Posted March 21, 2024 in Products and Brands by Trevor Cigich
The Skytrak and Skytrak Plus both offer tremendous value at their respective price points, but is there enough of a difference to justify buying the more expensive unit? We aim to uncover what is different, what is the same, and whether there is a clear winner for everyone or if it comes down to your use case.
In this Skytrak vs Skytrak Plus review, we are going to cover:
Let’s dive into each and figure out which Skytrak unit is the best for you.
For those just looking for an at-a-glance idea of what sets these two apart, refer to the table below:
Skytrak | Skytrak Plus | |
Price | $1,995 | $2,995 |
Location | Indoor | Indoor & Outdoor |
Tracking Technology | Photometric Camera | Dual Doppler Radar and Photometric Camera |
Ball Data | Carry Distance, Total Distance, Ball Speed, Back Spin, Side Spin, Descent Angle, Side Angle, Launch Angle, Shot Shape | Carry Distance, Total Distance, Ball Speed, Back Spin, Side Spin, Descent Angle, Side Angle, Launch Angle, Shot Shape |
Club Data | N/A | Club Head Speed, Smash Factor, Club Path, Face Angle, Face-to-Path |
Hitting Area | ~2″ x 2″ | ~4.5″ x 4.5″ |
Storage | Unlimited Cloud Storage with Game Improvement Membership Plan or above | Unlimited Cloud Storage with Game Improvement Membership Plan or above |
Simulation Partners | Access to 100,000+ course through multiple sim offerings: E6 Connect, TGC 2019, Creative Golf and World Golf Tour by Top Golf | Access to 100,000+ course through multiple sim offerings: E6 Connect, TGC 2019, Creative Golf and World Golf Tour by Top Golf |
WiFi (Network Mode) | Yes (2.4GHz) | Yes (5GHz) |
USB Type | Micro-USB | USB-C |
Internal Processor | No | Yes |
Battery Life | 4 Hours | 4.5 Hours |
Size | 6.875″ H x 5.75″ W x 2.5″ D | 6.75″ H x 7.75″ W x 2.625″ D |
Weight | 1.7 lbs | 2.7 lbs |
This list includes all of the major similarities and differences between the two units. But what does it all mean for you?
While these two units are very different, there are some similarities between the two that could make the original worth buying, depending on your use case. The following are some of the similarities between the two units:
Accurate Ball Data | Both of these units track Carry Distance, Total Distance, Ball Speed, Back Spin, Side Spin, Descent Angle, Side Angle, Launch Angle, and Shot Shape, thanks to their photometric camera technology and have been tested and confirmed to have similar accuracy to even the highest-end launch monitors on the market |
Simulator Functionality | Both units can function as an extremely fun and immersive simulator, with tons of great data organization tools and pages that help you track and interpret your shot metrics over time |
Unlimited Cloud Storage Available | Both units use cloud storage to store your historical shot data, and getting the Skytrak Game Improvement plan (or higher tier subscriptions) gets you unlimited storage |
100,000+ Courses Through Simulation Partners | Both units use the same simulation partners (E6 Connect, TGC 2019, Creative Golf and World Golf Tour by Top Golf) to offer 100,000+ courses |
Rechargeable Lithium-Polymer Battery | Despite differences in battery life and USB type, both units use the same type of rechargeable battery |
Both units offer accurate metrics, fun and engaging simulator functionality, and tons of helpful tools and simulator courses that will improve your indoor golf training.
Now, let’s dive into what sets the Skytrak Plus apart from its predecessor and why one may consider spending some extra money to get the upgraded unit. The following are the biggest differences between the two:
Dual Doppler Radar | The Skytrack Plus uses both Dual Doppler Radar and Photometric Camera technology for tracking, as opposed to just the camera on the original Skytrak |
Club Metrics | Due to its inclusion of Dual Doppler Radar, only the Skytrak Plus can measure club metrics, including Club Head Speed, Smash Factor, Club Path, Face Angle, and Face-to-Path, without any club stickers required |
Outdoor Functionality | Only the Skytrak Plus is designed to be used outdoors to allow for launch monitor use at the range or on the course |
Larger Hitting Zone | The Skytrak Plus has a 4.5” x 4.5” hitting zone, compared to the original Skytrak’s 2” x 2” zone |
Longer Battery Life | The Skytrak Plus has 4.5 hour battery life, compared to 4 hours for the original Skytrak |
Faster Charging | The Skytrak Plus also used USB-C instead of the Micro USB on the original Skytrak, allowing it to charge faster |
The Skytrak Plus corrects many of the most common gripes with the original Skytrak, most notably its lack of outdoor functionality and club metrics.
Overall, the Skytrak Plus is more than worth the $2,995 price tag for those who can afford it and are looking for outdoor functionality and the inclusion of club metrics. For many golfers, these are must-haves in any launch monitor so that they can use it at the range, and get a more holistic view of what is happening with both their club and the ball when they take a shot. The all-in-one simulator package that can be purchased with the Skytrak Plus is also worthwhile if you’re going to be using the sKytrak Plus as a simulator.
Now, this doesn’t mean there is no use case wherein the original Skytrak is worth buying, even if you can afford either. If you’re only planning to use the Skytrak as an indoor simulator, and your goal is more about having fun with the added bonus of getting helpful insights on your golf shot, the Skytrak Plus may not offer an additional $1,000-$1,500 of value for you. The original works just about as well as an indoor simulator, and the club metrics aren’t essential to improve your golf shot while having fun on the simulator.
Worldwide Golf Shops provides next-level service to customers of all experience levels, with the best-trained staff in the industry. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide guidance to beginners and to share pro tips with even our most experienced clientele, making us one of the best places to buy the unit covered in our Skytrak vs Skytrak Plus review.
Check out our online store to see our industry-standard variety of all of the following:
At Worldwide Golf Shops, we take pride in offering brands that we guarantee will provide the highest level of value to our diverse range of golfers. Our knowledgeable staff is ready to assist you in finding the perfect golf gear. Find a store near you today!
Trevor Cigich | Director of Retail Marketing | Worldwide Golf Shops
I’ve been at Worldwide Golf Shops for 6 years, and I’ve been playing golf for 23 years. I have played a few mini tour events but now compete occasionally at the amateur level– currently a +2.1 handicap. I am a bit of a tinkerer when it comes to golf and golf clubs. I enjoy testing all aspects of different products, utilizing various fitting systems and learning about all the different club shafts, club lengths, golf balls, and putter styles. Not just for my game, but to help customers of all calibers.
For more content from me and our team, as well as our vast online store, go to www.worldwidegolfshops.com.