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Tagged with the slogan “professional-grade performance meets entry-level pricing“, the Foresight Falcon is a more compact and economical version of Foresight Sports’ ultra-premium GCHawk launch monitor, which is arguably the most powerful overhead launch monitor on the market today.
Announced in late 2023, the Falcon uses the same technology, measures the same data points, and has a slightly larger hitting area than the GCHawk while costing $5000 less for significant cost savings.
In this Foresight Falcon review, I’ll take a comprehensive look at the launch monitor. I’ll look at how well it measures ball and swing data, its usability and various features, and its analytics and golf simulation capabilities.
How does the Falcon perform? How does it compare to not just the GCHawk, but other overhead-mounted systems like the EYE XO and ProTee VX? Is it worth getting if you have the budget for it?
Here’s what I’m going to be covering in the review:
- What is the Foresight Falcon?
- Setting Up The Falcon
- Parameters & Accuracy
- Software & Simulation
- Pricing
- Where To Buy The Falcon
- Final Thoughts
Ready to try the Falcon right now? Click the button below or scroll down to the bottom of my review to see my final verdict!
Note: In the majority of cases, launch monitors tested on Golfstead are acquired temporarily and are not purchased. The review that follows is based on personal experience and research. Although the author makes every effort to ensure proper setup of the device and do direct comparisons with other launch monitors when possible, there are many variables that can affect data readings and performance. Therefore, exact results with a particular launch monitor may differ from person to person.
What is the Foresight Falcon?
The Foresight Falcon is the evolution of the award-winning GCHawk which hit the market in 2018. One of its big selling points is its powerful, compact form factor, with a size that is about 50% smaller than its predecessor.
This smaller, lighter launch monitor benefits from the same photometric (quadrascopic) high-speed camera tracking technology as the GCHawk and GCQuad systems.
Four high-speed cameras — two near the middle and two at each end of the unit — capture thousands of images per second and build a complete 3D model of the club and ball at impact. As an overhead-mounted system, left and right hand-switching is seamless.
Compared to the GCHawk, the Falcon measures the same array of ball and club data points, but it has a slightly larger hitting zone in terms of area (59″ x 28″) and is easier to install. It also costs much less than the GCHawk, although one major tradeoff is a lack of multi-sport functionality.
Other features of the Falcon are:
- an Ethernet data rate of a gigabit per second
- WiFi, Bluetooth, Ethernet and USB connectivity
- a built-in barometric sensor
- rubberized impact protection
- a reinforced aluminum frame
- an integrated power supply
Additionally, the Falcon can integrate with the same software as other Foresight launch monitors: the complete FSX software suite (FSX Pro, FSX Play, FSX 2020, etc.) plus various third-party solutions like GSPro, Awesome Golf, E6 CONNECT, and more.
With the exception of the GCHawk, the Foresight Falcon is designed to be superior to competing ceiling-mounted systems.
Setting Up The Falcon
Note: While the Falcon’s compact form generally makes it easier to install than the GCHawk, Foresight Sports still strongly recommends that installation be performed by multiple licensed contractors, particularly the mounting. Mistakes can lead to damage to the unit or damage to your property, and this is not covered by the Falcon’s warranty.
The Falcon needs to be securely mounted to the ceiling and cables need to be run along the wall to a nearby computer.
In this review, we’ll provide a rough overview of the installation process, but for the full details, you should consult the user manual.
First, let’s talk about the layout. Ideally, the Falcon unit should be mounted about ten feet from the ground (vertical distance), at least seven feet from the simulator screen (horizontal), and four feet from the hitting area (horizontal). In this ideal layout, the hitting area is around eleven feet from the screen.
These numbers aren’t strict requirements, but you should try to get as close to them as possible in your setup in order to ensure the best accuracy.
Start by finding the ceiling joist or rafter in your space that you will install the Falcon to. Drywall anchors should be used if you don’t have access to joists or rafters.
You’ll need to supply a minimum of four screws yourself — they cannot exceed 6 mm in diameter, must fit through the ceiling mount slots, and must be able to support at least 75 pounds. Washers are recommended, and lag screws should be used whenever possible.
Once the mount is secured, carefully raise the Falcon to the bracket and push it in, engaging with the tabs on the bracket until the latch locks it into place.
The next step is to connect the data and power supply. Run an Ethernet cable from the port on the Falcon to your computer, and the power cord from a power source to the Falcon.
Once the power cord and data line are inserted into the proper ports, press the POWER button on the back of the Falcon to initiate the boot. An easy way to do this is to use the grip end of a golf club. Pressing the button again will turn the system off.
The Falcon needs to be calibrated before first use. To do this, ensure the Falcon is properly connected to your computer with internet access, and follow these steps:
- Download the Foresight Calibration App on your PC.
