FlightScope Launch Monitors: Real-World Testing and Review

If you’re researching launch monitors for a home golf simulator, FlightScope is going to come up early and often. FlightScope Mevo, Mevo+, and Mevo Gen2 have all earned their place in golfers’ practice setups by doing one thing well: delivering realistic ball flight data without turning setup into a full time job.

At Carl’s Place, we work with FlightScope launch monitors constantly. We test them indoors, outdoors, and in real simulator environments. We compare carry distance to real world measurements, track consistency across clubs, and pay attention to what actually matters once the novelty wears off.

This guide covers the full FlightScope lineup, how accuracy looks in real testing, how FlightScope compares to camera based systems like SkyTrak, and what you should expect if you are building a home golf simulator around radar based tracking.

FlightScope Mevo Launch Monitors At A Glance

FlightScope Timeline

FlightScope didn’t drop a dozen launch monitors overnight. The Mevo lineup has evolved steadily over the years, with each release building on radar tracking, real world ball flight, and feedback from golfers actually using these things at home and at the range.

How FlightScope Approaches Accuracy

FlightScope has always been radar first. Instead of focusing only on the moment of impact, FlightScope tracks the ball as it launches and begins its flight. That approach favors carry distance consistency, gapping accuracy, and realistic dispersion patterns.

Radar based systems benefit from space. When the unit is level, aligned properly, and given enough room behind the ball and downrange, the numbers stabilize quickly. That is why FlightScope performs especially well in garages, bays, and simulator rooms that are built with depth in mind.

On the flip side, you have to have a pretty large setup (at least depth) to accomodate a radar unit.

FlightScope Launch Monitor Accuracy in Real Testing

At Carl’s Place, we test launch monitors outdoors and indoors using measured carry distance. We focus on carry because total distance is affected by wind, turf firmness, and rollout.

When testing outdoors, we compare simulator carry distance to real world carry measured with rangefinders. Indoors, we look for consistency across clubs and repeatability from session to session.

Radar based systems like FlightScope tend to shine when evaluating trends. Carry distance gaps, shot shape patterns, and dispersion windows are where radar proves its value.

FlightScope Mevo Accuracy

The original Mevo is primarily an outdoor practice tool. It is designed for basic carry distance, ball speed, and tempo feedback rather than full indoor golf simulator use.

For golfers looking to bring FlightScope into a home simulator, the Mevo+ or Mevo Gen2 are more appropriate options.

FlightScope Mevo+ Accuracy Testing

FlightScope Mevo+ was one of the first outdoor range accuracy tests we did. So bear with us, it was entertaining, and we've gotten pretty adept at these over the years.

“We wanted to test the accuracy of the yardage on the Mevo+ versus what we saw in real life,” said Tim, product specialist at Carl’s Place. “Indoors, it felt right, but we wanted to know how close it actually was.”

In our testing, the Mevo+ produced consistent carry distance trends across driver, irons, and wedges when given sufficient space and a level hitting surface.

Radar consistency was strongest with longer clubs, where ball flight is easier to track. Shorter clubs introduced more environmental influence outdoors, which is expected for any portable system.

For this test, we focused on carry distance only. Total distance brings in too many variables outdoors, from rollout to turf conditions. Tim hit 20 shots each with a pitching wedge, 6 iron, and driver.

PITCHING WEDGE Accuracy with Mevo+

Tim started the test session with his pitching wedge. As you can see, the data from the launch monitor was, on average, only about 2.67 yards off, or 2.68%.

The largest difference was 8.5 yards, which seems significant as the difference between clubs is normally around 10 yards, but that seemed to be an outlier as the rest of the shots were within 5.5 yards, and some of the data matched perfectly.

“I don’t think we had any instances of the Mevo+ missing a shot with the wedge, which was nice,” Tim said. “This club had the most accurate distance readings overall.”

