Garmin Approach R10 Evaluation – Greatest Worth Launch Monitor But?

In this overview, we’ll check out the Garmin Approach R10 moveable golf launch monitor & simulator.

The R10 has already made massive waves within the trade — many individuals take into account it to have revolutionized golf tech just like the SkyTrak did again in 2014.

Launched in 2021, the R10 was the primary launch monitor to measure detailed membership path parameters that you can beforehand solely get in $1800+ models. It was additionally the primary launch monitor in its value varied to have golf simulation capabilities.

In this Garmin Method R10 overview, I’ll take an in-depth h look at the launch monitor. I’ll look not solely at how nicely it measures ball and swing information, but in addition at its usability, golf simulation options, and the way it stacks up in opposition to equally priced merchandise.

How does the R10 carry out? How does it evaluate different sub-$2000 launch displays just like the SkyTrak and Rapsodo MLM? Is it valuable getting in the event you’re on the lookout for a transportable golf launch monitor?

Right here’s what I’m going to be masking within the overview:

Able to strive for the Garmin Method R10 proper now? Click on the button under or scroll right down to the underside of my overview to see my last verdict!

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What’s the Garmin Approach R10?

You in all probability know Garmin as the corporate behind lots of the finest golf GPS models available on the market. And though they’ve come out with fashions just like the G80 which have built-in membership and ball monitoring, they by no means truly had a devoted launch monitor providing.

That’s, till now. Garmin has thrown its hat into the launch monitor and golf simulator ring with a bombshell of a proposal, the R10.

The R10, at its core, is a launch monitor that tracks numerous membership and ball information parameters so as to enhance your swing consistency. It describes itself as “a transportable launch monitor that brings the course to you”.

However, the R10 does far more than simply observe shot metrics. Not solely does it measure information factors that you can beforehand solely enter with higher-end launch displays just like the SkyTrak and Mevo+, but, it could actually additionally file video clips of every shot and supply golf simulation with an array of software program options.

That is the R10’s largest promoting level. Till it got here into existence, you have been by no means in a position to get this degree of knowledge measurement and golf simulation for lower than $1000.

The moveable R10 is designed to be simple to maneuver from the house to the driving vary, and it’s held with a handy magnetic tripod mount. A smartphone and the Garmin Golf App are required to make use of it.

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Setting Up & Utilizing The R10

The very first thing it’s best to do is familiarize yourself with the R10 unit.

The entrance facet of the R10 has the brand and one LED that signifies the standing of the unit. It will let you recognize whether or not or not the R10 is able to take a shot. White, inexperienced, purple, purple, or blue lights could also be displayed.

The again of machine accommodates the USB port with a climate cap, alignment line, energy button, and battery-standing LED indicator. Strong purple right here signifies that the battery is absolutely charged.

Notice: The R10 makes use of a built-in lithium-ion battery that ought to final around ten hours at a full cost. Be certain that the LED indicator on the unit shouldn’t be quickly flashing purple (signifies low battery) earlier than first use.

The fundamental setup is simple and requires these steps:

1. Set up the Garmin Golf App and pair your smartphone.

Set up the Garmin Golf App on your smartphone by means of the App Store or Google Play Store relying on in the event you’re utilizing iOS or Android.

Then, carry your telephone close to the R10 unit and press the ability button to activate the R10.

The R10 will routinely enter Bluetooth pairing mode, indicated by a strong blue LED mild. Go to the settings within the Garmin Golf App, add the brand-new machine, and observe the on-screen directions.

2. Set up the tripod mount.

The included tripod stand is secured to the R10 unit magnetically. Watch out for not putting the magnet within the stand in shut proximity to digital gadgets equivalent to computer systems and tablets.

The tripod mount can solely be put in a technique. Insert the highest half (with the Garmin Emblem) into the again of R10 unit, after which open the three tripod legs in order that they’re absolutely prolonged.

3. Put together to hit a shot.

First, place your ball within the tee space. If taking part indoors, be sure that it’s not less than eight ft away from the web.

Then place the R10, mounted on the tripod stand, 6-8 ft behind the tee location and orient it in order that the entrance of the R10 is dealing with the ball.

