What's your favorite plastic? [Archive]

Lewis

01-11-2009, 07:05 PM

I'm sure everybody has an opinion, and there are more choices out there than we could put into a poll. There are also advantages and disadvantages to all plastic formulas, such as price, durability, grippiness, consistency, etc. I'd like to hear what people prefer to buy, and why, especially if you have strong opinions.

I'm also curious how you all think the different manufacturers' plastics compare. All the major brands seem to have a low-grade plastic, a mid-grade plastic, and one or two high-grade plastics. Is there any one kind of plastic that has more advantages than disadvantages? I'm also curious if anybody out there has tried to make a chart that compares plastics across brands, sort of like there are charts that compare discs' flight characteristics across brands.

kpc2004

01-11-2009, 07:17 PM

for my driver i like star or champion and for my midrange i prefer champion. i just like the feel of it and the grip i get.

zud00

01-11-2009, 07:19 PM

I like champion for the most part, but I like star plastic if it is broken in.

kpc2004

01-11-2009, 07:21 PM

I like star plastic if it is broken in.

yeah i forgot to mention that....my broken in star wraith is one of my top 3 favorite discs i have ever owned

Three Putt

01-11-2009, 08:55 PM

It depends on what I want the disc to do.

On putters I prefer stiff base plastic. I hate the floppy soft feel from soft putters and like the grip I get from base plastic.

For the rest of my discs I tend to prefer a dense plastic like Z or Champ if I'm using the disc for overstable purposes. They will start out more overstable and stay that way longer, so it's win-win. Otherwise I usually like a base plastic like DX or D. I buy slightly overstable discs and expect them to beat into a turnover disc, and Star & ESP seem to beat into a squirrelly disc as opposed to the base plastics. Champ and Z start out more overstable and don't fly as far as DX or D. I do throw one Innova Pro disc but when I started throwing it, Pro was the only plastic it came in. If it came out in DX, I'd probably try it.

However, I'm an old player who remembers when there was no such thing as different plastics. I throw a lot of DX and D because I'm comfortable with it and I know all the stuff you hear about DX becoming useless after one tree hit is a bunch of hooey. Premium plastic has been around for about 12 years, and the CE/Z plastic came out 8 or so years ago. Probably most of the folks on this board have not been playing for 8 years, so you have developed your plastic preference during a time when DX is looked down on as "beginner plastic."

I know a guy who throws only Champ and Star and gets rid of a disc as soon as it starts to show the slightest wear. I throw old DX discs with scrapes and gouges that he says he would be embarrassed to throw. I'd be embarrassed to spend as much money on discs as he does. To each his own.

gusc2375

01-11-2009, 09:00 PM

I prefer Elite X or Pro for drivers, I little longer wear than DX or D not as slick as Champ or Z. Star is ok just got some ESP/FLX not had it long enough to tell.

MrDger

01-11-2009, 09:58 PM

For my drivers, I mostly use champion plastic, I have a star destroyer I use, but it's really flippy since it's pretty beaten in. The champion plastic seems to fly the best for my drives, and it can take plenty of hits.

Mid-ranges I use mostly dx or the gateway base plastic. I like the grippy feel it, seems it's more controllable.

Putters - I use supersoft gateway putters, or a jk aviar. The grippy and flexible feel of it is the only way I feel comfortable putting.

YonderScott

01-11-2009, 09:59 PM

I like dx mainly for my drivers. I do have a really worn in Champ Sidewinder I like alot. For the Roc I like the dx. For mid range other than the roc I like star and champ. And I like my putters in Pro. JK and Pig to be specific. I only have experience with innova plastic by the way, and I know my preferences may seem strange, but in the limited time I've been playing this formula works for me. I just don't like how champ or star flies on a driver yet. I like my drivers to be beat down and fugly.

optidiscic

01-11-2009, 10:18 PM

I still get confused by all the plastic talk...but I know my best success has come from DX discs and then they tend to become unpredictable. Champion is too slippery for me.....it is more predictable but I don t have the arm speed or skill to get them to do as i want..I am starting to explore star and it might be the trick for me I hope.....there is definetely a snob factor when it comes to plastics and sometimes I wonder if everyone is really being duped by the manufacturers.

REDARMY

01-11-2009, 10:20 PM

Jimb

01-11-2009, 10:31 PM

Semi-common theme here...