- Launch the app and follow any prompts that appear.
- The Falcon will receive a calibration file and reset itself. The status light will be red during calibration and turn blue once the process is fully complete.
At this point, the Falcon is ready to connect to software such as FSX Pro or FSX Play.
Additional Notes
- without internet access, you will need to contact Foresight Sports support for a manual calibration
- the Falcon’s status bar will be a solid blue (ball data) or green (ball & club data) when ready to hit
- the ceiling area where the Falcon is mounted should be strong and not vulnerable to shocks or vibrations
- screws for securing the Falcon to the ceiling are not included in the installation package
- the Falcon has a larger ball hitting zone and smaller club hitting zones, the former collecting only ball data and the latter collecting both club and ball data
- a calibration wand is included which has five dots
Beyond following the official Foresight Falcon installation guide, if you’re struggling or are apprehensive about installing and setting up the Falcon yourself, we strongly recommend getting outside help.
Parameters & Accuracy
The Foresight Falcon measures the same data as the GCHawk, namely:
| Ball Data | Club Data |
|---|---|
| Ball speed | Club speed |
| Vertical launch angle | Club path |
| Horizontal launch angle | Angle of attack |
| Spin axis | Club lie angle |
| Total spin | Club face angle |
| Carry distance | Smash factor |
| Club loft | |
| Club impact location | |
| Closure rate |
Club markers must be applied for the Falcon to measure club data. One marker will measure some data, while four will measure the complete set.
What about accuracy? As you would expect given the fact that the technology is the same, the Falcon is just as accurate as the GCHawk and GCQuad. It delivers the best accuracy in the business.
In fact, if I were looking for the best accuracy and reliability in an overhead-mounted launch monitor, the Falcon would be my go-to, and there are plenty of fantastic systems out there.
I don’t really see any weaknesses in any part of the Falcon’s data set; both ball and club data looks to be very strong, from the driver all the way to the putter. I am well-acquainted with what my numbers should be, and I find that the Falcon captures it extremely well.
Software & Simulation
The Foresight Falcon is designed with a focus on dedicated golf simulation in a hitting bay, especially since there is no data display on the unit itself. This makes good software options all the more essential compared with the portable GC2, GC3 and GCQuad units.
Fortunately, the Falcon is compatible with Foresight Sports’ suite of core software platforms and apps which consist of FSX 2020, FSX Play, FSX Pro, Foresight Fairgrounds, and Foresight App.
In addition, with a valid FSX license, you can integrate various third-party solutions. These are E6 CONNECT, GSPro, Awesome Golf, Creative Golf, and Swing Catalyst.
FSX Pro
FSX Pro is Foresight Sports’ dedicated performance insight platform. It’s often used by coaches and club fitters but home users can also benefit from it.
With FSX Pro, you can view the full set of club and ball data parameters in a 3D range environment that simulates your ball flight. It allows you to:
- add players and customize bags
- add custom tag labels to shots for future reference
- collect data in a free-form format and build workflows
- customize your display
- view averages for data measurements
- compare different data sets
- generate and export reports
FSX Pro is good solid analysis software for people who are just interested in analyzing their numbers and ball flight without playing simulated golf courses. It’s available on PC as FSX Pro Studio and on iPads as FSX Pro iPad.
FSX 2020
FSX 2020 is Foresight Sports’ original legacy platform for their line of commercial launch monitors. Users of previous FSX versions can upgrade at no additional cost.
This complete software solution provides practice ranges, full course play, game modes, skills challenges, and opportunities for you to compete with other players around the world. You can also view real-time data for practice or club fitting.
Many standard courses are reproduced, as well as world-famous courses that include The Old Course @ St. Andrews, Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, Merion, Carnoustie, and Doral Blue Monster.
FSX 2020 has three main modes:
- Play: play golf courses of your choosing with up to four players. Available game types include stroke play, scramble, and match play.
- Compete: participate in a series of increasingly difficult skills challenges that include long drive, closest-to-the-pin, and Glass Break. Share and compare your results with other players online.
- Improve: get complete ball and clubhead performance data in real time. This mode is for serious practice and club fitting.
FSX 2020 is excellent software when it comes to function and features, but the graphics are surpassed by other simulator software like GSPro and FSX Play.
All things considered, I do think that FSX 2020 is overpriced. An FSX 2020 license is required to get any kind of golf simulation with the Falcon.
FSX Play
FSX Play is probably Foresight Sports’ best in-house software offering right now. It builds off of FSX 2020 and is designed to provide an ultra-realistic golf simulation experience.
The full gamut of features is provided, from full course play to practice, various game modes, skills challenges, and online leagues. You can play on a virtual range and view real-time data for practice or club fitting.
