My launch monitor is missing shots: how do I fix it and look after it?

Check these seven things first

Most "it's not reading my shots" messages I get are fixed by one of these. Work down the list before you contact the maker.

1. Power. Charge it fully, using the charger that came in the box. The Foresight GC3 manual warns that other chargers can damage the unit.
2. Firmware and app. Update both. The R10 only shows its calibration option on the latest software. The GC3 stops talking to apps if it hasn't been online for 45 days.
3. Level and alignment. Camera units must sit level with the hitting surface and square to the target line. Re-align any time the unit, mat or turf insert has moved.
4. Lighting. Keep sunlight and strong lamps out of the lenses, and keep mirrors, glass and shiny floors out of view. Square Golf and NVisage use infrared cameras, so some lamps upset them.
5. Ball and stickers. Use a clean white ball with the logo facing the unit. Replace club stickers when they're worn or dirty. Radar units indoors need a metallic sticker or RPT ball for spin.
6. Space. Our rooms start at 3.0m wide, 2.7m high and 4.2m long, with about 2.5m from ball to screen. Radar units sit behind you, so follow the manual: the Mevo Gen2 needs a 5.2m room and the Full Swing KIT 5.85m.
7. Connection. Restart the unit and the PC or phone. Uneekor wants its Ethernet cable straight into the PC, not through a router or switch.

Official help for each launch monitor

All links go to the maker's own pages. The table below has every link in one place.

Foresight GC3, GCHawk and Falcon

The GC3 support page has the manual and the firmware guide. Firmware installs on the unit itself from Settings, Firmware, over the internet. Place the GC3 about 0.6m (2ft) from the ball, raised to the height of your mat. If it won't hold a charge, Foresight's battery article has you check the wall socket, the cable into the power brick and the plug into the unit. Target alignment resets every time you turn it off.

For the overhead units, see the GCHawk and Falcon pages. If either won't lock onto the ball, Foresight says the view is blocked or the calibration is wrong. Re-run the calibration tool. The Falcon manual asks for a ceiling of 2.9m to 3.2m (9.5 to 10.5ft).

Garmin Approach R50 and R10

The R50 has a support page, a manual and a missed-shots article. Set it 0.5m to the side of the ball, at the same height as the tee, and wait for the solid green light. Garmin's top causes of missed shots are shiny garage floors, reflective shoes, a mat the same colour as the ball, and foam balls. Stick the club sticker top-centre on the face, away from white markings. To reset it, hold the button for six seconds.

The R10 is radar. It goes 1.8m to 2.4m behind the ball, with the ball at least 2.4m from the screen. Its radar troubleshooting page blames metal, concrete, heaters and fans. It also says to calibrate in the Garmin Golf app on a surface you've checked with a spirit level. Both units update through the app or Garmin Express.

Uneekor EYE MINI, EYE MINI LITE, EYE XO2 and EYE XR

Uneekor's troubleshooting centre lists every EYE MINI status code. Updates come through Uneekor Launcher; see updating firmware. If it isn't detecting balls, reinstall the firmware, use a white ball and recalibrate. Recalibrate after the unit is moved or knocked, after the turf changes, and after a month out of use. If an EYE XR shows mishits, Uneekor says to move its guide pin from the third hole to the fourth. The manuals are linked in the table.

Square Golf and Square Golf OMNI

Square's technical issues page covers missed shots, double reads, lighting and Bluetooth. The support page has both manuals. The unit must sit at ball height, with no sunlight or infrared light on it and a mat that contrasts with the ball. Double reads usually mean the screen is too close and the rebounding ball confuses it. Club data needs the club stickers. The OMNI needs 30 seconds after power-on before it will connect. If its light stays red after a restart, contact Square. Updates are explained in keeping it up to date.

SkyTrak+ and ST MAX

SkyTrak's technical support library has a not-registering-shots checklist. Sit the unit level and parallel to the target, at the height of the mat and 15 inches (38cm) from the ball. Put the ball or tee base on the laser dot, with the logo facing the unit. Wipe the black lens strip with a damp cloth and no chemicals, and use a tee that isn't white. Downloads and firmware are on the downloads page.

Rapsodo MLM2PRO

The golf FAQ, user guide and firmware notes are on Rapsodo's site. The unit sits 2.0m to 2.6m (6.5 to 8.5ft) behind the ball, with 2.4m (8ft) of ball flight in front. Spin is only measured with RPT balls. Foam and plastic balls don't register at all. Firmware updates through the app when you connect.

FlightScope Mevo Gen2

FlightScope UK has a FAQ, the manual and a firmware and apps page. Place it 2.4m behind the ball, with 2.4m of ball flight in front. Indoors, put an aluminium sticker on the ball, facing the target, to measure spin. FlightScope says fluorescent lights, fans, air conditioning and large metal objects near it affect tracking. Before storing it, charge it fully and top it up every two to three months.

Full Swing KIT

The KIT sits 3.05m (10ft) directly behind the ball on level ground. Firmware installs by itself on Wi-Fi while the light flashes amber, so don't switch it off during an update. Clean it with a soft cloth, never with chemicals or compressed air, and store it in its case. The user guide and Full Swing Europe's support page cover the rest.

Golfzon WAVE

Golfzon's manual and guide videos include firmware updates and the reset button. The quick start guide puts the radar 2.0m to 2.5m behind the tee. The radar must never sit lower than the hitting area, or more than 76mm above it. Golfzon asks for 3.5m from ball to screen, which is more than our standard 2.5m, so check your room. If you store it for a long time, charge it once a week.

TruGolf LaunchBox

TruGolf's support page has the LaunchBox manual. Set it level and place the ball about 44cm (17.5in) from the front of the unit. Use a clean white ball with the logo facing it. If it freezes, tilt it until the screen says "The Device is Tilted", then set it level again to reset it.

NVisage NEO-E

NVisage has a support ticket page and a resources page with the manuals. Keep N-Bridge up to date and the firmware updates automatically. Keep mirrors and glass out of the camera's view, and avoid indoor lighting that interferes with infrared. If it won't switch on, hold the power button for five seconds, then press it again.

SwingLogic SLX Hybrid Mini and PRGR HS 130-A

SwingLogic's help centre wasn't loading when I checked. The Hybrid Mini quick guide and the SLX Connect app are live, and updates come through the app. PRGR doesn't publish an English support page. Its manual puts the unit 1.1m to 1.5m behind the ball on a flat surface. It runs on four AAA batteries, so take them out before storing it. It can't measure foam or plastic balls.