Levv Golf - iphone Launch Monitor

[GregKael]

I gave it a whirl today, and it seems pretty accurate. Comparing my numbers to a trackman session from a week or so ago they are very similar. (not publishing them as I'm ashamed)

I wouldn't say the app is amazing and it's certainly no Trackman or GC Quad. but to get launch angle, ball speed, spin rate and carry from an iPhone camera it's pretty impressive.

Has anyone else tried it out? Did you find it accurate?

 

[robbeh32]

If you find anything similar for android I would love to know!

 

[Capella]

If you find anything similar for android I would love to know!

The problem with developing something like that for Android (I am a software developer and have thought about developing a tracking app for a while) is that the quality of cameras varies wildly between different models. With iPhones, you are pretty sure what you get (specifically a high frame rate, which is crucial for accurately tracking the ball), with Android phones, that is a lot rarer. You do get the occaional model which can do super slo-mo, but they are few and far between, even relatively expensive phones are often limited to 50 fps. So it would not be as easy as just translating the app from iPhone to Android (which is normally not that much of a deal), you would also have to limit it to a few specific models of phone, which limits the potential market tremendously. So I understand if companies decide it is not worth it.

 

[BubbaP]

Think you are mixing terms a little. Not every phone on iOS will have the required frame rate surely, so the question would be what market of phones with iOS vs. what market running Android have the frame rate etc. Which might translate to iphone x vs. Note 9 or something.

Back to op, wouldn't expect it to be that accurate.

 

[GregKael]

You are right not every iOS phone has a sufficient camera. I think the iPhone 6 is the minimum device.

This is the closest I can manage to an actual comparison at the moment. The Trackman data is from 2 weeks ago (I'm just a beginner, only been playing for a few months. But a firm believer in data brings improvement in any sport) and the Levv from last night (both normalised). Obviously it's hard to tell how accurate it is with my inconsistent swing.

Trackman		Ball Speed	Launch Angle	Spin	Carry (yds)	Height (ft)
7i		91.9	22.6	3220	125.1	56
7i		96.5	23.6	5913	131.8	71
7i		97.4	24.5	8097	138.7	74
7i		93.1	26.8	6518	123.4	73
7i		90.6	23.1	3489	123.9	56
7i		96.2	23.1	5847	126.9	66
Levv
7i		99	29	6307	138	101
7i		93	27	5516	135	80
7i		108	10	3559	132	26
7i		105	18	6228	147	65
7i		102	30	6722	139	111
7i		93	26	7968	127	78

I'd prefer to do a side by side test, but my trial subscription to Levv will run out before I can manage another Trackman Session. As I could run both against the same swings, in a real world test.

 

[Capella]

Think you are mixing terms a little. Not every phone on iOS will have the required frame rate surely, so the question would be what market of phones with iOS vs. what market running Android have the frame rate etc. Which might translate to iphone x vs. Note 9 or something.

Back to op, wouldn't expect it to be that accurate.

iPhones support at least 120 fps since the iPhone 5s, most of the newer models also support 240 fps. If you say something like "this app works with iPhones 6 and newer", you are on the safe side. With Android phones, it is a heck of a lot more complicated, because you have hundreds of cheap phones and, as I said, even when you go to the higher priced ones, like Samsung Galaxy or something like that, camera specs are a bit random. Most of them go for high resolutions, but not neccessarily high frame rates. And even if the hardware theoretically supports a higher framerate, it is often not accessible to third party apps. You'd have to twiddle and test for each and every model individually. And by the rate at which new hardware comes out, that's just not feasible.

I am not an Apple fan, because I find their products severly overhyped and overpriced, but from a developers point of view, the Apple world (be it iOS or MacOS for the desktop systems) is heavenly.

I am not saying, a ball tracking app for Android phones is impossible. But it is much harder to transfer something like that from iOS to Android than for example a statistics or social media app, because you depend on knowledge of the hardware so much more.

 

[Depreston]

You are right not every iOS phone has a sufficient camera. I think the iPhone 6 is the minimum device.

This is the closest I can manage to an actual comparison at the moment. The Trackman data is from 2 weeks ago (I'm just a beginner, only been playing for a few months. But a firm believer in data brings improvement in any sport) and the Levv from last night (both normalised). Obviously it's hard to tell how accurate it is with my inconsistent swing.

