Two of the most cross-shopped camera-based units — photometric vs. camera-plus-radar
Both are frequently cross-shopped and both sit beside the ball, but they're built differently: the Launch Pro is Foresight's photometric platform (and works outdoors), while the ST MAX pairs cameras with radar for club data and fits a notably shallower room. Subscriptions and software ecosystems separate them further.
| Bushnell Golf Launch Pro (Circle B Edition) | SkyTrak ST MAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Street price | $2,999.99 | $1,695✓ |
| 5-year cost (hardware + sub)Hardware plus five years at the cheapest subscription that enables simulator use. | $3,994.99 | $2,344.95✓ |
| Tracking | Camera (photometric) | Radar + camera |
| Placement | Beside the ball | Beside the ball |
| Min ceiling | 9 ft | 9 ft |
| Min room depthComputed: screen buffer + ball flight + device/golfer space. | 17 ft | 13 ft✓ |
| Ball metrics | 6 | 9✓ |
| Club metrics | 4 | 6✓ |
| Subscription for sim | $199/yr | $129.99/yr✓ |
| Outdoor use | Yes✓ | Indoor only |
| Status | Current | Current |
Green ✓ marks the better figure on rows where one is objectively preferable (lower price/cost/space, more data, no subscription, current model). Neutral rows have no winner. Tally on these metrics: Bushnell Golf Launch Pro (Circle B Edition) 1 · SkyTrak ST MAX 6. * = ceiling estimated where the maker publishes none.
Choose the Launch Pro for Foresight photometric accuracy, outdoor use, and access to FSX/GSPro (with the right plan). Choose the ST MAX if you want the shallowest room footprint, a cheaper entry plan, and the SkyTrak ecosystem. Compare the tier you would actually buy: the Launch Pro is cheaper for course play, the ST MAX is cheaper to start.
Pick the Bushnell Golf Launch Pro (Circle B Edition) if…
- You want Foresight's photometric sensor and outdoor capability
- You intend to run FSX or GSPro (with the required plan)
- You don't mind the higher subscription tier for third-party software
Pick the SkyTrak ST MAX if…
- Your room is short on depth — the ST MAX fits shallower
- You want the cheaper first paid tier — SkyTrak's entry plan is $129.99/yr against the Launch Pro's $199/yr
- You're happy in SkyTrak's first-party software ecosystem
Questions buyers ask
Which fits a smaller room?
The ST MAX's computed minimum depth is shorter than the Launch Pro's — see the table. Both sit beside the ball, so neither needs radar's behind-the-ball runway.
Do both require a subscription for simulator use?
Yes, both do, but the tiers are not equivalent, so which is cheaper depends on what you want. On the Launch Pro, the $199/yr Silver plan adds club data plus FSX Play with 5 courses, and GSPro needs the $499/yr Gold plan. On the ST MAX, the $129.99/yr Essential plan covers practice and game modes while course play starts at the $299.99/yr Core tier. The ST MAX is cheaper to start; the Launch Pro is cheaper to play courses on.
Can either go outdoors?
The Launch Pro supports outdoor use; the ST MAX is indoor-only.
Try both in your room
Space is the most common dealbreaker. Drop your room's dimensions into the room-fit calculator to see whether each of these fits — and what else does — before you buy.
- https://www.playbetter.com/blogs/golf-simulator-reviews/bushnell-launch-pro-circle-b-edition-review
- https://www.playbetter.com/products/bushnell-launch-pro-launch-monitor
- https://www.bushnellgolf.com/launch-pro/how-to-purchase-software-packages
- https://www.playbetter.com/blogs/golf-simulator-space/bushnell-launch-pro-space-requirements-for-golf-simulator
- https://shopindoorgolf.com/products/skytrak-stmax-launch-monitor
- https://shopindoorgolf.com/blogs/helpful-articles-videos/skytrak-st-max-review-whats-actually-new
- https://www.skytrakgolf.com/pages/membership
- https://www.thelascopress.com/2026/03/skytrak-plus-discontinued-2026/