SkyTrak+ vs SkyTrak ST MAX
By GolfSimulatorSource Editorial Team | Updated:
SkyTrak+ and the SkyTrak ST MAX run the same dual Doppler radar + photometric camera hybrid core — BreakingEighty's review of the ST MAX calls it "the same trusted accuracy as SkyTrak+," and a GolfWRX owner thread on the ST MAX describes the two units as performing nearly identically day to day. The practical choice comes down to price and warranty: SkyTrak+ is sold only as certified pre-owned (CPO) at $895 direct from SkyTrak, while the ST MAX is a new unit at $1,695 on SkyTrak's current End of Summer Sale (no stated end date; $2,995 list). That is roughly an $800 gap for what independent reviewers agree is essentially the same measurement technology, with ST MAX adding GOLFTEC Speed Training, a second USB-C port, and a full new-unit warranty in exchange.
Key Differences
- 1Both units share the same dual Doppler radar + photometric camera hybrid core, but the hitting zone is similar, not identical: SkyTrak lists ~4"×4" for ST MAX vs. 4.5"×4.5" for SkyTrak+ (slightly smaller, not larger) — an earlier version of our SkyTrak+ review repeated a "40% larger hitting zone" claim, we found no SkyTrak source for it, and we've corrected it.
- 2ST MAX exclusively adds GOLFTEC Speed Training, a guided swing-speed coaching feature not available on SkyTrak+ at any price.
- 3ST MAX has dual USB-C ports (charge and transfer data simultaneously); SkyTrak+ has a single USB-C port.
- 4SkyTrak+ is sold only as certified pre-owned (90-day warranty) at $895 direct, or as remaining new stock via PlayBetter ($1,195, full warranty). ST MAX is a current-production new unit with a 6-month/25,000-shot warranty.
- 5Both use the identical SkyTrak membership system (Essential/Core: Foresight/Core: TrackMan/Elite) and the same E6 Connect, GSPro (unofficial), and TGC 2019 software paths — no software advantage either way.
Quick Picks
Best value for the same core accuracy
SkyTrak+SkyTrak+ CPO at $895 direct delivers the same measurement technology independent reviewers confirm ST MAX shares, for roughly $800 less
Best warranty on a new unit
SkyTrak ST MAXST MAX ships new with a 6-month/25,000-shot warranty; SkyTrak+ at CPO pricing carries only a 90-day warranty on a refurbished unit
Only unit with GOLFTEC Speed Training
SkyTrak ST MAXGuided swing-speed coaching drills are exclusive to ST MAX — not available on SkyTrak+ at any price
Core measurement accuracy
TieBreakingEighty and a GolfWRX owner thread both describe the two units as using identical core technology with no meaningful accuracy gap
E6 Connect / GSPro / TGC 2019 software support
TieBoth units run the identical SkyTrak membership system and the same third-party software paths — no software advantage either way
Connectivity convenience
SkyTrak ST MAXST MAX's dual USB-C ports let you charge and transfer data at the same time; SkyTrak+ has one port
Lowest 3-year total cost of ownership
SkyTrak+SkyTrak+'s $800 lower hardware price carries through every ownership scenario since both units use identical membership pricing (see 3-Year Cost table below)
Head-to-Head Specs
Hardware & Specs
| SkyTrak+ | SkyTrak ST MAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $895 (certified pre-owned, direct from SkyTrak) / $1,195 (PlayBetter, remaining new stock) — no longer available new direct from SkyTrak✓ | $1,695 (End of Summer Sale promo, no stated end date) — $2,995 list |
| Technology | Hybrid (Photometric camera + Dual Doppler Radar) | Hybrid (Photometric camera + Dual Doppler Radar) — same core as SkyTrak+ |
| Category | Premium ($2K–$3K) | Premium ($2K–$3K) |
| Best For | E6 Connect users — the only sub-$3K camera/hybrid unit with E6 support | Golfers who specifically want GOLFTEC Speed Training and a full new-unit warranty — most buyers get the same core accuracy for less from the SkyTrak+ CPO |
| Space Required | Side of ball, 10+ ft depth, 9 ft ceiling | Side of ball, 10+ ft depth, 9 ft ceiling (same placement geometry as SkyTrak+) |
| Our Rating | 4.2/5✓ | 4/5 |
Software Compatibility
| SkyTrak+ | SkyTrak ST MAX | |
|---|---|---|
| E6 Connect | Compatible(tie) | Compatible |
| SkyTrak Native (Course Play) | Native(tie) | Native |
| GSPro | Compatible(tie) | Compatible |
| TGC 2019 | Compatible(tie) | Compatible |
| WGT by Topgolf | Compatible✓ | Not supported |
| Ball-only (no app) | Not supported(tie) | Not supported |
