SkyTrak+ vs Mevo+ vs GC3/GC3S/LPi vs Garmin R50: The Ultimate Prosumer Golf Launch Monitors Showdown

Today’s golf launch monitor market can be divided into three primary classes.

There are the super-high-end models used by the pros and for top-shelf indoor simulator setups.

There’s the relatively new class of affordable, under-$1,000 golf launch monitors that are capable of impressive accuracy but that do come with limitations.

And in between those two there are what you might call a line of “prosumer” golf launch monitors. These are products that sit in the middle when it comes to price. But performance-wise, they really don’t lack anything.

In other words, this is where a lot of consumers find the best value.

And among the leading contenders in this prosumer class that should appeal to golfers serious about game-improvement and realistic simulator experiences are:

• SkyTrak+
• FlightScope Mevo Plus
• Bushnell LPi
• Foresight Sports GC3 and GC3S
• Garmin Approach R50

If you’re interested in a golf launch monitor that goes well beyond the basics but that stops short of an ultra-high price tag, each of these should be on your list of considerations.

And today, we’re going to help you figure out which one is the right one for you. I’ve tested each of them extensively, both indoors and outdoors, and I’m going to share my opinions in the 10 categories that I think matter most. I’ll give a 0-through-5 score for each product in each category.

For the sake of simplicity, for this shootout we’re going to group the Bushnell LPi, Foresight GC3, and GC3S together. I’ll call out notable distinctions between the three as we go. But, for the most part, these are the same three-camera launch monitor. The main differences come down to their respective pricing and subscription models, and the LPi is designed for indoor-only use. Again, I’ll point out those differences as they come up.

So, which one is best?

The SkyTrak+?

The FlightScope Mevo Plus?

The Bushnell LPi/Foresight GC3/GC3S?

Or the Garmin Approach R50?

Let’s find out!

Golf Launch Monitor and Simulator Price

SkyTrak+ = 3

FlightScope Mevo+ = 4

GC3/GC3S/LPi = 4

Garmin Approach R50 = 4

There’s really not a bad deal among these options. When you consider that each of them are capable of delivering shot-tracking accuracy nearly as good as devices costing upwards of 10 times more, it’s easy to understand why this price point has become the sweet spot in golf launch monitors.

What I like about the Foresight/Bushnell offerings is that you’ve got options.

If you want all the ball and club data, all the Foresight FSX simulator software access, all for one price that doesn’t include any subscription, you’ve got the $6,999 Foresight GC3. It even comes with a Bushnell LINK-Enabled rangefinder that pairs with an app to give you your GC3 launch monitor data right in the rangefinder reticle.

If you want that same launch monitor and rangefinder package, but aren’t sure you’re going to need the club data or sim software, you can choose the Foresight GC3S. The “S” stands for “subscription.” You pay $3,799 up front. Then, after a free first year, if you want club data and the FSX simulator software, you’ll pay a $499-per-year subscription.

Then you’ve got the Bushnell LPi. It’s the same three-camera launch monitor as the GC3 and GC3S, only it doesn’t include a built-in screen or battery. So it’s meant for indoor use only. It also doesn’t come with the rangefinder. But it only costs $2,799, though, like with the GC3S, you do have to pay that $499 annual subscription after a free first year for the club data and sim software.

You’ve also got some choices if you go the FlightScope Mevo+ route. The launch monitor starts at $2,299. But if you want to add the Pro Package and Face Impact upgrades, which allow you access to everything the Mevo+ is capable of doing, it’ll run you $3,798.

With the SkyTrak+, you kind of get what you get. Don’t get me wrong: It ain’t like that’s bad. This launch monitor delivers a ton of useful data and a really great app experience, all for just $2,995. But you don’t get the option to leave some of the data behind and save money. You will have to pay a subscription for golf simulator software access, which we’ll cover below.

And it’s the same situation with the Garmin Approach R50. For the $4,999.99 price, you get all of the ball and club data without any a la carte options. If that price sounds high, consider that the R50 does things that no other golf launch monitor can do. Namely, it’s got built-in golf simulator capabilities, and if you want to use it with a projector or TV, you don’t even need an additional computer. Just like with the SkyTrak+ or some of the Foresight/Bushnell options, you will have to pay a subscription for simulator access, but we’ll get to that later.

