Garmin R10 Space Requirements – Length, Width and Height

The Garmin Approach R10 threatens to change the entire launch monitor market by bringing club data and golf simulation technology to a much wider audience with more modest budgets. You still need an adequate space in which to use the Garmin R10 however. This article will explain Garmin R10 space requirements in detail.

Garmin Approach R10 is a radar-based launch monitor that requires at least 15ft of room length for indoor use in a golf simulator. I also recommend a minimum of 10ft room width, and enough room height to swing the club freely, which is usually more than 9-9.5ft.

Room dimensions of 18ft long, 15ft wide and 10ft high would provide a much more comfortable experience with the Garmin R10, allowing a central aim point as well. Owing to its radar technology and full portability, the Garmin R10 thrives in larger spaces or outside where space is more plentiful and the unit can gain a better view of the flight of the golf ball.

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Garmin R10 Approach

1. Data Parameters Tracked: Includes club and ball data metrics, which is incredible at this price. There a mix of measured and calculated parameters. 

2. Golf Simulation Compatibility: Compatible with E6 Connect, TGC 2019, Awesome Golf, the Garmin App and Home Tee Hero. Garmin R10 is not officially compatible with GS Pro, but some golfers have managed to connect the two using a community interface. See the ‘r10-owners’ tab on the GS Pro Discord for more information

3. Garmin Golf App Integration: Allows golfers to view automated videos and performance data on their mobile devices.

4. Golf Course Library: Access to over 30,000 golf courses worldwide for simulation purposes.

5. Doppler Radar Technology: Utilizes advanced radar technology to track over a dozen data parameters related to golf shots.

6. Portability: Its small size makes it highly portable, allowing golfers to use it both at home and on the range.

7. Battery Life: Offers up to 10 hours of continuous use, making it suitable for extended practice sessions.

8. Automatic Video Recording: The device can record each swing and overlay it with real-time stats for in-depth analysis.

9. Device Compatibility: Works with iOS, Android, and PC devices, offering flexibility in how data is accessed and analyzed.

10. Waterproof Rating: Comes with an IPX-7 waterproof rating, ensuring durability in wet weather conditions.

11. Inclusion of Accessories: Comes with a tripod stand, phone mount, carry case, and a micro-USB cable.

12. Garmin Golf Membership Trial: Includes a trial membership to the Garmin Golf app.

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Carl's PlaceThe Indoor Golf ShopRain or Shine Golf

The Garmin Approach R10 is a compact, portable launch monitor that utilizes advanced Doppler radar technology to provide over a dozen detailed golf shot data parameters. The R10 offers up to 10 hours of battery life and is compatible with a range of golf simulation software.

Additionally, it features automatic video recording for swing analysis and is designed for both indoor and outdoor use, making it a versatile tool for golfers aiming to improve their game.

The Garmin R10 took the golf simulation market by storm by offering advanced features previously seen in units four times as expensive, for only around $599. 

Pros

1. Absolutely amazing value: There's a reason this launch monitor caused such an earthquake in the golf simulation market.
2. Diverse Data Tracking: Provides a mixture of ball and club data, which is amazing at this price
3. Doppler Radar Technology: Provides accurate tracking of over a dozen golf shot data parameters.
4. Compact and Portable: Easy to transport and set up anywhere, ideal for both home and range use.
5. Long Battery Life: Up to 10 hours of continuous use, suitable for extended practice sessions.
6. Golf Simulation Compatibility: Works with E6 Connect, TGC 2019 and other software, offering access to over 30,000 virtual courses via the Home Tee Hero App.
7. Automatic Video Recording: Records swings and overlays them with stats for detailed analysis.
8. Garmin Golf App Integration: Enables viewing of performance data and videos on mobile devices.
9. Waterproof Design: IPX-7 rating ensures durability in different weather conditions.
10. Comprehensive Accessories Included: Comes with a tripod stand, phone mount, carry case, and a micro-USB cable.

Cons

1. No Putting Analysis: The Garmin R10 does not record putting - you have to put gimmes on when playing courses (not always a bad thing)
2. No official GS Pro Integration: though there is a community workaround using the GS Pro open API. 
3. Indoor Space Requirements: The R10 is a radar-based launch monitor, hence it needs more indoor space than some competitors that only use camera technology

Garmin R10 Indoor Room Length

The Garmin R10 Launch Monitor requires at least 15 ft of total room length in order to be used indoors. When considering room length with the Garmin R10, you should think about projector position, bounceback, safety and your ability to make comfortable swings.

The 15ft of room length that the Garmin R10 needs is split into the distance between the launch monitor and hitting position (6-8ft), the distance from hitting position to net or impact screen (8ft +), and the gap behind the net or screen (1ft +). The total will be 17ft or more if you use the 8ft R10-to-ball distance.

I always recommend at least 1ft of space behind your impact screen to allow the screen to deform backward when struck and to minimize the bounceback reflection of the ball. How much your screen will send the ball hurtling back at you will depend on how tightly it is attached to your enclosure.

As with any radar-based launch monitor, the Garmin R10 sits behind the golfer taking a view of the whole golf simulator space. You will therefore need more space than you may use with a camera-based launch monitor such as Skytrak, which sits in front of the golfer and only needs a view of the hitting position.

