Garmin Approach R50 vs SkyTrak+: Comparing the Two Hottest Golf Launch Monitors Under $5,000

In 2023, it was the SkyTrak+ that grabbed the most golf launch monitor headlines. And in 2024, even though it didn’t debut until November, it is the Garmin Approach R50 that is unquestionably dominating the golf launch monitor news.

That sets the stage for today’s shootout. We’ve got the hottest golf launch monitors of the last two years going head to head.

The SkyTrak+ is significantly improved, specifically with its software, since its release. It’s still enjoying good momentum, and it makes for an interesting updated look at how competitive it is in the current market.

Then there’s the Garmin Approach R50. It is the current market! It’s unlike any golf launch monitor we’ve ever seen in that it allows for a simulation experience right on the device itself. But how does it stack up value-wise with its $4,999.99 asking price?

Ten categories. A 0 through 5 scale. A fifty-point maximum score.

Let’s do it!

Golf Launch Monitor and Simulator Price

Garmin Approach R50 = 4; SkyTrak+ = 3

There’s two ways to look at this: Through the lens of savings or through the lens of value. The SkyTrak+, at $2,995.00, is considerably less expensive than the $4,999.99 Garmin Approach R50. Two thousand dollars is quite a difference.

And because it’s as good as it is, the SkyTrak+ does offer a great savings opportunity for consumers who can’t or won’t go past the $3,000 retail point.

But the R50 is a totally different animal. It’s the first golf launch monitor that connects via one simple HDMI cable to get enlarged images on a TV or impact screen.

And, as mentioned, it’s the only device where you can play actual simulator golf on a color 10-inch touchscreen that’s like using an iPad.

So, even though it’s $2K more expensive, there’s an excellent value argument to be made for the R50. Quite simply, it allows for golf anywhere, anytime.

Plus, as we’ll explore below, the cost to play simulator golf ends up being more expensive every way you split it with the SkyTrak+ compared to the R50.

Unboxing and First Impressions

Garmin Approach R50 = 5; SkyTrak+ = 5

These brands both nailed it with their presentation. In the case of each, the design, the colors, everything about the first impression is clean and classy.

In the case of the SkyTrak+, I’d describe the vibe as fun. And that’s a perfect first impression, because that’s exactly what this product delivers. The user interface, the way the software is organized and presented, it’s all about making indoor golf fun and accessible.

Honestly, the Garmin Approach R50 kind of gets screwed here because of the limitations in this scoring scale. The number could go to a million, and I’d probably still assign the max score for the R50’s first impression.

It is an absolute “Wow!” moment when you first see the R50. That 10-inch touchscreen is gorgeous and totally unlike anything we’ve seen on a golf launch monitor before this one. And the sheer size of the device, at 17 inches tall, 12 inches wide, and 7 inches deep, is a head-turner in its own right. Then there’s the carrying case, which is more deluxe (and larger) than anything we’ve seen in this product class.

If this were a beauty contest, we'd have two bonafide lookers here.

Garmin Approach R50 vs SkyTrak+: Ease of Setup

Garmin Approach R50 = 5; SkyTrak+ = 3 

 The whole “it doesn’t get any easier than” phrase is a tired cliche, of course. But with the Garmin Approach R50, it’s too true that I just can’t help myself. Seriously, it does not and can not get any easier than the Garmin Approach R50 when it comes to setup.

Wanna hit golf shots and get every ball and club data point you could ever need? Cool, set the device down on the ground and turn it on. You’ll be ready in seconds.

Wanna play a round of simulator golf? Not a problem. Home Tee Hero is available right on the screen. Once again, you’ll be teeing off in less than a minute.

Want to use your R50 with a projector for a full-blown golf simulator studio experience? It’s a direct-shot-connection via an HDMI cable. Yet again, it literally takes seconds.

The Approach R50 is the one device that you can use for either practice or play with nothing more than the device itself. How can it get easier than that?

Now it’s not like the SkyTrak+ takes an engineering degree to get operational. But there are some connection hoops to jump through. You do have to pair the golf launch monitor to a computer. And, yes, in my personal experience, sometimes that process can get a bit wonky.

Overall, the setup process with the SkyTrak+ is fine. But it’s nowhere close to as simple as with the R50.

How Portable Are the Garmin Approach R50 and SkyTrak+?

Garmin Approach R50 = 3; SkyTrak+ = 3

Size is a concern for both of these products when it comes to portability.

The R50 is gigantic. And the SkyTrak+ is just a little too big to fit comfortably into even a large golf bag pocket.

The carrying case included with the R50 solves some of the issue. But it only makes the whole thing that much larger. Really, bringing the R50 out and about is like hauling a fairly large piece of luggage. Portable isn’t the first word that comes to mind. 

