The Orbit caught my attention for one simple reason: no subscription fees. In a world where every launch monitor wants $99 a month to access basic features, Voice Caddie paired its SC4 hardware with Optishot's Orion software and said, "Look, it's yours." Twenty courses included, no monthly ransom note. That alone made me want to dig deeper.
I'm genuinely surprised by what Voice Caddie and Optishot have accomplished here. This isn't just another Mevo+ competitor trying to undercut SkyTrak. It's something different, and honestly, it might be exactly what a lot of us have been waiting for.
Unlock pro-level golf analysis with the Optishot Orbit Launch Monitor, a compact powerhouse delivering precise club path, ball speed, spin, and more via 48 infrared sensors. Perfect for indoor simulators with 20 courses or outdoor range sessions, this Voice Caddie-powered device offers standalone use, app integration, and multiplayer fun without subscriptions. Transform your swings into data-driven mastery.
Let me illustrate my initial range session with the Orbit. I pulled this compact unit out of my bag (it's about the size of a rangefinder), set it up behind my hitting area, and was tracking shots within 30 seconds. No laptop required, no complicated alignment process, just pure simplicity. The SC4 hardware that powers this device has been around the block, and Voice Caddie knows what they're doing. The build quality feels premium, with a sturdy housing that's survived multiple drops onto concrete (don't ask).
What really impressed me was the battery life. Eight hours of continuous use isn't marketing fluff – I've gotten through entire practice days without reaching for the charger. The included remote control seemed gimmicky at first, but when you're grinding through a bucket of balls, being able to switch clubs without walking back to the unit is surprisingly convenient. And that voice output? Transformative when you're practicing outdoors and can't see your phone screen in the sun. Unlike competitors that require club stickers for optimal accuracy, the Orbit delivers reliable data without any additional accessories cluttering your clubs.
The Bluetooth connectivity works flawlessly with both iOS and Android. I've used it with my iPad Pro and my Samsung phone, and the connection has never dropped mid-session. Setup takes literally two minutes: download the app, pair the device, and you're tracking shots. Compare that to the 20-minute calibration dance I do with my buddy's GCQuad, and you'll understand why simplicity matters.
This is where things get interesting. The Orbit tracks the fundamentals: club speed, ball speed, launch angle, launch direction, smash factor, and spin rate. It also calculates apex height and carry distance. Now, before you get excited, understand that some of these metrics are calculated, not directly measured. The spin rate, for instance, uses algorithms based on your other launch conditions. Is it as accurate as a $20,000 Trackman? No. Is it close enough to improve your performance? Absolutely.
I've compared the Orbit's numbers against my local simulator bay's GC2, and the results are surprisingly close. Ball speed is typically within 1-2 mph, launch angle within a degree, and carry distances within 5 yards on well-struck shots. Where it struggles is with mishits, thin shots, and chunks can confuse the algorithms, giving you some head-scratching numbers. But for pure strikes and typical amateur swings, it's remarkably consistent.
The elephant in the room is the spin axis. The Orbit doesn't measure it, which means you won't see accurate ball flight curves for draws and fades. The software shows a straight ball flight with maybe a hint of movement, but if you're trying to work on shot shaping, this isn't your tool. For someone like me who's just trying to dial in distances and enhance launch conditions, it's a limitation I can live with. For a scratch golfer working on shot windows? Maybe not.
Distance calculations can be inconsistent at times. I've noticed discrepancies between what the Orbit display shows and what the SC4 hardware calculates, sometimes up to 15 yards different on the same shot. It seems like the software and hardware aren't always communicating effectively, which is frustrating when you're trying to gap your wedges.
The Optishot Orion software is where this package really shines. Boot it up on your Windows PC (yes, it requires Windows 10 64-bit; Mac users, you're out of luck for now), and you're greeted with a clean, intuitive interface that doesn't feel like it was designed in 2005. The 20 included courses aren't just pitch-and-putt layouts either; we're talking Pebble Beach, St. Andrews, and Torrey Pines. Full 18-hole rounds with surprisingly good graphics that run smoothly on my three-year-old gaming laptop.
Setting up a round is dead simple. Pick your course, select your game mode (stroke play, match play, skins), and invite up to 7 friends to join. The multiplayer functionality works great for sim league nights. We've been running a weekly tournament at my buddy's garage setup, and the software handles it perfectly. Everyone's stats are tracked, handicaps are calculated automatically, and you can even save and resume rounds if someone needs to leave early.
The driving range modes deserve special mention. You've got target practice with scoring, longest drive competitions, and a particularly addictive closest-to-the-pin challenge that's become my go-to warmup. The software overlays your shot data in real-time, shows shot dispersions, and lets you filter by club to analyze patterns. It's not TPS-level analytics, but for a one-time purchase, it's impressive.
What I really appreciate is the lack of nickel-and-diming. Want to play Bethpage Black? It's included. Want to track your stats over time? Built-in. Want to export your data to analyze in Excel? Go for it. After dealing with subscription-based models that lock basic features behind paywalls, this feels invigoratingly honest.
Voice Caddie markets the Orbit as suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, and technically, they're right. But the reality is: this thing shines brightest in your garage or basement simulator setup. Outdoors, you lose the immersive course play and are limited to the basic shot tracking on your phone or tablet. It works, but it's like buying a sports car and only driving it to the grocery store.
