You'll want the R50 ($4,999) if you're building a dedicated indoor simulator; it nails setup in 40 seconds, includes a 10-inch touchscreen with 43,000 courses, and tracks mishits better than Mevo+. The Mevo+ starts cheaper at $2,299 but needs $2,474 in upgrades to match R50's features, bringing it to $4,773 total. The point is: R50 dominates indoors with its plug-and-play design, while Mevo+ shines for outdoor practice and portability. Keep going to see which fits your space and swing goals!
When you're dropping serious cash on a launch monitor, accuracy isn't just a nice-to-have feature; it's the whole point. Both units deliver tour-level performance that rivals systems costing $30,000. The R50 edges ahead with a perfect 5/5 rating for simulator use indoors, requiring zero additional hardware. Meanwhile, the Mevo+ scores 4/5 but needs RCT balls for peak indoor results. Here's what matters: carry yardage accuracy hits 99% on both devices when compared to the Foresight Falcon. The R50 shows just 0.82% ball speed difference from Trackman indoors, averaging 218.4 yards versus Trackman's 226. The Mevo+ requires finicky alignment outdoors, while the R50 handles mishits better thanks to superior gear effect tracking. The R50 operates effectively on both natural grass and artificial surfaces, enabling straightforward data collection outdoors. The Mevo Plus posted an impressive 1-no-read rate of 1,500 shots, demonstrating exceptional reliability in tracking performance.
Your garage space matters more than you think, and here's why: the R50 demands a footprint of 16.5" x 10.6" x 7.5" plus that hefty 10" touchscreen sitting on your desk or mount, while the Mevo keeps things ultra-compact with a screenless design that pairs directly to your phone.
Here's the bigger challenge: placement. You'll need to position the R50 1.5 feet in front of your hitting area and maintain 8 feet from the ball to the net. That typically means 12-14 feet of total width for proper enclosures. The Mevo sits behind you, which lets you squeeze it into tighter spaces, sometimes managing with just 10 feet of depth.
Ceiling height? You'll want at least 8.5 feet for comfortable swings with either unit, though taller golfers should aim higher! The R50 weighs in at 9 lbs, making it reasonably portable despite its larger footprint. Thanks to the internal rechargeable battery, you can move it between different practice areas without hunting for outlets.
How quickly can you go from box to ball flight? With the R50, you'll be hitting shots in about 40 seconds; it's incredibly fast. You simply line up the device with your screen, identify where you'll place the ball, and you're ready to go. The Mevo+, however, takes several minutes and requires finicky positioning to deliver accurate data. The point is: the R50 earns a perfect 5/5 for setup ease, while the Mevo+ gets a 3/5. The difference is night and day!
The R50 also connects directly to your projector via HDMI and automatically replays your swing after each shot. Meanwhile, the Mevo+ supports up to three external cameras but demands careful alignment during calibration. Both get easier with practice, but the R50 wins for quick implementation. When comparing features side-by-side, you can better understand which monitor matches your specific needs and budget. For deeper insights into your practice sessions, platforms like UpYourClub let you analyze data from both Garmin and Flightscope devices.
Once you've got the R50 set up and ready to go, you'll want to investigate what makes it an actual golf simulator rather than just a launch monitor. The Home Tee Hero software gives you access to 43,000 courses worldwide, and you can play full rounds from tee to green on that crisp 10-inch touchscreen. You'll see an overhead view with distance markers showing yardages to the front, back, and pin. Just drag your target where you want it on screen. The $9.99/month Garmin Golf membership opens everything, including training modes, putting practice, and weekly tournaments. You can even adjust settings like green speed and lie penalties. Swipe up to scroll through metrics, or tap and hold any number for its definition! The built-in barometer helps ensure your carry distances are accurate, whether you're hitting shots indoors at home or out on the driving range. After each shot, you'll get immediate video feedback showing your impact, which is invaluable for spotting flaws in your swing.
When you're trying to decide between the R50 and Mevo+, it really comes down to where you'll use it most and what matters more to you, indoor precision or outdoor versatility.
If you've got a dedicated home setup and crave detailed club data without needing extra screens, the R50's your winner. Its optical cameras excel on indoor mats, plus you'll get that built-in display for standalone simulator sessions. Club fitters love this thing for a reason!
But the reality is, if you're bouncing between your garage and the driving range, the Mevo+ makes way more sense. Its radar tech tracks full ball flight outdoors without finicky alignment issues, and you're getting professional-level data at a lower price point. The portability's genuinely better too.
Looking at pure dollars and cents, the Mevo+ seems like the obvious bargain at $2,299, until you realize you'll need to drop another $1,500 for the Pro Package, then maybe $975 more for Face Impact if you want the full club data experience. That's $4,773 total, almost matching the R50's $4,999 price tag.
Here's the thing: the R50 includes everything out of the box. You get that gorgeous 10-inch screen, automatic video replay, direct HDMI connection, and 43,000 courses without buying add-ons. The Mevo+ nickel-and-dimes you with upgrades, though you'll avoid subscription fees.
For indoor players prioritizing convenience, the R50 wins. If you're chasing range sessions and portability, the base Mevo+ delivers excellent value, just budget for those inevitable upgrades!
Yes, you can use the R50 with your existing software; it's incredibly flexible! It works with GSPro, E6 Connect, Awesome Golf Simulator, Creative Golf, and Golfisimo through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connections. The R50 connects across iOS, Android, Windows, and MacOS without needing the Garmin Golf app for most third-party options. The Mevo+ also supports multiple platforms, making both excellent software-agnostic choice for your setup.
Both devices nail the basics, but they shine in different spots. The R50's three high-speed cameras capture spin rates and launch angles with incredible precision indoors, reading spin right off the ball's side without any radar alignment headaches. The Mevo+, on the other hand, uses Doppler radar that really excels outdoors, where it can track full ball flight. You'll get accurate data from both, though the R50's better for tight indoor spaces.
Garmin offers better warranty protection with its R50. You'll get a full manufacturer's warranty from your purchase date, plus many retailers throw in a 1-year warranty on top. The coverage protects the launch monitor's functionality, though cosmetic damage like scratches won't be covered. FlightScope's warranty details for the Mevo are frustratingly unclear; there's no specific duration, coverage terms, or return policies mentioned anywhere, which makes Garmin the safer bet.
Both work well for lefties, but the Mevo+ has a smoother experience. You'll need to toggle the R50's handedness setting in your profile each time you switch, and that initial shot after changing often misreads, basically forcing a mulligan. The Mevo+ doesn't need any toggle since its radar automatically detects launch direction. For mixed groups switching between left and right-handed players, the Mevo+ saves you that extra hassle.
The R50 tracks putting data during virtual rounds, giving you metrics like ball speed, launch angle, carry distance, and even spin rates. You can adjust green speeds and set gimme distances, plus all your putting stats sync to the Garmin Golf app automatically. Your putter doesn't even need club stickers! However, I couldn't find any info about the Mevo's putting capabilities in my research.
Look, both launch monitors deliver serious performance, but your choice comes down to space and priorities. If you've got a tight indoor setup and want plug-and-play simplicity, grab the R50. Got more room and need tournament-level data outdoors? The Mevo+ is your pick. Neither's a bad call—you're just choosing between convenience and raw capability. Check your budget, measure your space, and you'll know which one fits.
