Bushnell Launch Pro vs SkyTrak+: Which Golf Launch Monitor Should You Buy?

If you’re serious about a dream golf simulator setup, there’s a very good chance that you’re deciding between the Bushnell Launch Pro and the SkyTrak Plus.

It’s true that technology has advanced to the point where we have great golf launch monitor options for under $1,000. But those more affordable choices still include some limitations that disqualify them from the debate for best overall.

The under-$3,000 price point is really where the conversation begins about the ideal golf launch monitor for a real-deal simulator setup. You certainly can spend a lot more than this and find even better features, but it’s when you go past the price of the Bushnell Launch Pro and SkyTrak+ that you start to experience some diminishing returns in terms of data, accuracy, and simulator software compatibility. In a lot of ways, these two products represent the sweet spot of the best golf launch monitors in 2024.

The FlightScope Mevo Plus and new Mevo Plus Limited Edition also belong in this debate. We’ve done some comparisons that include those products, and there will be more to come. But for now, let’s walk through why the SkyTrak Plus and Bushnell Launch Pro are rightfully on the short list of so many shoppers. And while we’re at it, let’s try to identify where each of them fall a bit short of being perfect.

I’ve reviewed the SkyTrak+ and Bushnell Launch Pro individually, and I’ve spent a lot of time using both units indoors, outdoors at the driving range, and out on the golf course. For this comparison, I’ve selected 10 categories that address most of the common questions when shopping for a golf launch monitor. I’ve scored each device on a scale of 0 through 5 for each category. My goal here is to share my experiences and opinions in a way that helps you envision which of these two products better fits your individual situation.

If you’ve narrowed down your search for the best golf launch monitor to these two products, I can say before we even begin our shootout that you’re on the right track. Now, let’s help you pick a winner.

Golf Launch Monitor and Simulator Price

Bushnell Launch Pro = 4; SkyTrak Plus = 3

The reason the Launch Pro gets the nod here isn’t because the SkyTrak+ is unfairly priced. That’s not the case at all. But the Launch Pro is the only product on the market that allows you to access tour-level ball data accuracy for just $2,000. There are other golf launch monitors that are as accurate, but they cost way more. And there are plenty of choices that cost less, but they can’t compete with the Launch Pro in terms of consistently producing pinpoint accurate numbers.

You can get in the door with a Launch Pro for $1,999.99. That gets you ball data that we’ll discuss below. To add club data, you’ll have to pay $3,499.99. And to play simulator golf, there is a subscription fee, which we’ll talk about later. But the fact that you can access ball data that’s accurate enough to be relied on by playing and teaching professionals for $1,999.99 wins this category for the Bushnell Launch Pro.

The SkyTrak+ is a phenomenal golf launch monitor and simulator. It’s loaded with features and includes a really user-friendly, fun, interactive software experience. And it has no shortage of data metrics. At $2,995, I think it is a fantastic value.

But what I don’t like about the SkyTrak+ is that there’s not an option to only pay for the data you want. With the Launch Pro, if you just want ball data, you can save some money. But the SkyTrak+ doesn’t give you that choice. You’re going to pay for the full range of data metrics whether you plan to use all of that information or not.

First Impressions Upon Unboxing

Bushnell Launch Pro = 5; SkyTrak Plus = 5

Each of these products gives you the immediate impression that you’re playing in the big leagues.

I would describe the look and feel of the SkyTrak+ device and packaging as bright and inviting. Somehow it conveys the sense that you’re about to have a whole hell of a lot of simulator golf fun.

The Bushnell Launch Pro gives off a more serious vibe. It gave me the impression that I was dealing with a professional-grade piece of golf technology. When it comes to sturdiness, the Launch Pro is in a complete class of its own. You get a feeling of unparalleled quality the first time you pick up this product.

While I wouldn’t choose a launch monitor based on just looks and feel, if you’re going to spend this kind of money, you should be filled with confidence the first time you see and hold this kind of product. And both the SkyTrak+ and Bushnell Launch Pro sufficiently gave me the warm and fuzzies.

Setup Process

Bushnell Launch Pro = 5; SkyTrak Plus = 3

For the same reason that I loved the setup process with the Swing Caddie SC4 in the under-$1,000 golf launch monitor category, I love the Bushnell Launch Pro. It’s the built-in display that allows you to get data without even having to interface with any software that I think is brilliant. If you just want to get your numbers quickly, it couldn’t be easier than with the Launch Pro. You have the option to literally turn on the device, set it down, and start getting data.

Now, you of course can connect the Launch Pro with the Foresight Sports software, which you’ll likely want to do most of the time that you’re using the device. And I found that setup process to also be simple. But the reason for the highest mark in this category for me is the beautiful ease of use that the built-in screen affords.

