PRGR Portable Launch Monitor
As recent as ten years ago, the idea that you would be able to put a launch monitor in your pocket and take it anywhere you want seemed incredibly absurd. Between overall size and large cost barriers, launch monitors were an impractical option for the average golfer. Fast forward to today and there are options like the PRGR Portable Launch Monitor from SuperSpeed Golf.
With a super compact profile, the PRGR easily fits in your pocket allowing you to take it anywhere you need to track your swing speed, ball speed, smash factor, and distance. So if you’re working with any of the SuperSpeed Golf speed training packages, the PRGR is an extremely affordable way to track your progress!
Setup
The hardest part of setting up the PRGR Portable Launch Monitor is putting the batteries in. Just open the box, pull the monitor out of the plastic holder, and pop in four AAA batteries. Now just throw it in a safe place in your bag, or even your own pocket, and head to the course, driving range, or garage.
This part of the setup is extremely important. The PRGR must be placed 3.5-5 feet directly behind, in a straight line, where you’ll be striking the ball. You also need to make sure you have a clear path to the “hitting area”. Keep in mind, that also means blades of grass. If you find that grass could be getting in the way, you can place something underneath to slightly elevate it. Or you can use a small tripod that screws into the back of the device. (Tripod use required for all of the PRGR’s baseball functions.) Good lighting is also important so the Doppler Radar can clearly detect everything. All of this setup is crucial or else the launch monitor may experience difficulty in detecting your shot.
One last important step is selecting which club you’re hitting on the device. This is critical in helping the PRGR calculate the data correctly based on the detected shot.
Features
As mentioned above, SuperSpeed’s PRGR launch monitor is also usable for other sports. There are two different baseball modes for both pitching and hitting. There’s also a Multi mode which can measure the speed of different shots such as soccer balls into a net. I will likely at some point have to see if it works for hockey too.
A few other features worth highlighting in the latest version of the PRGR Portable Launch Monitor are as follows:
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Extended higher resolution display to make it easier to read while in use
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Higher Quality, Dual, and Faster Doppler Radar Sensor
- Higher quality Processor for faster responses
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New Scientific Launch Algorithms for Increased Precision and Consistency
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Ability to Toggle Modes of Measurement (Metric / Imperical)
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Keeps history of up to 500 Shots
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Improved ability to read high lofted wedges
Performance & Accuracy
The reliability of the PRGR Portable Launch Monitor’s performance and accuracy largely comes down to the setup mentioned earlier. As long as you set up at the correct distance behind the ball with a clear view, results are consistent and accurate. When comparing with other monitors I had available to me, speeds were consistent and distances were within close enough range for me to consider it accurate enough. The difference is likely based on the algorithms used between the different devices. For players looking for an idea of how fast they’re swinging the club and their distances on the range while on a affordable budget will find the PRGR plenty useful and reliable.
Final Thoughts – PRGR Portable Launch Monitor
For $229, the pocket-sized PRGR Portable Launch Monitor provides basic shot data that’s useful to any range session. Admittedly, it’s not a Trackman, but it also costs about $29,770 less. That said, I find the ability to know my swing and ball speeds at the range extremely valuable. Add in smash factor telling me “how well” I hit the ball and having a better idea of how far I hit that six iron into an open field, I’m set. Though a minimalist option, the PRGR Portable Launch Monitor is friendly on the wallet and a very useful aid for any driving range hero.
Will the PRGR launch monitor work if I’m hitting up a hill probably 45 to 55 degree
As in the monitor is slanted that much, or there’s a hill with that grade in front of you where the ball will be flying?
How accurate is the carry Numbers and ball speed when you hit range balls on the range??
From my experience, pretty accurate. You have to consider they generally won’t be as good of performers as normal golf balls.
My distances with each club are very consistent, however, they all seem to read distances 2 clubs less..example..7 iron reads 135 when distance is 155..all clubs are doing this. No explanation found so far. Please help??
Unfortunately we won’t be of much help. Not sure what would cause that. I’d suggest reaching out directly to the manufacturer and see what they say. Good luck.
Very late reply…..I have the same problem. I just use the PRGR club head speed, and this formula: CLUB HEAD SPEED x 3.16, then subtract 85.2 yards for the distance of your shot. This came from Dave Tutleman, who went to great lengths to come up with that formula.