6 IRON Accuracy with Mevo+

Tim then hit his 6 iron, and again, the real-life data and Mevo+ data were very close. There was an average difference of just more than 3 yards, which was a smaller percentage difference (1.98%) than the wedge. 

Out of 20 shots, the largest difference was 10 yards. Again, that seemed like an outlier, though, as the rest of the shots were within 5 yards. 

With this club, we had just a couple shots that were exactly the same between real-life and Mevo+.

DRIVER Accuracy with Mevo+

The driver, as we expected, was a little less accurate with yardage difference, averaging 4.5 yards, but still around 2% difference overall. The difference never exceeded more than 8 yards, but only one shot matched exactly.

“My driver is very inconsistent. It seemed like it had more of a problem picking up my driver than any other club, but it still got a majority of the shots I was expecting the Mevo+ to not read,” Tim said. 

Mevo+ Accuracy Overall

Combining the data of the 60 shots between the three clubs, the average difference was 3.42 yards, or 2.25%. Remember that there is some human error involved as Mike’s mark in the field could have been a yard or two off sometimes.

We did notice that after fully charging the Mevo+ battery, it would shut down on us after about 2 hours. 

“That might be enough for a typical day at the range, but with us waiting between a lot of the shots to record data and get the cameras and audio set up, it got a bit frustrating,” Tim said. “If you’re using it indoors, you can just leave it plugged in and not have to worry about battery life!”

Overall, the Carl’s Place team was very impressed by the performance of the Mevo+ golf simulator.

“A question we get all the time is, ‘How accurate are the launch monitors?’” Tim said. “Now we can say with certainty that the Mevo+ is an accurate, budget friendly option for your golf simulator.”

FlightScope Mevo+ 2023 Accuracy Testing

Following our standard testing protocol, Tim from our customer service team took 20 shots each with a driver, 6 iron, and pitching wedge. Meanwhile, Mike from the marketing team tracked and marked the carry distance of each shot in the field. To validate the accuracy, Tim used a rangefinder to measure the real-life distance and compared it with the data provided by the launch monitor.

It's important to keep in mind that numerous factors can influence the numbers at the driving range. These factors include weather conditions, an elevated tee area, and the possibility of human error when spotting the ball. It was a pretty windy day, and we did change the wind in the FlightScope app to match that of the real life wind.

DRIVER Accuracy with Mevo+ 2023

The driver data from the Mevo+ 2023 was relatively inconsistent, but that can be attributed to the weather. We’re assuming that the ones that are significantly off were because the wind died down or kicked up faster than we had the software set to.

Due to those tough conditions and inconsistent numbers, the average yardage difference for the driver was 12.35 yards, which was 5.76%. We feel on a calmer day, this would be much more consistent and accurate.

As you take a look at the data below, you'll see that on shot 11, Mike forced Tim to switch to a 3 wood because the tail wind was causing his drives to leave the range and making it nearly impossible to locate the balls.

6 IRON Accuracy with Mevo+ 2023

After a tough start with two of the first three shots being more than 10 yards off, the Mevo+ 2023 honed in and really did well with the 6 iron data.

After the tough start, none of the shots were more than 8 yards off, which led to a 4.75 yards difference, good enough for 2.54%. Very solid data considering the blustery conditions.

PITCHING WEDGE Accuracy with Mevo+ 2023

The data from the pitching wedge was closer in average yardage, but percent was a little worse than the 6 iron. However, it had no shots that read more than 10 yards different, which was a great sign.

The average difference for the pitching wedge data was 4.65 yards, or 3.7%.

Based off the testing we did, it’s hard to come to a conclusion on the accuracy of the Mevo+ 2023 just because of how windy it was. Of course, we would ideally want a perfectly calm day with no weather interference, but that just doesn’t happen enough in Wisconsin.

So, going off the numbers, the Mevo+ 2023 was a little worse than the original Mevo+. However, on a calm day, we would imagine those numbers would be much closer or even better than the original.