Champion drivers: Valkyries, Sidewinder, Wraith
DX Mid-range: Roc, Stingray
DX putters: Aviar P & A of course

Robert Scott

01-11-2009, 10:46 PM

I like Champion Plastic for my Drivers/mid-range. I have hit a ton of trees and a wall at boomer lake many times with my Champion RR, SW, Valk, and TB and it has not done anything to them. I like the soft/hard putters I have a soft Rhyno and a Hard Magnet.

I have not had a problem with any of the champion plastic, But my friend just bought a NEW Champion BOSS and it is crap. He has only thrown it about 5 times and it looks worse then a DX disc after a 100 throws. I don't know if it is just that one disc or more.

solomon.trenton

01-11-2009, 10:46 PM

_.-Dut-._

01-12-2009, 03:53 AM

I prefer the Z plastic to anything else Ive thrown. My bag is almost entirely Champ/Z plastic for my Drivers and Midranges.

Distance Drivers the Star Plastic is nice as it seems more stable. Can really get into one of those without the fear of turning it over as much.

Putters I prefer Gateways S Series plastics. The Soft plastic Discraft uses in their Elite-X would be my second choice and would be my number one preference for wet conditions.

Olorin

01-12-2009, 09:14 AM

For me, Innova Pro or Proline is my favorite. It has the best combination of durability, feel, and affordability. Proline Orc = My Favorite driver.

Star is WAY too overpriced so I've only bought 1 Star disc.

Champion is too dense for my noodle arm, so it always dies too left. It's also too slick for my taste.

DX drivers beat up too quickly.

Rocs- I only throw DX. Never liked the KC Pro Roc.

**The Best disc I've ever owned = Special Edition Super Roc** I got it about 10 years ago and it still flies as overstable as when it first started out. The plastic does not wear at all. Amazing.

Putter = Base plastic Gateway Wizard

garublador

01-12-2009, 10:25 AM

If I had to choose one plastic it would be Gateway S. I have an S Spirit that's held up better than most of my E Spirits.

I prefer base plastic for putters, mids and control drivers. I like high end plastic for moderately overstable and very overstable drivers and whichever plastic works best for the distance driver I'm using.

As for why people like beat low end plastic, it's only because they break in to be longer and more controlable. ;)

mynameisdbabz

01-13-2009, 01:18 AM

red army im pretty sure u do suck

D.W.G.

01-13-2009, 01:23 AM

I am still new to the sport, but I like the feel of my Champion Rhyno for putts... I like both of my STAR Wraiths as well...

Wheat

01-13-2009, 01:24 AM

I prefer star, 90% of my bag...I throw everything from drives to putts with it, but I have uses for every plastic. I have a few pros, champs, and a dx here and there and they are all great, they all have their uses, and with that, a place in my bag.

sub ceroh

01-13-2009, 02:08 AM

Champion!!! I have noticed (it could just be that I am retarded) I get better control with DX if it is a very windy day.

kpc2004

01-13-2009, 02:33 AM

does anyone use champion for putters? i had a champion aviar for my first putter and i liked it for a while, but then started to find out i did better just throwing my driver for putts. when i realized this i got a #2 upshot from lightening discs because i borrowed my friends and fell in love with it. it is just their basic plastic for their putters and i get so much better control with that bad boy it has definatly doctored my score

Fore

01-13-2009, 12:48 PM

I like star, champ, flx, or pro for my drivers. For putters I like dx or pro d. I use Roc's and Stingrays for mids and those are dx so I can beat them into stages faster.

SimonCarr

01-13-2009, 10:13 PM

Hmm.

I really like the champion and pro plastic for drivers.

For midrange I like champion/elite z and ESP.

Putters I like pro-d or dx.

I have yet to find a disc that I really like in star plastic... It seems to slippery for me, although I don't have the same problem with ESP plastic.

valkyriefb11

01-13-2009, 10:52 PM

For putters I like DX or soft plastic. (all base, nothing else)

For midrange I generally like DX as well, but ESP buzzz is awesome.

For drivers I like star/ESP or champion. Im actually inthe process of changing my old DX drivers to champ or star plastic.

I havent had much experience with Elite X or pro so Im not to sure about these.

vettekrazy

01-16-2009, 09:16 PM

Star for almost everything. Super Stupid Soft Voodoo and Magig for putters.

Has anyone used "Steady Ed's" blunt plastic? I found a couple for a great price and will probably dye them before throwing.

