It took a grand total of 7 days into 2025 to see our first major shakeup in the golf launch monitor world, and it’s a big one.
Foresight (and subsequently Bushnell, who is owned by Foresight) has just completely changed their lineup of launch monitors.
And, I’m not so sure everyone is going to be happy.
What is the Foresight GC3s? What about the Bushnell LPi?
And why do you get a rangefinder when you buy the GC3 or GC3s?
I’m going to answer all of these questions and more, and help you figure out if one of these devices is the best launch monitor for you.
Quick Recap: What is the New Foresight GC3s?
If you’re just looking for the main points, here you go:
Foresight just released the brand new (kind of) GC3s for $3,799 and a $500/year subscription, with the first year being free.
This “new” launch monitor as I understand it has mostly the same guts as the existing GC3 (full review of that here). But it has added their “Link” technology.
When you buy a GC3s, you’ll also get a Bushnell Pro X3 Link rangefinder (cool). This brand new model I imagine will be identical to previous X3 models from the last 2 years, but it will include the brand new Link feature. More on that in a minute.
Here’s my take on the most recent Bushnell Pro X3+ – last year’s version of this rangefinder.
Foresight is still selling its GC3 Launch Monitor for $6,999, but it’s also received the Link software upgrade. And like the GC3s, it will come with a Bushnell Pro X3 Link rangefinder.
The latest iteration of the GC3/Launch Pro Platform introduces new Link technology and includes a Bushnell Pro X3 Link rangefinder - a pretty killer deal.
What Happened to the Bushnell Launch Pro?
Right now Foresight is hyping the new GC3s, which at $3,799 places it about $700 cheaper than the Uneekor Eye Mini, which I’m sure wasn’t a fluke.
But the thing that isn’t getting talked about as much, is the new Bushnell LPi launch monitor.
The new LPi is currently listed as coming soon, so it’s not available quite yet, but it’s seemingly going to replace the existing Bushnell Launch Pro models.
It comes in at $2,799, ditches the touch screen in favor of one that is display only, and has club data included. But perhaps the biggest change here is that it’s being described as indoor only, and is clearly aimed at those looking for a mid-tier simulator option.
The price here is identical to the Uneekor Eye Mini Lite.
This all represents a huge shakeup in the Foresight ecosystem, and will definitely have ripples across the rest of the consumer launch monitor industry as well.
Should you get excited about the new LPi? I’m not quite so sure, we’ll come back to that in a second.
Link Technology: Is it Truly a Gamechanger?
The major technology upgrade here is the Link system between the GC3(s) and the new iteration of the Pro X3 rangefinder.
Foresight isn’t the first company to integrate launch monitor data into a rangefinder. Precision Pro has actually been doing this with their smart rangefinders since the release of their R1 (RIP) over 3 years ago.
But considering they don’t have a launch monitor of their own, and the integration was less than perfect, I’ve been waiting to see who would take over this niche.
Now we know.
The integration between the GC3s and Pro X3 Link is actually very cool.
The rangefinder has a virtual caddie feature that will give you two club recommendations based on the combination of hole and your personal club data.
On top of that, its “plays like” distance will factor in slope, current conditions, and all of your personal shot data. This theoretically will give it the most accurate “slope” numbers in golf.
It will know things like your personal trajectory, and where your misses are with each club.
I’m excited to get my units for review to see if it actually lives up to expectations.
What Does This Mean for Existing GC3 and Launch Pro Users?
But what if you just took advantage of one of those stellar sales on a $1,749 Ball-only Bushnell Launch Pro?
Or worse, what if you spent a whopping $$6,999 or more for a fully unlocked GC3?
Will you get access to any of these new features?
I’m waiting to hear back on this.
My guess?
GC3 users will get a firmware update that enables the Link technology, and they’ll be able to buy a Pro X3 Link rangefinder separately.
And Launch Pro users? Despite the fact it’s the exact same device, if I had to guess, I’d bet they’re not getting this upgrade.