Key Specs
| SkyTrak+ | SkyTrak ST MAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Ball speed | Yes (camera) ✓(tie) | Yes (camera) ✓ |
| Launch angle (V) | Yes (camera) ✓(tie) | Yes (camera) ✓ |
| Launch angle (H) | Yes (camera) ✓(tie) | Yes (camera) ✓ |
| Spin rate (total) | Yes (camera) ✓(tie) | Yes (camera) ✓ |
| Back spin | Yes (camera) ✓(tie) | Yes (camera) ✓ |
| Side spin | Yes (camera) ✓(tie) | Yes (camera) ✓ |
| Club head speed | Yes (radar) ✓(tie) | Yes (radar) ✓ |
| Club path | Yes (radar + ML) ✓(tie) | Yes — radar-derived; the SimLab review specifically notes ST MAX club data is "calculated, not directly measured" ✓ |
| Face angle | Yes (radar + ML) ✓(tie) | Yes — radar-derived (same calculated-not-measured caveat as club path) ✓ |
| Carry distance | Yes ✓(tie) | Yes ✓ |
| Total distance | Yes ✓(tie) | Yes ✓ |
| Smash factor | Yes ✓(tie) | Yes ✓ |
| Attack angle | Not measured ✗(tie) | Not measured ✗ |
| Impact location | Not measured ✗(tie) | Not measured ✗ |
| Dynamic loft | Not measured ✗(tie) | Not measured ✗ |
| Dimensions | 7" × 8" × 2.75" | 6.875"H × 5.75"W × 2.5"D |
| Weight | 3 lbs (1.36 kg) | 1.7 lbs |
| Battery life | ~4.5 hours | ~4 hours (rechargeable lithium-polymer) — slightly shorter than SkyTrak+'s ~4.5 hours |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (5 GHz + 2.4 GHz), Direct Mode, USB-C | Wi-Fi 2.4GHz + Direct Mode, dual USB-C ports (one can charge while the other transfers data — SkyTrak+ has a single port) |
| Display | None — requires iPad or PC | None — requires iPad or PC (same as SkyTrak+) |
| Placement | Side of ball (same as BLP) | Side of ball (same as SkyTrak+) |
| Hitting zone | 4.5" × 4.5" (smaller than BLP's 7" × 10") | ~4" × 4" — similar to, but slightly smaller than, SkyTrak+'s 4.5"×4.5" spec; an earlier version of our SkyTrak+ review repeated a "40% larger" claim we found no SkyTrak source for and have corrected |
| Outdoor use | Yes — improved over original SkyTrak | Yes, on grass or a mat — camera is sensitive to direct sun and inconsistent lighting; performs best in shade |
3-Year Total Cost of Ownership
| SkyTrak+ | SkyTrak ST MAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | $895 (CPO, direct) / $1,195 (PlayBetter, new stock)✓ | $1,695 (current promo) / $2,995 (list) |
| Membership (Core: Foresight, $299.99/yr × 3 years) | $899.97(tie) | $899.97 |
| 3-year total: Hardware + Core: Foresight × 3 | $895 + $899.97 = $1,794.97 (CPO) / $1,195 + $899.97 = $2,094.97 (PlayBetter)✓ | $1,695 + $899.97 = $2,594.97 (promo) / $2,995 + $899.97 = $3,894.97 (list) |
| Formula used | Hardware price + (Core: Foresight $299.99/yr × 3 years) | Hardware price + (Core: Foresight $299.99/yr × 3 years) |
Who Should Buy Which?
You want the lowest price for essentially the same accuracy
SkyTrak+
BreakingEighty's ST MAX review states it delivers "the same trusted accuracy as SkyTrak+." At $895 direct CPO pricing, SkyTrak+ gets you that same core technology for roughly $800 less than ST MAX's current promo price. This is the reviewer consensus pick for most buyers.
You specifically want GOLFTEC Speed Training
SkyTrak ST MAX
This guided swing-speed coaching feature is exclusive to ST MAX and is the single most-cited reason independent reviewers give for paying the premium over SkyTrak+. If speed training is a priority for you, SkyTrak+ cannot deliver it at any price.
You want a full new-unit warranty, not a refurbished unit
SkyTrak ST MAX
SkyTrak+ at $895 is certified pre-owned with only a 90-day warranty. ST MAX is new production with a 6-month/25,000-shot warranty. PlayBetter's $1,195 new-stock SkyTrak+ narrows this gap (full warranty, not CPO) but ST MAX remains the only current-production new unit direct from SkyTrak.
E6 Connect is your primary simulator platform
Tie
Both units support E6 Connect identically — same native integration, same requirement for an active SkyTrak membership, same third-party E6 subscription cost. Neither unit has a software edge here; decide on price and warranty instead.
You want the newest hardware and the longest support runway
SkyTrak ST MAX
ST MAX is SkyTrak's current flagship; SkyTrak+ is being sold down as CPO stock and PlayBetter's remaining new inventory. If long-term manufacturer support and being on the actively sold model matters more to you than price, ST MAX is the safer long-term bet.
