Launch monitors have revolutionised the game of golf. They provide data on the club and the ball which allow better
coaching, custom fitting and can be an invaluable tool for improving people's golf.
It especially helps top golfers to train with a purpose. Look at Bryson DeChambeau training in the gym and then converting that to incredible ball speeds of over 200mph - all done with the help of his launch monitors to constantly monitor his progress.
You don't see a tour pro without a Trackman or Foresight on the driving range or out on the course during practice rounds these days.
So why don't amateurs have them? The main reason is price. Lasers and other bits of technology might go into the hundreds of pounds, but the likes of Foresight or Trackman can set you back as much as £20,000. Ouch.
Over the last few years though we have seen the emergence of budget launch monitors which give amateur golfers all of the info that they need at a much lower price. Are they as good? I'm here to answer that very question.
What's It All About?
Flightscope is endorsed by Bryson and Bubba Watson, but I don't think you'll see many other players using one if you were to walk down a driving range at a PGA Tour event. Is this because money is no object for them, or because the performance doesn't stack up to the others?
There are four different products available in the Flightscope range:
- X3
- Mevo
- Mevo+
- Range (for driving ranges)
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Flightscope Mevo+ Launch Monitor Review
Features
In the Mevo+ this has now been sorted as the device produces its own WiFi hotspot signal, allowing you to connect a phone or tablet wherever you are.
The Mevo+ is something that would be ideal for me to use when testing equipment for Golfalot as it is small, lightweight and easily usable on a practice range or on the golf course.
It's priced at £1900 and for that you get:
- Flightscope Mevo+ Launch Monitor
- USB charging cable
- Carry case
- Simulator angle
- Quickstart guide
- Power adapter
- Reflective stickers
The Mevo+ provides 16 different data perimeters to allow you to go in-depth on your own game, including Carry Distance, Club Head Speed, Smash Factor, Apex Height, Spin Rate, Ball Speed, Launch Angle, Total Distance, Angle of Attack, and Spin Loft.
As well as just being a catchy name, Mevo itself also starts for:
Measure your numbers - via real-time performance data.
Evaluate your game - by saving, uploading and sharing practice sessions.
Visualise your improvement - use action video clips captured by phone with a data overlay.
Optimise your performance - thanks to automatic video clipping and storage.
The additional software simulation app E6 Connect also also you to practice on 5 golf courses (on iOS devices) and 17 different practice ranges, as well as taking part in online competitions and mini games.
Flightscope Mevo+ Launch Monitor Review
Looks and Setup
The Mevo+ is a handy size that is slightly bigger than its predecessor, which I actually preferred as it made the device feel a little more durable and probably makes it a bit harder to lose too!
The device feels well built, with a rubber rim to protect it if it's dropped or in case the ground is wet - you also get a one year warranty included in case there are any issues. The case is a hardcase and far more protective than a Trackman one.
It took around five minutes to set up the Mevo+ and get it ready for use. First you need to register for an account on the FS Golf app, which is the main app you'll use for yardages and data on your practice sessions.
I chose to use my iPad to take advantage of the bigger screen, although you can use a mobile device or Android device if you prefer. One thing to bear in mind is that you need to use WiFi for the initial registration on the app so I'd recommend doing this at home before you head to your golf course or driving range.
I scanned the QR code on the back of the device to pair it up with my iPad. This did take me a couple of tries which is a slight drawback, but don't worry if it won't connect straight away.
Once paired I launched my session and chose the Indoor setting (you can also choose Outdoor or Short Indoor if you are hitting into a net) before placing the device directly behind my hitting zone at a distance of 8 feet, which Flightscope says is optimal for getting the most accurate results.
The final thing to do was place one metallic sticker on each of my Titleist Pro V1x golf balls. This is recommended indoors for the best spin data collection but not needed outdoors.
Once I began hitting shots I initially made a couple of mistakes which skewed my numbers a bit. Firstly, you need to make sure that the metallic stickers are pointing towards the target before you hit your shot.
Secondly, and most importantly you need to have the Mevo+ set up at the right angle to accurately capture the data as the ball is launched.
This was my own fault as there was a warning at the top of my iPad screen which tells you that you're not aligned correctly, and there is a handy tool within the app which should help you to get things lined up correctly before you start hitting balls.
