Garmin Approach G82 vs Square Golf Launch Monitor
Side-by-side comparison of specs, features, and pricing
Specs updated
Maintained by GolfSim Compare Team · specs sourced, prices from dated retailer checks · how we compare
Why Garmin Approach G82 is better
- Price: $99 cheaper ($600 vs $699)
- Built-in display: Built-in touchscreen (Color touchscreen vs None)
Why Square Golf Launch Monitor is better
- 3-year cost: $201 cheaper over three years ($699 vs $900)
- Accuracy tier: Game-improvement accuracy class (Game-improvement vs Entry-level)
- Spin measurement: Measured spin (with marked balls) (Measured spin (with marked balls) vs No spin data)
- Measured ball data: 5 of 9 ball metrics measured (vs 1) (5 of 9 vs 1 of 9)
- Measured club data: 3 of 5 club metrics measured (vs 1) (3 of 5 vs 1 of 5)
- Club data access: Club data included (Included vs Not available)
- GSPro support: GSPro: native (Native vs No)
- Sim software: 3 more sim titles supported (3 titles vs 0 titles)
Specs Comparison
Garmin Approach G82 $600 vs Square Golf Launch Monitor $699
| Specification |  Garmin Approach G82 $600 |  Square Golf Launch Monitor $699 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Price | $600 | $699 |
| Measurement | ||
| Tracking technology | Doppler radar | Photometric (camera) |
| Radar type | — | None |
| Spin measurement | Not reported | Marked balls only |
| Marked balls | Not required | — |
| Accuracy tier | Entry-level | Game-improvement |
| Ball data | ||
| Ball speed | Measured | Measured |
| Launch angle | Not reported | Measured |
| Launch direction | Not reported | Measured |
| Spin rate | Not reported | Measured (marked ball) |
| Spin axis | Not reported | Measured (marked ball) |
| Carry distance | Calculated | Calculated |
| Total distance | Calculated | Calculated |
| Apex height | Not reported | Calculated |
| Descent angle | Not reported | Not reported |
| Offline distance | Not reported | — |
| Club data | ||
| Club speed | Measured | Not reported |
| Attack angle | Not reported | Measured (marked ball) |
| Club path | Not reported | Measured (marked ball) |
| Face angle | Not reported | Measured (marked ball) |
| Face to path | — | Not reported |
| Dynamic loft | — | Measured (marked ball) |
| Impact location | Not reported | Not reported |
| Smash factor | Calculated | Not reported |
| Club data unlock | Not available | Included |
| Space & environment | ||
| Environment | — | Indoor only |
| Placement | Beside the ball | Beside the ball |
| Hitting zone | — | 5.9 x 5.9 in (15 x 15 cm) |
| Lefty / righty | — | Repositioning required |
| Installation | None (portable) | None (portable) |
| Sim software | ||
| Simulator capable | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
| GSPro support | No | Native |
| E6 Connect support | No | Native |
| Awesome Golf support | No | Supported |
| TGC 2019 support | No | — |
| FSX Play support | No | No |
| First-party software | none | Square Golf app (credit-based course play, free range) |
| Included sim content | — | Square Golf app with 1,000 welcome credits (~55+ solo rounds; 1 credit per hole per golfer, refills from ~$0.02/credit, under $1/round) and free driving range, closest-to-pin, putting practice and game modes. Course count claims differ: PlayBetter's product page lists '10 ultra-realistic courses with 10 more coming soon' while Golfible (2025-11) counts 16 courses, all fictional. GSPro, E6 Connect and Awesome Golf connect via free official plug-ins with no device-side fee (titles sold separately). |
| Subscription | ||
| Subscription (per year) | $100/yr | None |
| Works without subscription | GPS (43,000+ preloaded courses), radar metrics, putting metrics, Virtual Caddie and scoring all work without a membership; the Garmin Golf membership adds aerial imagery and green contour data. | No subscription exists: full ball/club data, driving range and third-party sim plug-ins (GSPro/E6/Awesome Golf) are free with the device. First-party course play uses one-time consumable credits instead of a subscription - 1,000 included, ~55+ solo rounds, refills under $1 per round. |
| Connectivity & apps | ||
| Apps | iOS, Android | iOS, Android, Windows |
| Built-in display | Color touchscreen | None |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth | Bluetooth |
| Offline mode | ✓ Yes | — |
| Physical & power | ||
| Weight (lb) | 0.68 | — |
| Dimensions (in) | — | 7.5 x 2.8 x 2.8 in (19 x 7 x 7 cm) |
| Battery life (hours) | 8 | 8 |
| Removable battery | — | ✓ Yes |
| Power source | Rechargeable battery | Rechargeable battery |
| Alignment | — | App-guided |
| In the box | — | Square Golf launch monitor, swing stick (70 cm), 3 dotted marking balls, club shaft marking stickers (20), remote control with li-ion battery, removable li-ion battery |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty (months) | — | 24 |
Buy the Garmin Approach G82
Buy the Square Golf Launch Monitor
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These two track the ball differently: the Garmin Approach G82 is a Doppler-radar unit, while the Square Golf Launch Monitor is photometric (camera-based), per their recorded specs. What that difference means for spin, space, and indoor use is covered in our guide to radar vs camera launch monitors .