Your Next Launch Monitor - Garmin Approach R50 or Full Swing?

So you're torn between two $5,000 launch monitors that everyone's talking about? Let's dig into what separates the Garmin Approach R50 from the Full Swing KIT.

Both of these bad boys cost exactly $4,999 (well, the R50 tacks on 99 cents because why not). That's a serious chunk of change, but you're getting something pretty special with either one.

Here's what's got everyone fired up: they're the only launch monitors at this price point with built-in screens. No need to squint at your phone or tablet - you've got a beautiful display right there showing all your shot data.

The Full Swing KIT made waves when Tiger Woods jumped on board as their poster boy. Can't argue with that endorsement, right? Meanwhile, the R50 is creating its own storm as Garmin's first launch monitor that doubles as a legit golf simulator without needing extra gear.

But here's where things get interesting - they couldn't be more different in how they actually track your shots. The R50 uses cameras and sits off to the side, watching your ball like a hawk. The Full Swing KIT? It's all about radar technology, parking itself behind your hitting area.

This tech difference is huge for how you'll actually use them. With the R50's camera system, you're getting incredibly detailed data on your ball flight and club movement. It's tracking every dimple on that ProV1 as it launches. The Full Swing's radar approach means it's sending out waves to track your ball's journey - think of it like a police speed gun for golf balls.

The placement matters too. Having the R50 beside you means you won't accidentally whack it with a shanked shot (we've all been there). The Full Swing sits behind you, which some folks prefer because it's completely out of your peripheral vision.

Performance-wise, you're looking at tour-level accuracy from both units. But the R50 might edge ahead if you're practicing indoors with limited ball flight - those cameras can calculate what would've happened outdoors better than radar in tight spaces.

Here's the real question though: which one fits your game better? If you're dreaming of playing Pebble Beach in your garage this winter, the R50's built-in simulator capabilities are tough to beat. You're getting Home Tee Hero software included, which means you can tee it up on famous courses without leaving home.

The Full Swing KIT shines if you want that "tour pro" experience - it's literally what Tiger uses. Plus, their software integration with E6 Connect gives you tons of course options, though you'll need a separate subscription.

Both units will tell you everything you'd ever want to know about your swing - ball speed, launch angle, spin rate, carry distance, the works. They'll even break down your club path and face angle at impact. It's like having a teaching pro who never gets tired of watching you hit balls.

Either way, you're making a serious investment in your game. Just make sure you've got the space to use it properly - these aren't exactly portable units you'll throw in your trunk for a range session.

You're gonna notice two things right away with the Garmin Approach R50: this thing's huge, and that screen is something else.

When you first get your hands on it, you'll think someone mixed up your order with a microwave. The R50's about 17 inches high, a foot wide, and weighs in at 9 pounds - basically three times bigger than those compact launch monitors like the GC3 or Launch Pro. At first you might wonder why they made it so massive, but then you see that gorgeous 10-inch touchscreen and it all makes sense.

That display is the real showstopper here. Picture strapping an iPad to your launch monitor - except it's actually built right in. The colors pop, touch response is instant, and you can actually see your shot data without squinting. Once you start using it, you'll get why they didn't skimp on screen size. Makes tracking your numbers during practice way easier when you can actually see what's happening.

Nobody's seen anything quite like this before in the launch monitor world. Sure, it takes up more space in your garage, but when you fire it up for the first time, you're definitely gonna have one of those "holy crap" moments.

Now the Full Swing KIT takes a totally different approach - it's all about that premium feel. Opening the box feels like unboxing a Rolex. The build quality screams professional from every angle, and you can tell they sweated the details.

The KIT's screen might not be as massive as the R50's, but don't count it out. That OLED display lights up with colors that'll make you do a double-take. Before Garmin dropped the R50, this was hands-down the prettiest screen you could get on a launch monitor. Even now, it holds its own with crisp graphics that make reading your ball speed and spin rates super clear.

Look, nobody drops five grand on a launch monitor because it's pretty. But when you're investing that kind of cash in your game, it's nice to get something that doesn't look like a garage sale find. Both units nail that premium feel - they're the kind of gear you actually want to show off to your foursome.

You're looking at two launch monitors that'll both set you back five grand - the Full Swing KIT and Garmin's Approach R50 (just a penny shy of $5,000). Yeah, I know what you're thinking - that's a serious chunk of change for most of us weekend warriors.

But hear me out. After testing both units extensively, I'd argue you're getting your money's worth here. Think about what you're actually buying - top-tier color screens built right in, plus every data point about your ball flight and club delivery you'd ever need. No extra subscriptions or hidden fees to unlock the good stuff.

Most comparable launch monitors at this performance level? They'll cost you way more, or they'll nickel-and-dime you with add-ons just to get the same features these two deliver straight out of the box. So while five grand ain't pocket change, you're actually getting a pretty fair shake compared to what else is out there.

Look, getting these launch monitors up and running couldn't be simpler - both earn perfect marks for user-friendliness.

The Garmin R50? You'll be hitting balls within seconds of pulling it out of the box. Want to play Pebble Beach from your garage? The built-in Home Tee Hero software gets you teeing off in under a minute. Pick from 43,000 courses worldwide - no joke.

Here's what really blows my mind: you connect this thing directly to your projector with just an HDMI cable. That's it. Every other launch monitor on the market forces you to mess around with laptops or iPads as middlemen. The R50 just plugs in and works.

