Garmin Approach R10 Portable Golf Launch Monitor

[Simpsonia]

There was one real data point actually posted in the video @6:03 comparing the same SkyTrak numbers against the R10. He only talked about the carry distance in the video itself being the differentiating factor that he could see, and stated that shot shape was similar. But if you look at the offline numbers, it looks like the R10 generally gets the same shot shape, but the magnitude of the shape is about half that of SkyTrak. 

 

Shot:     SkyTrak                                 R10

1               0 (calc from avg)                0L

2              0  (calc from avg)               3L

3              31R                                     14R

4              49R                                    22R

5              37R                                    18R

[Mych]

1 hour ago, J13 said:

 

Nice for him to say it is but theres zero evidence shown in the super long video filled with no real info.  Hopefully someone serious does a video with a live comparison.

 

I was hearing him say "it's spot on" and "within a yard or two" while the skytrak vs R10 comparison was showing as much as 10 yards difference on 150yd shots. Then he said it shined in short shots (<100yds), and in the background he showed a R10 calculating 93yd total, with the comparison monitor showing 101yd total.  That's an almost 10% margin of error.   At the very least, it seems to calculate roll very differently than the others. That may mean it's reading/calculating spin incorrectly. In a lot of cases the carry distances were pretty close, but the R10 routinely has <5yds of roll in the video, while others show >10yds. 

 

If I had put the video on mute and just watched the comparisons, I would've come up with very different conclusions than he reached... but with that said, those are likely all software-fixable, so it could still be the gamechanger that everyone is hoping for.

Edited July 15, 2021 by Mych

[North Butte]

I still have high hopes for this product but this guy’s videos are pretty stereotypical pre-release hype jobs. Basically it’s really great and the parts that aren’t really great now will be really great soon and this changes everything. 
 

Didn’t really need but one video to make his point but he’s posting variations on the theme every couple days it seems. 

[Red4282]

1 hour ago, J13 said:

 

Nice for him to say it is but theres zero evidence shown in the super long video filled with no real info.  Hopefully someone serious does a video with a live comparison.

Yea thats super annoying, show us the pure data and let us make up out own minds, not be a car salesman… oh well if it does ball speed, launch and the club data is reasonably close (thats the ultimate kicker) it will be successful. All the rest-carry, roll out, spin is just algorithms that can be adjusted over time.  

[r.yan163]

51 minutes ago, North Butte said:

I still have high hopes for this product but this guy’s videos are pretty stereotypical pre-release hype jobs. Basically it’s really great and the parts that aren’t really great now will be really great soon and this changes everything. 
 

Didn’t really need but one video to make his point but he’s posting variations on the theme every couple days it seems. 

Agreed. 

 

I took away one of his main points as: "the shot shape is always accurate, especially when used outdoors" (paraphrasing slightly...) There's a free way of doing that...by watching the ball...

[RCGA]

2 hours ago, r.yan163 said:

 

vs Mevo + , Skytrack, and GC2

 

At the 3:50-ish mark, the examples he shows vs the Skytrak are all 10+ yards off in total distance. 

 

Looks like he was using a 7 iron hybrid? Getting 144y carry, 164y total @ 2750 RPM (Skytrak) and 153y total, 148 carry (Garmin)

[aaronpoling]

Rick Shiels talked Pod Cast yesterday (25:37 mark)

 

He said they did some Beta testing a few months ago, and said somethings needed to be addressed and that they were.

He said he will be releasing a video soon with content and reviews, but since this week is the Open Championship and he is there, my guess it won't be for a week or two. But they talked a little more about it and said they were impressed by it.

 

 

Edited July 15, 2021 by aaronpoling

[Hstead]

I have a buddy that owns a TM, FlightScope, and Mevo +.  He sponsors over a dozen mini tour, champions, and Korn Ferry players.  He has had his best Korn Ferry player hit irons side by side with all three devices and the mevo+ is almost identical outdoors with the TM and his FS.  Inside 100 yards, not so much, but full 7 irons are very close.

[whumber]

3 hours ago, Simpsonia said:

There was one real data point actually posted in the video @6:03 comparing the same SkyTrak numbers against the R10. He only talked about the carry distance in the video itself being the differentiating factor that he could see, and stated that shot shape was similar. But if you look at the offline numbers, it looks like the R10 generally gets the same shot shape, but the magnitude of the shape is about half that of SkyTrak. 

 

Shot:     SkyTrak                                 R10

1               0 (calc from avg)                0L

2              0  (calc from avg)               3L

3              31R                                     14R

4              49R                                    22R

5              37R                                    18R

That's actually somewhat encouraging. The Skytrak flight model doesn't account for spin decay so L/R curvature tends to be exaggerated.

[Red4282]

2 hours ago, RCGA said:

 

At the 3:50-ish mark, the examples he shows vs the Skytrak are all 10+ yards off in total distance. 

 

Looks like he was using a 7 iron hybrid? Getting 144y carry, 164y total @ 2750 RPM (Skytrak) and 153y total, 148 carry (Garmin)

Yea but carry was within 4 yards. One rolled out 20 yards and one rolled out 4. Roll out is dependent on turf conditions. I dont pay attention to total distance, just carry because total distance and roll out are condition dependant.

[Murdock]

FWIW, Crutchfield is allowing pre-orders and they don't charge you until product comes in and you're guaranteed to get it. First come, first serve they said.  

 

Why Crutchfield is selling them, I have no idea....as they are an audio equipment retailer.   I've been buying stuff from them for probably 25 years, so definitely legit.  

 

[Murdock]

Also, does anyone know what they are referring to as the 'premium' Garmin Golf app?  I've used the app ever since the Z82 came out, and I don't recall there being a paid version of the app, or any add-ons.

 

Is the premium version/add-on just for the simulator?  