However, when you consider that you can play simulated rounds right on the R50 itself and that it doesn’t require anything more than an HDMI connection if you want to hook it up to a projector or TV, the R50 does actually become the first-ever portable golf simulator.

This is a device that you can bring out in the yard, over to a friend’s house, or wherever else and be up and running in no time. So from that point of view, it absolutely is portable.

It’s a matter of perspective.

The SkyTrak+ doesn’t even include a carrying case, which is a big-time bummer in my opinion. The SkyTrak+ is light, sure. And it’s small compared to something like the R50. But portable? Not exactly.

Golf Launch Monitor Data

Garmin Approach R50 = 5; SkyTrak+ = 5

When it comes to data, both of these products deliver big-time. And one of the best things about each of these launch monitors is the fact that you get both ball and club data right out of the box with no additional fees.

With the Garmin Approach R50, you get:

• Ball Speed
• Launch Angle
• Launch Direction
• Spin Rate
• Spin Axis
• Sidespin
• Smash Factor
• Total Distance
• Carry Distance (in both yards and degrees)
• Total Deviation (in both yards and degrees)
• Apex Height

• Clubhead Speed
• Path Angle
• Angle of Attack
• Face Angle
• Face to Path

And with the SkyTrak+, you get:

• Ball Speed
• Clubhead Speed
• Carry Distance
• Total Distance
• Distance Offline
• Smash Factor
• Backspin
• Side Spin
• Club Path
• Face to Path
• Face to Target
• Launch Angle
• Angle of Descent

There may be reasons not to buy an R50 or SkyTrak+, but lack of data isn’t one of them.

I will say that in my testing, the accuracy edge here goes to the Garmin Approach R50. So if you’re looking for a tiebreaker… 

Garmin R50 vs SkyTrak+ for Outdoor Use

Garmin Approach R50 = 5; SkyTrak+ = 3

If you can get past the potential portability/size issues with the R50, it is an absolute superstar for outdoor use.

The beautiful 10-inch, responsive, color, vivid screen is all you really need to know about. It allows you to practice or play anywhere without having to connect to a computer or mobile device.

Plus, with the R50, it’s capable of accurately reading all of that data that it delivers both off of natural and artificial hitting surfaces. So, whether at the range on real grass or mats, on the golf course, in the backyard, out in a field—anywhere you can hit golf shots—you’re good to go with the Garmin Approach R50.

The SkyTrak+ isn’t nearly as flexible.

For one thing, the SkyTrak+ has trouble consistently picking up shots hit off of natural grass. That’s an immediate disqualifier for many users who want a golf launch monitor that works well outdoors.

Another issue is that you need to hook up to an external device to use the SkyTrak+. That makes using it at the range a lot less practical.

Indoor Use

Garmin Approach R50 = 5; SkyTrak+ = 5

The SkyTrak+ really is a device best used indoors. That seems to be what it’s designed for, and I think that’s the most likely use case.

Indoors, set up properly, the SkyTrak+ is a blast to use. The software is so well-organized and fun and includes so many different gamification options. Yes, you’ll need to connect to an external device, but if you have your SkyTrak+ set up in a fixed location, that’s not a recurring issue.

The Garmin Approach R50 gets a top score indoors for the same reasons that it does outdoors. That’s the beauty of this device, it works anywhere in whatever situation with the absolute minimum of fuss.

Plus, it’s incredibly accurate!

Now, if there is an indoor knock on either the SkyTrak+ or R50 it’s for the situations where you want to play with both righties and lefties at the same time. Because these are each optical units that sit to the side of the golf ball, you’d have to move the launch monitor back and forth if you were switching between a right-handed and left-handed user.

But honestly, that inconvenience is offset by the fact that optical units like these require so much less room space than a radar unit that has to sit several feet behind the golf ball.

R50 vs SkyTrak Plus: Comparing the Features

Garmin Approach R50 = 5; SkyTrak+ = 5

For the SkyTrak+, it’s the software that wins the highest mark here.

For the Garmin Approach R50, it’s… well, it’s everything.

SkyTrak has done an amazing job of continuing to upgrade the SkyTrak+ software since its release. A few of the really significant improvements:

1. The introduction of Course Play, their own proprietary simulated golf courses. We’ll touch on this more below.
2. The addition of several really cool, fun, and helpful practice ranges. SkyTrak has gotten really inventive with ways that you can use their golf launch monitor and software to work on specific skills like hitting a fade or draw. In fact, their practice range options are much more creative and extensive than what you get with the R50.
3. macOS compatibility. You can now play the SkyTrak+ simulated golf courses using a MacBook Pro. In fact, it’s the only simulator software available with macOS.

