The SkyTrak+ is a generational leap over the original โ not just an incremental update. It adds full club data (speed, path, face angle, attack angle), uses dual photometric cameras plus radar instead of a single camera, and is spec'd to within 1% of TrackMan accuracy. Both models are now prior-generation: the original SkyTrak was succeeded by the SkyTrak+, and the SkyTrak+ has itself been succeeded by the SkyTrak ST MAX (~$1,995). This page is most useful if you're comparing used units or deciding how much the original-to-plus upgrade matters. If you own the original and are wondering whether the plus is worth it: yes, the club data alone justifies it.
Manufacturer photos
Specs Side-by-Side
| Feature | ๐ท SkyTrak (Original) | ๐ SkyTrak+ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Check used/current pricing (prior gen, no new stock) | $1,995 (note: now succeeded by SkyTrak ST MAX) |
| Status | Discontinued (prior gen) | Discontinued โ succeeded by SkyTrak ST MAX |
| Technology | Single Photometric Camera | Dual Photometric + Radar |
| Ball Data Metrics | Ball speed, launch angle, backspin, sidespin, carry, total | All original metrics + spin axis, descent angle |
| Club Data | โ Not available | โ Club speed, path, face angle, attack angle, dynamic loft |
| Total Data Points | 8 | 18 |
| Accuracy (vs TrackMan) | Within 2โ3% | Within 1% |
| Spin Measurement | Camera-based (good) | Dual-sensor (excellent) |
| Indoor Performance | Good | Excellent |
| GSPro Support | โ | โ |
| E6 Connect Support | โ | โ |
| TGC 2019 Support | โ | โ |
| WiFi Connectivity | WiFi (2.4 GHz) | WiFi 6 (2.4 + 5 GHz) |
| Shot Processing Speed | ~3โ5 seconds | ~1โ2 seconds |
| Software Updates | No longer receiving updates | Succeeded by ST MAX (verify current support) |
| Our Score | N/A (legacy) | 9.4 / 10 |
Technology Deep Dive
The original SkyTrak uses a single photometric camera positioned beside the ball. It captures high-speed images of the ball at launch to calculate ball speed, launch angle, backspin, sidespin, and carry distance. For its era (launched 2014), this was groundbreaking technology that brought accurate ball data into home simulator setups for the first time.
The SkyTrak+ is a fundamentally different machine. It combines dual photometric cameras with Doppler radar โ a hybrid approach that captures both ball and club data with far greater precision. The dual cameras photograph the ball and club at impact while the radar tracks ball flight. This fusion of sensor types is the basis for the SkyTrak+'s claimed accuracy spec of within 1% of TrackMan.
The Club Data Gap
This is the single biggest difference between the two units and the primary reason to upgrade. The original SkyTrak measures ball data only โ it tells you what the ball did, but not what the club did. The SkyTrak+ measures both.
| Club Data Metric | ๐ท SkyTrak (Original) | ๐ SkyTrak+ |
|---|---|---|
| Club Head Speed | โ | โ |
| Club Path | โ | โ |
| Face Angle | โ | โ |
| Face to Path | โ | โ |
| Attack Angle | โ | โ |
| Dynamic Loft | โ | โ |
Why does this matter? Because ball data tells you what happened โ club data tells you why. If your shots are fading right, ball data shows you the sidespin, but club data shows you whether it's an open face, an out-to-in path, or both. Without club data, you're guessing at the cause. With it, you know exactly what to fix.
For club fitting, coaching sessions, and serious swing work, club data is non-negotiable. This alone justifies the upgrade for anyone who practices more than casually.
Simulator Software Support
| Simulator Platform | ๐ท SkyTrak (Original) | ๐ SkyTrak+ |
|---|---|---|
| SkyTrak App (built-in) | โ | โ |
| TGC 2019 | โ | โ |
| GSPro | โ | โ Native |
| E6 Connect | โ | โ |
| WGT | โ (via app) | โ |
| Creative Golf 3D | โ | โ |
The simulator landscape has shifted dramatically since the original SkyTrak launched. GSPro has become the go-to platform for serious home sim users โ it's affordable ($250 lifetime or $35/month) and has 200,000+ courses. The original SkyTrak doesn't support it. The SkyTrak+ does, natively.
E6 Connect is the other major platform, used by commercial simulator facilities and serious home setups. Again: SkyTrak+ supports it, original doesn't. If sim play is a priority, the original SkyTrak's software options feel dated in 2026.
Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Let's be direct. Here's how we'd frame the decision:
| Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Buying your first launch monitor | SkyTrak ST MAX โ the current model; consider the SkyTrak+ only if found at a significant used discount |
| Own original SkyTrak, use daily | Upgrade โ club data + accuracy improvement pays for itself |
| Own original SkyTrak, use weekly | Upgrade โ modern sim support alone is worth it |
| Own original SkyTrak, use casually | Keep it โ still works fine for basic ball data |
| Budget can't reach SkyTrak+ pricing | Used original SkyTrak โ still delivers solid ball data for practice |
| Building a home sim setup | SkyTrak+ โ GSPro/E6 support + club data are essential |
Who Should Buy Which
- โ Budget can't reach SkyTrak+ pricing
- โ You only need basic ball data
- โ You don't use GSPro or E6 Connect
- โ You practice casually (1โ2x/month)
- โ You already own one and it still works
- โ You're not working with a coach
- โ You want club AND ball data
- โ You're building a home simulator
- โ You use GSPro or E6 Connect
- โ You practice regularly (weekly+)
- โ You work with a coach or fitter
- โ You want within-1%-of-TrackMan accuracy
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