Performance
Once I had sorted these mishaps, everything started to come together.
The first thing that really impressed me with the Mevo+ was the response time at the point of hitting. My yardage was called out on the iPad almost immediately after hitting, and the numbers flashed up on the screen at a far quicker rate than any other launch monitor I have used before.
It also tells you when it’s ready for you to hit another one. It only missed one shot in the whole of my testing from short warmup shots all the way up to drivers.
I had heard that the device could miss shots if you have particularly fast ball speeds and hit it a long way off the tee, but unfortunately I don't fall into that category!
I compared the Mevo+ to my current TrackMan 4 inside at Mercedes Benz, Stockport, comparing the same shot on both devices using my Titleist Pro V1x balls.
As you can see, the numbers were very similar across all categories both in terms of average, and on a shot by shot basis.
For me, Trackman is the benchmark and I think that you always have to allow for a bit of leeway between data from different devices, even if it was two Trackmans sitting right next to each other you might not see exactly the same numbers for each shot.
The Mevo+ was certainly close enough to the Trackman indoors to be trustworthy and I wouldn't have any concerns in using the launch monitor as a primary tool for practicing or getting yardages.
Flightscope Mevo+ Launch Monitor Verdict
Flightscope has clearly come a long way in the last few years and they have prove that you can make a truly portable launch monitor. The build quality of the Mevo+ is great, the set up is easy enough and the accuracy was great. I was very impressed with it.
The best way for me to describe this is like rangefinders. Bushnell is the tour preferred option and the 'industry standard' which is most recognisable, whereas Shot Scope is considered as the newbie which still works very well but is cheaper and less well-known.
This may cause a problem if you area a teaching pro trying to attract client as they might want and expect a Trackman, but if you want a launch monitor and you're on a budget then you should definitely consider buying this. It'll take you coaching to another level and give pupils the option of both video clipping and data too.
The Mevo+ is in my opinion the best travel launch monitor on the market, and at a price which is more reasonable. I can see this being bought by plenty of avid, amateur golfers who are looking to improve their own game.
It is the same price as a SkyTrak, which is very popular in America. SkyTrak wins on number of courses available to play, but the Mevo+ is better in terms of data accuracy, the practice mode and portability in my opinion.
The display on the app is very similar to Trackman which made my life easier and this helps to give a bit more of a premium feel too. The graphics aren't quite as good as the most expensive launch monitors, and you don't get the same club head data, but for £1900 you really can't complain in my opinion.
The two main things that really set this apart from other launch monitors are the speed in which and received my numbers and the ball flight appeared on the screen after every shot. Trackman can learn from this, as their two second delay suddenly becomes much more annoying.
Another positive feature is the ability to record your swing on your iPad whilst still having the data appear for that shot. You can then draw lines and angles onto the screen and either save, or share to your coach or social media. With other launch monitors you need a separate recording device, so this is a big plus.
However I do wish that there was just one app rather than three to download, because it lessens the user experience and becomes a pain if you've already got plenty of apps stored on your tablet or mobile device.
If you are looking for a drastically cheaper, portable launch monitor then I can safely say I would recommend a Flightscope Mevo+.
Portable launch monitors are now a real option for golfers who still expect accurate results, which is something I couldn’t say five years ago.
Who Is It Aimed At?
Golfers who are keen to get better and have a structured practice regime, whilst having the chance to play simulator golf
courses or games.
It's so much cheaper than both Foresight and Trackman, so I'd definitely recommend it to professional golfers who can't afford the other two, or even for Tour pros who travel a lot and are price-conscious. The size and accuracy is awesome and it can so easily be put in your golf bag or taken on a plane in hand luggage.
You don't need to be a good golfer to use this though - just somebody who is invested in their game.
Would I Use It?
Yes, expect the Flightscope to feature a lot more in my Golfalot reviews, indoor I will probably stick to the Trackman 4.
Flightscope has improved a lot in recent years and on Tour I would happily sacrifice the lack of club data because of it's small size and the fact that I'd be working on yardages and certain shots, rather than complicating myself with club data.
Pros
- Excellent price point
- Good build-quality
- Size makes it perfect for travelling
- Response time was very impressive
- Data just as accurate as the Trackman
Cons
- No club data available
- No face data available
- Three apps is a bit annoying
- Battery life is only 60-90 minutes
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