Bushnell Launch Pro Vs. Garmin Approach R10 Comparison Overview
When you are shopping for launch monitors, you want to make sure you are really getting what you need because these things don’t tend to be cheap. However, every once in a while you come across an affordable launch monitor that promises all the fun and accuracy of more expensive models.
Such is the case with the Garmin Approach R10. This little monitor costs around $600 and provides a wealth of shot data. But how does it compare to the more expensive Bushnell Launch Pro? Does more money really mean better value? Find out in the following comparison.
Bushnell Launch Pro Overview
Right away, you should know that the Bushnell Launch Pro is significantly more expensive than the R10 at $3000.
When we tested the Bushnell Launch Pro, we were impressed with how accurate it was both indoors and outdoors. Both indoors and outdoors, ball speed was accurate to within 1 mile per hour. Club head speed was accurate to within 2MPH.
The battery life fell short in our opinion though. After a full charge, the Bushnell Launch Pro lasted only about three hours at the range. Every simulator package requires a subscription fee too; but you do get a free year of the basic package.
The Bushnell Launch Pro can also connect to your phone or PC via wi-fi which is nice because you won’t have to fumble with cords all the time.
Garmin Overview
The Garmin Approach R10 uses radar sensors and is much more compact than the Bushnell Launch Pro.
You can literally fit the R10 in your pocket or golf bag (not including the tripod of course). However, since it uses radar sensors, it does lose some accuracy indoors. Outdoors though, the R10 performs very well. Launch angle and launch direction are accurate to within 1 degree!
You can also connect the R10 to E6 Connect which offers a wealth of simulated golf courses and fun skills challenges. The R10 also gives you more shot data including but not limited to spin rate, apex height, smash factor, carry distance, deviation distance and total distance.
The only flaw that the Garmin Approach R10 is guilty of is poorer accuracy indoors; but that’s a near-fatal flaw. It’s cheaper than the Bushnell Launch Pro, provides more data, has better battery life and is easier to transport. But if indoor accuracy is your chief concern, go with the Bushnell Launch Pro.
Garmin Approach R10
In 20 Words Or Less
The Approach R10 is easy to set up and it gives you a lot of fun/helpful options.
Bushnell Launch Pro
In 20 Words or Less
The Bushnell Launch Pro provides a wealth of shot and ball metrics that can truly help improve your game.
Garmin Approach R10 First Impressions
We were first taken by how sleek and compact the Garmin Approach R10 looks.
It was even better when we realized that we could set up the Garmin Approach R10 in less than 5 minutes. It isn’t as clumsy or difficult as other launch monitors we have tested which is a huge bonus.
Key Features
One of the coolest features was the video recording of your swing that overlays your shot data right onto the footage.
This allows you to see your swing and mechanic data over and over again so you can analyze your shot and even tweak your swing. The R10 also gives you data on club head speed, club path angle, apex height, spin rate, deviation distance, carry distance, smash factor, total distance, angle of attack, launch angle and much more.
You also get virtual course simulation and game modes to hone your skills.
The Garmin Approach R10 is fun, reliable and gives you the shot data you need to improve your game.
Bushnell Launch Pro First Impressions
We were first taken with how easy it is to set up right out of the box.
While it’s good to go right away, we gave it a full charge before taking it out onto the range. Fully charging the Bushnell Launch Pro took about an hour and a half and it lasted for about 3 hours.
We also really liked that the heads-up display is touch enabled so you can easily scroll through different modes and see different metrics. It is only a foot tall though, so taller players may have to stoop down uncomfortably low to operate the screen.
Key Features
The Bushnell Launch Pro comes with a free month of the Gold Package and there are a number of different annual software subscriptions to choose from.
Just keep in mind that all of these software packages are paid. With the most expensive package (a one-time fee of $4,000) you get 10 simulated courses (Butterfield, Tall Pines, Beaver Hills, Willow Crest, Teton Pines and more), online play capability, access to online competitions and tournaments, simulated driving range, access for 8 users and data archiving.
