The SkyTrak Plus costs $1,500 more than the original but delivers significant upgrades that justify the price for serious golfers. You'll get dual Doppler radar technology that tracks club metrics without stickers, a 40% larger hitting zone (4.5" vs 2"), outdoor capability, and improved battery life lasting over 4 hours. The Plus also features faster 5GHz Wi-Fi, reduced latency, and advanced shot analysis tools. If you're casual about practice, the original works fine, but committed players will appreciate the improved accuracy and versatility that reveal a deeper understanding of your swing mechanics.
Discover how the SKYTRAK Launch Monitor transforms golf practice into a high-tech, data-driven experience. With pinpoint accuracy and real-time feedback, it’s the ultimate tool for golfers aiming to improve every aspect of their game, whether at home or on the course. Dive into our expert review and see why pros trust SKYTRAK for game-changing insights.
When you're comparing these two golf launch monitors, the biggest difference comes down to how they actually track your shots. The original Skytrak relies solely on photometric cameras, which work great indoors but struggle outside. The Skytrak Plus uses a hybrid system that combines dual Doppler radar with cameras – think of it as having two tracking methods instead of one!
Here's where it gets interesting: that radar technology lets the Plus detect radio waves bouncing off both your club and ball. This means you'll get extensive club data like face angle, club path, and attack angle without needing any stickers or special balls. The original Skytrak only tracks ball metrics like speed and spin rates. The Plus also measures advanced metrics like smash factor to help optimize your ball striking efficiency. Plus, the radar makes outdoor tracking way more reliable in variable lighting conditions.
Another advantage of the Skytrak Plus is its significantly larger hitting zone compared to the original model, giving you more room for error during your swing setup. The Plus also delivers faster response times with shot delays reduced to just 2 seconds compared to 3 seconds on the original model.
While tracking technology gets most of the attention, the hitting area size is where you'll really feel the difference between these two models in your daily practice sessions. The Skytrak Plus offers a 4.5" x 4.5" hitting zone—that's 40% larger than the original's tiny 2" x 2" target. Here's what this means: you'll get roughly 3-4 inches of tolerance around the laser dot instead of needing pinpoint accuracy.
This translates to fewer missed shots. The Plus misses only 1% of swings compared to the original's 3-4% miss rate. Setup becomes much faster since you don't need to obsess over exact ball placement on that red dot. The Plus also requires alignment using sticks for a parallel setup to ensure optimal tracking performance. You'll also find that the Plus works better outdoors, where precise positioning gets trickier on mats.
Both models share identical space requirements, needing only 8-10 feet in front, 10 feet in width, and 9 feet in height for optimal performance. The compact design means both units maintain the same portable dimensions at 7 inches tall, 8 inches wide, and 2.75 inches deep, weighing just 3 pounds.
Beyond the hitting accuracy improvements, you'll notice the Skytrak Plus handles power and connectivity much better than its predecessor. The battery life jumps from 3.5 hours to about 4 hours and 10 minutes in real-world testing, that's roughly 40 extra minutes per session! You'll also get USB-C charging instead of the old micro USB port, which means faster charging and less downtime between rounds.
Here's where it gets interesting: the Plus switches from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz Wi-Fi. Think of it like upgrading from a crowded highway to an express lane; you'll experience faster data transfer and fewer connection drops. The updated processor cuts latency by about one second, so shot feedback feels more immediate and responsive. The USB-C connection also delivers higher power delivery rates compared to the original micro USB setup.
The Plus model uses a lithium rechargeable battery that provides consistent power output throughout your practice sessions, unlike the original's standard battery, which would gradually lose performance as it drained. While competitors like the Garmin R10 offer 10-hour battery life for portable use, the Skytrak Plus focuses on delivering stable performance during its 4-hour window rather than maximizing duration.
The software improvements in the Skytrak Plus really showcase where your extra investment goes. You'll get native software with game improvement tools like "Shot Analyzer," which tailors your practice sessions based on your swing data. The upgraded 5 GHz WiFi cuts your shot-to-display delay from 3 seconds down to about 2 seconds, that is a 33% advancement that keeps your practice flowing smoothly.
