Golf Launch Monitors Explained: Radar vs. Camera vs. Photometric

Introduction

A launch monitor is the heart of every golf simulator. It’s what measures your swing, ball flight, and shot accuracy. But with so many options — radar, camera, and photometric — it can be confusing to know which one is right for your setup.

In this guide, we’ll break down the main types of launch monitors, how they work, and which models are best for different budgets and spaces.

Why the Type of Launch Monitor Matters

Your launch monitor determines:

The accuracy of your shot data

The types of metrics tracked (ball speed, spin, club path, etc.)

The space requirements (indoor vs outdoor)

The price range of your simulator setup

Choosing the right one is critical for getting realistic results and enjoying your golf simulator to the fullest.

The 3 Main Types of Launch Monitors

1. Radar-Based Launch Monitors

How they work: Use Doppler radar to track the golf ball’s flight.

Pros:

Excellent for outdoor or long indoor spaces

Accurate ball flight data

Great for portability (many radar units are lightweight)

Cons:

Require more depth (16+ feet recommended)

Indoor spin accuracy can vary compared to cameras

Popular Models:

FlightScope Mevo+ (great balance of price + performance)

FlightScope X3 (tour-level accuracy)

Garmin R10 (affordable entry-level radar option)

2. Camera-Based Launch Monitors

How they work: High-speed cameras capture the ball and club at impact.

Pros:

Highly accurate indoors

Require less room depth than radar units

Great for basements, garages, and tighter spaces

Cons:

Limited outdoors compared to radar

Higher-end units can be expensive

Popular Models:

Red Stakes Golf (RSG) Pro  (mounted overhead, ultra-accurate)

Red Stakes Golf (RSG) One  (portable, professional-grade)

Garmin R50 Approach  (portable, professional-grade)

3. Photometric Launch Monitors

How they work: Take multiple images of the golf ball right after impact.

Pros:

Excellent for ball data accuracy (spin, launch, ball speed)

Compact and easy to use indoors

Great entry point for budget-conscious golfers

Cons:

Less robust club data than radar/camera systems

Must be placed in a precise position to capture shots

Popular Models:

SkyTrak+ 

Original SkyTrak (budget friendly)

Which Launch Monitor is Best for You?

Budget-Friendly ($500–$2,500): Garmin R10, Mevo+

Mid-Range ($3,000–$7,000): RSG Pro, Garmin R50 Approach

High-End ($10,000+): FlightScope X3, 

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