Either way, the Mevo+ 2023 offers solid accuracy and some awesome other features that you can only get on much more expensive launch monitors. It is still a great value. 

Mevo Gen2 Accuracy Outdoors

FlightScope’s new Mevo Gen2 launch monitor promises pro-level accuracy without the subscription fees, so we took it to the range to see how it stacks up against real world data.

Setting up the Mevo Gen2 is simple and takes just a few minutes. Start by placing the unit 8 feet directly behind the golf ball, ensuring it's level and aligned with your target line. Outdoors, you won't need reflective stickers or specialized balls the Mevo Gen2 uses its built-in radar and camera system to track spin and launch data accurately in natural conditions. Once in position, connect the device to the FS Golf app via Wi-Fi to access real-time metrics, shot tracer visuals, and swing video overlays. For the best performance, make sure the area in front of the unit is free of metal objects or electronic interference.

We went into the range test with the goal to compare the carry distance only as there were too many factors that affected data such as total distance.

We hit 20 different shots with three different clubs that range significantly in club speed and typical carry distance: pitching wedge, 6 iron and driver.

PITCHING WEDGE Accuracy with Mevo Gen2

The pitching wedge real life carry distance versus what the Mevo Gen2 registered were nearly identical. The Mevo Gen2 was never off by more than a few yards and the biggest difference we recorded was just 3.5 yards. 

The average pitching wedge yardage difference was -0.075 yards or just 0.98%. Take a look at the table below for a shot by shot analysis of the real life carry distance vs. simulator carry distance.

6 IRON Accuracy with Mevo Gen2

After finishing up 20 shots with the pitching wedge we wanted to test out a mid iron and settled on hitting 20 shots with the 6-iron. 

After a pulled first shot that showed a difference of 7.5 yards, all the shots varied by no more than 5 yards. Almost all of the shots stayed within 0.5-3 yards off. 

The average 6-iron difference for carry distance over 20 shots was just .0375 yards or 0.90%. So far the Mevo Gen2 has been the most accurate outdoor launch monitor we have tested.

DRIVER Accuracy with Mevo Gen2

The driver data from the Mevo Gen2 was a little inconsistent. We had relatively little weather interference outside of the occasional breeze. We did have some swirling wind from time to time which could contribute to issues with the Mevo Gen2 tracking the ball.

Even with a few adverse weather conditions, the average yardage difference for the driver was just -4.495 yard which was just 2.10%.

As you take a look at the data below, you will see a wide margin of difference for the first two shots followed by a much closer average between the shots.

Mevo Gen2 Accuracy Overall

Based off the testing we did, it's pretty easy to draw the conclusion that the Mevo Gen2 shines outdoors on the range. With an overall average yardage distance of just -0.881 or 1.33% it comes in as the most accurate launch monitor we have ever tested on the range.

The Mevo Gen2 offers solid accuracy and some awesome features that you can only get on much more expensive launch monitors.

How Accurate Are FlightScope Launch Monitors Overall

Looking across all the testing, FlightScope consistently landed within a few yards of real-world carry distance, club after club. Wedges were the tightest, irons stayed very close, and drivers showed the most variation which is exactly what you’d expect in real golf. The big takeaway wasn’t a single perfect shot. It was that the numbers stayed predictable enough to trust your distances.

Setup mattered more than anything else. When the unit was level, aligned, and given enough space, the results tightened up fast. When those basics slipped, accuracy followed. Software settings helped, but they never fixed a poor setup.

For most golfers, that’s the win. FlightScope gives you repeatable trends you can actually practice with, not perfect numbers that look good once and disappear the next swing.

How to Get the Best Accuracy from Your FlightScope Monitor

Radar systems reward good habits. Use a level hitting surface. Keep the unit aligned and on the same plane as the ball. Give the monitor enough space to work. Use these tips to make sure you're getting the most accurate data out of your launch monitor.