Room Length and Accuracy

You should also consider how the Garmin R10 works when thinking about room length in a simulator using this launch monitor. The R10 should be able to record the ball’s movement as it rises, and you should strive to give the R10 the best opportunity to do so.

Shorter rooms will mean the ball strikes the net or impact screen earlier, with less time afforded to the R10 in order to track the movement of the ball with its radar.

Garmin states the R10 requires 8ft of space between the ball and the screen or net. This space allows the ball flight to be recorded by the R10’s radar. I would consider this a minimum rather than recommended length though.

This ball-to-screen distance can be minimized (allowing for bounceback and safety considerations) with camera-based launch monitors which only view the hitting area near the ground. however, radar-based launch monitors like the R10 need this space to work properly.

More room length (within reason) is almost always better as it allows more opportunity for the ball’s movement to be tracked by the radar.

Garmin R10 Indoor Room Width

I recommend a minimum room width of 10ft to use the Garmin R10 launch monitor, 15ft of width is much more comfortable. The Garmin R10 does not mandate a miniumum room width in which to work properly, but you need to be able to swing your longest club freely without worry of striking the wall behind.

I believe you could theoretically use the Garmin R10 launch monitor in a room smaller than 10ft wide depending on your height and swing plane, but it would be cramped and you’d be at risk of striking the wall. 15ft of room width would allow you to address the ball with a central aim point.

The Garmin R10 sits behind the golfer and takes a view of the whole golf simulator space, just like any other radar-based launch monitor.

Whilst you should strive to align the Garmin R10 directly parallel to your ball and golf simulator target line, the launch monitor will still track the ball if placed 1ft left or 1ft right of this line.

When aligning the device you need to make sure it is pointing directly parallel to your target line and not off to the side several degrees. Check out this excellent video from Garmin on Youtube on how to set up and align the Approach R10.

Achieving a central aim point with the Garmin R10

If using a projector and impact screen setup, you will wish to have your target line parallel with the centre of your screen, otherwise, it will be harder to aim the ball and maintain realism when using any golf simulation applications. Central aim setups always require more room width than the advertised minimum.

Using the Garmin R10 for Left Handers

The Garmin R10 works for both left and right-handed golfers. Given its position behind the golfer, the Garmin R10 would not require a change in position at all if you have a room wide enough to use a central hitting position and a mat on either side for lefties and righties (for example using a mat like the Truestrike Academy Mat).

For those with a narrower space, changing between left and right-handed use depends a lot on your hitting mat. You may have to turn the entire mat around and then adjust the Garmin R10 to remain behind the hitting area. There is some leeway here given the ability of the R10 to track the ball from within 1ft left and right of the actual ball.

Garmin R10 Indoor Room Height

The Garmin R10 must be positioned at the same height as your hitting surface, which may mean it has to be raised to be level with your golf mat. You do not need a specific room height from the point of view of the Garmin R10, but you need enough ceiling height to swing your longest club freely.

I recommend at least 10 feet of room height to use the Garmin R10 effectively, meaning you can swing the golf club without any worry of striking the ceiling. You may be able to use 9.5ft or even less depending on your height, your swing and your relationship with indoor swing syndrome.

Check out my in-depth article all about ceiling heights in golf simulators.

Garmin R10 Mounting Height Off the Floor

The Garmin R10 is a radar-based launch monitor and hence it needs a good view of the whole golf simulator area from its position behind the golfer. Therefore, you need to ensure that the view the Garmin has of your simulator space is not hindered by being placed at the wrong height.

The R10 needs to be placed at the same vertical level as your hitting surface or golf mat. This is fine for those with the golf mat built into their simulator floor. However, those with thick raised golf mats (including those at the driving range) will need to elevate the R10 up a few centimeters so that its feet sit level with the base of the golf ball.

Garmin R10 Outdoor Space Requirements

Outdoors, the Garmin R10 only really requires enough space behind the golfer in which to track the ball (6-8ft) and at least 8ft of ball flight. Some golfers use nets or even screens outside so these length measurements are important. Providing you don’t have a cover over your head and you have width enough to swing, you should be good to go.

Remember that if you’re using the Garmin R10 on a driving range mat, you will probably have to place something beneath the unit to allow it to sit at the same vertical level as the hitting surface and ball.

Garmin R10 Data

The Garmin R10 offers a quite astounding breadth of data for the price, including advanced club data metrics such as club path and face angle as well as angle of attack.

Check out my in-depth article looking at all the ball flight and club data parameters tracked by the Garmin Approach R10.

Take a look at my detailed article about Garmin Approach R10 accuracy too.

Conclusion

You need an indoor room of dimensions X to use the Garmin Approach R10 indoors, with Y allowing a much more comfortable space. Outdoors, you just need to ensure the R10 is at least Xft behind the hitting area.

Both indoors and outdoors, the R10 should be aligned parallel to your ball and target line and should sit at a height that is level with your hitting surface.

As of late 2021, the Garmin R10 is a new launch monitor that promises quite amazing features for the price tag of around $600. Garmin is bringing the possibility of owning a personal launch monitor well within the realm of affordability for a large number of golfers.

If you’ve got the space indoors or even if you just fancy taking to to the range, the Garmin R10 promises to be fantastic value!

Garmin R10 vs Mevo Plus

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