Garmin Approach R50 vs SkyTrak ST MAX
Both sit beside the ball, so both suit shorter UK rooms. The R50 is an all-in-one unit with a 10-inch touchscreen and Garmin’s simulator built in, at about £4,299. The ST MAX is SkyTrak’s current model at about £1,500 and needs your own device and screen.
Published 27 September 2026. Specifications are the manufacturers' published figures; UK prices are from approved retailer listings checked 27 September 2026 and can change.
Quick verdict
Choose it if you want one box that does everything, including a built-in simulator with more than 43,000 courses, a touchscreen and impact video, and the budget is there.
Choose it if you want a proven side-on simulator unit for a garage or spare room and would rather spend the £2,800 difference on the screen, enclosure, projector and software.
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Side by side
| Decision point | Garmin R50 | SkyTrak ST MAX |
|---|---|---|
| UK price seen | £4,299 (HotGolf, Affordable Golf) / £4,299.99 (Scottsdale) | £1,500 (Amazon UK, sold by SkyTrak Golf) |
| Tracking | Three high-speed cameras | Dual Doppler radar + photometric cameras |
| Placement | Beside the ball | Beside the ball; move it for left-handed golfers |
| Display | Built-in 10-inch colour touchscreen | None — uses your PC, tablet or phone |
| Built-in simulator | Garmin Home Tee Hero (43,000+ courses, up to 4 players) | One year of Foresight course-play membership included |
| Third-party software | GSPro, Awesome Golf, E6 Connect | GSPro and E6 compatibility reported; check the tier needed |
| Published data | 15+ ball and club metrics; club stickers required | 15 parameters, including club path and face angle |
| Suggested hitting space | Side-on; allow about 10 ft of width | About 10 × 10 × 9 ft (3.0 × 3.0 × 2.7 m) |
| Golf Gear Lab status | Scored 94/100 (Best Overall) | Researched, not yet scored |
Golf Gear Lab verdict
Buy the SkyTrak ST MAX for a value-led garage simulator. Buy the Garmin R50 if an all-in-one unit with a built-in screen and simulator is worth about £2,800 more to you.
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Garmin R50 or SkyTrak ST MAX: the practical answer
For most home simulator builds, the ST MAX and the savings are the smarter use of budget. The R50 is for buyers who value an integrated, self-contained system above value for money.
Spend the difference on the room
The price gap is about £2,800. That is enough for a good impact screen and enclosure, a short-throw projector and a hitting mat — see our impact screen and simulator mat guides. A complete ST MAX room can cost less than an R50 on its own. Remember that the ST MAX needs a computer or tablet to run course-play software, and that membership costs continue after the first year.
Why the R50 still has a place
The R50’s touchscreen shows your numbers and runs Garmin’s Home Tee Hero simulator without another device. It can also send the picture to a TV or projector. Because it is side-on and self-contained, it moves between garage and range more easily than a full PC-based setup. For a household that wants to switch it on and play, that simplicity is worth something.
Both are side-on
Neither unit needs the deep room a behind-the-ball radar needs, which is the main reason both suit UK garages. Both have to be moved to the other side of the ball for left-handed golfers.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Garmin R50 better than the SkyTrak ST MAX?
It is more self-contained: it has a touchscreen, a built-in simulator and impact video. The ST MAX costs about £2,800 less and still sits side-on, so for most home simulator builds it is better value.
Does the ST MAX replace the SkyTrak+?
Yes. SkyTrak lists the ST MAX as its current model. Published coverage reports the same tracking and data as the SkyTrak+, with speed training, dual USB ports and a faster processor added.
Which suits a small garage?
Both sit beside the ball, so both suit shorter rooms better than rear-mounted radar units. SkyTrak’s guidance is about 10 × 10 × 9 ft for the hitting area.
Do I need a subscription?
The R50’s Home Tee Hero simulator is built in, and Garmin Golf membership adds leaderboard features. The ST MAX includes one year of Foresight course-play membership, which you renew after that.
Related reading
How we assessed this comparison
We compare the products against the buying decision on this page, including their intended use, practical setup, ownership costs, current market position and the specifications that can materially change the choice. Where Golf Gear Lab has not completed a controlled hands-on test, manufacturer claims are identified as published specifications rather than presented as independent test results.