Redesigned Innova Traveler Basket [Archive]

petecarp

11-19-2008, 08:01 AM

DiscGolfCenter.com is stating that the Innova Traveler Basket has undergone a redesign. Apparently there is now a fifth leg and it has taken on a pentagonal shape.

"The DISCatcher Traveler has been redesigned with a fifth leg. The fifth leg increases stability and provides a more traditional target. The basket area is now pentagonal to provide more similar target sizes from all angles." (http://www.discgolfcenter.com/main_displayProduct.php?p=180)

I was leaning towards a more conventional model but i like the sound of this redesign. Has anyone seen one of these new Innova Travelers or does anyone have a picture?

valkyriefb11

11-19-2008, 09:05 AM

Here is Innova's webpage, it has a picture and some more information on it.
http://www.innovadiscs.com/discatcher/traveler.html

petecarp

11-19-2008, 09:20 AM

i like the change

valkyriefb11

11-19-2008, 09:31 AM

Yea, I think it looks much sturdier. I wasnt impressed with the previous one, but this one looks like its much nicer. Plus the portability would be nice.

discflinger

11-19-2008, 09:38 AM

Looks pretty cool, but I'd miss the sound of chains.

petecarp

11-19-2008, 09:51 AM

Looks pretty cool, but I'd miss the sound of chains.

neighbors don't enjoy the sound of chains at 11 PM though.

discflinger

11-19-2008, 10:11 AM

Good point.

zud00

11-19-2008, 10:17 AM

neighbors don't enjoy the sound of chains at 11 PM though.

Chainsawks!!!! Just make some kind of sock out of some old teeshirt to slide over some of the strands of chains.

borndasaur

11-19-2008, 10:59 AM

A lot of the "chink" we grow to love is the sound of the rings that anchor the chains hitting the pole. A very thin layer of padding around the pole to cushion the rings is a good solution to the (so-called) excess noise and does not seem to cause any problems.

jdawg24

11-19-2008, 11:05 AM

I've got one of these and like it -- if anything it catches too well as the basket area is even bigger than the 4-leg models

borndasaur

11-19-2008, 11:23 AM

Back to the Traveler. I just bought one and the 5th leg makes setting up on uneven ground much more stable and is further enhanced by using the ground stakes. The 5 sided "basket" and 6 sided "chains" definitely make a more realistic target. You're right about the catching ability being almost too good.

gcoghill

11-19-2008, 02:43 PM

Is it just me, or does the photo on the Innova site make it look like it has 6 legs?

http://www.innovadiscs.com/discatcher/images/Traveler_5leg.jpg

ERicJ

11-19-2008, 02:46 PM

Is it just me, or does the photo on the Innova site make it look like it has 6 legs?I bet someone pointed that out to them and that's why they added the "shadows" at the bottom.

gcoghill

11-19-2008, 02:47 PM

I bet someone pointed that out to them and that's why they added the "shadows" at the bottom.

Yeah, interesting light source(s). Did they hire the guys who faked the moon landing to edit that photo? :)

Lewis

11-20-2008, 02:30 PM

What an outstanding improvement! I've been on the verge of buying one for months, and now I'm glad I've waited. :D

JR Stengele

11-20-2008, 04:14 PM

I still think it looks cheap. I have a ching skill shot and have loved every second of it. I also looked on yetidisc.com and got a replacement canvas which was very affordable. I am sure the innova one is lighter, but the ching LOOKS like a basket and is about 20 pounds. Just my thought. If your going to get a portable basket make sure you weigh your options.

john campbell

11-20-2008, 05:52 PM

peabody

11-20-2008, 06:11 PM

We just had an Ace Race at our course and from 100 foot out I aced it. Went in fast and stuck.
Right after my throw the guy behind me also aced it. Two throws/ two aces.
The thing is really sturdy and catches quite nicely.
Weird thing was we all didn't know wether to mark down a M for a metal hit or an N for Nylon.:P

Lewis

11-20-2008, 10:12 PM

Oh for sure the Traveler is something of a gimmicky target. I wouldn't buy one if I were looking for the truest playing basket. What I love about it is its portability, and that's what they've maximized with the Traveler. If I wanted to balance portability with playability or "feel," I would go with something else, like the Mach Lite or the basket pictured above. However, the Traveler's pentagonal design has shored up its main weakness, and it happens to be exactly the gimmicky design I'm looking for.