First Impressions Upon Unboxing

SkyTrak+ = 5

FlightScope Mevo+ = 5

GC3/GC3S/LPi = 5

Garmin Approach R50 = 5

I’ve made the point in several other golf launch monitor comparisons that you don’t buy a golf launch monitor because of how it's packaged or what it looks like when you unbox it. But that doesn’t mean first impressions aren’t important.

And if you did buy based on first impressions, you’d want to buy all of these products. Because each of them just looks so damn good.

The Garmin Approach R50 is such a stunning attention-grabber for two reasons: The size of the launch monitor and the 10-inch screen.

With the SkyTrak+, the vibe is fun. And that’s exactly what the product ends up delivering. This might be the most fun golf simulator you can own.

With the FlightScope Mevo+, the feeling is portability, practicality, and sleek class.

And then there’s the Foresight and Bushnell launch monitors. Each of them looks like a serious piece of lab equipment. The size. The heft. It becomes very obvious very early that you’re dealing with some heavy-duty, legitimate golf technology.

Setup Process

SkyTrak+ = 3

FlightScope Mevo+ = 3

GC3/GC3S/LPi = 5

Garmin Approach R50 = 5

There’s no competing with the Garmin Approach R50 or Foresight GC3/GC3S when it comes to ease of setup.

How easy is it?

Well, if you’d like, you can literally hit the power button, set one of these golf launch monitors down, and start collecting data. That’s how easy!

The built-in display on the GC3/GC3S means that you don’t even have to interface with an app. Mind you, you can use the app. And doing so allows you to store your data and opens up all of the simulator functionality. But if you just want to get quick data, say before a round or during a quick range session, this product makes it unbelievably simple.

Same thing with the Garmin R50. The built-in 10-inch display is not just gorgeous, it gives you everything you need—including simulator golf course access—right on the device itself! It’s a first-of-its kind feature.

Another first with the R50 is the HDMI output that allows you to use just a single cable connection when you want to pair your R50 with a projector or television. It’s the ultimate in convenience.

With the SkyTrak+, I encountered some initial hurdles in connecting the device with my computer, necessitating a call to their technical support. The representative from SkyTrak who assisted me was exceptionally helpful and dedicated to resolving my issue. If we had a score here for customer support, I’d give SkyTrak a perfect five. And once the initial trouble was resolved, every session with my SkyTrak+ proceeded without a hitch. But that initial setup difficulty was significant enough for me to lower its score here.

On the other hand, setting up the Mevo+ was incredibly straightforward. The device connected flawlessly and functioned perfectly right from the start. However, the Mevo+ loses points here because of its precise alignment requirements. The launch monitor demands meticulous setup for accurate data collection. This certainly shouldn’t deter you too much. Once you get familiar with the process, it gets easier and easier. But setting up a Mevo+ does require a few extra minutes.

Launch Monitor Portability

SkyTrak+ = 3

FlightScope Mevo+ = 5

GC3/GC3S/LPi = 4

Garmin Approach R50 = 3

The Mevo Plus is a breeze to take wherever you’re going to need it, thanks to its compact design and a super handy carrying case. It’s a bit of a tight fit, but I can still manage to squeeze the case and launch monitor into the side pocket of my golf bag. The ease with which I can bring the Mevo along to an indoor sim session, out to the driving range, or even onto the golf course itself, is definitely one of the highlights for me.

Now, considering its size, you might think the GC3/GC3S/LPi would be a hassle to move around. And, to be clear, it’s not something you’re just going to toss into your golf bag. However, the way its handle is integrated so smoothly into the top of the launch monitor makes it surprisingly simple to pick up and carry with just one hand.

The SkyTrak+ is pleasantly lightweight and should be quite portable. But it’s just a tad too bulky to slip into the majority of golf bags without a struggle. A built-in handle, similar to what’s on the Launch Pro/GC3, would make carrying it around much simpler. I do think that most people will choose to use their SkyTrak+ indoors, where you’ll set it up once and not have to move it much. So the issue of portability might not even be a concern for a lot of users.

And then there’s the Garmin R50. It does include a carrying case, which is a definite plus. But the sheer size of this device—it’s 17 inches tall, 12 inches wide, 7 inches deep, and weighs 9 pounds—makes transporting it feel like traveling with luggage. In that sense, I don’t find it to be too portable relative to other options.