But we’ll see, and I’ll update this as soon as I know.
Is Any of This Good for the Consumer? My Take.
There’s a lot to unpack here, and some of it is exciting, and some of it is frankly, pretty disappointing for consumers.
As a whole, this move effectively makes getting into the Foresight ecosystem considerably more expensive.
Right now the Bushnell Launch Pro is listed for $1,999 retail, but has been on sales for $1,749 for months.
Update: Literally in the 2 hours since I originally wrote this, and going back to edit, it appears the Ball Only Launch Pro has jumped back up to $1,999.
Built off the Foresight GC3, the Bushnell Launch Pro is the most accurate launch monitor we've tested. If you're looking for professional results for a fraction of a Trackman? Definitely consider the Launch Pro.
Now you’re looking at an extra $1,000 for a device that doesn’t have a touch screen and isn’t able to be used outdoors. It does however have club data, and to get the Launch Pro with club data included, the retail is currently $3,499 and often discounted to $3,000.
So if this is important to you, the new device will cost you a bit less – but you’re losing that extra flexibility of the touch screen and outdoor use.
So I think all of that is a bummer.
And if you’ve been in the market for a (relatively) affordable optical launch monitor, there’s a case to be made for running out and buying a Ball Only Launch Pro right now while you still can.
However, the GC3 is a much better deal on the high end.
For the same price as it was currently, you’re now getting the Link upgrade, an included rangefinder, and lifetime access to the Foresight suite of software with no subscription.
Awesome.
The GC3 is the exact same as the Bushnell Launch Pro. Meaning its among the most accurate launch monitors you can get under $10k. Whether you get Bushnell or Foresight just comes down to how you want to pay for it.
The GC3s is more of a mixed bag.
On the surface, you’re paying $700 more than what you’ve recently been able to get a Ball/Club Data Launch Pro, and you still have the $ 500/year subscription.
But you’re also getting the latest version of the best high-end golf rangefinder on the market in the Pro X3 Link.
Throw in the new Link technology, and what you’d expect would be many years of support for the product – and all of a sudden it doesn’t look as bad.
It’s still $700 cheaper than a Uneekor Eye Mini, and includes the rangefinder – even if the subscription is a little bit more expensive.
All that to say, it seems like a pretty reasonable deal if it fits the goals you have for your game and simulator needs.
The latest iteration of the GC3/Launch Pro Platform introduces new Link technology and includes a Bushnell Pro X3 Link rangefinder - a pretty killer deal.
Final Thoughts on the New Foresight Launch Monitors
I’m bummed to see the low end of the Foresight lineup essentially get cut off. I thought the Launch Pro was a great entry point for a lot of people, and among the most accurate (if not the most) devices for the money.
I think the $500/year subscription for a $3,799 is going to be a painful pill to swallow for some people, and there will be some backlash.
But I think if you look at everything you get for that price? You’re actually getting a ton for your money.
FSX Play is arguably my favorite sim software. I’ve historically never been a fan of their iPad software FSX Pro, but my guess is there will be some changes to incorporate the new Link features – so I’m excited to give it another chance.
What do you think? Do these new releases change your launch monitor or simulator plans for 2025? Drop a comment and let me know.
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1 Comment
Sean
This is great news for non-US users who were unable to access the LP and now we can get access to Foresight technology for a lot less money. The Linked rangefinder is a game changer in my view and it is exciting times in the LM market. I think Bushnell will offer Link to LP users as long as you have club data and will possibly allow you to upgrade from a ball only machine to club data with free rangefinder for the same $3799 price plus the 500 subscription.
Overall though, this can only be a good thing for the market as it will encourage competitors such as Uneekor to lower their prices to be competitive as the Eye Mini is now seriously overpriced versus the GC3s – ideally it needs to come in at less than $3500 with a lower sub. I would be curious to know which you would prefer out of the GC3s and R50 as the GC3s seems to have stolen Garmin’s thunder!!