For the Garmin Approach R50, the features are extensive and extremely impressive. They include:

1. The built-in 10-inch screen. It’s like having an iPad attached to your golf launch monitor. The color display is beautiful. And the touchscreen is as responsive as what you’d get with an Apple product.
2. The HDMI connection. We’ve never seen a golf launch monitor that plugged directly into a projector or TV. This is a game changer. It makes setting up a simulator studio easier than ever.
3. Built-in simulator option. The fact that you can play a round of golf on more than 43,000 courses around the world via Garmin’s Home Tee Hero right on the R50 itself is completely innovative.
4. Home Tee Hero for the R50 is much improved. Garmin reimagined Home Tee Hero, massively improving the mapping and graphics. While it’s not as lifelike as some simulator software, including SkyTrak+’s Course Play, it’s much, much better than what you get with the Garmin Approach R10. And the new version includes putting!
5. Automatic impact video. With every shot, you get an automatic slow-motion replay of impact. And you can watch it right on the built-in screen. That means that you can see if you’re hitting it fat or thin or too far towards the toe or heel. Very helpful.
6. Customizable display options. You can organize the R50 display to view whatever you want, including data tiles that you can organize in whatever order, a map of your virtual range or course, impact video replay, and visuals of your face-to-path, club path, attack angle, and spin. You can even choose any two options to view as a split screen.

Golf Simulator Use

Garmin Approach R50 = 5; SkyTrak+ = 5

SkyTrak made a huge leap forward with the SkyTrak+ viability when earlier this year they announced their own in-house golf simulator software. Course Play, as they call it, gives users 30 simulated golf courses, including Pebble Beach.

Best of all, the graphics and details on these new courses are really, really good. It’s an excellent addition to what was already a really great SkyTrak+ software platform. The only issue, as we’ll discuss in just a minute, is that using this software is a tad expensive.

Still, when you add these new awesome simulated golf courses to all of the inventive virtual driving ranges and target-practice games that SkyTrak’s software includes, it makes this one of the very best user experiences of any of the golf launch monitors available today.

Of course, the Garmin Approach R50 completely turned the golf simulator model on its head. For the first time ever, users can play sim rounds right on the golf launch monitor itself. Granted, that built-in screen experience is limited to Garmin’s Home Tee Hero software, but as I mentioned, that package is so much more realistic and detailed than what’s available with the less-expensive Approach R10.

The R50 is also compatible with multiple third-party simulator software options, including GSPro, E6 Connect, E6 Apex, and Awesome Golf. However, you will need a computer to run those software packages. And those graphics will not display on the R50 itself. Also, you’ll have to pay additional subscription fees for any of those third-party options.

Do the R50 or SkyTrak+ Require Subscriptions?

Garmin Approach R50 = 4; SkyTrak+ = 3

Technically, you can use the R50 and the SkyTrak+ without paying any subscriptions.

But, in the case of the SkyTrak+, you’re not going to get much of an experience without paying the $130 per year for the Essentials package. Without it, you can’t do anything more with the SkyTrak+ than use it as a driving range.

The real issue is that on top of that $130 per year, it’s going to cost you another $220 per year for Course Play, the SkyTrak+ simulated golf course package. Now that is a really nice package, and it does include Pebble Beach. But it’s going to cost $350 per year to play those courses. That’s a little steep.

With the R50, you’ll only need to pay $9.99 per month or $99 per year to use Home Tee Hero and its more than 43,000 golf courses. Granted, Home Tee Hero is not as nice as SkyTrak+’s Course Play, but it’s quite a bit less expensive.

And if you wanted to use the R50 to play through third-party software like GSPro, you would only need to pay that third-party subscription fee ($250 per year for GSPro). There isn’t any additional money owed to Garmin to be able to use the R50 in conjunction with third-party software.

So, as far as subscriptions go, the better deal is with the Garmin Approach R50.

Garmin Approach R50 vs SkyTrak+: Which Golf Launch Monitor Should You Buy?

Adding it all up, the results shake out as:

Garmin Approach R50: 46

SkyTrak+: 40

The Garmin Approach R50 wins by a pretty significant margin. But this thing is beating the pants off of every competitor near its price, so don’t feel bad, SkyTrak.

It doesn’t mean the SkyTrak+ isn’t still worth owning. First of all, it’s $2,000 less than the R50. And, especially if you’re planning to use it mostly indoors, it’s still an exceptional golf launch monitor and golf simulator software package.

The fact is, not everyone’s budget is going to get to $5K. And if yours tops out at $3K, you’re not going to be making a bad move by picking up the SkyTrak+. It’s extremely popular for very good reason. Remember, it was the hottest golf launch monitor of 2023!

But when we factor in everything, the new Garmin Approach R50 stands alone at the top. It truly is a first-of-its-kind product.

About PlayBetter Golf Reviewer Marc Sheforgen

Marc 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.