Trackman Vs. Garmin Approach R10 Comparison Overview

For a lot of people, their choice in golf launch monitors comes down to price point. However, there are many other considerations that should be taken into account.

We wanted to see if a professional-grade (and much more expensive) golf launch monitor was really better than a cheaper model.

So we tested 2 launch monitors that are pretty much night and day when it comes to price: the Garmin Approach R10 and the Trackman.

Trackman Overview

The Trackman is the kind of system that fitters use to set their customers up with the right golf clubs.

The Trackman is an indoor golf launch monitor that uses two radar sensors and a camera for it’s readings.

Most launch monitors use one or the other so right off the bat, the Trackman is pretty unique.

The reason it is used in professional settings is because it tracks a ton of in-depth data including descent, smash factor, roll, side spin, side angle, launch angle, back spin, flight path, carry, dynamic loft, club path, impact location and of course, total distance.

Keep in mind though that the Trackman needs to be professionally installed. In terms of accuracy and simulation though, it doesn’t get much better than this.

Beautiful course simulations of pretty much all courses of note and accuracy to within a yard on most readings are what we got from the Trackman.

Garmin Approach R10 Overview

The Garmin Approach R10 is about $17,000 cheaper than the Trackman system and it can be used outdoors.

It should be noted that the Garmin Approach R10 relies on radar alone. So while it is impressively accurate (within about 3 yards) to use outdoors, it gets pretty inaccurate when you use it indoors.

It also didn’t pick up some our swings with wedges and our 9 irons.

That all being said, we were really impressed with this little launch monitor. It pairs with the E6 Connect app so you also get good-quality course simulations and some fun skill challenges.

The battery lasted for a 2 hours range session and then some so no worries there.

Yes, the Trackman was incredibly accurate, reliable and the shot metrics it provides covers every spec you will ever need. At it’s price though, we were surprised with how well the Garmin Approach R10 kept up with it. The R10 is certainly the better value and accurate enough for the average golfer.

Trackman 4 in 20 Words or Less

In 20 Words or Less

The Trackman 4 is simply the most advanced golf simulator/launch monitor currently on the market.

Garmin Approach R10 In 20 Words or Less

In 20 Words Or Less

The Approach R10 is easy to set up and it gives you a lot of fun/helpful options.

Trackman 4 First Impressions

The Trackman 4 actually felt pretty intimidating as it required a professional setup.

After playing around with the Trackman 4, we were struck with just how accurate this thing is.

Key Features

The dual sensor system allows for one radar sensor to be dedicated to your club head and the other to the ball.

This tandem made for very accurate short and long-game readings. Tested against other launch monitors, we found the Trackman 4 to be accurate within 2 yards for wood and iron shots. With our putters, it did suffer a bit but was still more accurate than most other monitors.

Of course, the Trackman 4 will capture shot data like distance, smash factor, angle of attack and much more. You can even use it to enter into online tournaments on the richly-simulated golf courses from around the world.

The Trackman 4 is about the best indoor golf simulator/launch monitor you can get.

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.

Trackman 4 Selling Points

  • Dual-radar system
  • Professional-grade
  • 120+ course simulations
  • Custom builds

Garmin Approach R10 Selling Points

  • Archives club stats
  • Driving range simulator
  • Smartphone compatible
  • 10-hour battery life
  • Waterproof
  • Rechargeable battery

Who is the Trackman 4 for?

The Trackman 4 will work best for professional-grade virtual golf studios, course pros and fitters.

Again, this system is probably best for people who have made golf their career in one way or another.

Pros:

  • The course simulations look fantastic and includes courses like Donalda Club, Falmouth CC, Real Club Valderrama, Hidden Canyon and much more
  • Smartphone compatible
  • New courses added every month
  • Very accurate readings

Cons:

  • Very Expensive
  • Requires a lot of space

Overall Score: 95/100

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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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