Midnightbiker

11-21-2008, 08:27 AM

My wife found this on Craig's List for $50. I just picked it up last night. It disassembles and fits into the basket for portability. I love the "ching".
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll178/guerrillatheory/misc/DSCN0347.jpg

I got one of those myself. It wa $60 on ebay. I added a second set of chains:

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd166/Midnightbiker/NightPractice2.jpg

Midnightbiker

11-21-2008, 08:31 AM

Here is a better pic with the extra chains. You get less blow throughs with the extra chains:

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd166/Midnightbiker/Basket1.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd166/Midnightbiker/Basket2.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd166/Midnightbiker/Basket3.jpg

john campbell

11-21-2008, 11:43 AM

Thanks!! I will be upgrading mine this weekend. I appreciate the photos.

valkyriefb11

11-21-2008, 11:46 AM

midknightbiker and/or john campbell,
That basket seems like it would be a bit top heavy ... do you have any problems with it tipping over? Also, how does it sit on uneven ground?

ERicJ

11-21-2008, 12:47 PM

Thanks!! I will be upgrading mine this weekend. I appreciate the photos.

This was a great thread when it had the pictures in it:
http://discussion.pdga.com/msgboard/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=374271&page=0&fpart=all&vc=1

Those were the instructions I used to modify my InStep basket and it worked great. Perhaps some of my pictures will help you:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ericjubin/DiscGolfGoal

That basket seems like it would be a bit top heavy ... do you have any problems with it tipping over? Also, how does it sit on uneven ground?
No top heavy issues for me. In fact when I do practice (not often enough) I use ten putters and even with many discs sitting in the basket it doesn't effect it. No stability problems on mostly flat ground.

If you did have an uneven surface I suspect it won't sit up straight easily because of the rounded base.

But the (ebay) price was right and the mods weren't too difficult or expensive.

ERic

DiscChainBasket18

11-21-2008, 03:35 PM

The red basket is made by Instep. I bought one (new) a year or two ago for about $60.00. I added a second set of chains like Homeboy above. It works great. Catches fine. Not top heavy. I bring it in to work with me to practice putts at break time. Take it out to the park for driving practice. Had it set up in my yard & my neighbor saw it & now has bought a couple discs & started playing. Disc golf baby. Spread the word!http://s282.photobucket.com/albums/kk270/jdubent08/misc%20DG/?action=view&current=Untitled_0217.flv (http://s282.photobucket.com/albums/kk270/jdubent08/misc%20DG/?action=view&current=Untitled_0217.flv)

john campbell

11-21-2008, 03:53 PM

Thanks Eric! I checked out the link and photos. Very helpful. I have chain, but was wondering where to buy metal rings (the pdga board link said Hobby Lobby or Michael's, I really wish the pics were still there). Much appreciated.

ERicJ

11-25-2008, 02:14 AM

I bought my 3" and 7" rings at Michael's. Found them in the leather working section. The 3" rings come in a pack of 5, and the 7" rings come in a 3-pack. Drop me a line if you can't find them, obviously I have extras....

ERic

Midnightbiker

11-25-2008, 07:17 AM

midknightbiker and/or john campbell,
That basket seems like it would be a bit top heavy ... do you have any problems with it tipping over? Also, how does it sit on uneven ground?

Its not really that top heavy. Also , it sits fine on uneven ground. Never had it fall over on me.

Midnightbiker

11-25-2008, 07:23 AM

Well, I didn't make mine as nice as Erics, but it does work well. I used a 8 inch peice of #8 copper electrical wire I got from the hardware store. They sell it by the foot. I never thought about looking for the rings, so I made my own. I also left the factory chains were they were and just added mine with zip ties. Its not pretty, but I don't mind, it works great.

ERicJ

11-25-2008, 11:47 AM

I read somewhere (probably that PDGA forum thread) that baskets catch better if the outer chains attach to a smaller diameter ring/wire at the bottom and the inner chains attach to a larger diameter ring/wire at the bottom.

Of course there's an argument to be made for using a practice basket with lousy catching ability to improve your skills.

ERic

Midnightbiker

11-25-2008, 03:26 PM

asu225

10-19-2009, 09:53 PM

Are the dimensions of the traveler true to a real course target? I'm thinking of getting one but wouldn't want to get used to a practice basket, then start missing the same putts on the course.

vonDrehle

10-19-2009, 10:52 PM

It is actually smaller, the 4 legged one at least, so it actually helps you when you are out at the course because you are throwing at a bigger target then you are used to.

Lewis

10-20-2009, 03:34 AM

I've seen and played on both. The pentagonal design is a major improvement. The pentagonal one has a cavernous basket and seems to catch low putts better than a "real" metal basket, but its chains seem narrower, so it may not catch high putts as well.

WillACarpenter

10-20-2009, 08:10 AM

Of course there's an argument to be made for using a practice basket with lousy catching ability to improve your skills.
ERic

I have this same InStep that I got used for rather cheap. I love this basket. I haven't added ANYTHING to it. And I don't want to for the exact reason you said.

I want a basket that demands near perfection! And you can blow through this basket better than most course baskets...and I'm okay with it. It's taught me what to do...and what NOT to do.

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