For the finest outcomes, the R10 ought to be a degree with the hitting floor. For instance, if utilizing a mat that places the ball 1-2 inches off the bottom, the R10 on its tripod stand ought to be elevated to match. This may be accomplished with a bit of plywood or a small piece of the identical hitting turf that’s getting used.

Subsequently, make certain the R10 is positioned such that the purple alignment line is aligned with the situation of the ball and with the meant goal line. You should utilize a golf membership or alignment stick to verify this.

The tee location could be safely shifted as much as one foot on both facets of the goal line if vital. Notice that incorrect positioning will negatively affect the flexibility of the R10 to offer correct measurements.

As soon as the positioning is taken care of, press the button to activate the R10, begin a sport mode within the Garmin Golf app on your telephone, anticipate the LED indicator to start out flashing inexperienced, and hit your shot.

Extra Ideas

• the battery could be charged in an ordinary wall outlet or on a pc USB port
• you should use the included telephone mount to connect your telephone to your golf bag for simple viewing
• earlier than a prolonged interval of non-use, make certain the R10 has not less than 50% battery cost
• at all times defend the USB port with the climate cap
• the R10 ought to be saved in a cool, dry place

For extra detailed setup directions, info, and ideas, seek the advice of the Garmin Method R10 owner’s manual.

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Information Parameters & Accuracy

The Method R10 measures 4 information parameters immediately:

1. Ball velocity: the velocity of the ball instantly after effect.
2. Membership head velocity: the velocity of the membership head at effect.
3. Launch angle: of the ball relative to the bottom.
4. Launch course: proper or left of the goal.

An array of further metrics are derived by means of calculations:

• spin fee
• spin axis
• carry distance
• apex top
• membership face angle
• membership path angle
• angle of assault
• noticed ball flight vary
• complete distance
• carry distance
• smash issue
• apex top
• deviation distance

Some have claimed that the R10 additionally measured backswing and downswing instances. Nonetheless, I’ve not seen that in any official documentation nor have I seen it in my very own R10 session information, so I can’t affirm it.

However, after all, everybody needs to find out about accuracy. It doesn’t matter what number of parameters there are; if the measurements are method off, it doesn’t do you any good.

Simply how correct is the R10? After intensive testing, I can definitively say that the accuracy is inside vary of the $2000 “next-level” launch displays just like the SkyTrak and Mevo+, significantly outside the place the radar know-how can actually shine.

For sensible functions, in terms of distance, you may assume that the R10 could be off by a couple of yards at worst. Indoors, nevertheless, I discover that distance readings are much less correct.

Relating to different metrics, Garmin offers the accuracies:

The margin of error for membership information does appear to be on the excessive facet. The trail and face angles, specifically, may give readings that might be considerably totally different from actuality, though the accuracy of many parameters has improved over time with firmware updates.

All issues thought of, the R10 does an incredible job for a $600 unit, but it surely’s affordable to say that the accuracy isn’t as dependable as costlier models. However, for a lot of golfers, it’s one thing they’ll settle for given the very inexpensive value level.

In any case, the Method R10 has been lauded by just about each main golf publication and critic within the trade, and that ought to inform you one thing.

A Notice On Spin Calculation

The ball spin fee studying of Method R10 has a number of circumstances connected to it, and this was up to date in model 3.80 of the software program.

The very first thing is that to ensure that spin is measured immediately by the radar, the ball flight should be seen for greater than 20 meters and the ball should be going quicker than 90 mph. In any other case, spin shall be calculated.

Indoors, the R10 calculates spin through the use of a machine-learned mannequin that makes use of measured radar information as inputs. In the open air, the R10 calculates spin by observing the trajectory of the ball.

You must keep away from marking balls (with stickers, and many others.) as this can lead to much less correct spin readings; nevertheless, you should use the particular marked Titleist RCT golf balls to reinforce the accuracy of indoor spin readings. Headwinds and tailwinds also can have an effect on the accuracy of the measurement.

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Golf Simulation

One of many issues that actually units the Method R10 other than different launch displays in its value vary is its help for golf simulation.

