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After having bought a Katana and played with it.... (I tested all 3 today to determine what each would do and if there is any overlap.)
Katana vs. SL vs. Sidewinder
170 STAR Katana- In 1 word "STRAIGHT", but "loose" and fast in the process.
This is an "instant straight distance" disc. Simply put, it flies exactly as you'd expect. Mine flew very similar to a worn in wraith but replace the final hard hook with a straight flight. Once it finally runs out of speed it has a slight fade as it drops.... I'd rate it: 13, 5, -1, 1... The fade was similar to a sidewinder as it loses power (not like an SL who has a hard fade). I didnt get the same lateral movement that i had come to expect from SL's and sidewinders. In fact, i NEVER could make it turn over to a severe degree. And i am 100% confident that it will ALWAYS comeback.
-Analysis: I think this will be a game changer for most noobies and innova. It's an instant distance, easy throwing disc. The turn over is very subtle and the hook is almost non-existent. It throws and lands straight and a lot farther than any other disc a NOOBIE can throw. For the experienced, it has its purpose as it truly is a FINESSE disc... When you have a location in a straight line ahead of you and some lateral room to move, its a straight shooter. Will it replace the Tbird? i'll be interested to see.... Pro's might use it for the straight distance ability in the super max ranges, but ignore it in most shorter ranges as they have many other discs that do the same with a higher degree of accuracy. I dont know much about rollers, but most OS discs make great rollers, there is a potential for a supermax roller. (???)
Noobs: Buy it, it will immediately make a difference if you have enough of an arm to throw it. (if you dont throw 170 already, dont get it!)
Experienced: Do you need a tailwind disc that's a little bit looser than a Tbird/TL/Eagle, wind succeptable, and not absolute precision based? It's a finesse disc, meaning = @ 500' getting "close" is good, but its not absolutely precision oriented (ie. "loose").
Star SL -
The katana gave me a new appreciation for this disc and gave me a good understanding of the difference between it and the sidewinder. The SL's increased speed (i rate mine higher than the 10 rating) give it a very predictable almost "straight line" aspect in all portions of its flight. It will fly straight for 1/3 of its flight then make a direct line as it turns over and holds it until its time for its hard (rating 2) fade. Think of it like a football Wide Receiver running 100 feet, then cutting diagonally toward the corner of the field for another 200 feet, and then suddenly it stops and hook turns back. You can control the degree of the fade and straighten it out, but overall that is what it does. It flies with crisp clean lines where the sidewinder has sloppy "loose" movements.
To me this is a very reliable turn over disc. It's a tad difficult to learn and master, but the results are very predictable. It's a precision disc. It does everything you know that a sidewinder does, but it's faster and it stretches it out in a more precise "hard" line. I really want to experiment with this disc as a "straight" sidearm disc.
(Champion) Sidewinder-
To me, this is a great disc for those with smaller arms. Once noobs have mastered throwing enough to get consistent flights and distances the sidewinder removes the fade that everyone is used to and gives them instant distance. It's easily controlled and thrown with accuracy. The disc is easy to master and controlling the "S" isnt too difficult. From my experience, the flight is slower, and the lines are more "sloppy". It's not a crisp flight.
Unfortunately, Innova has made this disc 100% obsolete with the katana (and/or SL & or Beast). I am not sure that i can find any purpose for this disc that makes it a "must carry" anymore. If you have the power for the katana, then you have the power for many other discs that can be controlled as easily. This would be a great disc in a starter pack.
Gotta say that the Japan Open stamp is SICK!
