We get asked about the Garmin Approach R50 vs SkyTrak Plus all the time. These are two great portable launch monitors from world-renowned brands, but they’re actually pretty different in what they can do and what they cost.

The Garmin Approach® R50 Golf Launch Monitor and Simulator comes in at around $5k and has a large 10” touchscreen to support built-in simulator play. It’s powered by three high-speed cameras and lets you access 43,000 courses. You can use it at-home or on the go.

The SkyTrak+ Launch Monitor blends a photometric camera with dual Doppler radar to deliver reliable ball data and meaningful club metrics at a much lower price point (under $2,000). It pairs with popular simulator software, works well indoors or outdoors, and offers great value.

Take a closer look at the two models side-by-side below to help you make the right choice. You can also connect with our team at Indoor Golf Outlet for one-on-one support. We’ll give you a personalized recommendation between the two based on your space, goals, and budget!

Garmin Approach R50 vs SkyTrak Plus at a Glance

At a Glance	Garmin Approach® R50	SkyTrak+ (Plus)
Price	$4,999.99	$1,999.00
Best For	All-in-one practice + simulator play on a built-in 10" screen (indoors or range)	High-value home sim + range practice with strong ball data and added club data via radar
Indoor / Outdoor	Indoor + outdoor	Indoor + outdoor
Tracking Technology	3 high-speed cameras	Photometric camera + dual Doppler radar
Display	Built-in 10" LCD touchscreen (800 × 1280)	App-based (PC / iOS); no built-in display on unit
Battery Life	Up to 4 hours	Up to 4.5 hours
Ball Data	Ball speed, carry, total, deviation, smash factor, launch angle/direction, spin rate/axis, apex	Ball speed, carry, total, back/side spin, descent angle, side/launch angle, shot shape
Club Data	Club speed, face angle, path angle, angle of attack, tempo	Club speed, smash factor, club path, face angle, face-to-path
Club Stickers Needed	Yes (includes 250 stickers)	No
Courses / Simulator Play	Home Tee Hero with 43,000+ courses (Garmin ecosystem)	SkyTrak Course Play libraries + partners (E6, TGC 2019, WGT, Creative Golf)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI	Wi-Fi (5GHz), USB-C; Network Mode + Direct Mode
Size / Weight	16.5" × 10.6" × 7.5"; 9 lbs	6.75" × 7.75" × 2.625"; 2.7 lbs
Hitting Zone	Tracks from tee to putt (device setup dependent)	~4.5" × 4.5"

Pros and Cons of the Garmin Approach R50 Launch Monitor

The Garmin Approach R50 is quite literally unlike any other golf launch monitor on the market. You get one device that can handle practice, simulation, and on-the-go sessions without extra hardware.

It uses three high-speed cameras to capture ball and club data, then displays everything directly on a large 10” touchscreen. You can hit balls indoors, take it to the range, review impact footage, and even play full virtual rounds without ever connecting to a computer.

Pros

• Large 10” built-in touchscreen for shot review, impact video, and simulator play
• No PC necessary for practice sessions or virtual golf
• 43,000+ courses available through Garmin’s Home Tee Hero ecosystem
• Three high-speed cameras for consistent ball flight tracking
• Tracks ball and club data, including face angle, path, and angle of attack
• HDMI output lets you mirror play to a TV or projectors for a larger display
• Portable design with internal battery for range use (4 hours of battery life)

Cons

• More expensive than other portable launch monitors, but it replaces other components
• Club data requires stickers
• Fewer third-party software options than PC-driven systems

Pros and Cons of the SkyTrak Plus Launch Monitor

The SkyTrak Plus combines a dual Doppler radar module with its photometric system to bring you measurable club data in a compact, home-friendly launch monitor. 

It sits on a mat or right on the floor and reads every shot’s ball flight and impact with a better camera system than its predecessor and upgraded machine-learning algorithms for dependable feedback indoors or at the range.

SkyTrak Plus blends practice and play to help golfers of all levels get better over time, with integrated shot scoring, optimizer tools, and access to world-class course libraries through Course Play. It’s one of the best launch monitors at its price point (less than $2k).

