SkyTrak+ vs Rapsodo MLM2PRO: Two Very Different Launch Monitors
The SkyTrak+ and Rapsodo MLM2PRO are built on different technology and now sit in different price tiers. Here's how to choose.
The SkyTrak+ and Rapsodo MLM2PRO used to sit in the same sub-$1,000 tier. That's no longer true. The SkyTrak+ is discontinued: its MSRP was $2,995, and it's now selling through at roughly $1,995 while clearance stock lasts, with the SkyTrak ST MAX ($2,995) as its replacement. The MLM2PRO is still $699. That's a real gap now, not a small step-up, and it changes who this comparison is actually for. The two units are also built on completely different technology. The SkyTrak+ uses dual cameras and radar. The MLM2PRO uses a single radar unit. That's not the only difference, but it explains most of the others.
This comparison covers what each unit measures directly versus what it estimates, where each performs well, and which one makes more sense depending on how you plan to use it. There's no universal winner here. The right choice depends on your setup.
- 1.The SkyTrak+ measures spin directly using dual cameras. The MLM2PRO estimates spin, unless you use Callaway RPT balls with the tracking dot system.
- 2.SkyTrak+ is better for indoor simulator use: camera-based measurement is more reliable indoors, and it integrates natively with more simulator software.
- 3.MLM2PRO is better for outdoor range sessions: radar works well outdoors, the unit is smaller and more portable, and it connects to the Rapsodo app without a subscription.
- 4.The SkyTrak+ is discontinued: MSRP was $2,995, now selling through at roughly $1,995 clearance (successor: SkyTrak ST MAX, $2,995). MLM2PRO lists at $699. Both require software subscriptions for full simulator functionality.
- 5.If you're building a permanent home simulator, SkyTrak+ is the stronger foundation. If you want a portable unit that works outdoors and on the range, MLM2PRO wins on value.
Technology: What Each Unit Actually Does
The SkyTrak+ uses a combination of high-speed cameras and radar to capture the ball immediately after impact. The cameras measure spin directly. They photograph the ball's rotation in the first few inches of flight. The radar tracks ball flight for carry and trajectory. This dual-method approach is what separates the SkyTrak+ from pure radar units.
The Rapsodo MLM2PRO is a radar-only unit (with one camera used for video overlay, not spin measurement). Ball speed, carry distance, and launch angle are measured accurately. Spin rate is estimated from ball speed and launch angle. It's a calculated figure, not a direct measurement. The exception: if you use Callaway RPT golf balls, the MLM2PRO's camera detects the tracking dot on the ball and measures spin directly. With standard balls, spin is an estimate.
Accuracy: What the Independent Testing Shows
MyGolfSpy's launch monitor accuracy testing puts both units in context. Ball speed accuracy is strong on both. This is the easiest metric to measure with radar, and both units are reliable here. Carry distance follows ball speed closely and is good on both units outdoors.
Spin is where the gap opens. The SkyTrak+ measures spin directly and consistently. The MLM2PRO's estimated spin varies more, particularly indoors where radar tracking can be affected by the shorter ball flight and the unit's algorithm has less data to work with. If spin accuracy matters (for club fitting, wedge gapping, or tracking driver spin trends), the SkyTrak+ is the more reliable tool.
| Metric | SkyTrak+ | Rapsodo MLM2PRO |
|---|---|---|
| Ball speed | Very accurate (direct radar measurement) | Very accurate (direct radar measurement) |
| Carry distance | Very accurate (outdoors and indoors) | Accurate outdoors; indoor results vary |
| Spin rate | High accuracy (directly measured) | Estimated with standard balls; accurate with RPT balls |
| Launch angle | High accuracy | Good accuracy outdoors; less reliable indoors |
| Club path / face angle | Available and reasonably accurate | Not provided |
| Shot shape | Reliable | Reliable for overall curve direction |
Club delivery data (club path, face angle, angle of attack) is available on the SkyTrak+ but not the MLM2PRO. If you want to use your launch monitor for swing analysis beyond ball data, that matters.
Indoor vs Outdoor Use
The SkyTrak+ is designed for indoor simulator use. Camera-based spin measurement doesn't depend on outdoor conditions, and the unit sits 6-8 feet from the ball, which works well with a hitting mat and impact screen setup. It connects to your iPad or smartphone and integrates with Golf Club (included), E6 Connect, TGC 2019, and other major simulator platforms.
The MLM2PRO is more versatile for outdoor use. Radar works well on the range, the unit is lightweight, and it runs on the Rapsodo app without a subscription for basic features (ball speed, carry, shot video). For simulator use indoors, the MLM2PRO works but is more finicky: the radar needs adequate ceiling clearance, and some users report inconsistency indoors with the base unit.
| SkyTrak+ | Rapsodo MLM2PRO | |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended primary use | Indoor simulator | Outdoor range / portable |
| Works outdoors? | Yes, but camera can be affected by bright sunlight | Yes, radar is unaffected by lighting |
| Works indoors? | Excellent (designed for this) | Works, but less consistent than outdoors |
| Simulator software | Golf Club (included), E6, TGC 2019, others | Rapsodo app, GSPro (subscription), limited others |
| Portability | Heavier, less portable | Lightweight, compact, range-friendly |
Pricing and Software Subscriptions
Hardware price alone doesn't tell the full cost story. Both units require software subscriptions for anything beyond basic data.
