Has anyone thrown the production run Champions? If so, how do they compare? Any more OS?
I'm curious to hear how the stock champ run came out.
Picked up a stock Champ to try out. I have a Star that I've thrown for maybe half a dozen rounds. Brought them both out to a field for 30 minutes. Wind up to 10mph at times. Threw them both BH and FH. Here's my experience with the two:
Star: Mine is 175g with a puddle top. Really sharp flashing on the bottom rim that would probably cut some people's hands (mine are all calloused from years of lifting with sharply knurled bars and manual labor, so if I notice flashing on a disc it is probably substantial.)
The Star holds up well. Mostly I throw it for straight shots with a predictable finish. Tried some small flex shots with mixed results. Between flat and hyzer it will hold the angle. Doesn't have much glide; will go only as far as the power you put into it. I have to really try to get this past 225' as opposed to other putters that can glide out for more distance.
Champ: Mine is 175g with a flat top. I noticed at the store they had some lighter weight ones that had a lot of dome. Seems like only the 175g ones were flat (I ended up going back and buying the other 175g one.) Smoother feel, more comfortable especially for FH. Feels like there is more disc to hold on to, but that could be due to the flat top vs the puddle top on the Star. EDIT: the plastic on these is pearly, like the recent flat stock Champ Firebirds.
The Champ seems like it has more glide than the Star; easier to get more distance. On throws that seemed to be the same effort and line, the Champ would go a little further. Also saw a little bit of flip up on some of my FH throws, but it would stable up pretty quickly. Seemed to do better on small flex shots. Need some course time with it.
Overall I like both of them. Would like to try DX when the local store has some in stock. I got the AviarX3 to try as a more forgiving FH putter. Up to now I have been either hyzerflipping a Classic Aviar or using a P2 for my FH putter throws. Those have been fine, but I'm gonna try bagging the Champ AviarX3 mostly due to the more substantial feel in the hand compared to the Star. I wouldn't say the Champ is more OS; if I had to pick the more OS one, it would be the Star. Is it more OS/less glidey because of the flashing and puddle top?