Garmin Approach R50 Launch Monitor

Garmin have long been pacesetters in the golf technology space. Garmin's GPS devices and golf watches have always been a few lengths ahead of the field, while the compact, competitively priced, feature-laden Garmin Approach R10 launch monitor was a romping success right out of the gates.

But the new Approach R50 sees Garmin step up to the launch monitor major leagues. The unit has the firepower and key features to compete with premium, industry-leading launch monitors but is positioned at a far more modest price point.

It’s shaping as one of the most fascinating releases of the year, but will it win you over? Read on to find out!

PRECISION AND ACCURACY

The new Garmin Approach R50 is a camera-based launch monitor that delivers high-end ball and club data, just like the big boys.

The unit’s three cameras capture high-speed images of the ball and club head through impact to serve up 15 juicy and super-accurate metrics. It’s like having an MRI of your swing and it’ll help you get better at golf, which is the whole point of having a launch monitor, right?

The Garmin Approach R50 measures all the usual suspects: ball speed, launch angle, launch direction, spin rate, spin axis, sidespin, smash factor, carry distance, total distance, total deviation, apex height, angle of attack, club head speed, path angle and face angle.

But the best bit? The Approach R50 is able to display just about all of those metrics at once thanks to the unit’s impressively vast onboard screen and customisable layout (metrics can also be saved on the Garmin golf app). It's a distinguishing feature of the Garmin Approach R50; other premium launch monitors can display only a handful of on-screen metrics.

USER FRIENDLY FEATURES

Aside from its ultra-accurate metrics and lavish onboard screen, the Garmin Approach R50 includes some eye-catchingly innovative new features.

Kicking things off is the Impact Videos function. Captured by the unit’s high-speed cameras and displayed on the R50’s built-in screen, it’s a video replay of the club-versus-ball collision. It’ll reveal exactly where you’ve struck the golf ball on the club face and provides visual confirmation of what the accompanying shot data is describing.

The R50’s onboard barometer is also another handy addition, measuring atmospheric pressure to finetune the carry distance metric. But arguably the most impressive new feature is the Approach R50’s simulator mode…

Garmin Approach R50 Launch Monitor Impact Videos

GARMIN APPROACH R50 SIMULATOR

The Garmin Approach R50 is the world’s first portable launch monitor to feature a ready-to-go, built-in simulator. While other launch monitors connect to third party simulation software running on another device, the Approach R50 keeps everything inhouse.

There’s no need to connect to a phone or computer because the R50 is preloaded with Home Tee Hero simulation software, which runs in stunning, graphically-enhanced glory on the unit’s impressive 10-inch, onboard colour touchscreen (although you will need a Garmin Golf premium membership to play the 43,000 golf courses on offer).

However, the simulator experience is exponentially elevated with the Approach R50’s capacity to monitor putting — a feature that only top-of-the-class launch monitors currently offer.

Linking the Approach R50 to the Garmin golf app will provide direct access to compete in weekly tournaments and global leaderboards against Garmin users around the world.

CONNECTING THE DETAILS

While the on-screen display is one of the Garmin Approach R50’s most buzzworthy features, the unit can also be connected to an external display or projector for a more realistic simulator experience. The unit offers both an HDMI and USB-C output and also boasts Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.

And because the Approach R50 uses high-speed cameras rather than radar for measurement purposes, the Approach R50 can be employed in a relatively compact space. The launch monitor is placed in front of the user rather than down-the-line and Garmin recommends just 2m of space front and back.

Before you add the R50 to your cart and head to the checkout, there’s something you should know. To accurately measure club data, the Garmin Approach R50 does require a reflective sticker to be affixed to the club face. But don’t worry: the unit comes with 250 stickers, which will keep you swinging and studying for ages.

WHAT’S INCLUDED WITH THE GARMIN APPROACH R50 LAUNCH MONITOR

The Garmin R50 is portable and comes with a carry case for transporting to the course or for safe stowage. The unit itself weighs just over 4kg.

It also includes an AC adapter to charge the unit and battery life is pretty good; the Approach R50 lasts for four hours when fully charged.

The Garmin Approach R50 is now available from GolfBox.