Here's the thing: you're getting access to over 100,000 virtual golf courses through subscription services, plus compatibility with major third-party simulation platforms. The upgraded physics modeling uses both radar and camera data, creating more realistic ball flight and course conditions. The software's also more stable and user-friendly than the original version. The Plus version's dual doppler radar technology eliminates the need for club stickers while providing comprehensive club metrics that the original SkyTrak cannot capture.
All those software upgrades come at a cost, and you're looking at a significant price jump between these two models. The SkyTrak Plus retails around $2,995, while the original sits at approximately $1,500; that's a $1,000 difference that'll make your wallet feel lighter.
Here's the thing: you're paying for those Dual Doppler Radar features and upgraded sensors that deliver club head speed, smash factor, and swing path data automatically. The original requires club stickers for similar metrics, which gets annoying fast.
Don't forget the annual subscription fee of about $130 for fundamental features on both models. When you factor in the Plus's outdoor capability and improved battery life, that extra grand starts making sense if you're serious about thorough swing analysis. At this price point, the SkyTrak Plus delivers excellent value as the most enjoyable simulator experience compared to premium alternatives like the $13,000 Foresight GC3.
When you're actually hitting balls and tracking your shots, the differences between these two units become crystal clear. The SkyTrak Plus delivers a smoother, more reliable experience that'll enhance your practice sessions. You'll notice the difference immediately,, missed shots drop from 3-4% with the original down to just 1% with the Plus. That means less frustration and more productive practice time.
The larger hitting zone (4.5" x 4.5" versus 2") makes setup quicker and more forgiving. You won't spend time constantly repositioning balls or dealing with misreads. Shot feedback comes almost instantly, keeping your practice rhythm flowing naturally. Both models use high-speed cameras that capture thousands of frames per second to analyze your impact position and ball flight. The improved battery life gives you an extra 40 minutes per session, while USB-C charging gets you back up faster between rounds.
Both units operate effectively in indoor environments, making them ideal for year-round practice regardless of weather conditions outside.
Experience pro-level precision with the SkyTrak+ Plus Golf Launch Monitor, delivering unmatched accuracy and real-time shot data.
No, you can't upgrade your original SkyTrak to Plus features later. The Plus version uses completely different hardware; it's got dual Doppler radar plus high-speed cameras, while your original only has cameras. The reality is: those advanced club metrics and faster performance need hardware that simply isn't in your current device. You'd need to buy the entire Plus unit for around $2,495 to get those features.
Both models work similarly well with left-handed golfers once you've got them set up properly. Here's the catch, though: you'll need to physically move the launch monitor from one side of the ball to the other when switching between left and right-handed players. The software supports lefties perfectly fine, but that manual repositioning can really interrupt your rhythm during mixed groups!
There's actually no warranty difference between the two models! Both the Skytrak and Skytrak Plus come with identical 6-month coverage or 25,000 shots, whichever hits initially. You'll get the same protection against defects in materials and workmanship, plus that 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Even the optional warranty extensions work exactly the same way for both units.
Yes, you've got several financing options for the SkyTrak Plus! SkyTrak offers 0% APR plans through Affirm and Shop Pay, while third-party retailers like Indoor Golf Shop provide Bread Pay™ with 0% APR for up to 12 months. Abunda also offers monthly payment plans and lease-to-own options. Just remember—financing typically covers the hardware, but you'll need to budget separately for the annual software subscriptions.
You'll need 10 feet minimum for depth and width, though 12 feet depth works better for driver swings. Your ceiling should be at least 9 feet high. Here's the good news: you don't need any space behind the ball since the SkyTrak sits a few feet in front of it! Test your space by taking a full driver swing indoors initially to make sure you won't hit anything.
You'll need to decide what matters most for your golf setup. If you're serious about improving and don't mind spending extra, the SkyTrak Plus delivers better accuracy and features that justify the $1,000 upgrade. However, the original SkyTrak still provides solid performance for casual players. Consider your budget, practice frequency, and long-term goals. Both units will help your game—it's just about how much precision you're willing to pay for.
