Blog Topics

Garmin’s Golf Radar Capture Device - Approach R10 Launch Monitor

I reviewed a whole bunch of golf launch monitor devices and simulators, and they are just way too pricey to justify purchasing for home use. Then I came across Garmin’s Approach R10. The reviews are fantastic, and the price is very reasonable for what this device claims to be able to do. The device has a “Range” feature to track shots as well as the ability (for a monthly fee $9.99/mth) to become a full golf simulator, allowing you to “virtually” play many golf courses from around the world. 

I plan to primarily use the R10 with my net in the backyard as well as at my range at the club that uses real golf balls (albeit not “radar friendly” balls - yes Pro V1 and V1x have radar friendly balls!)

Radar Capture Technology 

I learned that there is such as a thing as radar-friendly golf balls!

For the best indoor simulator experience, hit Titleist Pro V1® or Pro V1x® golf balls with Radar Capture Technology. When used with Approach R10, you can improve spin rate accuracy by up to 30X — and carry distance accuracy by up to 50%.

The Metal Dot Trick - Make a Your Own RCT Balls

RCT balls are still very expensive but I have seen others that have had a lot of success adding metal (or aluminum) dots or strips to their practice balls. Place the ball with the strip/dot facing away from the monitor  and when hit, the R10 spin accuracy improved dramatically. Going off to try to find some cheap metallic stickers…

Decided to simply buy some Aluminum tape from Crappy Tire and see if the R10 changes the spin rate from “italic” (calculated) to non-italic (actually read)

Just going to uses scissors to create small squares or dots. Also plan to look around for some metallic dot stickers to try out.

Summary

The Garmin Approach R10 is an excellent option for an entry level launch monitor as well as having the extra bonus of being a nice simulator for adding some fun to your practice sessions. The device is compact and very user friendly with decent battery life.

Pros

• cost effective
• small - can throw in bag
• quick setup - magnetic tripod
• accurate (within reason)
• long battery life (10 hrs)
• works well with nets
• can become a full simulator with courses
• lots of data
• user friendly

Cons

• not as accurate as a Trackman (but way cheaper)
• interpolates based on algorithms (only measures key attributes)
  • Has to interpolate spin rates if not using radar-friendly or RCT balls (see “The Metal Dot Trick - Make a Your Own RCT Balls” to get around this)
• no “range ball” adjustment (short range balls)

I have been using Garmin’s Approach watch for many years and have been very happy with it.

Q: Do you get anything without a subscription

R10 App - Garmin Golf

Garmin has a free app that integrates with many of their golf devices including the Approach R10. You can also pay a monthly subscription to use the app as a full simulator app and play a number of courses from around the world. With the free version of the app you can still use the “Range” feature with the R10 to collect stats regarding you shots by club as well as download courses to play and collect your scores, etc.

App - Awesome Golf ($499)

Many folks who have an R10 have invested in an app called “Awesome Golf”. This app has many additional features when compared to the free Garmin app that makes the R10 a more comprehensive training aide. However, there is a fee to use the many features of this app. The current price is either a one-time/monthly ($199/$9.99) or a one-time fee ($499).

Video of Awesome Golf working with R10

App - E6

Arguably the best “photo realistic” golf simulator software is E6 but does require subscription to play courses beyond the 5 courses.

Garmin Approach - R10 Manual

Here is the Approach R10 manual

Comparison of $6,000 device to R10

Here is is good video comparing a Bushnell Launch Monitor (@ over $6,000) versus the Garmin R10

Comparison Video  of Bushnell and R10

R10 Alignment

The R10 should be square behind the hitting surface (the golf ball) and should be between 6-8 feet behind the ball. So I plan to keep a 6-7 foot piece of string in the carrying case to assist with setup. Also, the device should be at the same height as the hitting surface (note - some hitting mats, and in my case my launch platform, can be an inch or several inches higher than the ground). When connected, and with the device placed six feet behind the ball and if used indoors or outside and/or with a practice net, there needs to be at least eight feet between the ball and whatever you are hitting into, such as a screen or a net. Be sure to use the alignment stand or a box, etc. to get the correct height for your R10 as well as make sure to square and level the device. This way you will be getting the most accurate results from the device.

Next Steps

Current local store price is Cdn $779+tax..

I searched around and found an overseas supplier with a decent discount price so I have placed an order for the R10 and will test it out when it arrives. In the meantime, here are some if the specs:

Update on order - the order is not going well. These devices are in high demand, especially at the lower price range - driving up the cost. The original vendor is now saying that shipping and taxes are more than expected and therefore may not honour the original deal. I will see what happens over the next few days.

Next order update

Too much grief with my original seller so cancelled the order but actually found a better deal which includes a levelling stand for the R10 so placed a new order. A “levelling stand” was something that is highly recommended to make setup easier for more accurate results.

Let’s see how this attempt goes… will cross my fingers and see… So far so good as with this purchase it was shipped the same day! So time to wait and see if it makes it…

Looks like my order made it but was turned around by Customs. So cancelled order (again) and will likely put this purchase on hold until a new sale arises….

Ordered from BestBuy - $679

Gave up ordering direct from overseas and decided to bite the bullet and ordered a unit lii on calls on Black Friday for $679.

Update

The R10 showed up in 2 days and I found that connecting it to the Garmin app was extremely easy. It connected right away and I was off to the races.

A “Poor Man’s” Levelling Stand

Since I did not purchase a “levelling stand” I simply built one with a piece of left over scrap wood and a small 50 cent bullseye level that I had lying around. I drilled a 1 1/4” hole to recess the bullseye level into the middle of the stand and grabbed some furniture levelling feet (~ $5) to make a “poor man’s” R10 levelling stand. After sanding the wood, I used some butcher block oil to make it a bit weather resistant - or to convert it into a fancy levelling cheese plate :-)

Here is the finished product:

Review of R10 in Action

I have now had a chance to use the R10 at the swing net and I have to say that it lives up to the hype. I can safely highly recommend the ease of setup, use and valuable feedback. I use an IPAD on a tripod and select the option to have audio feedback of the ball speed along with the default driving range statistics (carry distance, total yards, deviation).

The data that the device tracks is very impressive and you can easily send out a summary of you range sessions in Excel format.

Overall rating: Excellent