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Short verdict: SkyTrak remains one of the easiest launch monitors to build a home simulator around, because it sits beside the ball and pairs a photometric camera with dual Doppler radar. The SkyTrak+ (ST+) is still a strong unit if you find it new at a good price, but SkyTrak's own store now lists it only as certified pre-owned and sells the ST MAX as its current model. For a new build, the ST MAX is the safer choice.
The real decision isn't ST+ vs ST MAX. It's whether a side-of-ball camera unit fits your room and budget better than a radar unit behind the ball, and whether you're happy paying a yearly membership.
SkyTrak at a glance
| SkyTrak+ (ST+) | SkyTrak ST MAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Photometric camera + dual Doppler radar | Photometric camera + dual Doppler radar |
| Placement | Beside the ball | Beside the ball |
| Ball data | Ball speed, launch, spin, carry and more | Carry, total, ball speed, back spin, side spin, descent angle, side angle, launch angle, shot shape |
| Club data | Club data via radar (per listings) | Club head speed, smash factor, club path, face angle, face-to-path |
| Battery | Rechargeable (check listing) | Lithium-polymer, about 4 hours |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB-C per listings | Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz), direct mode, dual USB ports |
| Size / weight | Check listing | 6.875 x 5.75 x 2.5 in; 1.7 lb |
| Exclusive features | None noted | Speed Training powered by GOLFTEC |
| Where to buy new | Amazon packages (SkyTrak store lists it as pre-owned) | SkyTrak store and Amazon |
How SkyTrak works
SkyTrak's approach is a hybrid. A photometric camera images the ball at impact to measure launch and spin, and dual Doppler radar adds club data such as club head speed, club path and face angle. Because the camera reads the ball the moment it leaves the face, SkyTrak doesn't need the ball to fly far, and the unit doesn't need to sit behind you.
That placement is the headline benefit. SkyTrak points out that its launch monitor sits next to the ball while other launch monitors require up to 8 feet behind the hitting area. In a garage or basement where every foot counts, that can be the difference between a sim that fits and one that doesn't. Our radar vs camera explainer covers the trade-offs.
Space requirements
- SkyTrak FAQ: a minimum indoor space of 10 ft wide x 10 ft deep, with enough ceiling height to swing your longest club.
- With an enclosure: SkyTrak's minimum room sizes range from 8.5 x 15 x 8 ft for its Studio 8' up to 14 x 17 x 10.5 ft for the Studio 13' Deep.
- Ceiling: SkyTrak says 10 feet typically offers ample clearance, though many golfers find 9 feet enough.
Check your room with our golf simulator room size calculator.
ST+ vs ST MAX: what changed
SkyTrak describes the ST MAX as keeping the camera-plus-dual-radar design and adding:
- Dual USB ports, so you can charge and transfer data at the same time.
- A new modular internal design and a charcoal grey finish.
- Speed Training powered by GOLFTEC, guided drills to build swing speed, which SkyTrak says is exclusive to the ST MAX.
Owner reviews on SkyTrak's site mention faster shot registration on the ST MAX and praise the dual USB-C setup, while some still report occasional no-reads, software lockups and differences between simulator and launch monitor modes. Treat those as patterns to watch, not guarantees either way.
Software and memberships
SkyTrak sells yearly plans:
- Essential: the entry plan with game-improvement features.
- Core (Foresight or TrackMan): adds a 50-plus course library from Foresight or TrackMan.
- Elite: the full course library (100-plus courses) plus new courses every month and GOLFTEC perks.
New units include a trial, and SkyTrak has offered a year of Core membership with ST MAX purchases; check what the listing you buy includes. SkyTrak's PC software needs Windows (Mac computers aren't supported for the ST+), and it can't run with VPN software installed.
Which SkyTrak setup fits your room?
SkyTrak publishes both the footprint of each studio enclosure and the room it needs, which makes planning easier than with most brands:
| Studio | Enclosure (W x D x H) | Minimum room (W x D x H) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio 8' | 8 ft x 4 ft x 7 ft 6 in | 8.5 x 15 x 8 ft |
| Studio 10' | 10 ft x 5 ft 4 in x 8 ft 6 in | 11 x 16 x 9 ft |
| Studio 12' | 12 ft x 5 ft 4 in x 8 ft 6 in | 13 x 16 x 9 ft |
| Studio 13' Deep | 13 ft x 10 ft x 10 ft | 14 x 17 x 10 ft 6 in |
SkyTrak calls the 10-foot studio its most popular size. The 12-foot studio is wide enough for a center hitting position, which suits households with right- and left-handed golfers. The 13-foot Deep studio lets you hit from inside the enclosure, but it needs a much taller and wider room. If you're only using a net, SkyTrak's FAQ puts the minimum at 10 x 10 feet.
Computer and app requirements
SkyTrak runs on PC, iOS and Android. For the PC software, SkyTrak lists minimum hardware such as an Intel Core i5 or equivalent processor, and it requires that no VPN software be installed so the unit can connect. Software version 5.0 or later is needed for the Foresight and TrackMan course plans. Mac computers aren't supported for the ST+, so check your setup before you build around a laptop.