1. UPDATE THE FIRMWARE

In today’s world, it’s always important to continually keep your electronic devices as up to date as possible. As shown by the Mevo+ firmware update that added in the Fusion Tracking, firmware upgrades can be crucial to getting accurate numbers. You never know when those bigger upgrades will be available! 

2. USE IN A LARGE ROOM

With radar technology, the more room it has to operate, the better. And that might be why it performed so well for us on the driving range.

Per the Mevo+ owner’s manual, you need your unit to sit 8 feet behind the hitting area when indoors, and 7-8 feet when outdoors. If you use the “indoor” setting, you will want at least 13 feet of room between tee and impact screen, and if you use the “short indoor” setting, you will need at least 8 feet between tee and impact screen. 

Note the words “at least.” The more room you have, the better!

3. LEVEL THE HITTING SURFACE

Place the unit and ball on the same, flat surface, and to not raise the unit to the level of the hitting surface with a “valley” in between.

That's why we've added Carl's Golf Mat Extension Strip to our lineup of accessories. The strip is the same make, material and height as Carl's HotShot Golf Mat and is made to place behind the hitting mat and tee area to allow you to bring up the radar unit to the proper height.

4. USE THE REFLECTIVE STICKERS

Yes, the Mevo+ and Mevo Gen2 will work without the reflective stickers included in the box. However, using them on your balls indoors will help. 

Make sure that if you use them, the reflective sticker faces away from the launch monitor on the ball (toward the screen) on the hitting surface before it gets struck. 

5. REMOVE NOISY, FLICKERING OBJECTS

Some common indoor objects that make noise can interfere with shot data. Those objects can include air conditioning units, fluorescent lights, fans, electronics in front of the launch monitor, fridges, signal towers and heavy machinery.

FlightScope suggests moving the noisy objects at least behind the unit, or ideally completely out of the room.

6. FULLY OPEN THE KICKSTAND

When placing the launch monitor, it is important to open the kickstand until it stops as that is the correct angle it should be at on a flat surface.

Do not adjust the kickstand to try to get better results, and make sure that the area the unit is placed is level and not on an incline. 

7. PROPERLY ALIGN THE UNIT

Once your unit is placed where you want it behind the ball on a level surface, make sure to follow the alignment instructions. In the FS Golf app, the camera view will help you align your unit with the ball. 

Adjust the device so that the vertical red line on the camera view passes through the ball and is lined up with the target. 

8. CHOOSE YOUR SOFTWARE WISELY

On average, you might notice that different softwares provide different numbers. That is not the launch monitor’s problem; each software has a different way of interpreting the data that the launch monitor sends its way, meaning one software program might give you consistently shorter distances because of the way it calculates certain aspects like the back spin and how that affects the distance. 

FlightScope vs SkyTrak

FlightScope and SkyTrak are often compared because they’re both popular choices for home golf simulators, but they’re built around different tracking approaches. Neither is “better” across the board. They’re just better in different situations.

FlightScope launch monitors are radar based. They track the ball as it travels through the air, which means they benefit from having more space to work with. When the setup is right, radar does a great job showing realistic carry distances and how shots behave over a full flight. That’s why FlightScope is commonly used both indoors and outdoors.

SkyTrak launch monitors are camera based.  They capture high speed images at impact and calculate ball flight from there. This works extremely well in tighter indoor spaces where depth is limited. SkyTrak units are portable and can be used outdoors, but most golfers use them primarily indoors because they don’t rely on extended ball flight.

Golfers with more room or plans to practice indoors and outdoors often lean toward FlightScope.

Golfers with limited space who want a simpler indoor setup often lean toward SkyTrak.

Both brands produce reliable data when they’re used in the right environment.

Final Thoughts

FlightScope focuses on realistic ball flight, consistent carry data, and tools that reward proper setup. If you want help choosing the right launch monitor for your setup, this guide breaks it down clearly:

Choosing Your Launch Monitor: What to Buy and Why