SkyTrak+ vs. Mevo Plus for Garage Setups: The “Metal Box” Interference Test

If you have spent more than 15 minutes on the r/GolfSimulator subreddit, you are probably ready to throw your phone across the room.

You’ve seen the war. Half the people scream that the FlightScope Mevo+ is the king of value. The other half swear the SkyTrak+ is the only device that works.

They are both right. And they are both wrong.

The problem isn’t the device. The problem is your room.

At SimGolfLab, we don’t just look at spec sheets. We look at physics. And if you are building a simulator in a standard 2-car garage, there is a hidden “physics trap” that can turn a $2,000 Mevo+ into a paperweight.

It’s called Multipath Interference, and it’s the reason your refrigerator might ruin your golf game.

Here is the definitive, no-nonsense guide to choosing between the two heavyweights of 2025, specifically for the garage golfer.

The Core Difference: Eyes vs. Ears

To understand why these units fail in different rooms, you have to understand how they “see” the ball.

1. SkyTrak+ (The Camera)

• Technology: Photometric (High-Speed Cameras).
• How it works: It sits next to the ball. When you hit it, the unit snaps a series of high-speed photos in the first few inches of flight. It measures the spin and speed visually.
• The Vibe: It’s like a detective examining a crime scene photo. It sees what happened.

2. FlightScope Mevo+ (The Radar)

• Technology: 3D Doppler Radar.
• How it works: It sits 8 feet behind you. It emits microwave radio waves that bounce off the ball and return to the unit. It tracks the ball through the air for as long as possible.
• The Vibe: It’s like a bat using echolocation. It hears the flight.

The “Metal Box” Problem (Why Mevo+ Struggles in Garages)

This is the section the marketing brochures leave out.

The Mevo+ is a Doppler Radar. It relies on radio waves bouncing off the golf ball. But radio waves also bounce off other things.

If you are in a garage, you are likely standing inside a “Metal Box.”

• The Garage Door Tracks: Giant metal rails running along your ceiling.
• The Appliances: That beer fridge or chest freezer in the corner.
• The HVAC: Metal ductwork.
• Fluorescent Lights: Older ballasts emit frequencies that confuse radar.

The “Ghost Spin” Effect When the Mevo+ sends out a signal, it hits the ball. But in a tight garage, that signal might also bounce off your fridge, hit the metal door track, and then come back to the unit.

The result? Interference.

We have seen Mevo+ units in metal-heavy garages report 15,000 RPM of backspin on a driver (impossible) or miss shots entirely because the radar “noise” was too loud.

The Lab Verdict: If you have a refrigerator, metal shelving, or exposed ductwork within 10 feet of your hitting area, Mevo+ is a risky gamble.

The “Space Tax”: Do You Have 16 Feet?

The second factor is pure geometry.

Mevo+ Requirements (The Depth Hog) Because Mevo+ tracks the ball’s flight, it needs room to breathe.

• Unit to Tee: 8 feet (Mandatory).
• Tee to Net: 8 feet (Minimum—10+ is better).
• Total Depth Needed: 16 to 18 feet.

Reality Check: Most standard garages are 20 feet deep. If you have a workbench, a tool chest, or storage bins against the back wall, you barely have 16 feet left. You will be placing the Mevo+ dangerously close to the wall.

SkyTrak+ Requirements (The Space Saver) SkyTrak+ only cares about the first 4 inches of flight.

• Unit to Tee: 0 feet (It sits parallel).
• Tee to Net: 8 feet (Safe swinging distance).
• Total Depth Needed: 10 feet.

Reality Check: You can shove a SkyTrak setup into a tight bedroom, a small shed, or a crowded garage with zero issues.

The One Scenario Where Mevo+ Wins (Hands Down)

I’ve been hard on the Mevo+, but it does one thing infinitely better than SkyTrak: Lefties.

The SkyTrak sits facing the golfer.

• The Scenario: You have a buddy over. You are right-handed. He is left-handed.
• The SkyTrak Nightmare: Every time it’s his turn, you have to physically pick up the unit, move it to the other side of the mat, realign it, and pray it reconnects. It kills the vibe instantly.

The Mevo+ Advantage: Since it sits behind the players, a Lefty and a Righty can stand on opposite sides of the ball and hit back-to-back without touching the unit. If you plan to host “Sim Night” with a mixed group, Mevo+ is the only sanity-preserving option.

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?

Stop reading features lists and look at your room.

Buy the SkyTrak+ IF:

1. You are in a standard garage with metal door tracks, concrete walls, or appliances nearby.
2. You have limited depth (less than 16 feet of clear space).
3. You are the primary player (or all your friends are right-handed).
4. You want a “set it and forget it” experience that ignores interference.

Buy the FlightScope Mevo+ IF:

1. You have a “Barn” or Basement with tons of depth (18ft+) and no metal obstructions.
2. You want to take it to the Range. (Mevo+ is a beast outdoors where there is no interference).
3. You play with Lefties.
4. You refuse to pay subscription fees (Mevo+ has a decent “no-sub” basic mode, whereas SkyTrak pretty much requires a sub to be fun).

The “Lab” Summary Table

Feature	SkyTrak+	Mevo+ (2024)
Tech	Camera (Photometric)	Radar (Doppler)
Interference Risk	Zero (Works anywhere)	High (Hates metal/fans)
Min. Depth	10 Feet	16-18 Feet
Left/Right Play	Annoying (Must move unit)	Seamless (Sits behind)
Outdoor Use	Okay (Needs shade)	Excellent
Best For…	Garages & Small Rooms	Barns, Ranges & Patios