[gticlay]

17 hours ago, J13 said:

 

I've testing almost all of them outdoors and indoors.  They almost all had my 7 iron going around 200yds meanwhile it's my 175 club.  It seems like shake a magic 8 ball on spin and just spit out a random number.  Even if they were 10yds off, that still doesn't help me get better.  I need to trust the numbers then apply to the course.  Again I think they are fun devices but I'm holding out for another 4-5 years when they will be pretty much spot on at the $500-1000 price point.  It's coming 

Seems like the Mevo, with metal dots gave good spin numbers.

[jacincm]

Preordered off PlayBetter. They sent out an email saying they ordered a lot from Garmin with the expectation they’ll be one of the first to get them.

 

Figured id get more order in now and have a few weeks to watch reviews and cancel if I want.

 

sold my rapsodo, it was good when it worked. But the ground at my range isn’t the flattest. And having to use your phone camera to help capture a lot of the data wasn’t ideal. I like the standalone design with the tripod. 

[J13]

22 hours ago, Red4282 said:

Yea thats super annoying, show us the pure data and let us make up out own minds, not be a car salesman… oh well if it does ball speed, launch and the club data is reasonably close (thats the ultimate kicker) it will be successful. All the rest-carry, roll out, spin is just algorithms that can be adjusted over time.  

 

 

Exactly. Why make a 13 min video to explain something then show no data. The whole purpose of the video was to discuss data after all.  It makes me even more suspicious of the device.  I would LOVE to see this be accurate against the big units.  With multiple companies releasing these home based units there will now be even more competition to outdo each other which will only benefit us consumers.

[Carolina Golfer 2]

10 hours ago, jacincm said:

Preordered off PlayBetter. They sent out an email saying they ordered a lot from Garmin with the expectation they’ll be one of the first to get them.

 

Figured id get more order in now and have a few weeks to watch reviews and cancel if I want.

 

sold my rapsodo, it was good when it worked. But the ground at my range isn’t the flattest. And having to use your phone camera to help capture a lot of the data wasn’t ideal. I like the standalone design with the tripod. 

Same on both accounts here. Ordered it from Playbetter last week. 
Also moving on from Rapsodo.  No real complaints worth it.  But as you mentioned. I like the standalone feature of the R10 

[TallGuy90]

Buy or no bye? 

[North Butte]

33 minutes ago, TallGuy90 said:

Buy or no bye? 

Wait and see how the early adopters fare and hopefully until a few people do meaningful reviews of the accuracy. Then quite possibly buy. 

[jacincm]

It was on display at my local Golf Galaxy today but no units available.

 

It was available for purchase on the website earlier this week but they took it down. Wonder if those orders got filled or cancelled

[nbar]

There’s a lot of talk about spin being calculated as a 10 handicap golfer I can’t understand why this is a major factor. If I know the direction and distance of my shot are pretty accurate that’s really all that matters to me at least in my game. It might matter to low to scratch golfers but I can’t imagine it mattering to the average golfers.

[nbar]

Another feature I personally like is although the graphics aren't great being able to play all 42,000 courses Garmin has on their GPS units. All my local courses will be available to play on the sim. I think that's great for practicing my game.

[TheDominator273]

On 7/15/2021 at 8:20 PM, Red4282 said:

Yea but carry was within 4 yards. One rolled out 20 yards and one rolled out 4. Roll out is dependent on turf conditions. I dont pay attention to total distance, just carry because total distance and roll out are condition dependant.

Not to mention Skytrak (at least the one we have at the club I work) defaults to firm ground conditions which could explain it showing more roll as well.

[r.yan163]

8 hours ago, jacincm said:

It was on display at my local Golf Galaxy today but no units available.

Assuming it's one of nonfunctional plastic dummy display models? 

[J13]

From my knowledge within the first day the Mini went on sale it was on backorder.  I don't know details but my guess is it's a combination of demand and production due to covid.

[North Butte]

1 hour ago, nbar said:

There’s a lot of talk about spin being calculated as a 10 handicap golfer I can’t understand why this is a major factor. If I know the direction and distance of my shot are pretty accurate that’s really all that matters to me at least in my game. It might matter to low to scratch golfers but I can’t imagine it mattering to the average golfers.

The question is whether it CAN get the distance and direction right without measuring spin. Spin is a big factor in both distance and amount of curve. 
 

We know it only follows the flight for the first few yards. And we know it can not measure spin. Estimating both distance and curve over the final 90% or more of the ball’s flight without knowing spin might be possible or it might not. But it would take some awesomely good algorithms and formulas. 
 

We will know just how well they managed to do it in a few months!

[jacincm]

2 hours ago, nbar said:

There’s a lot of talk about spin being calculated as a 10 handicap golfer I can’t understand why this is a major factor. If I know the direction and distance of my shot are pretty accurate that’s really all that matters to me at least in my game. It might matter to low to scratch golfers but I can’t imagine it mattering to the average golfers.

More important than you think. Especially for irons. Spin gives an idea of 1) how well you’re compressing your irons and making proper contact 2) if it holds a green.

 

with all these clubs that are made to launch high and knuckle, spin is often forgotten for mid to higher handicapper. So important 

[U4IC]

why does anyone build a device in 2021 with a micro usb port???

 

[mdmack]

I pre ordered as well and am hoping the accuracy is good enough. I figure it should be at least as good as the others in its price range. I dont have any other monitors to test it beside, but I do have a range finder and eyes so I will give my thoughts when the unit gets here. 

[Chappie]

12 hours ago, U4IC said:

why does anyone build a device in 2021 with a micro usb port???

 

Cost savings. 

[lakecowboy]

Anyone selling their MEVO+ to get this?  Mine is VERY lightly used and I think this R10 would do what I need and I could pocket the difference.