Buying Used

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Every golf simulator review site on the internet has the same business model: you click their affiliate link, buy a new launch monitor, they get a 5-15% commission. Nobody gets a commission when you buy a used SkyTrak+ off a guy on Reddit for $1,200.

So nobody tells you to buy used.

I’m going to tell you to buy used.

Not because I’m noble (I have affiliate links too — see the buttons on every review page). But because the used market is genuinely the best value in golf simulators, and if I don’t tell you, you’ll spend $700 more than you need to and blame me later.

The Math

Camera-based launch monitors retain 60-70% of their value at three years. That’s not my estimate — that’s from tracking completed eBay sales and forum transactions across 30+ threads.

Here’s what that looks like in real numbers:

• Bushnell Launch Pro: $2,499 new → $1,500-1,750 used (3 years old). You save $750-1,000.
• SkyTrak+: $1,995 new → $1,100-1,400 used (2-3 years old). You save $600-900.
• Garmin R10: $599 new → $300-400 used (1-2 years old). You save $200-300.
• Uneekor EYE XO: $5,999 new → $3,800-4,500 used (2 years old). You save $1,500-2,200.

The R10 is the most interesting case. Tons of guys buy the R10 as their first launch monitor, use it for a winter, get hooked, and upgrade to a camera unit in the spring. The used R10 market is flooded. You can regularly find them for $350 — that’s 42% off retail on a unit that’s 6-12 months old.

Why the Used Market Exists

Golf simulators have an upgrade cycle that’s unlike any other piece of electronics. Here’s the pattern:

1. Guy buys a $599 Garmin R10 in October. Plays all winter. Loves it.
2. Spring arrives. He’s hooked. He wants better accuracy.
3. He buys a $2,499 Bushnell Launch Pro. Sells the R10 on Reddit for $350.
4. Six months later, he wants ceiling-mount. Buys an EYE XO for $5,999. Sells the Launch Pro for $1,600.
5. Repeat.

The forum calls this “the upgrade trap.” The community’s advice is “buy one tier higher” to skip a step. But most people don’t listen — they buy, upgrade, and sell.

Every upgrade creates a used unit. Every used unit is your opportunity.

The Objection: “But No Warranty”

Yeah. That’s the trade-off. No manufacturer warranty on used gear.

Here’s why that matters less than you think:

1. Camera launch monitors rarely break. There’s no moving parts — no motor, no hard drive. It’s two cameras and a processor. The most common failure is a scratched lens, which is user-caused, not warrantied anyway.

2. Radar units have one common failure: battery degradation. A replacement battery is $30-50. That’s less than the warranty on a new unit would cost you (if you could even buy an extended warranty, which you can’t for most launch monitors).

3. The money you save covers the risk. If you buy a used SkyTrak+ for $1,200 and it breaks in month 13, you’re out $1,200. If you buy new for $1,995 and it breaks in month 13 (after the 1-year warranty expires), you’re out $1,995. The used buyer is still ahead by $795.

4. eBay has buyer protection. If the item isn’t as described, you get a refund. PayPal adds another layer. You’re not buying from a stranger in a parking lot — you’re buying through platforms with recourse.

The Real Risk: Subscriptions

The one thing that can burn you on a used purchase is subscription status.

The Bushnell Launch Pro requires a subscription to unlock full features. The Gold plan is $299/year. If you buy a used Launch Pro and the subscription has expired, you need to factor $299/year into your cost.

Same with some SkyTrak plans. And Foresight units.

Before buying any used launch monitor, ask the seller: “Is the subscription active? Can it be transferred?” If the answer is “no” or “I don’t know,” factor $99-299/year into your offer.

See our subscription cost guide for the full breakdown of which units have subscriptions and which don’t.

Where to Shop (Ranked)

1. r/GolfSimulator buy/sell thread — Best community, fairest prices, most knowledgeable sellers
2. eBay — Best buyer protection, 10-15% higher prices than Reddit
3. Golf Simulator Forum classifieds — Good for complete packages
4. Facebook Marketplace — Local pickup only, more scammers, proceed with caution
5. OfferUp / Craigslist — Local pickup only, cash only, inspect before paying

The full buying guide with what to check, red flags, and negotiation tactics is here. Read it before you buy anything.

What Not to Buy Used

• Hitting nets — They wear out. A net that’s been hit 10,000 times is 50% as strong as new. Buy new for $100-200.
• Software licenses — Most software (GSPro, TGC 2019) is licensed per-machine. You can’t transfer it.
• Hitting mats — Mats compress in the sweet spot. A used mat is a worn mat. Buy new.
• Anything from a seller with zero reviews and a brand-new account — That’s a scam.

The Forum Philosophy

The golf sim community has a saying: “buy once, cry once.” It means spend more upfront on quality so you don’t have to upgrade.

But there’s a second philosophy that’s less quoted: “buy used, cry never.” Because when you buy a used EYE MINI for $1,000 and it works perfectly, you saved $500 and lost nothing. The “cry” in “buy once, cry once” is the pain of spending $1,499. When you spend $1,000, there’s no cry.

The used market isn’t for everyone. If you want the warranty, the unboxing experience, and the peace of mind — buy new. There’s no shame in that. But if you’re on a budget and you know what to check, the used market is where the value is.

The Final Verdict

I’m not telling you to never buy new. I’m telling you to check the used market first. Spend 20 minutes on r/GolfSimulator and eBay before you click that affiliate link (even mine).

If you find a used unit in good condition from a reputable seller, buy it. You’ll save 30-50% and get the same simulator experience.

If you don’t find what you want, buy new. The new market is great too. But at least you checked.

Nobody else will tell you this because nobody else makes money when you buy used. I make money either way (you’ll probably buy a net, a mat, or a screen from an affiliate link regardless). So I have no reason to steer you wrong.

Check the used market first. Thank me later.

Related Reading

• Used Golf Simulator Buying Guide — The complete how-to
• How to Buy a Used Launch Monitor Guide (New) — LM-specific inspection checklist & price benchmarks
• Golf Simulator Subscription Costs — What subscriptions transfer
• How Long Does a Golf Simulator Last? — Lifespan expectations
• The Upgrade Roadmap — When to move from budget to premium
• How Much Does a Golf Simulator Cost? — Full cost breakdown