I recently picked up the PRGR launch monitor. It is the off-season at the moment and I’m determined to gain strength, flexibility, and work on the golf swing. There’s an app for that. Part of that work entails increasing clubhead speed. Up to this point, I had no way of measuring clubhead speed without hitting a golf ball. The PRGR launch monitor takes care of that. I also have the Swing Caddie SC200.
Swing Caddie or what some call Voice Caddie (interchangeably) has a few different models. I have the Swing Caddie SC200 and have owned that device for a few years. Later on the company came out with the Swing Caddie SC200 Plus. My understanding is about the only difference between the Swing Caddie SC200 and SC200 Plus is the SC200 Plus allows for capturing clubhead speed without hitting a golf ball. Thus why I picked up the PRGR launch monitor.
PRGR Launch Monitor vs Swing Caddie SC200 Price Comparison
The PRGR Launch Monitor can be picked up for $229.99 although you may very infrequently catch it on sale from time to time. Make sure to get the latest version at the time of this writing, which is the HS-130A.
At the present time you will most likely be looking to buy a new Swing Caddie SC200 Plus. I say that because of the added feature of capturing clubhead speed without hitting a golf ball. So it is somewhere around $359.99 or so, maybe about $10 less if you don’t buy the bundle option and just pick up the product itself.
Slow down here. Aren’t we talking about the Swing Caddie SC200 and not the SC200 Plus? Yes. If looking to purchase the SC200 you will most likely be purchasing used at this time so I would check Ebay and you might find it for around $200 or so.
PRGR Launch Monitor vs Swing Caddie SC200 Nitty Gritty
You will need 4 AAA batteries to power the SC200.
You will need 4 AAA batteries to power the PRGR.
For the purpose of this little test, I hit a number of shots with both the PRGR Launch Monitor and Swing Caddie SC200. The main comparison was between swing speed (clubhead speed), ball speed, and total distance. In the above example, you can also see the smash factor. How did I do this test? Simple. I placed both products side by side as I hit a golf ball. They were both setup with the same club and then placed approximately 4 feet behind the ball. Both units were placed on a surface that would make them level with the mat I was hitting off of. The above picture is with an 8 iron.
The PRGR unit can be setup to be used with baseball or soccer but for the purposes of this test, we selected golf upon setup. Without getting too much into the setup process, I was able to choose the club I would be using with the PRGR launch monitor. The SC200 also allowed me to choose the iron I was using and to easily switch between clubs. Loft angle cannot be changed on the PRGR device but can be changed on SC200.
As mentioned, I’ve used the Swing Caddie SC200 for a few years. I am very happy with the device and the numbers seemed to match what I would see on the golf course. I can say the same in regards to SkyTrak. In fact, for me SkyTrak has upped the level of accuracy for anything related to golf ball numbers. SkyTrak calculates club numbers. While neither is 100% accurate, I’ve been told the same about other launch monitors. Meaning for the most part they show their accuracy and in some cases (ie mishits) they have issues.
Launch Monitor Technology
SkyTrak is a photometric device or what I call camera based. Basically taking pictures of the ball at and shortly after impact. The PRGR Launch Monitor and Swing Caddie SC200 both use doppler radar technology. Truth be told many companies will tell you why one choice in technology is better than the other. In this case though, SkyTrak is about a $2000 unit while the PRGR Launch Monitor runs around $230 or so and the new(er) unit of Swing Caddie SC200 Plus is about $360. Yes, you can probably get the SC200 (not the plus model) off Ebay for around $200 or the same price of the PRGR Launch Monitor.
Although this isn’t about SkyTrak, what I decided to do with this test is to use my SkyTrak Golf Simulator and then use that data to compare the PRGR Launch Monitor vs Swing Caddie SC200. So what you will see below is a picture of a shot I took on SkyTrak followed by a combined picture of the PRGR Launch Monitor and Swing Caddie SC200 for that same golf shot.
Data That We Are Comparing
I took a single shot with the 9 iron, 7 iron, 4 hybrid, and driver. SkyTrak is going to be our control group. Although SkyTrak provides more data, let’s look at clubhead speed, ball speed, and total distance between the PRGR Launch Monitor and Swing Caddie SC200 to see how they differ from SkyTrak.
Apologies for any out of focus pictures. The glare was difficult to get sharp images.
SkyTrak 9 Iron
PRGR Launch Monitor vs Swing Caddie SC200 9 iron
SkyTrak 7 Iron
PRGR Launch Monitor vs Swing Caddie SC200 7 iron
SkyTrak 4 Hybrid
PRGR Launch Monitor vs Swing Caddie SC200 4 Hybrid
SkyTrak Driver
PRGR Launch Monitor vs Swing Caddie SC200 Driver
PRGR Launch Monitor vs Swing Caddie SC200 Numbers Broken Down
So, a bunch of numbers below but what do they all mean? As mentioned before, SkyTrak is run on ball data. Club data is calculated. One thing I have come to rely on with SkyTrak is ball speed data and distance. So in looking at the numbers below both PRGR and the SC200 are nearly spot on with ball speed throughout all clubs. Whether compared to Skytrak or PRGR Launch Monitor vs Swing Caddie SC200, ball speed is within 2 miles per hour across all clubs tested.