With the R10, there are at present 5 methods to get digital golf simulator expertise:

1. Use the driving vary.

Via the Garmin Golf app, you may enter the Driving Vary Mode which simulates your shot on a digital driving vary and offers the complete set of knowledge metrics after each shot.

You are able to do different issues in Driving Vary Mode, together with:

• use your telephone’s digicam to file swings throughout a spread session (Swing Seize)
• View driving varies session statistics for every shot and membership
• allow audio metrics which might be spoken after every shot
• toggle to an overhead digicam view with distance markers
• view superior swing metrics

2. Play on House Tee Hero.

House Tee Hero is a golf simulation software program resolution that requires a lively Garmin Golf Premium Subscription: costs $9.99 per 30 days or $99.99 per 12 months.

House Tee Hero accommodates over 42,000 programs so that you can play (with as many as 4 gamers), from native programs around you to the world’s most prestigious programs.

The graphics of House Tee Hero are fairly cartoonish, however, the recreations are impressively correct for one thing so compact.

Notice that you can check out a Garmin Golf membership and luxuriate in all the advantages that include it totally free for 30 days. One other among these advantages is the ability to take part in weekly tournaments with different golfers worldwide.

3. Use the E6 CONNECT software program.

If you would like an extra sensible simulation atmosphere than what House Tee Hero has to supply, the R10 can also be suitable with the highly effective, world-renowned E6 CONNECT software program.

E6 CONNECT is very customizable and has a few of the most photo-realistic graphics available on the market. It gives numerous course simulations, minigames, coaching aids, tournaments, multiplayer codecs, and extras.

A separate subscription will have to be bought so as to use E6 CONNECT on PC or iOS gadgets. It’s not low-cost, however, the R10 does come bundled with a primary subscription to E6 CONNECT that lets you play 5 programs.

You’ll need to attach your cell machine (with the Garmin Golf app put in) to the E6 CONNECT desktop utility or cell app earlier than you may play the software program.

4. Play Superior Golf.

The R10 has lately gained compatibility with Superior Golf. This can be a third-party golf simulator software program that’s closely targeted at enjoyment and leisure with buddies, households, and kids.

Superior Golf has 4 most important modes:

1. Vary: informative application classes and an in-depth evaluation of each shot.
2. Challenges: closest to the pin, lengthy drive, goal golf, and expertise problem.
3. Shootouts: kid-friendly minigames together with Tremendous Splash and Boat Blast.
4. Digital Golf: full course play at fictional Spring Park Hills, Island Seaside, Desert Canyon, and Valley Pines.

Awesome Golf is full of enjoyable simulation options that may preserve you busy for hours on finish.

The software program is at present accessible for PC, iOS, and Android, and licenses are multi-platform.

5. Use The Golf Membership 2019.

One other software program integration for the R10 is The Golf Membership 2019.

At one level, this was our #1 software program decided for golf simulation on the whole as a result of it gives 170,000+ programs to play, has loads of options, has nice graphics and sound results, and may be very inexpensive contemplating what you get.

The graphics of TGC 2019 have a practical fashion like E6 CONNECT. With TGC 2019, you may:

• play online (with strangers, buddies, or household) and compete in reside worldwide tournaments
• play multiplayer regionally
• entry to the TGC library of over 170,000 programs
• do vary, chipping or placing apply
• design your personal course with a couple of clicks

Play codecs embrace stroke play, match play, Stableford, 4 ball, skins, and alternate shots. TGC has a cool characteristic that enables as many as 4 gamers in a multiplayer setting to hit their pictures at the identical time.

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Different Options

Because of the ability of the Garmin Golf app (which, by the way in which, has very excessive rankings, which is frankly very troublesome to realize with telephone apps), the Method R10 can do extra than simply measure swing parameters and supply a golf simulation expertise.

This consists of:

Swing Seize

With the R10, you may arrange your telephone’s digicam behind the hitting space and seize video of your shot. Your stats together with ball velocity, carry distance, and complete distance are overlaid on the prime of every clip. The membership you have been utilizing can also be specified.

Every clip could be paused and skipped to totally different factors as desired. And with a Garmin Golf Premium Subscription, you may retail these video clips within the cloud for handy entry.