I know the setup process with the SkyTrak Plus has been seamless for a lot of users, but I hit a couple initial snags when it came to pairing the device with my computer. I ended up having to call SkyTrak’s customer service, and they were extremely responsive and helpful. Once I got everything working properly, I didn’t have any subsequent issues. But that little bit of a herky-jerky start was enough for me to dock the score for the SkyTrak+ setup process.

Portability

Bushnell Launch Pro = 4; SkyTrak Plus = 3

Neither of these golf launch monitors is quite as portable as products like the more diminutive FlightScope Mevo+ or Rapsodo MLM2PRO, both of which include very functional carrying cases. But between the Launch Pro and SkyTrak+, I prefer the Launch Pro for transport. It’s actually the larger and heavier of the two, but the built-in handle and natural shape of the unit lend themselves to a very simple one-handed carry.

Unfortunately, the SkyTrak+ doesn’t include a handle. That makes its rectangular shape just a bit awkward for quick transport. I would love it if they would have included a simple carrying pouch. Then again, I really see most golfers using their SkyTrak+ primarily indoors. So if you’re planning to set this up in your sim studio and never move it again, who cares about portability?

Golf Launch Monitor Data

Bushnell Launch Pro = 4; SkyTrak Plus = 5

For less than $3,000, the SkyTrak+ offers an impressive and very useful array of data metrics, including:

• Ball speed
• Clubhead speed
• Carry distance
• Total distance
• Distance offline
• Smash factor
• Backspin
• Side spin
• Club path
• Face angle
• Face to path
• Face to target
• Launch angle
• Angle of descent
• 3D flight path

That’s about everything most home golf simulator users would want or need. While I do wish there were a bit of an a la carte option to pay for different tiers of data, I’m thrilled with this set of metrics. And for the price, I think it represents tremendous value.

The Bushnell Launch Pro comes in two flavors: The Ball Data model and the Ball and Club Data Model.

With the Ball Data model, for $1,999.99, you get:

• Carry Distance
• Ball Speed
• Total Spin
• Horizontal Launch Angle
• Vertical Launch Angle
• Back Spin
• Side Spin
• Spin Tilt Axis
• Barometer

The Ball and Club Data model, which costs $3,499.99, adds:

• Clubhead Speed
• Club Path
• Angle of Attack
• Smash Factor

As far as accuracy goes, the Bushnell Launch Pro is as good as or better than any product out there, including ones that cost twice as much. So to be able to get pinpoint accurate ball data for $2K is sick. But for $3,499.99, I wish they had just a few more metrics, like what you get with the FlightScope Mevo+.

Outdoor Golf Launch Monitor Use

Bushnell launch Pro = 5; SkyTrak Plus = 3

This is an area where the Bushnell Launch Pro pulls well ahead of the SkyTrak+. As outstanding of a golf launch monitor and simulator as the SkyTrak+ is (and it most certainly is), it leaves something to be desired outdoors.

The positive is that the SkyTrak+’s advanced photometric and dual-Doppler radar technologies are fully equipped to accurately capture golf shots in outdoor settings, even under the glare of bright sunlight. My testing confirmed that metrics such as distance, ball speed, and flight path were equally precise in outdoor environments as they were indoors.

The problem is that all of the above accuracy was only apparent when I was hitting off of mats. My attempts to log shots from natural grass led to a variety of unreliable outcomes, including numerous missed shots and some dubious data readings.

Therefore, despite the impressive accuracy of the SkyTrak+ outdoors when hitting off of mats, its limitation with natural grass significantly narrows its appeal as an optimal outdoor golf launch monitor.

The Bushnell Launch Pro, on the other hand, works like a dream outdoors, including off of natural grass and mats. I had absolutely no issues getting the launch monitor to read shots no matter the lie.

When you combine that with the simplicity of getting quick data from the built-in screen, the Launch Pro is the perfect golf launch monitor to bring out to the range or for a pre-round warmup session.

Indoor Use

Bushnell Launch Pro = 5; SkyTrak Plus = 5

I said at the beginning that these two products represent the sweet spot where golfers who are serious about a proper indoor sim studio setup are likely to land. You can spend less than this, but you’re going to be missing something. And you can spend more than this, but you don’t have to.

That’s because both the Bushnell Launch Pro and SkyTrak+ give you phenomenal performance in any component that’s important for realistic indoor golf. You get pretty much all the data you could want, you get incredible accuracy, and you get great simulator golf courses, ranges, challenges, and more.

To me, the SkyTrak+ shines brightest indoors. With it being mostly limited to hitting mat use and with its software being so good for the sim golf experience, this is where I see most people using this product most enjoyably.

And while the Bushnell Launch Pro is amazing outdoors, it’s likewise outstanding indoors. I like the software with the SkyTrak+ slightly better, but the incredible accuracy of the Bushnell Launch Pro more than balances that out.