Now, the Full Swing KIT deserves equal praise for solving radar's biggest headache. You know how most radar units need perfect alignment? Usually takes forever, right? Full Swing fixed that problem completely.

They stuck a 4K camera in there that shows you exactly where you're aiming through the app. You'll see guide lines on your screen - just drop your ball between the dotted ones and you're good to go. Takes about 30 seconds tops.

I've tested tons of radar launch monitors, and they're usually a pain to line up properly. The KIT changes the game entirely. Only optical units match this level of simplicity - like the R50 we just talked about.

Both devices eliminate the typical setup frustrations that make golfers want to chuck their tech in the lake. You spend more time practicing and less time fiddling with alignment and cables.

You're gonna notice right away that the R50 is a beast when it comes to portability - or lack thereof. This thing's massive, and there's no sugar-coating it.

Good news though - Garmin throws in this killer carrying case that's built like a tank. Think of your buddy's oversized YETI cooler, and you're getting warm. The padding's top-notch, it looks sharp, and they even toss in a shoulder strap. But let's be real - you're still lugging around something hefty.

Here's the flip side that's actually pretty cool. Since the R50 runs solo without needing a phone or tablet hookup, you can literally set it up wherever you've got space to rip a 7-iron. Takes maybe 60 seconds tops to get it going, which beats fiddling with Bluetooth connections and apps.

Now the Full Swing KIT? That's more what you'd expect from a portable launch monitor. Way smaller footprint, and it comes with its own slick protective case that'll survive getting tossed around.

But here's my gripe - even though it's smaller, you still can't squeeze the KIT into your golf bag with the case on. So picture this: you're hitting balls before your round, and now you've gotta trek back to the parking lot to stash your launch monitor before teeing off. Kinda annoying if you're hoofing it that day.

You know what's frustrating? Dropping serious cash on a launch monitor only to find out you need to shell out even more for the data you actually want. Well, here's some good news - neither the Garmin R50 nor the Full Swing KIT pulls that nonsense on you.

Everything these bad boys can measure comes standard. No nickel-and-diming, no premium subscriptions - just all the numbers right out of the box.

Let me break down what you're getting with the R50. This thing tracks sixteen different metrics that'll tell you exactly why your 7-iron keeps ballooning into the wind. You've got your basics like ball speed and carry distance, sure. But it's also showing you spin axis (that's what makes your ball curve left or right), smash factor (how efficiently you're transferring energy to the ball), and angle of attack - basically whether you're hitting down on it like you should with irons or coming in too steep.

The Full Swing KIT? It's reading fifteen key measurements, and honestly, it's got everything a weekend warrior needs to figure out their swing. What's cool is how it breaks down your misses - it'll show you side carry and side total, so you know exactly how far offline you're hitting it. That face-to-path number? That's gold for understanding why you're slicing. When your face is open relative to your path, that ball's heading right every time.

Both units give you club path angle, which is huge. If you're swinging 5 degrees out-to-in, no wonder you're hitting those weak fades. And they'll show you face angle at impact - the main culprit behind most bad shots.

Here's what matters: you're getting tour-level data without tour-level pricing schemes. Whether you grab the Garmin or the Full Swing, you'll have enough information to actually fix what's broken in your swing instead of just guessing on the range.

You've probably never seen anything quite like the Garmin Approach R50. I mean, we're talking about a golf launch monitor that doubles as a simulator - and here's the kicker - you don't need to connect it to a computer, tablet, or anything else. Just flip it on and you're good to go.

Want to practice in your backyard? Perfect. Feel like getting some swings in at the park? No problem. The thing works anywhere outside, and setting it up is stupid simple. Just power it on and scroll through your options - you've got driving ranges, target challenges, and even full courses ready to play through Home Tee Hero.

Here's what really matters though - this thing nails your numbers. Whether you're hitting off your perfectly manicured lawn or that beat-up mat in your garage, the R50 tracks everything accurately. That's huge because some monitors get wonky when you're not hitting off artificial turf.

Now, the Full Swing KIT plays in a similar sandbox when it comes to outdoor versatility. It won't let you play virtual rounds on the device like the R50 does, but it's got its own screen showing all your shot data instantly. No fumbling with your phone between swings.

You'll eventually want to sync up with Full Swing's app to save and analyze your sessions, but we're talking maybe 10 seconds to connect. Not exactly a buzzkill to your practice flow.

Just like the R50, the Full Swing KIT doesn't care if you're striking balls off real grass - it tracks everything clean. Compare that to something like the SkyTrak+ that basically demands you hit off mats, and you start seeing why outdoor flexibility matters.

I tested the Full Swing KIT extensively outside and the numbers were rock solid. Sure, I hit a couple minor snags when I brought it inside (I'll get to those), but under the open sky? Money. Makes sense when you think about it - radar units need space to track your ball's full flight, so they naturally perform better with room to breathe.

When you're ready to drop five grand on a launch monitor, the Garmin R50 edges out the Full Swing KIT as the smarter investment. Yeah, Full Swing's got that Tiger Woods connection and handles lefties better, but the R50's built-in simulator and direct projector connection make it a game-changer for home practice. You're getting tour-level accuracy from both, but only the R50 lets you play Pebble Beach in your garage without firing up a laptop. Unless you absolutely need that full swing video or share your setup with a lefty, the R50's your ticket to year-round improvement.