Garmin Approach R50 vs FlightScope Mevo Plus – Is the Upgrade Worth the Investment?

You know that sweet spot between the cheap launch monitors that barely work and those $30,000 beasts the tour pros use? That's where the FlightScope Mevo+ has lived comfortably since 2019, helping serious weekend warriors dial in their games without taking out a second mortgage.

Enter the Garmin Approach R50 in late 2024, and suddenly the Mevo+ has some real competition. Both target golfers like you who'll drop a few grand on technology that actually improves your game, but won't sell the car to afford it.

Here's what makes this interesting - both deliver tour-level accuracy and track everything from ball speed to spin axis. That means you're getting real data about why your 7-iron keeps ballooning into the wind, not just some guess from a $300 gadget.

The R50 brings some fancy new features to the party that'll make your practice sessions even more productive. It's got capabilities the Mevo+ simply can't touch, though I'll dig into those specifics in a bit.

But let's talk money first. The Mevo+ runs $2,299 while the R50 asks for $4,999.99. That's more than double, which definitely stings when you're already justifying this purchase to your spouse.

So here's the million-dollar question - or should I say the $2,700 question. Does the R50 deliver enough extra value to justify that price gap? Is it really that much better, or are you paying for bragging rights at the 19th hole?

I've logged serious time with both units, hauling them to the range and setting them up in my garage. After countless sessions watching numbers flash across their screens, I've figured out exactly where each one excels and where they might leave you wanting more.

Keep reading for my head-to-head breakdown across 10 crucial performance areas, scored on a 0-5 scale. You'll know exactly which one deserves a spot in your golf arsenal by the time we're done.

Let me tell you about unboxing these two launch monitors - it's like comparing opening a luxury watch to unwrapping a sports car.

When you crack open the Mevo+ box, you're gonna feel like you just invested in something special. The packaging screams quality from the moment you lift the lid. Everything's laid out perfectly, the carrying case feels premium in your hands, and even the instruction manual looks sharp. You know that feeling when you buy expensive golf balls and the box itself makes you feel better about your game? That's the vibe here. It's clean, professional, and makes you confident you bought the real deal.

Now the R50? That's a whole different animal. Picture unpacking a 9-pound beast that stands 17 inches tall and stretches a foot wide. We're talking about a unit with a gorgeous 10-inch touchscreen that'll make your jaw drop. This thing's so big it comes with what looks like a piece of luggage to carry it around. Some of you'll see this monster and think "holy smokes, that's incredible!" while others might wonder where they're gonna store it between range sessions.

Here's the thing - both presentations nail what they're trying to do. The Mevo+ goes for that sophisticated, compact approach that whispers quality. Meanwhile, the R50 basically shouts "I'm a serious piece of golf tech!" from the rooftops. It's 7 inches deep and looks like it could launch actual rockets, not just track your golf balls.

If I had to pick which unboxing experience gets top marks, they'd both max out the scale for totally different reasons. The Mevo+ wins you over with its refined, no-nonsense approach - everything about it says this is pro-level equipment in a manageable package. The R50? It wins through sheer presence and that "wow factor" when you first see that massive color display light up.

You'd think the Mevo+ has this price battle won before it even starts. I mean, $2,299 versus the R50's $4,999.99? That's like choosing between a muni course and a country club membership.

But here's where it gets interesting. Want your Mevo+ to actually compete with the R50's features? You're gonna need the Pro Package and Face Impact upgrades. Now you're looking at $3,798 for all the ball flight numbers, swing plane visuals, and that sweet impact location data that shows exactly where you're hitting it on the face.

So yeah, even with all the bells and whistles, you're saving over a thousand bucks with the Mevo+. That's a lot of ProV1s, my friend.

Here's why I'm calling this price comparison a draw though. The R50 brings something totally different to the table. Picture this - you've got a full golf simulator built right into the unit. No extra computer needed if you want to hook it up to your TV or projector. Just plug and play.

Think about what that extra grand gets you with the R50. You're basically getting a launch monitor and a simulator in one package. That's like getting a driver that also works as your putter - okay, bad analogy, but you get the idea.

Both units are priced right for what they deliver. The Mevo+ gives you professional-level data without breaking the bank. The R50? It's basically a portable golf facility. Different tools for different needs, and honestly, both are solid investments if you're serious about dropping strokes.

Let's talk setup differences between these two launch monitors - this is where you'll really notice what sets them apart.

The Garmin R50? You could literally have your grandma set this thing up. I'm not kidding - it's that straightforward. You take it out of the box, press the power button, and boom, you're hitting balls. That big touchscreen shows you everything right there on the unit. No fumbling with your phone, no downloading apps, no pairing devices. Just you and the monitor.

Here's what blew my mind - this thing has a full simulator built right into it. You know how most launch monitors need you to connect them to a tablet or laptop to play virtual rounds? Not the R50. You can tee it up at Pebble Beach right on that screen. Never seen anything like it in all my years of testing golf tech.

Want to see your shots on the big screen in your garage? One HDMI cable to your TV and you're golden. That's it. One cable. Your buddy with the complicated sim setup is gonna be jealous.

Now the Mevo+? Different story. Don't get me wrong - you're not gonna need an engineering degree or anything. But you've gotta be precise with placement. The data it gives you is tour-level accurate when you nail the setup, but that's the catch - you need to nail it. Takes me about 5 minutes now that I've done it a hundred times, but those first few sessions? Let's just say I had to check the manual more than once.