Notice that in contrast to the Rapsodo MLM, the R10’s video seize characteristic doesn’t have a shot tracer.

Membership Efficiency

Intently tying in with video seize is the flexibility to observe how every membership is performing throughout a driving vary session.

When viewing your membership efficiency, you get:

• a top-down dispersion map of all of your pictures
• your complete shot relies on
• the variety of pictures hit every membership
• the max, min, and common distances for every membership
• common carry distances for every membership

This characteristic will actually enable you to perceive your numbers. The truth is, in the event you’re utilizing the R10, I might advocate hitting not less than ten pictures with every membership in your bag so that you simply be taught your common distances and may make higher membership choice selections throughout rounds.

Tournaments & Sharing

One other factor the Garmin Golf app lets you do is add scorecards and overview stats & leaderboards.

You’ll be able to view world weekly leaderboards for any of the 42,000+ programs contained in House Tee Hero and think about stats in actual time.

You may as well create your personal tournaments and invite your mates to compete.

PinSeeker App Compatibility

The distinctive PinSeeker app runs closest-to-the-pin tournaments by means of E6 CONNECT that reward individuals with prizes. The 2 forms of tournaments in PinSeeker are at present:

• Free Tournaments: held a number of instances day by day, these will let you apply your sport stress-free and win swag or bragging rights
• Money Tournaments: held a number of instances per week, these have an entry price and pay out money prizes which might be additionally matched and despatched to charity

The app is accessible for obtain on each iOS and Android gadgets. Tournaments are open to not simply R10 customers, but in addition, anybody utilizing a suitable simulator.

The newest full model of E6 CONNECT is required to play PinSeeker tournaments. You may as well use PinSeeker on the demo model of E6 CONNECT however you’ll solely have an entry for a restricted time.

PinSeeker is an attention-grabbing method to presumably recoup some or all the value of your R10 unit and the E6 CONNECT software program, relying on how good of a golfer you might be!

Titleist RCT Compatibility

The R10 can also be now suitable with Titleist Professional V1 and V1x RCT (radar seize know-how) golf balls.

These balls present all the identical advantages because the world-renowned Professional V1 and V1x balls, however, are specifically manufactured by Titleist with an inside reflective marker. This embedded marker is designed in order that radar-based launch displays can present probably the most correct indoor spin readings potential.

Within the case of the R10, Titleist RCT balls allow spin fee readings which might be as much as 30 instances extra correct than standard, and carry distance readings which might be as much as 50% extra correct.

These balls are dear at around $70/dozen however you will discover nice offers for them on eBay.

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Pricing

The Method R10 launch monitor unit price is $599.99 USD. This consists of the R10, tripod stand, telephone mount, carrying case, and Micro USB cable.

The companion Garmin Golf app, which is required to make use of the R10, is free. Nonetheless, Garmin gives a membership for the app, unique for R10 customers, that prices $9.99 per 30 days or $99.99 per 12 months. The membership offers you:

• entry to House Tee Hero golf simulation
• inexperienced contour information
• the flexibility to retail video clips within the cloud

A 30-day free trial for the Garmin Golf membership is supplied, which I believe is a really beneficial period of time to strive it out.

As for the E6 CONNECT software program, it’s fairly costly. A primary 1-year subscription is priced at $300, an expanded 1-year subscription is priced at $600, and an everlasting license is priced at $2,500.

The Golf Membership 2019 prices $950 as a one-time buy. Superior Golf prices are $199.99+$9.99 per 30 days or $349.99 one time.

The vast majority of R10 prospects will doubtless discover the simulation capabilities of House Tee Hero ample, and others shall be pleased with the Superior Golf integration. I like to recommend getting TGC 2019 over E6 CONNECT until you actually like E6’s gameplay and graphics.

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The place To Purchase The Method R10 On-line

There are a lot of locations the place you should purchase the Method R10. In case you’re wanting online, the most effective locations I might advocate are PlayBetter, The Indoor Golf Store, and Top Shelf Golf.

You’ll be able to select any of those distributors primarily based on your preferences. All of them have glorious help groups that may enable you with any questions or considerations you’ll have.

PlayBetter, specifically, gives a particular bundle that packs the R10 in a cool reward field and consists of their very own branded automotive and wall USB charging adapters.