The device itself uses 3 high-speed cameras and an infrared sensor to capture your shot at point of launch and estimate a variety of ball and shot metrics. It also has a 3 inch by 2 inch touchscreen LCD display.
Some of the metrics that you get with the Bushnell Launch Pro include carry distance, ball speed, total spin, vertical launch angle, horizontal launch angle, club head speed and smash factor.
And while the Bushnell Launch Pro does a good job of accurately tracking these metrics, the depth of data on other devices we have tested was greater. Quite frankly, we were expecting many more tracking metrics for a device this expensive.
The fact that it uses cameras and infrared instead of radar means that it is very accurate both indoors and outdoors. It can be set up with a prepackaged or custom net system, simulation system (with impact projector) or simply used with your PC or TV.
The Bushnell Launch Pro comes with 28 club markers that you have to put on the face of your clubs in order for it to track accurate club data. You can also connect to the internet via an ethernet cable or Wi-Fi.
Some of the features like club tags and the non-colored LCD screen seem a bit archaic but if you’re looking for accuracy, the Bushnell Launch Pro is one of the most accurate upper mid-level launch monitors on the market.
Garmin Approach R10 Selling Points
- Archives club stats
- Driving range simulator
- Smartphone compatible
- 10-hour battery life
- Waterproof
- Rechargeable battery
Bushnell Launch Pro Selling Points
- It’s easy to set up
- Includes one free year of the basic software package
- In-depth shot and club data
- Wireless internet enabled
- Up to 10 simulated courses
Who is the Garmin Approach R10 for?
The R10 would be a great choice for anyone looking for a solid launch monitor at an affordable price.
While certainly not the most robust launch monitor in terms of advanced metrics, it certainly holds its own against more expensive models.
Pros:
- The Garmin Approach R10 is very easy to set up
- The carry distance is accurate to within 5 yards
- Automatic video recording feature is very helpful for analyzing your swing
- Ball speed accuracy was also very acute
Cons:
- The launch direction accuracy was consistently of by at least 4 degrees
- You need to pay for a subscription to use the Home Tee Hero mode
Overall Score: 96/100
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Who is the Bushnell Launch Pro for?
The great thing about the Bushnell Launch Pro is that it occupies that middle ground of upper mid-level launch monitors that would be helpful for casual golfers and course pros alike.
Having said that, you should not spend the money for this launch monitor unless you are very serious about improving your game. Like we mentioned near the top of the article, the Bushnell Launch Pro is nice as a golf simulator; but it’s true value is as a launch monitor.
The simulations are fun and you can even enter in online tournaments; but after testing the Bushnell Launch Pro, the simulation features almost seem like an afterthought
It’s obvious that the bulk of the Research & Development for this device went into its launch monitor capabilities.
We found that the Bushnell Launch Pro was accurate to within 2 yards on drive distance, fairway wood distance readings and accurate to within 3 yards with our irons and wedges. And these numbers apply to both indoor and outdoor settings.
Where it struggled a bit was ball speed. When tested against another launch monitor, there was a 5MPH variance which we couldn’t quite figure out. All other readings were very accurate.
Pros:
- It maintains its accuracy both indoors and outdoors
- It comes with its own alignment stick and is very easy to set up
- You set it up right on front of you so it’s very easy to see your swing/ball data right on the screen in front of you
- It provides easy to understand graphs that give you great insight into your swing
- It can connect wirelessly to your internet
- The Foresight Sports simulation packages are some of the best in the industry
Cons:
- Almost all of the software packages are very expensive
- Even with the most expensive software packages, you only get 10 simulated courses
- The battery life isn’t great
- You have to pay extra to get advanced shot/ball metrics like side spin, back spin, spin tilt axis, club path and angle of attack
Overall Score: 92/100
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