The Mevo+ needs that perfect 8-foot distance behind the ball, the right height, proper alignment - all that jazz. Once you get your routine down, it's second nature. But compared to the R50's "press and play" approach? It's like comparing a flip phone to an iPhone.

Bottom line - if you value your time and just want to practice without the hassle, the R50's ease of use is a game-changer. The Mevo+ makes you work a bit harder for those accurate numbers, but hey, some guys like the ritual of setting things up just right.

When you're looking at portability, the Mevo+ takes the crown here. This thing's tiny at just 6.8 x 1.2 x 4.6 inches and barely tips the scales at 16 ounces - you've probably got head covers heavier than that.

They throw in this sweet carrying case that actually works, even if getting the device in there feels like squeezing into your golf pants after Thanksgiving dinner. You can jam this bad boy into your bag's side pocket and forget it's even there until you need it. Perfect for those days when you want to check your numbers on the range without hauling a trailer full of gear.

Now, Garmin ships the R50 with its own case, and yeah, it's pretty nice quality. But let's be real - calling this unit "portable" is like calling your driver a putter. The whole setup is massive, and that case isn't doing you any favors when you're trying to fit it in your trunk next to your clubs and that cooler you definitely need for the back nine.

Here's where it gets interesting though. The R50 scores some points back because you literally don't need anything else to get swinging. No phone, no tablet, no laptop - just flip it on and start crushing balls. You can set up shop anywhere you've got room to make a full turn, and you'll be dialed in faster than your buddy can finish complaining about his slice. That's a different kind of portable - maybe not pocket-sized, but definitely grab-and-go when you've got the space for it.

You're looking at two launch monitors that'll give you more data than you know what to do with - and that's exactly what you want when you're serious about dialing in your game.

Let's start with the Garmin R50. Yeah, it'll set you back five grand, but here's the thing - you're getting every single number that matters from day one. No extra purchases, no subscription fees, just pure data goodness. You'll see how fast your ball's flying off the face, what angle it's launching at, and whether you're starting it left or right. The spin numbers tell you if you're ballooning shots or hitting knuckleballs, and you can track both sidespin and total spin to understand your shot shape.

What really matters for your scoring? The R50 shows you exactly how far you're carrying each club and where they're ending up - both in yards and degrees off your target line. You'll know your peak height (super helpful for clearing hazards), plus all the juicy club data like your swing path, attack angle, and face angle at impact. That face-to-path relationship? That's gold for understanding why you're hitting draws or fades.

Now, the FlightScope Mevo+ takes a different approach at $2,299. You're still getting killer ball data - speed, carry, total distance, spin, the works. It'll show you flight time (longer isn't always better, trust me), your landing angle, and even how much roll you're getting. The shot dispersion feature is clutch for seeing your patterns over time.

Here's where it gets interesting though. Want the full club data experience? You'll need to drop another $700 for their Pro Package. That unlocks everything from your swing plane (both vertical and horizontal) to your low point - basically where your club bottoms out in relation to the ball. Understanding that low point alone can transform your ball striking.

For an extra $975, you can bundle the Pro Package with face impact location. This shows exactly where on the clubface you're making contact - heel, toe, high, low. If you're wondering why some shots feel pure while others feel like you hit a rock, this feature answers that question instantly.

Both units deliver tour-level accuracy, which means the numbers aren't just close - they're spot on. When you stripe a 7-iron and the monitor says 165 yards carry, you can take that to the bank. This accuracy is what separates these from the cheaper options that might tell you what you want to hear rather than what you need to know.

The real question isn't whether these monitors work - they absolutely do. It's about which approach fits your style. Want everything unlocked from the jump? The R50's your play. Prefer starting with the essentials and adding features as you improve? The Mevo+ makes sense, especially if you're not ready to commit five large right away.

Either way, you're getting professional-grade feedback that'll expose every flaw and highlight every improvement in your swing. Sometimes the truth hurts, but that's how you get better, right?

I mentioned that portability is a bit of an issue with the Garmin Approach R50. But once you do get it to where you want it, wow is it a dream to use, and that most certainly includes outdoors.

Not only can the R50 reliably read shots hit off of natural grass or an artificial hitting surface, but it’s just so damn simple to operate.

Plus, you’ve got every way to use it all without needing to connect to any external devices. That means just getting data, using it for target practice on virtual ranges, or playing full-blown rounds of simulated golf, all right on the R50’s built-in display.

So, yeah, giving the R50 a 5 for outdoor use is a no-brainer even with portability challenges.

The FlightScope Mevo+ is likewise able to accurately read shots hit off of either mats or real grass with no issues at all. And it does win some overlap points here for its strong portability. But because it’s a bit finicky to get aligned correctly, it falls just short of the highest mark in this category.

Look, both these launch monitors will transform how you practice and understand your golf swing. The R50's basically a portable golf facility with that built-in simulator and instant feedback - perfect if you've got the budget and want the absolute best tech available. The Mevo+ delivers incredible bang for your buck with tour-level accuracy at less than half the price, though you'll work a bit harder setting it up. Can't go wrong either way - you'll finally stop guessing why you're missing greens and start fixing the actual problems in your swing. Just be ready to explain to your playing partners why you're suddenly hitting it so much better!