Omega SuperSloth

01-17-2009, 12:51 AM

i dont understand what the hell difference it makes.

i think you're all nuts saying a plastic performs better when 'broken in' or any of that nonsense.

then again, i'm a strictly casual player and i suck, so maybe i have something to learn.

its not that it performs better when brokin in it just becomes more consistent, once better plastic breaks in it stays that way for long while and some never break in they just stay true, some people like cheap plastic because when brokin in it makes discs fly in different way than its supposed to but with all the new discs coming out now you can just buy a disc that will fly like you want and stay that way.

flash86

01-17-2009, 01:45 AM

Drivers: Star & Champion.... Star Wraiths are incredible!
Midrange: Pro.... 2005 Super Roc is one of the best discs ever!
Putters: Pro.... JK Aviars are great!

REDARMY

01-17-2009, 04:23 AM

red army im pretty sure u do suck

wow!

what a fantastic contribution!

i freely admit i suck, and you think reiterating what i've already told you is supposed to make me feel insulted?

don't you have to be 13 to get on this site tim?

back on topic, i've never even thrown a champion disc, but that's part of my preference for staying with innova stuff; get some consistent equiptment and work on form, then experiment with new stuff.

Thanks for the info Omega. that makes a little more sense.

Omega SuperSloth

01-17-2009, 01:57 PM

back on topic, i've never even thrown a champion disc, but that's part of my preference for staying with innova stuff; get some consistent equiptment and work on form, then experiment with new stuff.

thats the smartest thing i think ive ever heard on here. champion discs will really help get you on the right track you just cant get consistent with cheap disc that are always changing on you, if you play around trees innova champions the way to go

Texconsinite

01-17-2009, 03:46 PM

Play nice, children. I agree that different plastics have different advantages. But I like to look at it as different flavors of the same disc.

For overstable discs, def gotta be star or champ, since you want them to stay that way
Thus, Star Gator (or champ if you can get it) is the way to go
Likewise for putters, since I like them to a flight that stays the same, since putting is finnicky enough as it is without the disc changing on you over time.

However, for stable to understable discs, I dont mind DX at all. I carry a DX Wraith and a Pro-D XL in my bag, and they are my primary drivers for forehand and backhand.

I find that for my main drivers, I throw them so often on the highest risk shots, that they often get lost before they break in too much to be useful. I just keep replacing them, and every time I start with a new one, I know how it will break in since I've been through it before. They are like children that gradually grow and change the more you play with them.

Im on my sixth Pro-D XL right now, and my third wraith (in a year), and I intend to keep buying them as I lose them. It costs half the price to replace a DX disc.

I like Pro as well, since it has the best grip and breaks in a little slower than DX, thus I use it sometimes for really wicked tunnel shots or on desert courses that just shred DX too quickly. Sometimes I need a disc just a touch more overstable than my DX driver, or a shot that absolutely has to fade out of an S-curve. That's when I reach for a Pro Wraith.

Question: Has anyone thrown the CFR Star or Champion Whippet? Curious how it flies before I spend the $25 to track one down on ebay

Riley

01-17-2009, 04:20 PM

Drives-Champ/Star:the abillity to hold up. Midrange-DX:nothing like an old beat up roc to get where you you need to. Putts-DX I dont like putting with star or champ, DX seems to stick in the chains better.

Lewis

01-17-2009, 09:17 PM

Texconsinite

01-18-2009, 12:13 AM

And then theres the Plastic the the Snap Whitler comes in. That stuff is just downright weird! Makes a strange noise like metal flexing when it hits trees.

_.-Dut-._

01-18-2009, 06:27 AM

Nice to see this thread has been popular. Has anyone tried making a plastic comparison (or contrast) chart for the different manufacturers? I know for the Innova dudes it can take some time to get a feel for the Discraft plastics, and that's just the two most widely available brands. Super Stupid Soft may be considered low-grade, but is it really? What happens to it if you thrash it on a rock? And I hear Champion isn't quite the same as Elite X, but I've never heard exactly what the difference is, or how subtle that difference is.

Comparing Innova to Discraft:

Baseline Plastic: I prefer Innova's DX plastic to Discrafts Pro-D. Although Gateways S Series blows them both away. S Series seems to have a better grip and feels good even when Wet. I prefer DX to Pro-D as it seems to break in better.

Pro Plastic vs Elite X: Once again I prefer Innovas Pro over Discrafts Elite-X. Pro seems better when wet, and more durable.