The software is powered by the Unity graphics engine and uses High Definition Render Pipeline Technology (HDRP). It’s marked by an updated UI, 3D grass and foliage, rich textures, atmospheric gliding, enhanced lighting, and more.
FSX Play has three main modes:
- Courses: play golf courses of your choosing (such as Torrey Pines South) with complete customization control.
- Practice: hit balls on exclusive, unique driving ranges such as in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
- Games: play long drive, closest-to-the-pin, skills challenges, tournaments, and leagues.
Another thing that sets FSX Play apart is its minimalistic UI layout that displays important information without distraction. Up to 5K resolution is supported.
At one point, FSX Play was scarce on features and courses, but it has been fleshed out over time, so it’s practically a must-try if you own the Falcon or any other Foresight system. It includes 25 free courses plus over 270 additional purchasable courses.
Foresight Apps
The other smaller applications usable with the Falcon are:
- Foresight Fairgrounds: a fairgrounds and carnival app that provides fun minigames like Balloon Pop, Putt Skee, Shooting Gallery, Darts, and Splash Wall.
- Foresight App: see and interact with your shot data via Android or iOS.
Third-Party Integrations
- E6 CONNECT: provides a full driving range and practice area, tournament play and online events, an array of multiplayer formats, flexible gameplay settings (wind, weather, green speed etc.), and minigames including Long Drive and Closest To The Pin; offered in Basic and Expanded subscriptions
- GSPro: designed to be ultra-realistic with advanced ball physics and 4K graphics; can build and share your own courses; a variety of game modes, including online tournaments, are available
- Awesome Golf: has cartoon-like graphics and is heavily focused on fun and entertainment with friends, family and children
- Creative Golf: offers a variety of game modes including practice, course play, challenges, mini games, online games, and tournaments
- Swing Catalyst: a video analysis software that has been praised by coaches around the world as well as many pro golfers; a separate camera is needed
An FSX license, which is included with purchases of the Falcon, is a prerequisite before you can access any third-party solutions.
Pricing
The base price of the Foresight Falcon launch monitor is $14,999. This purchase includes an FSX license, full access to the FSX suite of software and apps, and a lifetime membership to Awesome Golf.
Additional golf courses (premium or standard) can be purchased for FSX at around $95-$900 each.
Examples of third-party software prices include:
- E6 CONNECT: $2500 plus optional $300/year or $600/year subscription
- Creative Golf: $500
- Awesome Golf: $350 (if not obtained as part of purchase)
- GSPro: $250/year
- Swing Catalyst: $150/year
For most people, all of the software and apps included with the initial purchase will be sufficient for a great experience.
If you want the ability to play different simulator software or you want a feature that FSX and Awesome Golf don’t have, third-party solutions are something to consider. For what it’s worth, GSPro is fantastic and could be very much worth it.
Where To Buy The Falcon
I suggest ordering the Foresight Falcon either through Carl’s Place or The Indoor Golf Shop.
This way, you’ll have access to their respective support teams in addition to Foresight Sports support, ensuring that the installation and setup process goes as smoothly as possible.
If you want a third-party software integration like E6 CONNECT, Creative Golf, or GSPro, you should go through the official Foresight Sports store.
With the Falcon, it’s important to have a good simulator setup with enclosure, impact screen, hitting mat and projector.
For this, you can check out the relevant sections of our guide on how to build a golf simulator step-by-step, or you can check out awesome studio packages like this. You will also need a good computer that can run simulation software.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a professional launch monitor solution that is mounted on the ceiling as part of a fixed setup, the Foresight Falcon should be at the top of your consideration list. It brings “back down to earth” the accessibility of the GCHawk with a much more reasonable price tag.
The Falcon is fast and measures all the club and ball data you’ll need to analyze your game effectively. It’s expensive, but its unbeatable accuracy and reliability justifies it. It can integrate with plenty of simulator software and its pricing is relatively simple.
The only glaring weakness the Falcon has, which applies to Foresight’s other launch monitors as well, is a lack of slow-motion impact capture that can be viewed after every shot, which contrasts with other systems like the Uneekor EYE XO and ProTee VX.
Even though high-speed cameras are present, they are apparently just not set up for that. It’s possible that Foresight has chosen to forego it in order to achieve a level of data accuracy and reliability that isn’t matched by any other overhead-mounted launch monitor.
Foresight may very well add such a feature later, but if you can get past this shortcoming and have a sufficiently large budget, the Falcon is pretty much a no-brainer. There’s really no reason to choose the GCHawk instead unless you want multi-sport soccer simulation.
Thanks for reading my Foresight Falcon review. Are you interested in the Falcon? Have you tried it already? What’s your experience? Tell us about it in the comments below.