If you want a projected image, budget for a short-throw projector and a PC that meets the requirements of whichever course software you choose. SkyTrak's Ultimate studio packages include an Optoma GT2300HDR projector.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Sits beside the ball, saving several feet of depth
- Camera plus dual radar for ball and club data
- Huge ecosystem of studio packages with published room sizes
- No stickers or special balls needed
Cons
- Course play needs a yearly membership
- ST+ now hard to find new outside Amazon packages
- Best suited to indoor use; keep sunlight off the lens outdoors
- Some owners report occasional no-reads
SkyTrak+ Launch Monitor
by SkyTrak
SkyTrak vs the alternatives
| Launch monitor | Best for | Technology | Placement | Outdoor use | Ongoing cost | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SkyTrak+ (ST+) | Home sims, value if found new | Camera + dual radar | Beside ball | Possible, avoid direct sun | Yearly plans | Check price |
| SkyTrak ST MAX | New home sim builds | Camera + dual radar | Beside ball | Spec lists indoor | Yearly plans | Check price |
| Square Golf Home Edition | Budget short-room sims | Two high-speed cameras | Beside ball | No (indoor only) | Credits for courses | Check price |
| Garmin Approach R10 | Range plus home net | Radar | 6–8 ft behind | Yes | Garmin Golf for courses |
SkyTrak ST MAX: the current model
If you're buying new, this is the SkyTrak to get. It has the same camera-plus-radar approach, a 4-inch by 4-inch hitting zone, about 4 hours of battery, Wi-Fi and direct mode, dual USB ports and 1.7 lb of weight, plus Speed Training.
Pros
- Current model with dual USB and Speed Training
- Full ball and club data list
Cons
- Premium price tier
- Membership for course play
SkyTrak ST MAX
by SkyTrak
SkyTrak ST MAX Ultimate Studio Package
For a complete bay, SkyTrak's Ultimate Studio Package adds an enclosure with a stretch impact screen, a 5x5 hitting mat, a 100-ball tray and an Optoma GT2300HDR projector to the ST MAX. It comes in 8-, 10-, 12- and 13-foot studio sizes. Our best golf simulator for home guide compares it with other packages.
Pros
- Everything matched in one order
- Published room minimums for each size
Cons
- Highest cost of the SkyTrak options
- Screen is a consumable
SkyTrak ST MAX Golf Simulator Ultimate Studio Package
by SkyTrak
Square Golf Home Edition: the budget alternative
Also a side-of-ball camera unit, but cheaper. The Home Edition uses two high-speed cameras, is indoor-only, needs marked balls for spin and uses non-expiring credits instead of a subscription. Read our Square Golf review for details.
Pros
- Lower price tier
- No subscription
Cons
- Indoor only, fewer club metrics than the Omni Edition
- New units are hard to find on Amazon
Square Golf Home Edition Launch Monitor
by Square Golf
Who should buy SkyTrak
Buy it if:
- you're building a dedicated indoor simulator, especially in a room under about 14 feet deep;
- you want ball and club data without stickers or special balls;
- you like the idea of a matched studio package.
Skip it if:
- you mainly practice at the range (a radar unit like the Garmin R10 is better there);
- you want no subscription at all;
- your budget is strictly under $1,000 (see our under-$1,000 picks).
We also compare SkyTrak with Uneekor and Square in our Uneekor Eye Mini vs SkyTrak guide.
How we reviewed it
We did not test SkyTrak units ourselves. This review is based on SkyTrak's product pages, spec sheet, FAQ, membership page and room-planning guide, Amazon listings for the ST+ and studio packages, and owner reviews posted on SkyTrak's site. Where the ST+ spec wasn't published on SkyTrak's current pages, we said so.
FAQ
Is SkyTrak worth it for a home simulator?
Yes, especially in short rooms. SkyTrak units sit beside the ball rather than 6 to 8 feet behind it, combine a photometric camera with dual Doppler radar, and plug into a large ecosystem of studio packages. The main ongoing cost is a yearly membership for course play.
What is the difference between SkyTrak+ and ST MAX?
Both pair a photometric camera with dual Doppler radar and sit beside the ball. The ST MAX adds dual USB ports for charging and data at the same time, a new modular internal design, a charcoal finish and Speed Training powered by GOLFTEC, which SkyTrak says is exclusive to the ST MAX.
Does SkyTrak require a subscription?
For course play and most game-improvement features, yes. SkyTrak sells yearly Essential, Core (Foresight or TrackMan course libraries) and Elite plans. New units include a trial, and SkyTrak has offered a year of Core membership with ST MAX purchases.
How much space do you need for SkyTrak?
SkyTrak's FAQ recommends a minimum of 10 ft wide x 10 ft deep indoors, with enough ceiling for your longest club. With an enclosure, SkyTrak's minimum rooms run from 8.5 x 15 x 8 ft (Studio 8') to 14 x 17 x 10.5 ft (Studio 13' Deep), and it finds 17 ft of depth comfortable.
Can you use SkyTrak outdoors?
SkyTrak's FAQ says its units are portable and can be used indoors and outdoors on a hitting mat, but warns to keep direct sunlight off the lens. The ST MAX spec sheet lists its location as indoor, so it's best thought of as a home simulator unit.
Verdict
SkyTrak is still one of the best foundations for a home golf simulator, thanks to side-of-ball placement and camera-plus-radar data. Buy the SkyTrak+ only if you find it new at a clear discount; otherwise go straight to the ST MAX, or its Ultimate Studio Package for a complete bay. If budget is tight and you'll only hit indoors, Square Golf's Home Edition is the cheaper side-of-ball alternative.