The Rapsodo MLM
If you are a golfer who likes data, you’ll be delighted with the library of information that’s available. Unfortunately, there is an added cost if you want limitless playback of your video recordings. They charge a $99 subscription to access anything past your last 100 swings.
If you are looking for a quality net to go along with the Rapsodo MLM, we recommend reading our Spornia SPG-7 review.
Rapsodo MLM vs. Swing Caddie SC300i
Based on all of the testing I’ve done, I would say that the Rapsodo MLM
If you are choosing between the MLM and the SC300i, I think the main difference is functionality. Both have very accurate metrics (especially outside).
Another factor to consider is simplicity. The Swing Caddie SC300i works without any other kind of hardware. They do have a phone app that integrates with the launch monitor (and now provides spin metrics). However, it’s not required to use the app. I would say overall that the Rapsodo MLM has stronger app features such as showing your shot direction, shape, and video playback. But the SC300i app was recently updated and has very nice functionality as well.
Overall, the use of a cell phone to measure shots was a sticking point for me when evaluating both of these products. I would say if you want a more straightforward, headache-free experience, the Swing Caddie SC300i gets the nod. You won’t have to worry about your phone having enough charge, or losing it too quickly. But if the features such as video playback, and some enhanced shot data are more important, than the Rapsodo MLM might be a better choice. They’re both great products and offer significant value at their $500 price tags. Update: The SC300i is now priced at $449 here
Wrapping It Up
The Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor is an excellent release. Its accuracy and app design are very impressive. I don’t love that it needs a phone to measure shots, but it’s a tradeoff to get more accurate data.
But for $500 (or a bit less), you can’t get it all! A product like SkyTrak gives most recreational golfers every metric they can imagine as well as simulation capabilities, but the price tag is $2,000. Taking into account all of the positive features of the Rapsodo MLM, I think they’ve done an excellent job of packaging a lot of value into a product that can appeal to most golfers.
You can purchase the Rapsodo MLM here
If you have any questions, please feel to post them in the comments section and I’ll do my best to answer them. Also, this article explores ideas on how to practice with launch monitors effectively.
Here are other articles I’ve written on launch monitors:
John, thank you for your review, I wasn’t aware of this product and it seems pretty awesome. I am now getting twisted with all these options. I, like you, live in the Northeast (Southern NJ) and as our season winds down, we move indoors. I too am a data geek and have been using Arccos on my clubs for 2 seasons now to capture on course data but have hesitated on pulling the trigger on one of these $500 units. Arccos alone has cut my handicap from a 13 to an 8.
I love the integrated video features of the Rapsodo MLM but am torn because I want to use it indoors. I have thought about pulling the trigger on the Skytrak but again, that is a $3-4K minimum investment depending on what you want beyond the unit itself.
Decisions, decisions, decisions…fun time to be in the golf industry and a data geek. Hard to resist having your own shot tracer technology while practicing. What to do???
Bradd – glad you find the articles helpful. While there are now many options, it’s still tough to “get it all” for a low enough price. That day might not be too far off, but for most of these products, you are going to need to accept some trade-off. For the MLM, the big one is not able to use it indoors, IMO. SkyTrak remains the best overall option for recreational golfers, but the investment is steep. Sorry I don’t have better news!
I sent this to Rapsodo as well. In essence, they detect ball speed and launch angle and compute the carry distance. The direction (pull, push, draw, fade…) is from the visual data of the iPhone camera. It seems obvious to me that their calculation does not account for the difference in carry based on elevation. My drive at sea level (where I may visit for golf) and in the Colorado mountains at 9000 feet (where I live) will clearly be different. But MLM doesn’t seem to capture that variable. It seems to me that the MLM iPhone app could easily get the present elevation from the iPhone’s GPS receiver when the app is started (and of course turn off the GPS right after that so as to not waste battery). With the elevation, they could adjust the carry calculation based on some standard parameters for air density at altitude.
Do other monitors in this price range adjust for this difference? It is significant with a 9000 foot differential!
Dan – that’s an interesting point, but any hardware considerations like that would have to be dealt with from Rapsodo directly. I know more expensive enterprise offerings like Trackman allow for you to calibrate based on temperature and altitude, but it comes at a significant cost.
luckily this is just a math equation, if you could probably make a post on stack exchange to get help with the calculation
I found this:
You can calculate the distance gain you will experience (compared to sea level) by multiplying the elevation (in feet) by .00116. For example, if you’re playing in Reno, at 1 mile elevation (5,280 ft.) the increase is about 6% (5,280 x .00116 = 6.1248). If you normally drive the ball 250 yards at sea level, you will likely drive it 265 yards in Reno.
so if you re-arrange the equation you get X+(X*h*0.0000116) where x = distance calculated by the launch monitor at sea level and h = your actual altitude in feet.