Golf Launch Monitor Data

SkyTrak+ = 5

FlightScope Mevo+ = 5

GC3/GC3S/LPi = 4

Garmin Approach R50 = 5

 

 

The biggest reason that the golf launch monitors we’re comparing here are all standouts relative to other products on the market is that they all deliver such an incredible array of data metrics coupled with impressive accuracy for such a reasonable price.

Let’s start with the Garmin Approach R50. It’s got all the ball and club data you could possibly want, all displayed on a beautiful built-in screen, and all measured with reliable, photometric accuracy for $4,999.99.

Beyond that, the R50 affords you multiple ways to customize how you want to see that data on the screen.

The SkyTrak+ employs a mix of photometric and dual-Doppler radar technology to likewise give you a full array of ball and club data. Plus, with the SkyTrak+ app, you’ve got a ton of really fun and useful game-improvement challenges that allow you to make sense of the numbers and learn how to use the data to play better golf.

The Mevo+ combines Doppler radar and a built-in camera for what FlightScope calls “Fusion Tracking.” No other golf launch monitor anywhere near this price point gives you as many data metrics as the Mevo+, and this is a unit that, when set up correctly, is renowned for its exceptional accuracy.

With the Foresight GC3, GC3S and Bushnell Launch Pro, you’ve got choices. You can opt for a lower-priced ball-data-only GC3S or LPi, or you can go all in with the turnkey GC3 solution. I do knock these GLMs down a hair only because the overall selection of data points isn’t quite up to the level of something like the Mevo+.

No matter your choice, the accuracy with these Foresight/Bushnell GLMs is going to be irrefutable.

Outdoor Use

SkyTrak+ = 3

FlightScope Mevo+ = 4

GC3/GC3S/LPi = 5

Garmin Approach R50 = 5

For this category, we’ve got a classic good, better, best situation.

The good is the SkyTrak+. While it can read golf shots outdoors very accurately and while it’s simple to align, it can only reliably read shots hit off of artificial mats. No self-respecting golfer is going to be too impressed with that. But, as I say, I think most people will use their SkyTrak+ indoors, which is where it really shines.

The better option is the FlightScope Mevo Plus/Limited Edition. This golf launch monitor can read shots hit off of either mats or real grass with no issues at all. But because it’s a bit finicky to get aligned correctly, it falls just short of the highest mark in this category.

And then we get to the best outdoor golf launch monitor, which is undeniably either the Foresight GC3/GC3S or Garmin R50. Because of that built-in screens, the total simplicity of the setup process, and the fact that they can effortlessly read shots hit off mats or turf, these are the clear-cut winners here.

Indoor Use

SkyTrak+ = 5

FlightScope Mevo+ = 4

GC3/GC3S/LPi = 5

Garmin Approach R50 = 5

When you add up the amount of data delivered, the consistent accuracy of that data, and the simulator software options available with each of these golf launch monitors, it should become pretty obvious that all of these are unbelievably great choices for a dream indoor sim studio setup.

The only reason the Mevo+ suffers a deduction here is that, because it has to be set up 8 feet behind the golf ball, it requires a lot of room depth. Ideally, you’ll want a room that’s at least 21 feet deep, though you could get away with 16 feet of depth.

There is a benefit, however, to having your launch monitor behind the ball, and that is that you don’t need to move it if you want to play simulator golf with both righties and lefties at the same time.

With either the SkyTrak+, the R50, or the GC3/GC3S/LPi, all of which are set up to the side of the golf ball across from where the golfer is standing, you’ll need to move the launch monitor back and forth if you switch between a righty and lefty.

But because I think room size is the biggest hurdle to clear for people looking to build a home golf simulator studio, I’m giving the edge here to the space-saving benefits of the SkyTrak+, R50, GC3/GC3S, and the indoor-only LPi.

Golf Launch Monitor Features

SkyTrak+ = 5

FlightScope Mevo+ = 5

GC3/GC3S/LPi = 5

Garmin Approach R50 = 5

There is a lot to like in this category!

First, the R50. It’s a monster when it comes to features. I’m talking an absolute innovator. The 10-inch, full-color screen makes it like you have an iPad attached to your golf launch monitor.

The R50’s built-in golf simulator capabilities is something we’ve never seen before now.

The simple direct HDMI connection to a projector or TV is, likewise, a first-of-its-kind feature.

You’ve also got a built-in camera that shows you a slow-motion video replay of impact after each shot.

If this scoring category went to infinity, the R50 would still earn the highest score.