You need the two USB-C ports for a simultaneous charge-and-transfer workflow
SkyTrak ST MAX
ST MAX has two USB-C ports, so the unit can charge while transferring data to a PC. SkyTrak+ has a single port and cannot do both at once. This is a minor but real workflow difference for frequent users.
You're comfortable buying certified pre-owned hardware to save money
SkyTrak+
SkyTrak's CPO program is a manufacturer-refurbished unit, not a used private-sale unit, and comes direct from SkyTrak at $895. If a 90-day warranty on refurbished hardware is an acceptable tradeoff for saving roughly $800, SkyTrak+ is the clear pick.
Bottom Line
SkyTrak+ and the SkyTrak ST MAX measure golf shots the same way — independent reviewers (BreakingEighty, and owners in a GolfWRX ST MAX thread) agree the core dual radar + photometric camera technology is essentially identical between the two units, and the hitting zone is similar (SkyTrak lists ~4"×4" for ST MAX vs. 4.5"×4.5" for SkyTrak+, slightly smaller, not larger). That makes this comparison mostly about price and warranty, not accuracy. SkyTrak+ at $895 direct (certified pre-owned, 90-day warranty) is the reviewer-consensus smarter buy for most golfers: same measurement technology for roughly $800 less. Buy the ST MAX at its current $1,695 promo price ($2,995 list) only if GOLFTEC Speed Training, a full new-unit warranty instead of certified pre-owned, or the dual USB-C ports specifically matter to you — those are the only three things your extra $800 buys. Both units run the identical SkyTrak membership system and the same E6 Connect, GSPro, and TGC 2019 software paths, so there is no software reason to prefer one over the other.
Read the Full Reviews
For deeper specs, owner reception, and use-case detail on either product, our independent reviews go further than this side-by-side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ST MAX worth $800 more than the SkyTrak+?
For most golfers, no — that is the reviewer consensus. BreakingEighty and PlayBetter both frame the SkyTrak+ as the smarter buy at its current CPO price, since ST MAX uses "the same trusted accuracy." The extra roughly $800 buys exactly three things: GOLFTEC Speed Training, a full new-unit warranty instead of certified pre-owned, and a second USB-C port. If none of those three matter to you specifically, SkyTrak+ is the better dollar-for-dollar buy.
Do the SkyTrak+ and ST MAX have the same accuracy?
Yes, based on the independent sources we found. Both use the identical dual Doppler radar + photometric camera hybrid core, and BreakingEighty's ST MAX review states directly that it has "the same trusted accuracy as SkyTrak+." A GolfWRX owner thread on the ST MAX similarly describes the two units as performing nearly identically, with the differences limited to cosmetics, the extra USB-C port, and GOLFTEC Speed Training. Both also share the same ~4"×4" hitting zone, per current manufacturer specifications.
What is GOLFTEC Speed Training and which unit has it?
It is a guided swing-speed coaching feature built into the ST MAX's app, providing structured speed-training drills. It is exclusive to the ST MAX — SkyTrak+ does not have it and cannot be upgraded to add it. It is the single most-cited reason independent reviewers give for choosing ST MAX over the cheaper SkyTrak+.
What is the warranty difference between a SkyTrak+ CPO unit and a new ST MAX?
SkyTrak+ at $895 direct is certified pre-owned (CPO) — a manufacturer-refurbished unit carrying a 90-day warranty. PlayBetter's $1,195 SkyTrak+ listing is described as remaining new stock with full warranty coverage, not CPO. The ST MAX is current production, sold new, with a 6-month or 25,000-shot warranty (whichever comes first). If warranty length and buying new (not refurbished) matters to you, that favors ST MAX or PlayBetter's new-stock SkyTrak+ over the direct CPO unit.
Do SkyTrak+ and ST MAX need the same membership?
Yes. Both units run on the identical SkyTrak membership system: Essential ($99.99/yr, required for any third-party software), Core: Foresight ($299.99/yr, 49 courses), Core: TrackMan ($349.99/yr, 51 courses), and Elite ($599.99/yr, both course libraries). There is no separate or cheaper membership tier for either unit — the software cost side of ownership is identical whichever hardware you buy.
Does either unit have a meaningfully larger hitting zone?
No — if anything, the ST MAX zone is slightly smaller. SkyTrak lists the ST MAX hitting zone at ~4"×4" versus 4.5"×4.5" for the SkyTrak+. An earlier version of our SkyTrak+ review repeated a "40% larger hitting zone" claim for the ST MAX; we found no SkyTrak source for that figure and have corrected it. Don't treat hitting-zone size as a reason to pick one unit over the other.
Should I buy SkyTrak+ CPO or wait for new ST MAX stock if budget is tight?
If budget is the deciding factor and you're comfortable with a manufacturer-refurbished unit, the SkyTrak+ CPO at $895 direct is the lowest-cost path to this technology and carries the lowest 3-year total cost of ownership of the options compared here. If you'd rather buy new even at a higher price — for the full warranty term or GOLFTEC Speed Training — the ST MAX at its current $1,695 promo price is the better fit.
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