But there is something to consider when it comes to indoor golf with either of these launch monitors. And that is that because they both set up next to the golfer rather than behind them, neither of these products is an ideal choice if you’re planning to play regularly with both righties and lefties. If you want to avoid having to move the launch monitor back and forth depending on which-handed golfer is hitting, you should look at radar units that sit behind the golf ball. On the other hand, photometric products like the Bushnell Launch Pro and SkyTrak+ require a lot less room depth than their radar counterparts.

Golf Launch Monitor and Simulator Features

Bushnell Launch Pro = 5; SkyTrak Plus = 5

I think by now you get the idea that I love the built-in display on the Bushnell Launch Pro. I just think it makes it such a versatile golf launch monitor that’s an incredible choice for both indoor and outdoor use. That may be just one “feature,” but to me it’s such a big one that it warrants the highest score in this category.

With the SkyTrak+, I think it’s the overall app and software experience that I’d rate as its most impressive feature. There are so many fun game-improvement options built into the overall SkyTrak+ experience. You’ve got challenge modes, skills assessment, shot optimizer, practice randomizer, bag mapping, and a wedge matrix. And the app packages all of that in a really clean, intuitive way. It makes using this product an absolute blast.

Golf Simulator Use

Bushnell Launch Pro = 4; SkyTrak Plus = 5

To use either of these golf launch monitors as a simulator, you’ll need to pay a subscription fee, which we’ll cover below. That’s the bit of bad news.

The good news is that once you clear that hurdle, you’re in for a lot of fun.

Bushnell’s sister-company Foresight Sports has proprietary sim software that comes with the purchase of a Bushnell Launch Pro. That includes:

• FSX Pro (Foresight’s mobile app)
• FSX Play (Foresight’s newest simulator software)
• 25 simulated golf courses (additional courses available for purchase)
• Awesome Golf (a more animated, arcade-like version of simulator golf)

It used to be that you could use a Launch Pro to play on third-party simulator software without having to pay a subscription. But that’s no longer the case. More on that below.

With the SkyTrak+, you likewise have to pay a subscription to use the golf launch monitor as a simulator. But once you do, the product is compatible with:

• The Golf Club 2019
• Creative Golf 3D
• ProTee Play

Because the subscription to play sim golf is less expensive with the SkyTrak+ and because that launch monitor is compatible with such a wide range of third-party software options, it wins this category.

Subscriptions Cost

Bushnell Launch Pro = 2; SkyTrak+ = 3

While subscriptions are certainly a drag, one thing about them is that many of these brands are rolling out continuous improvements to their launch monitor products so that subscribers are realizing a return on their ongoing payments. SkyTrak announced at the 2024 PGA Show that they were beta testing a number of significant software improvements to make the SkyTrak+ experience even more fun and useful.

With either of these golf launch monitors, to play sim golf you’ll need to pay an annual subscription.

For the Bushnell Launch Pro, after a free 14-day trial, it will cost $499 per year for their Gold software package. That will allow you to play simulator golf within the Foresight Sports domain, which does include their awesome FSX Play software and 25 simulated golf courses with additional tracks available for purchase.

But a lot of sim golfers prefer to play with GSPro, which has its own $250 per year subscription. With the Launch Pro, if you want GSPro, you have to pay the $499 per year for the Gold package plus the $250 per year for the GSPro software. That starts to get pretty steep.

With the SkyTrak+, you’ve got three software options:

• Basic – FREE
  Good news! You don’t have to pay for a subscription to enjoy your SkyTrak+ (but you’re probably going to want to). Their Basic package gives you their simple driving range. You do get your shot data history as well. So, if all you want to do is use your SkyTrak+ to hit the regular driving range, fire away for free!
• SkyTrak Essential – $129.95/year
  This is where the good stuff starts. It costs $129.95 a year, but the Essential package, which replaces the old SkyTrak+ Game Improvement package, gives you the new driving range experiences, Skills Challenge, and Bag Mapping. You get a free 30-day trial of the Essential plan when you buy a SkyTrak+.
• SkyTrak Course Play – $349.95/year
  Remember all those sweet new simulator golf courses we were talking about, including Pebble Beach and a bunch of other biggies? Well, they are going to cost you $349.95 a year. However, that price does include the SkyTrak Essential plan, meaning you’ll get all of the other enhancements, including the new driving ranges and other game-improvement features.

The Final Tally: Which of These Golf Launch Monitors Is Best?

After we add ‘em up, we get a total score of:

Bushnell Launch Pro = 43

SkyTrak+ = 40

It’s really even closer than that.

First, these are two great options.

And second, here’s how I see it: If you’re looking for the most accurate, the most serious, the best golf launch monitor for game improvement, you’re looking for the Bushnell Launch Pro.

But if you’re looking for the most fun you can have with simulator golf and for multiple game options in a really well-put-together, modern app experience, you want the SkyTrak+.

Whichever of those two paths most resonates with your individual interests, I’d choose the corresponding golf launch monitor. After that, buy with complete confidence.

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.