2 questions:
1). Which $500+/- launch monitors provide the ability for the owner of the monitor the versatility to upload furure application improvements?
2). Could the MLM provide such an accurate indoor use improvement to its App or is the hardware the limitation?
Thanks,
Bill
To answer your questions:
1) Any launch monitor with an app usually will have some kind of software updates you can easily upgrade. The Rapsodo MLM has had several since it first came out, and I expect that to continue as they monitor user feedback.
2) I doubt you’ll see indoor use at any point because that is a hardware limitation
Hello Jon,
Thanks for the review of the Rapsodo MLM- I agree with most of your review, but I do have a question about using the device. Have you had an issue with the recording of more than a couple swings- in my couple times using the device it just stops recording shots. I’ve only been able to record 2 consecutive shots then get the playback icon and can’t get the unit to record any swings even after restarting app and unit.
I did have that issue earlier on, but once I updated the firmware through a software update on my phone it seemed to resolve the problem. I know they are working on a few bugs since the unit is relatively new.
It seems like Rapsodo’s marketing has caused no small amount of confusion re: indoor use. They seem to equate “indoors” with “net”. But what if you do a majority of your off-season practice in a dome, with some 150 yards of unobstructed flight? Are you still foiled by lighting conditions, or GPS interference or some such?. What if you just wanted to work on increasing your swing speed…couldn’t you do that indoors – without even a ball?
Given what I THINK I know about the technology they are using, I’m not sure how they can incorporate “net” ability, without effecting the cost – but, that’s their business.
Nice review though, Jon. Given your rundown of the features, I’m seriously considering buying one…and probably soon!
FYI – I’m told they are working on a solution that would allow it to work with a net indoors (it might be a few months off, and I’ll update the review if/when they do). Regarding the dome – based on what I know, it should be able to give you pretty accurate readings. It’s not tracking the entire flight of the ball, just the beginning portion. If the lighting is good enough it should work for you.
No matter what this device will need to see the ball travel to give any readings. If you are interested in a launch monitor that can track your swing speed without hitting a ball the SC200 Plus and PRGR will do that.
Hello Jon,
After my SC200 was stolen (before I even had a chance to use it), I started looking for a replacement. I stumbled upon the Rapsodo MLM and was amazed. Reading your very insightful article assures me that the MLM is the way to go for me. In the winter months I practice/play virtual golf at one of two facilities both of which have Trackman. So I’m really okay with the MLM being limited to outdoor use. However, what I am concerned about with the MLM (and other sub $500 launch monitors is accuracy when using range balls. The driving ranges I go to at best have a mix of different brands and a mix of old and new. Plus there is the issue of limited flight golf balls. Can you please share what you know about on the subject? Many thanks
Kenny – that’s terrible news about the SC200! Range balls are an issue for any launch monitor – whether it costs $500 or $20,000 – they are going to measure what the ball is doing. So if you are using a limited flight ball, or an older range ball that is worn down, the ball flight will be affected. How much depends on the ball quality and its condition. I have found the only way to ensure consistent quality is when you’re hitting balls indoors since you can use premium balls.
Hey Jon,
Thanks for getting back to me.
I get what you’re saying in general. But are you also saying that each and every measurement that the MLM performs will be impacted by range ball quality to the same extent or might some measurements be more reliable than others? If the latter, than what measurements will be the most reliable?
Regarding indoor vs outdoor, I was thinking that hitting regular-flight balls in a net indoors would cause similar issues as hitting limited-flight balls at an outdoor driving range. Thanks for setting me straight.
Kenny – it’s hard to say exactly. My point is that let’s say you have an older range ball. It might not spin as much, or go as far – the MLM will read exactly what is going on with that ball. For example, you could hit your 7-iron 155 yards with a premium golf ball on a certain trajectory/shape, but the range ball could travel a little lower at 148 yards. The MLM will display that trajectory and distance. Does that make sense?
Any launch monitor that is measuring the ball directly (indoors or outdoors) would have this issue. It has no way of knowing what kind of ball you are using.
Good news!!! During the 2020 PGA Show, a representative from Rapsodo said that the MLM will soon be able to work indoors (in to a net). I guess via a firmware update.
Whenever any major updates on the firmware occur I will re-test and update this article! But yes, that would be a major upgrade.