Champ Plastic vs Z Plastic: I dont have a preference, this is my plastic of choice. If I had to choose I would probably go with Z plastic, due to seeming a little less slick when wet.

Star vs ESP: ESP seems to be the better of the high end plastic. Its exactly what is advertised for it, great grip and great durability. Not taking away from star, but I prefer ESP.

As for your question about differences between Elite-X and Champion. Elite-X will break in much faster but also offers better grip. When Wet Elite X will be much better. Champ will hold its flight characteristics better and seems to be more stable. Meaning a Elite-X Buzzz wont be as stable as a Z Buzzz. I dont know that for sure but its from my experience that Champ/Z seems to add stability to Pro/EliteX.

DannyM

01-18-2009, 09:37 AM

In my opinion it also depends on what kind of courses you tend to play on a regular basis, and to how serious you play as to what kind of plastic is best, and then again it is also preferance as well. If you play on courses that are heavily wooded, and you play seriously, then it is better to step up to a better plastic such as Champ/Star. If you play wide open courses, or an area that has water where you cannot get your disc back without scuba gear, you're better off with baseline <dx> plastic. Almost every course that I play, there is only a very slight chance I will lose my disc, and I play wooded courses, so I tend to throw Star plastic, also that is just my preferance. As to what I throw:
Drivers: Star/Champion <Almost all are Innova, but I do have 2 Discraft in z plastic>
Midrange:Star/Champion Although the pig I have only comes in Pro.
Putters: All soft...2 blowflys, 1 soft Ryno<proline>, 1 soft omega
Again, it is all about prefenance, and throwing style!

topdawgy58

01-18-2009, 09:45 AM

I use a wizard for my long putts and a Soft Banger Gt for the closer ones.

garublador

01-18-2009, 12:46 PM

Question: Has anyone thrown the CFR Star or Champion Whippet? Curious how it flies before I spend the $25 to track one down on ebayIMO, unless you're already sold on the idea of throwing Whippets you might as well just get an E Blaze instead. I haven't thrown a Whippet, but from what I understand they're really similar and I know they fill the same spot. E Blazes are normal production so they're more widely available and less expensive.

mndiscg

02-03-2009, 08:59 PM

Drivers- Champion
Mid + Putters- DX

tomschillin

02-03-2009, 09:51 PM

ESP for most everything
Gateway Super Soft or Super Stupid Soft for putting...

solomon.trenton

02-03-2009, 10:18 PM

i only putt with my dx sonic (occasionally my pro-d buzzz)
esp and star are myfavorite to drive with

t i m

02-04-2009, 09:45 AM

Yeah, depends on what you want. I keep the softest Wizard I can find in my bag for upshots on hills and things where rollaways are death. I want something that STICKS. Some with FLX plastic -- I keep a FLX plastic Buzz in the bag for shots where bounces or kicks will cause real trouble, since that FLX plastic absorbs and stops better than other plastic.

I love the feel of the new clear Gateway plastic -- that stuff is grippy and amazing, but I haven't bought any to compare it on the course (was borrowing a friend's discs recently for a few drives)...

Dthunderchicken

02-04-2009, 10:00 AM

HI All;

Some time ago I was involved in a similar discussion on a local St. Louis newsgroup. I posed the question with regards to my old DX Viking as opposed to my new champ Viking. I was wanting to move up in plastic duribility but was noticing that the champ required more power and spin to achive the flight I was getting from the DX. This spawned a long thread about the differance in plastics. The conclusion that I came to was that if I were looking for a disc in champ plastic I would look into something slower and less stable than I would consider in DX. Very long story short, my champ viking got traded for a champ Tee Bird. I found the champ Tee Bird flew more like the DX Viking. (I don't have the power to throw anything faster.) The best advice that I recieved was to not get too hung up on plastic type. Just get out and play.

On a personal note, I prefer DX plastic. But I also play in the southwest and with those rocky courses I will tear up a DX disc in a week.

My best;

Dave

Dthunderchicken

02-04-2009, 10:32 AM

DeafDiscGolfer

02-04-2009, 04:44 PM

It took a while for me to find this. The following link is to a series of articles on plastic types. There's some pretty good info here.

http://www.discgolfreview.com/resources/articles/plastics.shtml#overview

Also keep in mind that this info was FOUR years old. No mention about Star, ESP, FLX, or ECO Star, etc.

Needs updating anyway but the info is still good though.