In case you’re on the lookout for a reduction on a used R10, you could possibly discover a whole lot on eBay.

One other factor that’s value contemplating in the event you plan to make use of the R10 indoors is an efficient internet and hitting mat setup. You’ll be able to even take it to the subsequent degree and have a full simulator display screen & enclosure, with the Garmin Golf app or E6 desktop software program related to a projector.

The buttons open in new tabs, so go forward and click on all of them to match.

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Steadily Requested Questions

Can the Garmin Golf app be considered for a bigger show?

Sure, and there are two components to this.

The primary is viewing your smartphone’s Garmin Golf app picture on a bigger pill. Android-to-Android or iPhone-to-iPad mirroring, with applied sciences like AirPlay or Display Share, makes this potential.

Utilizing the display screen mirroring operation in your smartphone, you may also mirror the Garmin Golf app to a suitable sensible TV.

Can I exploit Method R10 without a subscription?

Sure, you may. So long as you will have a smartphone that may run the Garmin Golf app, you’ll have the ability to view information parameters, watch video clips of your swing, analyze your efficiency, and entry all the different free options of the app.

For a full record of the free options supplied by the Garmin Golf app, go here. You may as well use a third-party simulator software program without signing up for a subscription plan.

Is Garmin updating the Method R10?

Completely. Their 3.30 replace, for instance, improved membership path and angle of assault estimations outside, indoor launch angle, doors facet spin estimation, and adjoining shot rejection exterior the hitting space.

Their 4.30 replace improved chip shot detection and added help for Titleist RCT golf balls.

Firmware updates for the R10 ought to be put in utilizing Garmin Express, which is a unique utility designed to handle Garmin gadgets. A PC or Mac is required to put in Garmin Specific.

Why are my information readings method off?

With the R10, you’ll very not often have conditions that place a knowledge level right here or there’s a little wonky. That is regular and to be anticipated for a sub-$1000 launch monitor. There are a lot of variables at play, and typically they don’t all line up completely.

However, past this, inaccurate readings are probably a consequence of incorrect alignment. As I discussed within the Setup part above, the R10 ought to be degree with the hitting floor, and the purple line on the highest of the machine ought to be aligned with the ball and the goal line.

To keep away from confusion in the event you’re hitting attracts and fades, the goal line is the straight line from the ball to your meant goal.

Probably the greatest method to verify your alignment is to hit a brief, straight shot with a wedge, and evaluate the ball flight to what’s displayed within the Garmin Golf app. If the R10 is dealing with too far in a single course, the simulated launch will are typically too far within the different course.

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Closing Ideas

For a transportable $600 unit, there’s actually no different method to put it: the Garmin Method R10 launch monitor is superb.

Not solely does it measure a formidable quantity of knowledge factors that you’d usually solely get on the $2000 SkyTrak/Mevo+ degree and above, but it surely’s additionally one of many sole launch displays beneath $1000 that has golf simulation functionality. If that wasn’t sufficient, Garmin continues so as to add compatibility for extra high-quality software programs.

That doesn’t imply the R10 is healthier than these methods. Assuming you have been financially detached from spending $2000 or spending $600, I might nonetheless go for the $2000 system (SkyTrak for indoors or Mevo+ for outside) since you’ll get extra reliability and extra direct measurements.

However if you wish to keep at that three-figure value degree, the R10 is certainly what it’s best to go for besides in a single case: once you want shot tracing on your recorded swings. In that case, it’s best to have a look at the Rapsodo MLM, though you’ll at present want an iOS machine for that.

Furthermore, when you’ve got a good tighter price range of $500 or much less and nonetheless need spin measurements, it’s best to have a look at the FlightScope Mevo which is usable with each Android and iOS gadget.

The Method R10 is just loaded with worth. For probably the most half it has glorious accuracy, and though there’s room for enhancement in a couple of areas together with indoor efficiency, Garmin is constructing on the R10 with updates and can doubtless proceed to take action for years to come back.

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Thanks for studying my Garmin Method R10 overview. Are you curious about the R10? Have you ever tried it already? What’s your expertise? Inform us about it within the feedback under.