Hi Jon, good reviews! Thank you! With the current price points of the SC200plus and SC300 what do you recommend? A little background on me: I am a new golfer. I am taking lessons with my 11 year old son and we just started in October 2019. I recently bought a Swing Speed radar off of Amazon as I was planning on doing the Speed training system this offseason (and heard that the monitors didn’t measure practice swings). I was thinking of returning the Swing Speed radar back to Amazon and go with the SC200plus, or does it make more since to just keep it and get the SC300 for the additional features such as launch angle and the other features that it offers to help improve my new golf game? Thanks!
thanks, Chris – I think if you are pairing it with SuperSpeed training, the SC200 Plus is a really good value right now since you and your son are relative beginners.
hello
my first thoughts was how does it compare with the Mevo. i tried to find out if the MLM can determine ball spin ? there seems to be no mention of that not indicated in the software screen shots. whereas the Mevo does give a ball spin figure.
is this a fair summary between the MLM and the Mevo, one has ball spin while the other does not hence the price difference ?
I believe it’s a better overall unit than the Mevo. I found a lot of difficulties getting accurate spin rates indoors with the Mevo, and it requires adding a metallic sticker to every ball you hit at the range. The app and overall accuracy of the MLM are better in my opinion.
I have two questions.
１．when release android app?
2. Can I use wi-fi iPad（no GPS）
Great article! Very informative for sure.
One question I have, and I may missed it, but does it allow you the option of changing “range balls” to “premium balls” like it does when I go to a TrackMan range?
This looks like the only entry in the $500 crowd that can offer any information at all about ball direction and flight path, is that right? Seems like that’s a killer feature to distinguish it there. Unfortunately, as an Android phone user I’d also need a $400 iPad to make this usable and it’s still only good at the range. If they really have an update that let’s you use a net, and the promised android support comes out later this year, I think this will easily be the best option in this price range.
I think if they add indoor usage to the mix, it would certainly make it the best-rounded product in the category.
Jon, a year ago I purchased the SC200. I was primarily going to use it to work on my wedge distances (Pelz method). I took it to the outdoor range where I was able to shoot different pins. All under 120 yards. The SC was very inconsistent. I had no faith in the readings so I returned the product. Are you confident that for range work inside 150 yards this product is more accurate?
Hi Jon – thanks for the detailed review of the MLM. For shot shape I understand it provides a visual tracer image on video and a summary via the designation chart (starting line / shape). Can it provide more specific measurement of ball flight…i.e if my sandwedge is moving 3 to 4 yards draw over 100 yards – I’m happy. But if it’s moving 10 yards draw over 100 yards (but ending on target) I’m not happy as I know with a bit of wind / if my timing is off that much side spin is too hard to manage. How granular can you get with MLM on side spin / measurable dispersion?
Hope that makes sense!
Thanks
Looking to get the MLM now that you can use it indoors with a net. Is it best to get some flood lights to lighten up the area? I have heard that more light helps the readings.
Will the shot outlay work indoors into a net?
Yes – you’ll definitely want good lighting since the phone’s camera is part of the measuring process. Shot outlays will not be displayed in indoor mode though.
Hi Jon. Thank you for the very clear review. Theres not alot of information about this unit.
What is the current status of the unit? I hit into a net at home and ball flight is really the only information thats needed. Distance is irrelevant without ball path. Is it right that when indoors you won’t get any left to right dispersion?
That’s correct. At the moment they do not have this feature for approved indoor devices. That’s the case for all of the launch monitors in the $500 and below category. If you want more directional information, and simulated ball flight indoors you’ll need to upgrade to a product like SkyTrak.
Great review, Jon.
Couple quick q’s – how much distance is required between the MLM and the ball? Does the MLM need to be on the ground, or it can it be in an elevated position relative to the ball?
There is not a lot of space behind the mats at the range where I typically practice, but there is a wood platform about 4-5′ behind me I could place the MLM on…
Thanks!
For best results, you’ll need the MLM on a level surface to the ball and about 5-7 feet behind.
Does the Rapsodo MlM net mode show launch direction?
Currently, it does not, but that could change in future software updates.
Any update on Rapsodo inside net mode? If so, what info does it track and what iPhone models can you use with it?
I’m going to update the review soon, but I’ve tried the net mode with my iPhone SE and really like it. The best way to check the most up-to-date device capabilities is on the Rapsodo website.
Hi Jon, can you say me please… is the app only able to tell me information about the shot or can it tell me what I did wrong?
hi
this was a great review and keeping up to with the review comments is very useful, so thanks.
I was wondering if the net mode does now include shot tracer? i’ll be using in the garden mostly, don’t fancy paying 2k for skytrack tbh.
I agree with some of the comments above. Launch Direction with Net Mode is crucial, especially when working on your swing. Figuring out what works and what doesn’t. Can you please either confirm or give an insight if this feature is coming soon to Rapsodo. If you tell me it’s available now, I will be buying one tomorrow. Please keep us posted
My Swing Caddie SC-300 lasted 17mo, maybe used 70 times.