Is It Still Safe to Buy the SkyTrak+ in 2025? What You Need to Know After the ST MAX’s Arrival

Let’s be honest: Few moments in golf tech bring as much second-guessing as when a brand-new model lands right after you finally figured out which launch monitor to buy.

You’ve done your research. You’ve read the reviews. You’re ready to pull the trigger on the SkyTrak+. And then, boom, the SkyTrak ST MAX shows up carrying that “new hotness” badge, and suddenly you’re wondering if you’re about to buy the outgoing model that’ll be forgotten as soon as your credit card clears.

That’s a fair concern. Nobody wants to invest two grand in gear that’s about to go obsolete.

So, let’s talk honestly about that. Because I’ve spent time with both the SkyTrak ST MAX and the SkyTrak+, and I can tell you with confidence that, not only is the SkyTrak+ still a smart, safe, fully supported buy in 2025, it’s arguably the most sensible buy in golf simulation right now.

Here’s why.

First, the Big Picture: SkyTrak Didn’t Reinvent the Wheel

It’s easy to assume that every “new model” means “brand-new tech.” But in this case, SkyTrak didn’t tear anything down and start over.

The ST MAX is built on the exact same dual Doppler-radar-plus-photometric-camera engine that powers the SkyTrak+. Same ball data. Same club data. Same underlying algorithms translating that data into those trusted flight paths you see on-screen.

So, performance? Essentially identical.

What SkyTrak did change was the wrapper. A faster processor, dual USB-C ports, a charcoal finish, and the addition of a guided Speed Training Mode. All nice refinements, and that speed feature is genuinely cool. But it’s not a reinvention of the launch monitor.

That’s key to understanding why the SkyTrak+ isn’t suddenly “last-gen.” It’s running the same DNA. You’re not buying old technology. You’re buying the same core with a different badge.

What Happens to Support When a New Model Arrives?

This is usually the biggest question when a successor launches: “Will my device still get fixes and compatibility down the road?”

Here’s the straight answer: Yes — the SkyTrak+ will continue to be fully supported by SkyTrak.

And remember, both the SkyTrak+ and ST MAX run on the same software backbone, which means SkyTrak has every incentive to keep both healthy.

So, if your fear is that SkyTrak+ owners will wake up one morning and find themselves stranded while ST MAX users sail ahead with fresh updates, you can safely set that worry aside.

There’s always that fear that once a company launches a replacement product, the older model’s days are numbered.

And, actually, that’s true in this case. What remains of the SkyTrak+ physical inventory is the last of it. They aren’t going to make any more of them.

But, as I said, SkyTrak has confirmed that they will still support the SkyTrak+ units that are out in the wild.

Look at the original SkyTrak. It debuted in 2014. More than a decade later, it’s still running, still supported, and still accurate enough to serve as a useful tool for a lot of golfers.

So if the original SkyTrak’s lifespan is any indication, the SkyTrak+ is just getting started.

SkyTrak Software Ecosystem: Same Experience, Same Fun

SkyTrak’s biggest leap forward in the last two years hasn’t been hardware at all. It’s been software. They keep making it better. Cleaner, faster, more intuitive, and rich with game-improvement tools that make every range session feel purposeful.

And here’s the part that many golfers miss: That entire experience is shared between the SkyTrak+ and the ST MAX.

You get:

• Skills Assessments and Bag Mapping for dialing in your distances.
• Randomized Practice and Wedge Matrix modes that mimic real-world scenarios.
• Integrated video tutorials explaining every data metric, so you understand what each number means for your swing.
• Course Play Membership options that unlock dozens of Foresight and Trackman courses (Pebble Beach included).
• Cross-platform access — PC, Mac, iOS, Android. No gaming PC required.

That’s the same playground the ST MAX user enjoys. If you buy the SkyTrak+, you’re getting the same digital experience, the same community access, and the same ecosystem growth going forward.

So What Do You Actually Give Up?

Let’s be real: The ST MAX is the flagship now. So there are a few things it offers that the SkyTrak+ doesn’t (for $1,000 more, mind you).

1. Speed Training Mode. This is the big one. It’s a dedicated, guided program (powered by GOLFTEC) for building swing speed. You can use it with or without hitting a ball, set goals, and track progress over time. It’s very well done, and for golfers who plan to commit to speed training for months, it’s genuinely valuable. And it’s only available with the ST MAX.
2. Dual USB-C Ports. One for charging, one for data transfer. This is a small quality-of-life improvement that’s most noticeable in a permanent simulator bay.
3. Slightly Faster Processor. The delay between strike and shot data display is trimmed down a touch. You notice it, but it’s not night-and-day.
4. Charcoal Finish. Looks sharp, but it’s just an aesthetic change. Some people may even prefer the look of the SkyTrak+.

That’s it. Those are the differences.

If you can live without the built-in speed program — or if you already use different speed-training tools — you’ve got a legit opportunity to save $1,000. That’s really the way I see this calculus.

The Smart-Buy Profiles

If you’re still torn, here’s a quick way to think about it based on how you actually use your sim setup.

1. The Dedicated Speed Trainer
   You’re all-in on speed training. You plan to use it often, stay consistent, and track progress.
   
   If that’s you, the ST MAX probably makes sense. You’ll use its Speed Training Mode often enough to justify it.
   
   
2. The Practice-Every-Day Golfer
   You care about reliable numbers and the feel of structured sessions.
   
   The SkyTrak+ gives you all of that, and lets you funnel budget toward Course Play or a better mat, projector, or enclosure.
   
   
3. The Family or Shared-Use Setup
   You’re building a sim that everyone in the house can use.
   
   The SkyTrak+ fits perfectly here. Easy to set up, cross-platform, and adds no extra complexity.
   
   
4. The “Wait and See” Buyer
   You suspect SkyTrak’s next major leap will come a couple of years from now, maybe with some major tech breakthroughs.
   
   The SkyTrak+ keeps you in the ecosystem without overcommitting. You can always trade up later.

Bottom Line: Confidence, Not Compromise

Listen, I get it. When something new comes out, it’s tempting to assume your soon-to-be purchase just got old overnight. I’m no different with that kind of nervous trepidation.

But in this case, the facts don’t support that worry.

The SkyTrak+ remains one of the most accurate, feature-rich, and best-supported launch monitors you can buy, and now at the reduced price of $1,995. It shares its core with the brand-new ST MAX, it runs the same software, it’s fully supported, and it’s built to last for years.

If you’ve been waiting for the reassurance that you’re not buying into a dead product, this is it. You’re in safe territory. You’re getting proven performance, ongoing updates, and one of the best home-sim experiences available, period. And you’re saving $1,000.

About PlayBetter Golf Reviewer Marc Sheforgen

Marc "Shef" Sheforgen is a golf writer whose passion for the game far exceeds his ability to play it well. Marc covers all things golf, from product reviews and equipment recommendations to event coverage and tournament analysis. When he’s not playing, watching, or writing about golf, he enjoys traveling (often golf-related), youth sports coaching, volunteering, and record collecting.