[Innova] The Valkyrie, a discussion.........

[gwsmallwood]

Picked up my first Valk in Maui a couple of weeks ago. I believe it's Star. It has a store stamp, so hard to tell, but it feels like Star to me. It did have some flashing that I had to sand off. I'm forehand dominant, so the flashing tears my fingers up if I don't take it off.

The first results were pretty good. I went out to evaluate a bunch of my drivers yesterday and threw the Valk 3 times, all forehand max distance drives. 2 of the 3 were getting out to the same distance as my Shrykes, which has been my max distance disc for a while. Right around 350'. I only had two throws that went further yesterday, one from my Halo Wraith on a flex line and one from a Star Shryke that I actually grip locked a bit.

Very promising...

 

[isamoor]

My tradition is to usually switch out my Wraiths for Valkyries when going to a new course. It helps me play with a more conservative mindset. And a couple recent field work sessions really helped solidify that choice.

I can get Star Wraiths into the 375-400' range pretty consistently, but with pretty inconsistent accuracy (distance and left-to-right).

I can put Star/Champion Valkyries out to ~350' with pretty tight groupings (usually 7/10 within a 30' target circle). And premium Valks usually fly so danged straight at that distance.

Sure, there is a lot of disc-to-disc variance. But I also think as I've gotten better at my release and imparted adequate spin, the disc-to-disc variation is dampened a lot.

It's a shame we don't see more Valks on post-produced coverage. I realize those top pros reach for Thunderbirds (rightfully). And the sales numbers suggest Valks aren't going to go OOP anytime soon. But I do feel like this is an underappreciated mold. Too old and boring for most folks. And not as useful for such a wide variety of arm speeds as something like a teebird.

If I got you to read this thread with a bump, and your Valks are collecting dust somewhere (or you've sold them all or given them away), then consider taking a look at the next used rack you browse. And perhaps give this conservative bomber mold another chance.

 

[isamoor]

Hah, just reread that. Let's assume I couldn't do 70% C1 on a 350' open hole with Valks. But I can cluster them much tighter than Wraiths.

 

[EllEstar]

But I do feel like this is an underappreciated mold. Too old and boring for most folks.

I know that when I was starting out, the only reason I didn't get a Valk was marketing. I heard a lot of good stuff about them through word of mouth and saw it frequently recommended for newer players, but I looked at the numbers and it said glide 4 (which sounds like less distance to many new players) and -2/2 sounded worse than -1/1.

Now that I know more I no longer take flight numbers as seriously and know that a tighter flight pattern is more based on speed and isn't always desirable, but I see a lot of players making that mistake still, even experienced ones.

 

[isamoor]

I've also used Valks a couple times on the course to help noobs understand plastic/weight/wear.

Especially if I find someone with a DX Valk and I've got a Champ Valk in the bag. If they're interested I let them throw them both to get a personal understanding of the difference.

 

[Streets]

The Valk is the best distance driver nobody throws.

 

[PMantle]

Valks always seemed great on paper to me. None have lasted long in my bag as Sidewinder/Thunderbird has always been better, especially with the variation in The Sidewinder mold and the Pro Thundy.

 

[GripEnemy]

The Valk is the best distance driver nobody throws.

I resemble that remark

 

[Alexplz]

I don't play often enough to stay consistent with true distance drivers (sure, that's why), so I decided to switch to considering speed 9 as "distance."

With this in mind I have a little spectrum of speed 9s including roadrunners and valks, and possibly a thunderbird. I was also initially turned off by the 4-rated glide, and the fact that the champ valks, sidewinders, and roadrunners I tried flew WAY more stable than I expected.

 

[raceface59]

I was introduced to Valks not long after I started playing. I throw my Star Valks, (and DX Valks in crap weather) more than any other driver I own. I too have built my bag, up or down, from a group of 9 speed drivers. I'll sub a Valk out for an Undertaker depending on how I feel.

 

[isamoor]

I was introduced to Valks not long after I started playing. I throw my Star Valks, (and DX Valks in crap weather) more than any other driver I own. I too have built my bag, up or down, from a group of 9 speed drivers. I'll sub a Valk out for an Undertaker depending on how I feel.

I definitely used my fair share of Undertakers. They've got that ~1.8cm rim, and a pretty flat wing, so they seem to power down a bit better.

And maybe it's all in my head (I know it's mostly in my head), but I always just feel more confident stepping up to the tee with a classically concave wing. My Teebirds/Firebirds/Valks just feel like they want to fly.

The ~flat-winged Undertakers/Sidewinders/TLs always give me just a touch of pause, and that's enough to often mess up my swing.

 

[R-Ogre]

I love Valkyries

 

[GripEnemy]

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all.

 

[gammaxgoblin]

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all.

Oh No...was that one of the CE-ish / CE runs?

 

[GripEnemy]

Oh No...was that one of the CE-ish / CE runs?

Loosely nowadays speaking yes.

Technically no it was post-CE. Wonderful plastic, though! Terrible drive, tried to save birdie on a tough par 4 but a tree got in the way 45-50F(ish) outside and no it was not in my car over night for anyone wondering.

 

[isamoor]

Innova makes so many Valkyries, I don't expect them to be extremely consistent. I enjoy the nice spread of plastics and stabilities.

I have one F2 Champion Valkyrie that is extra stable. Almost zero turn on a 350' flat throw.

I was doing field work with a stack of Valks yesterday, and something just felt off when I picked up that F2. I took a closer look... and it's not even a Valk. It's got a bigger nose and a distinctive S-wave on the rim. I'm 90% sure they accidentally embossed "Valkyrie" on a Viking. I like Vikings as well, and I'll still use the disc, but now I have a different opinion on just how stable champion Valks can get.

Actually, I'm even a little annoyed since I do enjoy Vikings a lot, but they're pretty rare right now. There's a special run of star in the pro shop, but that's about it.

But back on Valks, every time I take out the stack, the slightly domey Star Valks always go the furthest. Sometimes I can get a big hyzer flip distance on a GStar, but that's pretty tough to nail exactly right. I never splurged on any Halo Stars though. I like feeling comfortable walking away from a lost disc and that's hard to do on an almost $20 F2 Halo Star....

 

[Moose33]

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all.

That is quite sad. RIP to a good looking disc.

 

[Streets]

Oh No...was that one of the CE-ish / CE runs?

 

[GripEnemy]

I was waiting for this gif

I lost that team stamped TB you hooked me up with, pour one out for that homie as well.

 

[Streets]

Just a reminder that you should be throwing Valks