Pros

• Dual Doppler radar + camera tracking gives both ball and club data without stickers
• Works indoors and outdoors, including on mats at the range
• Access to Trackman and Foresight-powered course libraries through Course Play
• Shot Optimizer and Shot Scoring help you understand where your swing stacks up
• Small, portable footprint for fast setup and breakdown
• Cloud storage with higher-tier memberships to save shot history and practice data
• Strong practice range tools like bag mapping, skills assessments, and wedge matrices

Cons

• Best club and simulator features require paid subscriptions (Essential + Course Play)
• Hitting zone is small (~4.5” x 4.5”), so you need precise ball placement 
• No built-in display on the unit itself. You need a device (tablet, PC) to see full data
• Full simulator access requires ongoing subscription costs beyond the initial purchase

Garmin Approach R50 vs SkyTrak Plus: Side-by-Side Comparison

You really can’t go wrong choosing between the SkyTrak launch monitor and Garmin launch monitor. These are some of our best-selling units, and there’s a reason we have a hard time keeping them in stock!

But which is better for YOU between the Garmin Approach R50 vs SkyTrak Plus? It depends. Do you want an all-in-one simulator setup that can be taken anywhere, or a more affordable way to start practicing with intention? 

Initial Setup

Setting up either unit is relatively straightforward, but the Garmin Approach R50 has the edge here since you technically don’t have to connect anything to start using it. Just place it in front of the hitting area, power it on, and use the built-in 10" touchscreen for practice or simulation. There’s no alignment dot dance or external display necessary!

The SkyTrak Plus is also a floor-based unit that sits next to the ball, but there are a couple more steps standing between you and getting started. You’ll need to connect it to a PC, tablet, or mobile device through Wi-Fi or USB. It’s still relatively simple, and you’ll get the hang of it after a few sessions.

Portability

Again, these are two great units for bringing to and from the range. They’re super portable. 

That being said, the SkyTrak Plus is a bit smaller and lighter than the Garmin Approach R50. It weighs less than 3 pounds compared to 9 pounds. It’s really easy to toss in a bag for the range. 

However, SkyTrak Plus does rely on a connected device for visuals - which may be a little less practical for those range sessions. That’s not an issue with the Garmin Approach R50, which also comes with a great carrying case to make lugging equipment around a whole lot easier.

All-in-all, we think the Garmin Approach R50 has the edge here as well because it can quite literally allow you to train or simulate anywhere, with nothing more than the device itself. That can’t be said for many other launch monitors, including the SkyTrak Plus. 

What’s Measured?

You’ll gain access to all the data you need whether you go with the Garmin Approach R50 vs SkyTrak Plus. But the tracking systems are a little different, and that matters.

The SkyTrak Plus uses a photometric camera combined with dual Doppler radar. It captures strong ball data and meaningful club metrics without stickers.  

The Garmin R50 uses three high-speed cameras and tracks ball data along with a wider set of club metrics. But, the trade-off for that extra data is you’ll have to use club stickers. Here’s a closer look at exactly what’s measured:

Metric	SkyTrak+ (Camera + Dual Doppler Radar)	Garmin Approach R50 (3 High-Speed Cameras)
Ball Speed	✔	✔
Carry Distance	✔	✔
Total Distance	✔	✔
Launch Angle	✔	✔
Launch Direction / Side Angle	✔	✔
Back Spin	✔	—
Side Spin	✔	—
Spin Rate	✔	✔
Spin Axis	—	✔
Shot Shape / Curvature	✔	—
Deviation / Offline Distance	—	✔
Apex Height	—	✔
Smash Factor	✔	✔
Club Data
Club Head Speed	✔	✔
Club Path	✔	✔ (Path Angle)
Face Angle	✔	✔
Face-to-Path	✔	—
Angle of Attack	—	✔
Tempo	—	✔
Club Stickers Required	No	Yes (included)

Be aware that there isn’t a meaningful difference in accuracy if all else is held equal. It’s just a matter of how detailed you want swing insights to be. 

Indoor vs Outdoor Use

Since they’re both considered portable launch monitors, either unit can work well indoors and outdoors alike. Neither is as finicky as some launch monitors that need perfect lighting environments. 

