Bushnell Launch Pro Vs. Flightscope Mevo Plus Comparison Overview
For anyone interested in a launch monitor that also functions as a golf simulator, pay close attention to the following comparison overview. Today we will be sharing our experience when we tested the Flightscope Mevo Plus against the Bushnell Launch Pro.
Both of these launch monitors also serve as golf simulators but which one is the better buy overall? Read on to find out.
Bushnell Launch Pro Overview
The Bushnell Launch Pro is about $1000 more expensive than the Mevo Plus and uses different technology.
The Bushnell Launch Pro uses 3 high speed cameras and an infrared sensor to detect your shot at point of impact. It may also seem like a small thing to some people, but we also really liked that there was a heads-up touchscreen LCD display on this device.
The use of both cameras and infrared meant that the Bushnell Launch Pro was accurate both indoors and outdoors. It’s only about a foot tall and 6” wide so it’s easy to carry and transport. The downside to this device as a golf simulator though is that even the most expensive software package includes only 10 simulated courses.
You also get a limited amount of shot data that includes carry distance, ball speed, total spin, vertical launch angle and horizontal launch angle.
Flightscope Mevo Plus Overview
The Flightscope Mevo Plus uses radar technology so it can also be used both indoors and outdoors.
But like most launch monitors that rely solely on radar sensors, it loses accuracy indoors. Carry distances were off by an average of 5 yards with the Mevo Plus. You also get fewer simulated golf courses than the Bushnell Launch Pro at just 5.
However, we suppose that’s just to be expected from a simulator that costs less. In terms of quality of simulation, we have to side with the Bushnell Launch Pro again. We can attribute this to the fact that the Bushnell Launch Pro uses simulations from Foresight Sports.
The Mevo Plus does have an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot which we liked because it made for a nearly unbreakable connection with our phones.
If you can afford the extra $1000, we would recommend going for the Bushnell Launch Pro. It provided a richer simulation experience and didn’t lose any accuracy when we used it with our indoor setup. Just be aware that all software packages require a subscription fee.
Mevo Plus in 20 Words or Less
In 20 Words Or Less
The Mevo Plus is quite the step up from the standard Flightscope Mevo as it provides much more info.
Bushnell Launch Pro
In 20 Words or Less
The Bushnell Launch Pro provides a wealth of shot and ball metrics that can truly help improve your game.
Mevo Plus First Impressions
To be quite honest, we were a little intimidated by the sheer volume of metrics this thing provides.
To be brutally honest, we didn’t even know what to do with some of the shot data it provides. We had to look some of them up.
Key Features
The Mevo Plus features 17 practice ranges, 5 simulated golf courses, skills challenges and includes an internal camera for added accuracy.
One of the things we had to look up was lateral landing; but once we did it was all good. The Mevo Plus provides a ridiculous amount of shot data including carry distance, club head speed, apex height, smash factor, ball speed, spin rate, angle of attack, roll distance, spin axis, spin loft, shot shape and of course, total distance.
The Mevo Plus was incredibly accurate outdoors and lost just a touch of accuracy indoors as it relies on 2D Doppler radar for it’s readings. We also really appreciated the wireless Wi-Fi connection interface which made setting up indoors and outdoors very easy.
The Mevo Plus gives more information than the Skytrak but it also does not provide much swing info.
Bushnell Launch Pro First Impressions
We were first taken with how easy it is to set up right out of the box.
While it’s good to go right away, we gave it a full charge before taking it out onto the range. Fully charging the Bushnell Launch Pro took about an hour and a half and it lasted for about 3 hours.
We also really liked that the heads-up display is touch enabled so you can easily scroll through different modes and see different metrics. It is only a foot tall though, so taller players may have to stoop down uncomfortably low to operate the screen.
Key Features
The Bushnell Launch Pro comes with a free month of the Gold Package and there are a number of different annual software subscriptions to choose from.
