Flightscope Mevo Launch Monitor Review
We find out how this $500 portable launch monitor stacks up after giving it a thorough test
The Mevo launch monitor provides the solution for the casual and semi-serious golfer looking for basic feedback on shot performance on a modest budget. Easy to set up, shot tracking is reliable and the app displays the data points in a clear fashion.
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Extremely lightweight and compact
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Easy to set up
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Provides relatively consistent data
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Ball flight display could be improved
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Flightscope Mevo Launch Monitor Review
The Mevo is the most compact, affordable portable launch monitor Flightscope offers in its comprehensive range which includes the Mevo+ and the premium X3. Having already thoroughly tested the Mevo+, I was curious to know what you’re sacrificing by opting for the less expensive model and the answer is not a great deal.
The first thing that strikes you is how small the Mevo is. Incredibly small. I couldn’t believe when I opened the box how compact it was, barely bigger than two golf balls. That said, it still looks and feels premium and well made. Inside the box, you get instructions, a material drawstring carry bag, a frustratingly short charging cable and small metallic stickers to apply to the ball when using the Mevo in a net.
Setting the Mevo up is pretty simple - just unfold the stand, turn it on, place it six feet behind the hitting area and pair it with the Mevo smartphone app. This process is easy to do and once you’ve toggled on or off all the settings, you can hit away. There’s no camera on the Mevo which means you’re never sure exactly where it is aiming, nor is there an overhead view that shows you the dispersion of your shots to see how the reality compared with where the Mevo is plotting them. So in that sense, you are hitting somewhat blind but you can rest your iPhone against the Mevo and capture swing videos this way while checking the Mevo's alignment at the same time. The swing videos automatically save to your phone’s camera roll for viewing at a later time too.
The square in the top right corner of the app turns green when the Mevo is ready to capture your shot and I liked the audible ‘ready’ that plays to signify this. It captures eight data parameters that include the things most golfers look for when seeking basic feedback on shot performance - club speed, ball speed, launch, spin, carry distance and apex height among others. You have a few different viewing options - the trajectory tab shows the most data points but the ball flight graphic compilation is buggy on iPhone (it might be better on iPad). It’s also only viewable from side on and displayed in 2D, so you can’t see shot shape - something you can see with the Mevo+ launch monitor. I’d probably rather see a Birdseye view of where shots landed, like you can on the Full Swing Kit, so this was somewhat disappointing.
I liked that it’s easy to add new clubs and then compare them in the table tab, which shows averages and even standard deviation stats for each metric - something not many of the best cheap golf launch monitors do. On the whole the numbers stacked up with my expectations although there were a few anomalies during my extended irons testing session (spin numbers of 500rpm, for example) and clubhead speed and therefore smash factor was not captured at all a few times. This all means that the data is somewhat useful for the casual golfer seeking basic feedback on club performance, but as someone that tests equipment on a regular basis I would be inclined to go elsewhere for something more consistent and reliable.
Make no mistake, this is an excellent piece of kit. Compact, easy to use and versatile (you can use it outdoors or into a net) it’s undoubtedly one of the best portable launch monitors around, especially at the modest price of $499.
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Joel has worked in the golf industry for over 14 years covering both instruction and more recently equipment. He now oversees all equipment and video content at Golf Monthly, managing a team of talented and passionate writers and presenters in delivering the most thorough and accurate reviews, buying advice, comparisons and deals to help the reader or viewer find exactly what they are looking for.
One of his career highlights came when covering the 2012 Masters he got to play the sacred Augusta National course on the Monday after the tournament concluded, shooting a respectable 86 with just one par and four birdies. To date, his best ever round of golf is a 5-under 67 back in 2011. He currently plays his golf at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincs, with a handicap index of 2.8.
Joel's current What's In The Bag?
Driver: Titleist TSR3, 9°, Fujikura Ventus Black 6 S shaft.
Fairway wood: Titleist TSR3, 15°
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2, 18°
Irons: Titleist T150, 4-PW
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM10, 50°, 54° and 58°
Putter: LAB Golf DF3
Ball: 2023 Titleist Pro V1x
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