Keep in mind that how you’re using the launch monitor outdoors matters, though. The SkyTrak Plus can sometimes fall a little short when you’re hitting off natural grass instead of range mats. That’s less of a concern with the Garmin Approach R50. 

Either unit will excel indoors, though. They’re accurate, versatile, and don’t require a ton of space to reliably pick up shots. It’s easy to switch between left-handed and right-handed play with both launch monitors. 

Feature Sets

SkyTrak Plus is built around game improvement tools. Shot Optimizer, Shot Score, bag mapping, wedge matrix work, and skills challenges all help you make the most of your practice sessions, be it in your backyard, your basement, or at the range.

Garmin R50 gives you a lot of great practice features too, but it’s the simulation features that really stand out in comparison to the SkyTrak Plus. You can play full rounds, review slow-motion impact footage, compare clubs, track trends, and manage everything directly on the unit. 

You’ll get a little broader performance-tracking with Garmin’s barometer-based distance adjustments and the Garmin Golf app integration as well. 

Simulator Experience

This is hands down where the Garmin R50 wins. It is a simulator! You can buy the launch monitor, unbox it, and immediately unlock over 43,000 courses worldwide with Home Tee Hero. It’s visually clean and easy to navigate even for the first time. 

That said, you’ll probably want to look into pairing it with a larger screen for a more immersive simulator experience. We’ve also found that you don’t get the same mod-friendly ecosystem or third-party expansion as SkyTrak.

On that note, SkyTrak Plus supports multiple simulator ecosystems, including E6 CONNECT, TGC 2019, Creative Golf, and World Golf Tour. You’ll need an Essential membership plus separate course library subscriptions for course play, but the variety is hard to beat.

Speaking of subscriptions…

Subscriptions

You will need an ongoing membership to make the most of a SkyTrak Plus launch monitor. There are two separate costs to consider:

• Essential Plan for practice environments
• Separate annual fees for Course Play libraries

That’s not to say the Garmin R50 doesn’t require subscriptions. But they’re bundled better through Garmin’s ecosystem with fewer add-ons to manage. It’s a simpler experience. 

Cost Comparison

Now, there’s one question you’ll need to answer for yourself - is it worth paying more than double for the Garmin Approach R50, or can you get what you need in the SkyTrak Plus?

• SkyTrak Plus: ~$1,999 upfront
• Garmin Approach R50: ~$4,999 upfront

We think you get what you pay for in the Garmin R50 as it unlocks a world of possibilities. You get hardware, display, and simulator capability in one device.

In contrast, the SkyTrak Plus is an excellent budget-friendly device if you plan on pairing it with a separate simulator ecosystem at home and just want something light you can take to the range.

Here at Indoor Golf Outlet, you’ll find both sides of our Garmin Approach R50 vs SkyTrak Plus at the lowest prices online. We can also help you get hassle-free financing to make the investment in your practice/play less stressful.

So, what are you waiting for? 

Get a Personalized Recommendation at Indoor Golf Outlet!

Our customer service team is ready to provide one-on-one guidance if you still aren’t sure which is right for you between the Garmin Approach R50 vs SkyTrak Plus. We know these units inside and out and help match our customers to the right launch monitors all day, every day.

From ceiling height and room depth to software choices and long-term costs, we help you avoid guesswork before you buy. Whether you’re choosing between portable units or building a full simulator, our team gives clear answers and real guidance.

Our blog has similar comparisons of the Garmin Approach R50 vs GC3 or the Uneekor EYE MINI vs SkyTrak Plus if you want to weigh other options. But whether you’re looking for the best launch monitor under $1,000 or the best golf launch monitor period, your search ends here.

Bringing Our Garmin Approach R50 vs SkyTrak Plus Guide to a Close

That does it for our comparison of two awesome portable launch monitors - the Garmin Approach R50 vs SkyTrak Plus. The right choice comes down to how you want to practice and where you plan to use it.

But regardless, Indoor Golf Outlet is your one-stop shop for guidance and sales. We also offer post-purchase support if you’re looking for advice on setup or use. Connect with us anytime for a one-on-one recommendation and build a setup you’ll feel confident using every session!