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Hex vs Mako3: flight numbers and which midrange to choose
Choose the Innova Mako3 for a low-fade first midrange. Choose the Axiom Hex if you prefer its grip or want a midrange with some finishing fade. Both deserve a look for your everyday throwing slot, so start with one unless you have a clear use for both.
Hex vs Mako3: the useful differences
| Model | Speed / glide / turn / fade | What the ratings suggest | Our selection advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innova Mako3 | 5 / 5 / 0 / 0 | Little rated turn or finishing fade | Our starting pick for learning a low-fade midrange |
| Axiom Hex | 5 / 5 / -1 / 1 | Some turning tendency and some finishing fade | Consider it when that shape or its grip suits your shots |
Sources: Innova's ratings table and Axiom's Hex page, checked September 16, 2026. These are manufacturer ratings across two brands, not measurements from a controlled comparison. Plastic, weight, wear and your release affect the result.
Open the Hex and Mako3 side-by-side comparison for the documented versions, specifications and source links.
Which is straighter?
The Mako3 has the simpler low-fade rating. Innova describes it as a midrange for straight shots with very limited fade. That makes it our first candidate when a narrow line with little finish is the goal.
The Hex's -1 turn and 1 fade do not cancel into the Mako3's 0 and 0. Turn and fade describe different parts of a flight. Two shots can land near the same target while needing different amounts of room along the way. Axiom presents the Hex as a versatile midrange for shaping lines, including in the woods.
For a tight gap, compare the whole flight you can produce: does either disc move outside the available space before coming back? For an open target, you may be happy with that movement. Neither rating tells you whether a particular release will stay on the intended line. Our flight-number explanation covers that distinction.
Which should a beginner buy first?
Our default is the Mako3 because its intended low-fade role gives you a straightforward starting point. It also fits a small first bag: one main throwing disc alongside a comfortable putter.
Choose the Hex first if you have handled or borrowed it and prefer the grip. There is little reason to reject a comfortable disc you enjoy throwing because another has a lower fade number.
| What you want | Start by considering |
|---|---|
| A first midrange for practicing a line with little finish | Mako3 |
| A midrange with some finish, or a grip you already prefer | Hex |
| A replacement for a lost disc you trusted | The same model and version before changing molds |
| More distance from an existing midrange | Compare your usual throws first; both are speed 5 |
| A clearly stronger finishing shot | A different role, such as the Roc3 comparison below |
From our rounds: We think the Hex is an excellent midrange and also like the Mako3.
Should you carry both Hex and Mako3?
Keep both if your actual copies earn different shots or one is an intentional backup. Similar catalog ratings do not settle that decision, and having different brand names does not create a new role.
If you can borrow the other mold, try this comparison in a clear practice area:
- Pick one target you can reach at comfortable effort, and use the same throwing style with both discs.
- Alternate discs so you compare them in similar conditions. Note the plastic, marked weight and wear of each copy.
- Watch the line as well as the landing point. Record the usual finish and how widely your throws spread.
- Try one shot you regularly need on your course. Ask which disc makes that choice easier.
If you keep choosing the same disc for both jobs, carry that one while you learn it. If you prefer one for a narrow line and the other for a useful finish, keep both and write down those jobs.
Add them to Bag Check, choose the role that matches how you use each and save your version notes. The tool flags the pair's nearby ratings. Treat that as a question about overlap; your own repeated shots supply the answer.
What if you need more fade?
If you want a distinctly stronger finishing midrange, the Mako3-to-Hex change may be too small for the job. Innova lists the Roc3 at 5 / 4 / 0 / 3 and describes it as having a consistent finishing fade.
Use the Mako3, Hex and Roc3 comparison to see the different intended role. More fade is useful when that is the shot you need; it is not an upgrade to a straight-shot disc.
Check the exact version before buying
Compare the full model, plastic, marked weight and condition on each listing. A worn disc and a new premium copy change more than just the mold. Our Mako3 record and Hex record explain the scope of their specifications; the DX, Star and Champion guide helps narrow the Innova plastic choice.
If you already trust one of these mids, a different model should answer a specific need. Write down the missing shot before comparing prices.
Manufacturer ratings and linked model descriptions checked September 16, 2026.