Flight numbers don't matter article

[prohopkid]

http://discgolfanswerman.com/blog/6-reasons-flight-numbers-dont-matter/

Great article. Opinions?

 

[ilmcgee]

I think it is what experienced players know and younger players learn. Most companies have adopted Innova's system and I think it is a decent system. Main thing when choosing a disc is to do some research and feel up plastic. Also, don't be afraid to ask others what they throw and if you can try something out.

 

[ThrowBot]

Decent article. I think that "they don't matter!" is an oversimplification, but the author does make some good points about lack of standardization between--and even within--companies. Another complicating factor that doesn't get addressed is that flight characteristics change as discs get worn in.

Most players have some practical knowledge of how the numbers work with their own throwing style(s). The numbering systems can be more confusing for beginners without much baseline knowledge. IMO, a better explanation would be "don't overthink it!"

That having been said, I DO think that flight numbers have some usefulness. Despite some DISCrepancies**, I'd say that a general number-based system is better than the alternative: a purely anecdotal/qualitative description ("This disc flies straight", "This disc goes far", "This disc is good", etc.)

**See what I did there? :hfive:

 

[prohopkid]

I think this was a poor attempt at trying to justify why I have 44 discs and only throw 5 of them hahaha! All in the name of science right!

 

[BgWvDave]

Decent article. I think that "they don't matter!" is an oversimplification, but the author does make some good points about lack of standardization between--and even within--companies. Another complicating factor that doesn't get addressed is that flight characteristics change as discs get worn in.

Most players have some practical knowledge of how the numbers work with their own throwing style(s). The numbering systems can be more confusing for beginners without much baseline knowledge. IMO, a better explanation would be "don't overthink it!"

That having been said, I DO think that flight numbers have some usefulness. Despite some DISCrepancies**, I'd say that a general number-based system is better than the alternative: a purely anecdotal/qualitative description ("This disc flies straight", "This disc goes far", "This disc is good", etc.)

**See what I did there? :hfive:

/thread

 

[lyleoross]

Arent there a number of second party organizations that have made universal charts? My pet peave is that with the exception of Discraft, who has the simplest, least useful flight numbers, no one rates differently based on plastic. For example, Destroyers in Champion are overstable pigs, whereas Gstar and Star are overstable, and Echo is straight. Never thrown Pro or Basic. Even the universal chart guys don't seem to accomodate that, although I've not looked at every one of those charts.

To really get something useful you'd need a throwing machine where you can adjust speed and torque to get a range of numbers for different conditions. Otherwise, the flight numbers are just a directional guide to get you started.

 

[Halcón]

IIRC, Innova has adjusted some FN for different plastics.

 

[prohopkid]

most accurate flight guide ever made
http://www.marshallstreetdiscgolf.com/media/flightguide.html

 

[scarpfish]

Flight numbers were designed as a marketing tool to sell you that company's plastic, not to set a scientifically tested benchmark of how a particular mold flies. People should keep that in mind before they interpret them like there's some independent and sound research and testing behind them.

 

[Aim For The Chains]

most accurate flight guide ever made
http://www.marshallstreetdiscgolf.com/media/flightguide.html

Nope. Joes flight chart and inbounds are better. Marshall streets is great for quick comparison of speed/stability across other models.

 

[garublador]

The "somewhat valid application" is actually the correct interpretation of flight numbers. The reasons they "don't matter" are just ways that the numbers are misinterpreted. So it's not that the flight numbers don't matter, it's that people don't understand how to use them.

 

[chevis]

...
That having been said, I DO think that flight numbers have some usefulness. Despite some DISCrepancies**, I'd say that a general number-based system is better than the alternative: a purely anecdotal/qualitative description ("This disc flies straight", "This disc goes far", "This disc is good", etc.)

**See what I did there? :hfive:

lol, self high five :hfive:

 

[chevis]

...and to add(reiterate) to the thread:

the numbers are a good baseline, but the only way to know how a disc will fly for you is to throw it.

 

[prohopkid]

Nope. Joes flight chart and inbounds are better. Marshall streets is great for quick comparison of speed/stability across other models.

Where can i find joes flight chart?

 

[PMantle]

Nope. Joes flight chart and inbounds are better. Marshall streets is great for quick comparison of speed/stability across other models.

Joes is terrible. Inbounds is fantastic even if flawed a bit. I use Marshall for quick reference. It's on my office wall lol

 

[Aim For The Chains]

Where can i find joes flight chart?

http://www.gottagogottathrow.com/stability-ratings

 

[Doofenshmirtz]

First the author states the 6 reasons that flight numbers don't matter and then admits that they are the best way to compare different molds from the same manufacturer? :doh:

 

[prohopkid]

First the author states the 6 reasons that flight numbers don't matter and then admits that they are the best way to compare different molds from the same manufacturer? :doh:

For the same manufacturer, but not for testing molds between different manafacturers, especially if the use the innova flight ratings and their -1 is really innovas +1 so people get confused because they by a -1 turn and it just keeps hooking left right out the hand.

If not mistaken

 

[garublador]

First the author states the 6 reasons that flight numbers don't matter and then admits that they are the best way to compare different molds from the same manufacturer? :doh:

I think this sentence here shows what the article is really about:

Here at Dynamic Discs, we try and make it easier for you.

So, because rating systems are clearly "worthless" you should buy your discs from us because we have a better way. It's an advertisement, not a logical assessment of flight ratings.

 

[PMantle]

especially if the use the innova flight ratings and their -1 is really innovas +1 so people get confused because they by a -1 turn and it just keeps hooking left right out the hand.

If not mistaken

Tell me more-I'm not following.