Clubhead speed between PRGR and SC200 were very close as well. A little bit of an anomaly with the 7 iron but that could be different if we had more shots to compare. With total distance, it looks like PRGR is overstating with the longer clubs and understating with the 9 iron and 7 iron versus SkyTrak. Comparing PRGR with SC200 though and we have equivalent total distance numbers with the 9 iron and 7 iron but they tend to fall apart with the 4 hybrid and driver.
| SKYTRAK | 9 Iron | 7 Iron | 4 Hybrid | Driver |
| Clubhead Speed | 63 | 65 | 78 | 89 |
| Ball Speed | 90 | 97 | 112 | 130 |
| Total Distance | 126 | 145 | 169 | 223 |
| PRGR | 9 Iron | 7 Iron | 4 Hybrid | Driver |
| Clubhead Speed | 72 | 77 | 79 | 89 |
| Ball Speed | 90 | 97 | 113 | 132 |
| Total Distance | 119 | 139 | 183 | 232 |
| Clubhead Speed Difference | 13.33% | 16.90% | 1.30% | 0% |
| Ball Speed Difference | 0% | 0% | 1% | 1.50% |
| Total Distance Difference | 5.70% | 4.20% | 7.95% | 3.95% |
| Swing Caddie SC200 | 9 Iron | 7 Iron | 4 Hybrid | Driver |
| Clubhead Speed | 68 | 71 | 78 | 88 |
| Ball Speed | 89 | 96 | 111 | 130 |
| Total Distance | 119 | 137 | 174 | 214 |
| Clubhead Speed Difference | 7.63% | 8.80% | 0% | 1% |
| Ball Speed Difference | 1% | 1% | 1% | 0% |
| Total Distance Difference | 5.70% | 5.70% | 2.90% | 4.10% |
PRGR Launch Monitor and Swing Caddie SC200 Ramblings
So bottom line, what do I think about the PRGR Launch Monitor vs Swing Caddie SC200? When looking at ball speed they both are very accurate to each other and SkyTrak. No clear winner.
Some doppler radar units have issues with capturing correct data when there isn’t enough distance between the golfer and net they might be hitting into. My impact screen was about 8 feet away and I had no issues with either unit. No clear winner.
Clubhead speed overall is also similar. PRGR tended to overstate longer club distances while the SC200 understates driver. The PRGR Launch Monitor does offer the ability to swing and track club head speed without hitting a ball whereas the Swing Caddie SC200 does not (the SC200 Plus does have that option). That is why I purchased the PRGR model. So I can use the PRGR Launch Monitor with my HH Golf Swing Speed Trainer and work on increasing club head speed. Although I would give the nod to the SC200 for accuracy of clubhead speed with the shorter clubs, the PRGR wins with the ability to use the product without needing a golf ball.
Here is the PRGR Launch Monitor while swinging with driver and no golf ball. 91mph clubhead speed. I have some work to do.
However, the SC200 does have additional features which we haven’t mentioned as of yet. Like voice output. Maybe you don’t want folks at the range to know that you’ve just hit a monster drive but it is nice for use when hitting into a golf net and hearing the distance of your shot. You can adjust the volume or adjust to the point where you won’t hear the distance. Winner SC200.
The SC200 has an option for Target Mode. So you might select a distance of let’s say 130 yards. You then attempt to hit the ball the distance you’ve selected. The Swing Caddie SC200 will give a score from 1 to 10 according to how close you hit to your target distance.
The SC200 will also let you put the unit in Random or Approach Mode. Hit 10 shots to varying distances picked by the Swing Caddie. A score will be given between 1 to 10 for accuracy to the random distance you are attempting to hit.
Although both of these devices are very easy to use, the SC200 offers a remote. So no need to make club changes at the device itself with the SC200. Just grab your remote and pick the club you are hitting. With the PRGR, you have to make club changes at the device itself. Winner SC200.
Both units offer the ability to see carry distance and total distance. Carry distance is nice to see when you can imagine using that at the golf course. ie you have 110 yards to the front of the green but there is a bunker in front of the green. You need to hit the ball (carry) at least 105 to clear the bunker. Would that make you change the club you are using?
Both units can be used indoors or outdoors and are easily transportable.
If I had anything negative to say about either unit is you don’t see ball flight. So do you have a hook or slice while swinging indoors? You won’t be able to see that. For that you would be looking at SkyTrak or Mevo+ or another higher priced launch monitor. In fact, word on the street is a new SkyTrak device is in the works and should be seen before 2023 year end.
For the price point, both the PRGR Launch Monitor and Swing Caddie SC200 are fantastic units. Swing Caddie now offers the SC300i model which includes a couple of additional features, including launch angle and apex. The SC300i retails for approximately $500. If I had the SC200 Plus model (I have the SC200) I would give the nod to the Swing Caddie.
Because the PRGR lets me see clubhead speed without using a golf ball, it is currently being used in my golf cave. The bottom line is for the features, you can’t go wrong with either unit. Put either product to use, get to know distances with each club, and carry that info on to the golf course.