Trackman		Ball Speed	Launch Angle	Spin	Carry (yds)	Height (ft)
7i		91.9	22.6	3220	125.1	56
7i		96.5	23.6	5913	131.8	71
7i		97.4	24.5	8097	138.7	74
7i		93.1	26.8	6518	123.4	73
7i		90.6	23.1	3489	123.9	56
7i		96.2	23.1	5847	126.9	66
Levv
7i		99	29	6307	138	101
7i		93	27	5516	135	80
7i		108	10	3559	132	26
7i		105	18	6228	147	65
7i		102	30	6722	139	111
7i		93	26	7968	127	78

I'd prefer to do a side by side test, but my trial subscription to Levv will run out before I can manage another Trackman Session. As I could run both against the same swings, in a real world test.

Hmmm did you cream that 147 yard shot? did you see/feel a noticeable difference?

 

[GregKael]

Hmmm did you cream that 147 yard shot? did you see/feel a noticeable difference?

Yes, it was probably the cleanest shot I hit the whole day and it came down around the 150yd sign on the range. Just not sure where they measure the 150yd from as the range tees move around quite a bit to protect the turf.
Edit I also can't guarantee it wasn't a rogue "decent" ball in the basket. (We see plenty of strays from the practice grounds swept into the range balls)

 

[dufferman]

Interesting stuff, I'm always eager to learn more about distances etc. How much is the app / subscription?

 

[GregKael]

The app is free, with limited functionality it just displays data and there is the Pro version which actually records data for £5.99pm (no free trial of pro) or £30.99pa (14 day free trial).

 

[hairball_89]

Looks like the app is free, but the subscription is $5.99 a month or $34 per year. I'd be interested to know what you get without the subscription though, those that have it?

 

[slowhand]

Are there any stats that are not displayed in the free version? Do I have to subscribe to get carry distance for example?

 

[GregKael]

I'd love to answer, but I jumped in feet first with the yearly option to get the trial.

 

[Scoobiesnax]

I gave it a whirl today, and it seems pretty accurate. Comparing my numbers to a trackman session from a week or so ago they are very similar. (not publishing them as I'm ashamed)

I wouldn't say the app is amazing and it's certainly no Trackman or GC Quad. but to get launch angle, ball speed, spin rate and carry from an iPhone camera it's pretty impressive.

Has anyone else tried it out? Did you find it accurate?

What did you use to rest the iPhone on when you used the app?

 

[Britishshooting]

I've just downloaded it, seems it won't be useable at a range more at practice ground facilities?

The phone should be set up 4/5 feet away from the ball and 2 feet behind it according to the app.

 

[GregKael]

What did you use to rest the iPhone on when you used the app?

I rested my phone on a folded towel and propped it up with a couple of tees.

On a range a mini-tripod would probably be required

 

[SteveJay]

Interested to read about this and have downloaded the free app, although now realise you need to pay to get anything decent from it.

Found the following thread http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1637066-levv-golf-app/ which gives a bit more technical info, including comments from Levv, on limitations, but shows technology is moving on and hopefully bringing such devices within reach on all players. Know it is never gonna replicate a £20k device, but hoping it serves a purpose. Will have to see in time.

 

[GregKael]

I've just downloaded it, seems it won't be useable at a range more at practice ground facilities?

The phone should be set up 4/5 feet away from the ball and 2 feet behind it according to the app.

Not used it in range bays (our courses range is a practice ground set-up with a few covered bays), but I'd guess there'd be enough room at every range I've been to as long as I used a tripod to hold the phone.

I found the description for placing the phone a bit confusing on the app I found. Where it says behind the ball it means "behind you to the left at address." Unlike a trackman which is behind the ball in relation to flight path. Hopefully the crude ascii art will demonstrate

C= phone
S= Stance
^= ball flight path
o = ball

C
| ^
|__ S __________ 0

 

[Britishshooting]

Not used it in range bays (our courses range is a practice ground set-up with a few covered bays), but I'd guess there'd be enough room at every range I've been to as long as I used a tripod to hold the phone.

I found the description for placing the phone a bit confusing on the app I found. Where it says behind the ball it means "behind you to the left at address." Unlike a trackman which is behind the ball in relation to flight path. Hopefully the crude ascii art will demonstrate

C= phone
S= Stance
^= ball flight path
o = ball

C
| ^
|__ S __________ 0

Ahh I see that makes sense and plenty of room in that case. I assumed the phone would be on the opposite side for some reason.

 

[Freewaytom]

had a go with this yesterday off the back off this thread, so thanks!

you don't get carry or total distance on the free version, you do get height, launch angle, ball speed and spin. it also won't save your stats, so I think you need to check the phone after each shot, which could become a faff after a while.

Either way, for free it seems great to get an idea of your ball speed and spin numbers through the bag, might give the pro version ago once i've fashioned a stand.