| Cost item | SkyTrak+ | Rapsodo MLM2PRO |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | ~$1,995 (clearance; $2,995 MSRP, discontinued) | ~$699 |
| Basic data (no subscription) | Limited (basic range mode) | Full ball data + video in Rapsodo app |
| Simulator play subscription | Golf Club: $199/yr (basic) or $299/yr (pro with E6) | GSPro: $149 one-time or subscription options |
| 3-year total cost (mid-tier sub) | ~$2,600-2,900 | ~$1,050-1,250 |
| RPT balls (for direct spin) | Not needed | Optional: ~$45-50 per sleeve |
Over three years, the MLM2PRO is cheaper by a much wider margin now than the original $999 figure suggested: roughly $1,350 to $1,850, not $350 to $850. Adding RPT balls to the MLM2PRO side narrows that if spin accuracy is the deciding factor, but not by enough to close a gap this size.
Which One Is Right for Your Setup?
The old advice treated this as a $300 step-up: pay a little more for direct spin measurement and better indoor reliability, and move on. That advice doesn't hold anymore. The SkyTrak+ is discontinued. Its MSRP was $2,995, current stock is selling through at clearance prices around $1,995, and SkyTrak's replacement, the ST MAX, lists at $2,995 with no accuracy advantage over the unit it replaces, according to the independent testing SkyTrak points to for the ST MAX itself. Buying a SkyTrak+ today means buying limited remaining stock of a device the manufacturer has moved past, not a currently supported flagship.
That reframes the choice rather than closing it off. At $1,995, the SkyTrak+ still outperforms the MLM2PRO on what matters for serious indoor use: direct spin measurement, broader simulator software support, and steadier performance indoors. If you're building a dedicated simulator room and the $1,995-versus-$699 gap fits your budget, it remains the stronger buy, discontinued status aside. What's changed is the size of the decision. This isn't a small step up from a budget device anymore, it's a choice between a $699 unit and one that costs roughly $1,300 more, and it's worth confirming clearance stock is still in hand before you commit, since SkyTrak isn't restocking the SkyTrak+ once current inventory clears.
If you want a portable unit that works on the practice range, doesn't require a dedicated room, and gives you accurate ball data without the bigger outlay, the MLM2PRO is the better fit, more clearly now than it used to be. $699 for reliable ball speed, carry, and shot shape data outdoors is still excellent value, and the case for it doesn't depend on a discontinued unit's clearance stock holding out.
If you're genuinely on the fence, the deciding question isn't just where you'll use it most, it's whether your budget was built around $699 or $1,995. A golfer whose budget tops out near $699 who was drawn to the SkyTrak+ on the old numbers should treat the MLM2PRO as the realistic option now. A golfer already planning to spend near $2,000 on a launch monitor gets a genuinely capable unit in the SkyTrak+, provided clearance stock is still available when they go to buy it.
For a broader look at what the $3,000 budget gets you across a full simulator setup, see Golf Simulator Under $3,000: What You Can Actually Get.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SkyTrak+ worth the extra cost over the MLM2PRO?
If you're building a dedicated indoor simulator and can find it at clearance pricing, yes, though the math has changed. The SkyTrak+ is discontinued, with an MSRP of $2,995 now selling through at roughly $1,995, against the MLM2PRO's $699, a gap of about $1,300 rather than the $300 this comparison originally cited. The SkyTrak+ still measures spin directly, offers more software integrations, and performs more consistently indoors, which is worth it for a serious simulator build. If you want a portable outdoor unit, your primary use is driving range practice, or a $1,300 gap doesn't fit your budget, the MLM2PRO is the harder-to-argue-with choice now.
Does the MLM2PRO work indoors?
It works indoors, but it's not as consistent as the SkyTrak+. Radar units need adequate space (minimum 10 feet of clear space in front of the unit) and some users report spin estimate variability indoors compared to outdoor use. For a permanent indoor simulator, the SkyTrak+ is the more reliable choice. The MLM2PRO is primarily a range tool that can do indoor duty when needed.
Do I need Callaway RPT balls for the MLM2PRO?
No, but spin data will be estimated rather than measured with standard balls. For ball speed and carry, any ball works fine. If you want the MLM2PRO's spin data to be reliable, RPT balls with the tracking dot give the camera something to track directly. If you're mostly focused on distance and shot shape data, standard balls are fine.
What simulator software works with each unit?
SkyTrak+ integrates with Golf Club (included in subscription), E6 Connect, The Golf Club 2019, WGT, and several others. It has the widest software compatibility of any unit in this price tier. The MLM2PRO works with the Rapsodo app (free for basic features) and GSPro for full simulator play. GSPro is a strong option but has a smaller course library than E6.
Can I use the MLM2PRO with a net at home?
Yes. You need enough room for the radar to track the ball, typically 8-10 feet of clear space in front of the unit, with the ball teed up in the right position relative to the device. Indoors with a net, you won't get carry or total distance (the ball stops at the net), but ball speed, launch angle, and shot shape are still captured. It's a workable practice setup, not a full simulator experience.
Both units have been on the market long enough that independent testing data is available. The SkyTrak+ has been validated by multiple reviewers as consistently accurate for indoor use. The MLM2PRO's outdoor accuracy is well-documented. Read the independent reviews and weight them accordingly for your use case.
Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This never influences what I cover or recommend. I link to gear I'd buy myself.
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