Then you’ve got the Foresight GC3 and GC3S. They also include first-of-their-kind features with the LINK-Enabled Technology. Both of them come with a Bushnell rangefinder. Once you pair your launch monitor with the app and then your rangefinder with the app, you can get personalized club recommendations based on your actual launch monitor practice sessions. That’s a total game-changing feature.

Using the SkyTrak+ is an absolute delight. It transforms practice sessions into an engaging experience, largely thanks to its wide array of cool features. It offers a variety of excellent options such as challenge modes, skills assessments, a shot optimizer, practice randomizer, bag mapping, and a wedge matrix. The app combines these features in a very sleek, professional manner, enhancing the overall enjoyment of using it.

What stands out for me with the Mevo+ is its integrated camera and the automatic swing video capability. This feature allows you to review video footage of every shot, with the option to annotate the footage with lines, angles, and circles to better analyze your swing. It even supports recording and exchanging lessons. And you can connect up to three additional cameras for capturing multiple video angles.

There’s also a series of challenges available in the FlightScope app so that you can play driving range games, try a long-drive competition, or see how your skills stack up against PGA and LPGA pros.

Another awesome feature of the Mevo+ is the Shot Tracer. Not only do you get a 3D trajectory of each shot, but your data is overlaid on top of the tracer line. It’s a really slick addition to an already great product.

Golf Simulator Use

SkyTrak+ = 5

FlightScope Mevo+ = 4

GC3/GC3S/LPi = 4

Garmin Approach R50 = 5

Annual Subscriptions Cost

SkyTrak+ = 3

FlightScope Mevo+ = 4

GC3/GC3S/LPi = 3

Garmin Approach R50 = 4

For most of today’s golf launch monitors, subscriptions have become a standard part of unlocking everything these incredible devices can do. You should anticipate spending a little more than just the upfront cost of the hardware.

As discussed, one of the best things about the Garmin Approach R50 is that you can play Home Tee Hero simulator golf right on the R50 itself. It’s so, so cool! But it does require a $9.99 per month or $99 per year subscription. To me, that’s a good price for such an awesome feature.

Of course, if you want to use your R50 to play simulator golf using a third-party provider, there will be additional costs.

With the Mevo+, you can play free simulator golf right out of the box thanks to the included 12-pack of E6 courses.

However, to get all of the data that the Mevo+ can deliver, you do have to pay extra for the Pro Package. And the Face Impact location information costs even more still. To get both the Pro Package and Face Impact package together costs an additional $975.

What’s great about the Mevo+ is that there are no ongoing subscription fees. So once you decide what you want, you only have to pay for it one time.

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.

As I mentioned earlier, playing simulator golf with the Foresight GC3S or Bushnell LPi requires a $499 annual subscription. And the real bummer is that you can’t even use third-party simulator software without paying that annual cost.

However, Foresight/Bushnell did recently make things a little better by throwing in a free year of GSPro. That’s a nice offer. But, of course, after that year, it’s back to the subscription in the case of the GC3S or LPi.

Again, you do have the option to skip subscriptions all together if you buy a Foresight Sports GC3, but of course, you’re going to pay a lot more upfront. So you need to be sure you plan to own it for several years.

Adding Up the Scores: Which Is the Best Golf Launch Monitor?

Here’s how the totals stack up from my 0-through-5 scores in 10 different categories:

SkyTrak+ = 40

FlightScope Mevo+ = 43

Foresight GC3/GC3S/Bushnell LPi = 44

Garmin Approach R50 = 46

I’m not blowing smoke when I say that there are no wrong choices here.

And before you get scared off by the lower score for the SkyTrak+, remember that it’s really a product that’s best used indoors in a golf simulator studio. It suffered some deductions for reasons like outdoor use and portability. But if you don’t plan on moving it out of your sim studio, those categories really shouldn’t matter to you.

Here’s my honest assessment:

The most accurate golf launch monitor is the Foresight GC3/GC3S/Bushnell LPi.

The most fun golf launch monitor to use as a simulator is the SkyTrak+.

The launch monitor with the most data is the FlightScope Mevo+.

And the overall winner, when you take everything into account, is the Garmin Approach R50.

I hope that helps you gain some clarity in your search. But, whatever you do, don’t stress. You literally can’t go wrong by choosing any of these products.

And if you buy from PlayBetter.com, you can get any of these with free 2-day shipping and no-hassle 30-day returns. That makes it even easier to make a choice and get on with enjoying a world-class golf launch monitor.

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.