Just keep in mind that all of these software packages are paid. With the most expensive package (a one-time fee of $4,000) you get 10 simulated courses (Butterfield, Tall Pines, Beaver Hills, Willow Crest, Teton Pines and more), online play capability, access to online competitions and tournaments, simulated driving range, access for 8 users and data archiving.
The device itself uses 3 high-speed cameras and an infrared sensor to capture your shot at point of launch and estimate a variety of ball and shot metrics. It also has a 3 inch by 2 inch touchscreen LCD display.
Some of the metrics that you get with the Bushnell Launch Pro include carry distance, ball speed, total spin, vertical launch angle, horizontal launch angle, club head speed and smash factor.
And while the Bushnell Launch Pro does a good job of accurately tracking these metrics, the depth of data on other devices we have tested was greater. Quite frankly, we were expecting many more tracking metrics for a device this expensive.
The fact that it uses cameras and infrared instead of radar means that it is very accurate both indoors and outdoors. It can be set up with a prepackaged or custom net system, simulation system (with impact projector) or simply used with your PC or TV.
The Bushnell Launch Pro comes with 28 club markers that you have to put on the face of your clubs in order for it to track accurate club data. You can also connect to the internet via an ethernet cable or Wi-Fi.
Some of the features like club tags and the non-colored LCD screen seem a bit archaic but if you’re looking for accuracy, the Bushnell Launch Pro is one of the most accurate upper mid-level launch monitors on the market.
Mevo Plus Selling Points
- Wi-Fi hotspot
- Internal alignment camera
- 17 practice ranges
- 5 simulated courses
- Lots of shot data
Bushnell Launch Pro Selling Points
- It’s easy to set up
- Includes one free year of the basic software package
- In-depth shot and club data
- Wireless internet enabled
- Up to 10 simulated courses
Who is the Mevo Plus for?
The Mevo Plus would be a great choice for scratch players and players who regularly compete in tournaments.
We’ll put it this way, the Mevo plus is used and endorsed by tour pros. Unlike the Skytrak, the Mevo Plus is not intended for recreational players.
Pros:
- It provides very advanced shot metrics
- Overall, it was more accurate than the SKytrak launch monitor
- It uses both 3D Doppler radar and an alignment camera so you get the best of both worlds so to speak
- For all the advanced metrics and accuracy, it’s still cheaper than a lot of high-end launch monitors
Cons:
- Only 5 simulated courses
- Currently, the simulations are only compatible with iOS
Overall Score: 94/100
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Who is the Bushnell Launch Pro for?
The great thing about the Bushnell Launch Pro is that it occupies that middle ground of upper mid-level launch monitors that would be helpful for casual golfers and course pros alike.
Having said that, you should not spend the money for this launch monitor unless you are very serious about improving your game. Like we mentioned near the top of the article, the Bushnell Launch Pro is nice as a golf simulator; but it’s true value is as a launch monitor.
The simulations are fun and you can even enter in online tournaments; but after testing the Bushnell Launch Pro, the simulation features almost seem like an afterthought
It’s obvious that the bulk of the Research & Development for this device went into its launch monitor capabilities.
We found that the Bushnell Launch Pro was accurate to within 2 yards on drive distance, fairway wood distance readings and accurate to within 3 yards with our irons and wedges. And these numbers apply to both indoor and outdoor settings.
Where it struggled a bit was ball speed. When tested against another launch monitor, there was a 5MPH variance which we couldn’t quite figure out. All other readings were very accurate.
Pros:
- It maintains its accuracy both indoors and outdoors
- It comes with its own alignment stick and is very easy to set up
- You set it up right on front of you so it’s very easy to see your swing/ball data right on the screen in front of you
- It provides easy to understand graphs that give you great insight into your swing
- It can connect wirelessly to your internet
- The Foresight Sports simulation packages are some of the best in the industry
Cons:
- Almost all of the software packages are very expensive
- Even with the most expensive software packages, you only get 10 simulated courses
- The battery life isn’t great
- You have to pay extra to get advanced shot/ball metrics like side spin, back spin, spin tilt axis, club path and angle of attack
Overall Score: 92/100
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