Test Run River (flight difference)

[Kp0c]

Hi! As you can see with my post number, I'm a fairly new member here. I'm here everyday though, lurking and reading posts like crazy (We just got a baby, so I have a few weeks off, isn't that a great excuse to be on forums all day?)

Anyway, I was wondering if any of you guys could explain to me what are the difference between the River in the Test Run plastic and the other two "normal" plastic, Opto and Gold.

That might be a stupid question, but I have never thrown a Lat 64 disc so I don't know their plastic very well.

(a little background on where my question comes from).
I'm asking because I just purchase a Test run River. I was very intrigued by the disc that some people call a longer Leopard, or a straighter Teebird... And that is music to my ears! I currently use a Star and Champ Leopard as my go to fairway driver (around 170g) and I really love them. I can turn the star over a little too easily now that it is well seasoned, but the Champ is nice and stable (as much as a Leopard can be .
Also, I had a Teebird and loved it a lot but lost it (left it in the field while practising... congratulations champ...).
Anyway, before replacing it, I thought I would try a couple of different disc.
I liked the Teebird for it's ability to fight the wind and because it flew just a tad longer than my Leopard. I wonder if the River will be same...

(I know I could just buy another Teebird if I liked it that much, but I'm thinking of using a PD freak as my facewind driver and using the River for longer than Leopard drive... I don't know how that will work out though. I really don't see how I could get rid of my Leopard, and I think those and the River might overlap too much...).

So would some of you care to explain to me what are the differences between the Test Run plastic and the opto or gold? Stability wise, type of plastic (baseline versus premium, long time availability... that kind of stuff).

For the record, I think my form is good and I can throw my Leopard around 300 ft. and I usually hyzer flip them.

Thank you for your help and yes I did use the search option, but did not find much info, but feel free to let me know if I missed anything!

[Dookville]

Welcome....

You picked a great Lat64 mold for your first one, it is an excellent disc. I have 1 in test material and 2 in Opto plastic. The TM River I have is at 168g and I have been breaking it in for my 14 year old daughter. The TM is less domey than either of my Optos and lacked a litle of the glide that they have, initially. The TM material is a little beefier than DX and Pro D but broke in at about the same pace. Currently the disc is an effortless flat throw turnover driver out to about 325'.

My Opto at 172g is 18 months old and has been in the sweet spot for about 18 months. Flat throws net long turnovers out to 325-350'. Hyzer flipped on stronger pulls get out to 380+. This disc doesn't like a head wind. It doesn't crash and burn, but it will turnover further right than liked.

My Opto 176g is 12 months old. It is similar to the 172g, but with less turnover and is a little harder to flip. It also does much better in the wind. I am able to pound it out there as hard as I want and it is dead nuts straight.

Great disc, enjoy.

[Kp0c]

Originally Posted by Dookville

Welcome....

You picked a great Lat64 mold for your first one, it is an excellent disc. I have 1 in test material and 2 in Opto plastic. The TM River I have is at 168g and I have been breaking it in for my 14 year old daughter. The TM is less domey than either of my Optos and lacked a litle of the glide that they have, initially. The TM material is a little beefier than DX and Pro D but broke in at about the same pace. Currently the disc is an effortless flat throw turnover driver out to about 325'.

Great disc, enjoy.

When you say "initially", do you mean that once broke in, the disc's glide gets better ? That would be nice because I kinda bought the disc for it's glide! Also, for all you out there who threw/throw both TM and regular line plastic, would you say that TM is generally less domey?

Well, that was great info, thank you Dookville

[vonDrehle]

Originally Posted by Kp0c

When you say "initially", do you mean that once broke in, the disc's glide gets better ? That would be nice because I kinda bought the disc for it's glide! Also, for all you out there who threw/throw both TM and regular line plastic, would you say that TM is generally less domey?

Well, that was great info, thank you Dookville

That is the case for almost all disc especially when they are in DX like plastic.

[Dookville]

I saw a real nice increase in glide with the TM plastic as the material has become more supple. I don't know if its a trait of the plastic, or a trait of the plactic and mold combined. It flys very similar to the Optos right now. I hope to try TM Rivers in heavier weights to really get a feel.

I am kind of a DX Destroyer nut, and they have similar break in. Overstable for a few rounds, then when they soften up, magic for quite a while.

[Kp0c]

I myself have never thrown a Destroyer (go figure) but often play with a guy that has about 8 of them in his bag (different plastic, weight and wear)!!

Again, about the glide, would you say that once broke in, the River in TM plastic has about the same glide has a broke in Opto or Gold line plastic River?

[Dookville]

Originally Posted by Kp0c

Again, about the glide, would you say that once broke in, the River in TM plastic has about the same glide has a broke in Opto or Gold line plastic River?

I would say they are pretty darn close. Since they aren't quite as domey, I want to say no, but the real issue is that I am throwing a TM at 168g and its turning almost the whole way through its flight. I would like to get a heavier one and try it out a little more and see how that goes. At the heavier weight I will be able to compare more exactly, rather than having to correct my throw to compensate for the lighter weight.

Even outta the box, the TM River i've been throwing has way more glide than a Leopard.

[Kp0c]

Originally Posted by Dookville

Even outta the box, the TM River i've been throwing has way more glide than a Leopard.

That is in a nutshell why I purchased the River, so that is great. I'm very looking forward to throw it...

[WillGrrr]

Equipment?