Garmin Approach R50 vs Full Swing KIT
Which launch monitor fits you? Official specs side by side, the real five-year cost, and the facts that should decide it.
Garmin Approach R50
$4,499.99 official store
5-year cost indoors: $4,649.94
with the cheapest plan: $5,149.89
Full Swing KIT
$4,999 official store
5-year cost indoors: $4,999
with the cheapest plan: $5,494
Cost assumes you use it indoors and already own a phone. It includes required stickers or balls at our estimated rate. Run the calculator with your room and budget.
Which one should you pick?
Each reason is a difference in the makers' published facts. When one maker doesn't publish a fact, we don't use it.
Specs side by side Fact
| Garmin Approach R50 | Full Swing KIT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price on the official store | $4,499.99 ↗ | $4,999.00 ↗ |
| Still sold new as the current model | Yes | Yes |
| Technology | Photometric ↗ | Radar ↗ |
| Works indoors | Yes ↗ | Yes ↗ |
| Works outdoors | Yes ↗ | Yes ↗ |
| Room length needed indoors | Not available | 16 ft (8 ft ball to screen + 8 ft behind the ball) ↗ |
| Needs a phone, tablet or PC | No, works on its own ↗ | Not available |
| Spin | Measured ↗ | Measured ↗ |
| Club data | Yes ↗ | Yes ↗ |
| Simulator software included | Not available | Not available |
| Cheapest paid plan | Garmin Golf Membership: $99.99 a year (optional) ↗ | Full Swing App Premium: $99.00 a year (optional) ↗ |
| Stickers or special balls the maker requires | Club tracking stickers | None required |
| Extras the maker recommends | None listed | Titleist RCT golf balls (Recommended indoors for better spin readings) |
Specs verified Sep 19, 2026 (Garmin Approach R50) and Sep 19, 2026 (Full Swing KIT). Prices change; check the official page before buying.
Our take Our assessment (based on published specs)
Two premium portable units at similar prices: the Garmin R50 is on sale at $4,499.99 (list $4,999.99) and the Full Swing KIT is $4,999. Both work indoors and outdoors, and both makers say they measure spin.
The R50 uses three cameras, sits about 1.5 ft to the side of the ball and has its own screen; Garmin says it can run as a simulator on its own. Club data needs tracking stickers on the club face (250 in the box, $29.99 for 250 more). Garmin doesn't publish how far from the net it must be.
The KIT is a radar that sits behind the ball. Full Swing asks for 8–10 ft of ball flight plus 8–10 ft behind the ball indoors, so about 16 ft of room length. It reports 16 club and ball data points with "no unlock needed" and recommends Titleist RCT balls indoors for spin.
Plans are nearly identical: $99.99 a year for Garmin Golf and $99 a year for Full Swing App Premium.
Our read: if you want a single box with its own screen, the R50's built-in simulator is the reason to choose it. It sits beside the ball rather than behind it, but Garmin doesn't publish how much room it needs, so check its setup guide against your space. If you want club data without stickers and have 16 ft, the KIT is the alternative. We haven't tested either unit; this is based on published specs.
Quick answers
Which is cheaper, the Garmin Approach R50 or the Full Swing KIT?
On the official stores the Garmin Approach R50 is $4,499.99 and the Full Swing KIT is $4,999. Over 5 years indoors, with required stickers or balls at our estimated rate, that is $4,649.94 vs $4,999; with each maker's cheapest paid plan, $5,149.89 vs $5,494.
How much room does each need indoors?
Garmin Approach R50: not published by the maker. Full Swing KIT: about 16 ft (8 ft ball to screen + 8 ft behind the ball). Figures come from each maker's published setup distances.
Do you need a subscription?
Per the makers, the Garmin Approach R50 works without a paid plan; the cheapest is Garmin Golf Membership at $99.99 a year, and the Full Swing KIT works without a paid plan; the cheapest is Full Swing App Premium at $99 a year.
Do they measure spin?
Garmin Approach R50: the maker says it measures spin. Full Swing KIT: the maker says it measures spin. Check the extras each one needs.
Do they need special balls or stickers?
The Garmin Approach R50 needs Club tracking stickers for some data. The Full Swing KIT has no required stickers or special balls.
Last updated 2026-09-20. How we compare: How we rate.