PULSE Launch Monitor vs Rapsodo MLM2PRO: Which Suits Your Game?

The Punters PULSE and the Rapsodo MLM2PRO are both portable launch monitors that Aussie golfers look at, but they're built for different jobs. PULSE is a simple, standalone range tool.

The MLM2PRO is a camera and radar launch monitor and simulator. Here's how they compare, using details from each brand's own pages, so you can choose the one that suits your practice.

Quick comparison

Prices change often, so check current prices before you buy.

Punters PULSE: simple, standalone range feedback

PULSE is built for golfers who want honest numbers without fiddling with an app. Place it 4–5 feet behind the ball, turn it on, pick your club and hit.

Carry distance, total distance, ball speed and smash factor appear live on its sunlight-readable screen. There's no app, Bluetooth, pairing or subscription.

It's USB-C rechargeable, comes with a tripod and protective carry case, and works at the range, in the backyard or in the garage with a net. We say on the product page that extreme mishits such as shanks may read inaccurately. Customer reviews on the product page average 4.5 stars.

PULSE suits you if you:

• mostly want to know your carry distances and dial in your gaps
• practise at the range and don't want to look at a phone
• don't want an ongoing subscription
• want something quick to set up and easy to carry

Rapsodo MLM2PRO: data, video and simulation

The MLM2PRO combines two cameras (one for Shot Vision video, one for Impact Vision) with Doppler radar. Rapsodo lists 15 metrics, including measured ball speed, club speed, launch angle, launch direction, spin rate, spin axis, angle of attack and club path.

It pairs with Apple and Android devices and records swing video. With a membership it simulates 30,000+ courses and connects to third-party simulator software.

Spin rate and spin axis are measured with RPT-patterned balls from Rapsodo's partners Callaway and Titleist, in the Net environment, and need a membership. The purchase includes a membership trial. Check Rapsodo Australia for current membership tiers and pricing.

MLM2PRO suits you if you:

• want spin and club data to work on ball flight
• want swing video alongside your numbers
• are building a home simulator setup
• don't mind using a phone or tablet and paying for a membership

Getting accurate readings from PULSE

Radar launch monitors need a clear view of the ball flight. According to our product page, PULSE should sit on flat ground 4–5 feet directly behind the ball, and it doesn't need calibrating. A few habits help:

• Keep the unit lined up with your target line so it tracks the ball straight out.
• Choose the right club on the unit before you hit, so your numbers are logged against the right club.
• Hitting into a net at home? Leave enough room in front of the ball for the radar to read the launch.
• Treat one-off extreme mishits, like shanks, as outliers. The product page notes they may read inaccurately.

A simple gapping session to start with

The quickest win from any launch monitor is knowing your real carry distance with each club. Try this at the range:

• Warm up, then hit 8–10 balls with one club and note the typical carry, ignoring the odd mishit.
• Work through the bag from wedges to long clubs.
• Look for clubs that carry almost the same distance, or big jumps between clubs. Those gaps are where you lose shots on the course.
• Repeat every few months, or whenever you change clubs.

Ball speed and smash factor are useful too. Smash factor compares ball speed to club speed, so if it drops on a club, that's often a sign you're not finding the centre of the face.

Which one should you choose?

They're both good tools for different golfers. If you want fast, no-fuss distance feedback at the range for a lower price and no ongoing fees, PULSE fits.

If you want deeper diagnostics, video and a simulator, the MLM2PRO is a strong choice for the extra investment. Some golfers own both: a simple unit for range sessions and a simulator setup at home.

Frequently asked questions

Does PULSE need an app or subscription?

No. Everything shows on the unit's own screen, with no app, no Bluetooth and no subscription.

Does PULSE measure spin?

No. PULSE shows carry distance, total distance, ball speed and smash factor. If spin data is important to you, a camera-based unit like the MLM2PRO measures spin rate and spin axis.

Does the Rapsodo MLM2PRO need a membership?

Basic use works through the app, but Rapsodo says spin metrics, simulation and third-party apps need a membership. A trial is included with purchase.

Which is better for the driving range?

PULSE was built for quick range sessions, with an on-unit screen and quick setup. The MLM2PRO also works outdoors, but Rapsodo says its spin measurement works in the Net environment with RPT balls.

Can I use PULSE indoors?

Yes. It works in a garage, backyard or sim bay with a net.

Want simple, app-free numbers at the range? Shop the PULSE Launch Monitor.