My indoor setup is nothing fancy, a 10x10 hitting bay in my garage with a basic impact screen. The Orbit sits about 8 feet behind me on a tripod (sold separately, because of course it is), and picks up shots consistently. You'll need decent lighting and enough ceiling height to avoid restricting your swing, but that's true for any launch monitor. The software's minimum requirements aren't ridiculous either; an Intel i5, 8GB of RAM, and a dedicated graphics card will do the job. My son's gaming PC from 2019 runs it without breaking a sweat. The Orbit's 48 infrared sensors provide the precision needed for reliable indoor tracking even in less-than-perfect lighting conditions.
For outdoor use, the Orbit works best at the driving range where you have consistent hitting surfaces and can see your ball flight. Trying to use it in the course is technically possible, but practically annoying. You're not going to whip this out for every approach shot when you could just use a rangefinder. Where it excels outdoors is for dedicated practice sessions where you're working on specific clubs or distances.
One weird limitation: the software doesn't support putting. At all. You can chip from around the green (sort of, the accuracy gets sketchy under 30 yards), but once you're on the dance floor, you're done. For a full simulator experience, this is disappointing. I've rigged up a separate putting mat with its own sensor, but having to switch systems mid-round kills the flow.
Let's talk money. At $750, the Orbit sits in that awkward middle ground, too expensive for casual golfers who just want to see their swing speed, too limited for serious players who need tour-level accuracy. But the reality is: when you factor in what you're NOT paying for, the math starts to make sense. A SkyTrak costs $2,000 and costs $100/year for basic features. The Mevo+ is cheaper upfront, but locks courses behind expensive software subscriptions. The Orbit? Seven fifty, and you're done. Plus, if you find it cheaper elsewhere before ordering, the company offers price matching with additional store credit based on the difference.
I've calculated the true cost of ownership over three years, and the Orbit comes out ahead of almost everything except the basic Rapsodo unit (which doesn't offer simulation). If you're someone who practices regularly and wants both range and simulator capabilities, this thing pays for itself compared to simulator bay rentals. My local facility charges $50/hour; the Orbit paid for itself in 15 sessions.
The missing features do sting, though. No spin axis means no accurate shot shaping feedback. No putting means you need a separate solution for the short game. The Windows-only requirement excludes Mac users entirely. And while the included courses are good, power users will eventually want more variety, which means buying additional Optishot course packs (though at least there's no subscription there either).
Unlock pro-level golf analysis with the Optishot Orbit Launch Monitor, a compact powerhouse delivering precise club path, ball speed, spin, and more via 48 infrared sensors. Perfect for indoor simulators with 20 courses or outdoor range sessions, this Voice Caddie-powered device offers standalone use, app integration, and multiplayer fun without subscriptions. Transform your swings into data-driven mastery.
Yes, you can use the Optishot Orbit outdoors, but direct sunlight may affect its performance. Since it uses infrared sensors, bright sunlight can interfere with tracking accuracy - a common limitation with infrared technology. You'll get better results in shaded areas or during overcast conditions. If you're practicing in direct sun, try positioning the unit to minimize interference or create some shade. The device still delivers extensive data outdoors despite these potential limitations.
No, you can't use the Optishot Orbit with third-party golf simulation software like GSPro, E6 Connect, or TGC 2019. It's designed to work exclusively with Orion software and Optishot's own ecosystem. There's no official support or documented method for connecting it to external platforms. If you're looking for third-party compatibility, you'll need to explore alternative launch monitors like Uneekor, Foresight Sports, or SkyTrak+ instead.
You'll get a 1-year warranty from your purchase date that covers defects in materials and workmanship for both hardware and software. The warranty protects against manufacturing defects in the Orbit's electronics and housing, but won't cover damage from accidents, misuse, or modifications you make. You'll need to ship the unit at your expense for repairs, though the manufacturer covers replacement costs. Keep your receipt - you'll need proof of purchase for any warranty claims.
Yes, you can use foam or practice balls with your Orbit launch monitor since OptiShot systems only track club head movement, not the ball itself. You'll get accurate results matching real golf ball distances - testing shows foam balls average 195 yards, identical to real balls. They're perfect for quiet indoor practice sessions, though you'll need replacements occasionally as OptiShot's foam balls tend to break with regular use.
Yes, you can save separate profiles on one device. You'll create individual accounts through the Orion software or My Swing Caddie app, and each user signs in with unique login credentials. The system tracks your statistics, performance metrics, and game history independently from other users. You can easily switch between profiles before gameplay, and multiple players can even sign in simultaneously for multiplayer sessions while maintaining their separate data.
After three months with the Orbit, it's earned a permanent spot in my golf bag. Is it perfect? No. But it does exactly what I need it to do: track my practice sessions, help me dial in distances, and provide entertainment on rainy days without bleeding my wallet dry with subscriptions.
For the weekend warrior who takes their game seriously but not too seriously, the Orbit hits the sweet spot. It's the Honda Accord of launch monitors, not the flashiest option, but reliable, practical, and surprisingly capable. And in a market full of overpriced toys and subscription traps, that's exactly what most of us need.
