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ESB1 Launch Monitor - Full Review

In this guide we’re offering up our honest feedback on the Ernest Sports ESB1 Launch Monitor, a relatively new launch monitor to the market. In this ESB1 Review we’ll go over the good, bad, and everything in between! Here are some links in case you want to skip to specific sections:

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ESB1 Data Review

Ernest Sports ESB1 Launch Monitor - Rain or Shine Golf

ESB1 Data Insights

ESB1 Data Insights

ESB1 does a great job of simplifying shot data

If you're not a scratch golfer, then you can easily get into the weeds by looking at different spin angles and other obscure data points. We found ourselves simply looking at distance and club speed after every shot.

If you're a more advanced golfer, then you may enjoy looking at your spin and launch angle numbers - especially with the driver. But for most, the ESB1 will do a great job of simplifying shot data into something an average golfer can learn from. You'll get a great understanding of how far you carry each club. As well as will be able to see how different changes in your swing can affect your club speed, smash factor, etc.

One thing you won't get is launch direction or side spin. Which is pretty common in this price range - so not really a knock on the ESB1.

 

Our Review of ESB1's Main Features

Summary: An solid offering of features for a launch monitor in the budget category.

Ernest Sports was able to pack a decent amount of useful features into the ESB1 launch monitor. Here is a full listing of its feature offering: 

SHOT TRACER

ESB1 features assisted shot tracers, data display, and video recording with every shot.

VOICE CONTROL

Make club selections, change shot direction, and start a recording with simple voice commands.

GAMES

Sharpen your game with the skills challenges, capture the flag, and 5 different game modes.

SESSION LOG

View and analyze data gathered from previously recorded sessions.

VIDEO SWING RECORD

Record video of your swing. ESB1 automatically overlays your recording with shot data and a live shot tracer.

ESB1 Voice Control & Video Feature

ESB1 Voice Control & Video Feature

VOICE CONTROL IS REALLY USEFUL

The feature that is most unique to ESB1 is voice control. With it, you can tell ESB1 to start recording a video of your swing, change clubs, and assign a shot shape to a shot.

This is extremely convenient because it prevents you from having to go to your phone every time you switch clubs or want to record a swing video.

VIDEO RECORDINGS ARE BECOMING A STANDARD

Being able to take a video of your swing and record the data from the shot at the same time used to be reserved for the most expensive launch monitors. But now it's becoming the norm for all. As almost all of the most popular launch monitors under $500 have this feature. And we're quite happy about that! It's a very fun feature that is great for game improvement.

ESB1 Session Logs

ESB1 Session Logs

With the ESB1, you'll be able to see all your past range sessions. But what we like most is that the app allows for an easy view of your averages with each club. This is super important for mapping out your bag and seeing exactly how far you hit each club.

Most people play distances to their best shot. For example, when someone says they hit their 7 iron 150 yards. That most likely means they'll hit it 150 when they strike it pure. But...that doesn't happen often enough for us amateurs. So knowing your averages is a huge game-changer. And potentially a reality check!

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ESB1 Launch Monitor

  • A Solid Offering Of Features For A Launch Monitor In A Budget Category
  • MSRP: $475
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How The ESB1 Stacks Up

WHERE THE ESB1 HITS

We've tested a lot of different launch monitors here at Rain or Shine Golf. So we feel that we have a pretty good understanding of how they all stack up.

Here are the biggest pros to the ESB1:

  • Outdoor Accuracy

For launch monitors under $1,000, the ESB1 has best-in-class outdoor accuracy. While it's not fair to compare the ESB1 to launch monitors that cost thousands more, in its class, the ESB1 is a very reliable outdoor launch monitor.

  • Games

The ESB1 is above average when it comes to alternative range modes. It offers a variety of skills challenge modules such as target practice and a range game they call capture the flag.

  • Voice Control

The ESB1 by Ernest Sports is the only launch monitor under $1,000 that offers voice control.

WHERE THE ESB1 MISSES

Now here are a few things the ESB1 misses:

COMPARED TO LAUNCH MONITORS UNDER $1000

  • Better shot tracers

While the ESB1 does provide shot tracers, they are just not that good in our opinion. You will get better views with units like the Rapsodo MLM or the Garmin R10

  • Golf Simulation

The Garmin R10 changed the game by offering golf simulation in a launch monitor under $1000. Not offering golf simulation isn't a knock on the ESB1 as much as it is a kudos to Garmin.

COMPARED TO LAUNCH MONITORS OVER $1000

  • Extensive Ball and Club Data

More expensive units will give you much more data than the MLM. The $2,000 units like SkyTrak and Mevo+ will provide around 10-15 additional data points including side spin, carry and total distance, spin axis, and more.

  • Advanced Video Analysis

While the MLM does provide video playback, some systems provide more video analysis features and allow you to draw lines, swing planes, etc.

  • Improved Accuracy

One of the biggest upsides to more expensive units like SkyTrak, is that they will provide more consistent accuracy. Outdoors, the ESB1 is great. But if you're looking for precision accuracy indoors, then more expensive units will be a solid step up from the ESB1.

ESB1 Review Summary

Overall, the Ernest Sports ESB1 launch monitor is a really awesome launch monitor for under $500. It's a solid entry-level launch monitor that will give you great insights on your swing.

Here is our quick breakdown for the ESB1:

Choose the ESB1 if you're looking for an entry-level launch monitor that you will use primarily outdoors.

If you'll want to use the launch monitor mostly indoors, then the Garmin R10 or FlightScope Mevo will be better suited.

And if the 6 data points ESB1 provides aren't enough for you, or if you want golf simulation integrations, then check out either the FlightScope Mevo+ or SkyTrak.

Read our product reviews on the ESB1's competitors:

Garmin R10 Review

Rapsodo MLM Review

SkyTrak Review

Best Launch Monitors 2023 List

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