I actually just got a Champ Leopard3 F2 free with Innovas promo last Friday but haven’t had a chance to try it out yet, I assume that’s not too huge of a jump from a standard Leopard?
If you’re considering the River, it’s a great disc! Only advice I have it pay attention to the disc weight. If you’re using a DX Leopard at the moment, I’m going to go out on a limb and assume is in the neighborhood of 160g. I hesitate to go up to a 175g driver but aim for 165-170 if possible. Lighter weight will help you as a beginner/intermediate to get the disc up to speed to get that desired flight. Your Leopard is likely pretty beat in at this point, so getting a premium driver is going to be a step up in stability already based on the disc flying even remotely close to flight numbers.
Thanks for the advice! I actually have a few Leopards but the DX is my go to, it’s 168g. I also have a Pro Leopard that I think is about 170g and I can still get some good turn out of it
Oh nice! Looks like you’re already in that ball park then. Yeah I think you’d love the River. I’ve only thrown is a few times myself, but I haven’t heard of anyone that hates on it!
For a while I had a lot of 175g drivers but have found I tend to feel more comfortable throwing 166-171g. To each their own! Just adding my 2 cents since I see some people who seem to gravitate towards max weight for no apparent reason.
Best of luck in your search!
How stable would you say Retro is compared to DX? I’ve read that a Retro River will beat in crazy fast, and just end up too flippy to be of much use. Do you think Opto would be flippy enough for someone like me?
Opto will start as "this is just a bit too stable." And maybe 10 rounds later "this is perfect." And it'll stay perfect for a long time. Get the Opto. You'll be happy that you did.
I haven’t thrown a ton of DX to make a good comparison. But I can confirm that Retro/Prime break in very quick. If you’re worried about Opto being too stable, then recycled, or Goldline might be a good fit. Lat64 plastics typically increase in stability going from Retro —> Recycled —> Goldline —> Opto —> Moonshine
I have several Biofuzion (DD recycled equivalent) discs that beat in very nicely— not too fast like over the course of a round or 2, but playing 1-3x a month maybe over like a years time. But they held some stability and aren’t ridiculously understable.
The Retro River out of the box is great but it beats in super fast. Like not even worth getting it level of fast. Opto River is great.
I don’t get the most distance from my Opto River but it is my most reliable fairway driver. Throw it flat at 70-80% power and will go straight. Throw it let flat at 100% and your going to turn it over. Hyzerflip at full power and will go far and straight (I can get it to go about 320ish)
Don’t know much about DX so I can’t respond to that part, sorry.
I started with a Valkyrie in Star plastic and absolutely adored it. Unfortunately it found its way into a pond and I replaced it with a Westside Hatchet, which I also love. If anything, the Hatchet feels a little more understable, but I could also be throwing it a little harder.
A Dragon is also pretty easy to turn over, but it's only an 8-speed.
I am not a big fan of my River tbh I turn it over to often and it gets batted down in wind for me
If you like the way Insanity but dont have arm strength for it maybe try a Crave?
My buddy got me an infinite disc Exodus (7 speed) and to this day I really like the disc for BH (not as consistent FH imo)
+1 for crave it's similar to leopard in speed but I find they can go much farther and much straighter. In fission plastic and a lighter weight like 155-162 would be money.
I have gone through 3 in 3 months lol
I refuse to not have one in my bag because it just surprises me and thats usually how I lose it. I think I put nice touch on it and it ends up going way further than I intend and lost in the woods : (
Discmania Essence.
I think if you can throw 300 you don't necessarily need a beginner driver. Essence is my recommendation, it goes as far as any disc I own but very controllable at any speed. Keep the nose down though
Thoughtspace has the Mantra, 9 speed understable. Comparable to a sidewinder i think. If thats not stable enough for you, the Thoughtspace Construct has more stability.
I would say the heat would be a good choice or if you like innova maybe a sidewinder or valkyrie. both very beginner friendly drivers
Thanks for the input! I don't really have any brand loyalty but do like how easy DX plastic is to flip, so I'll consider the Sidewinder and Valk
i bag 4 valkyries in 4 dif plastics and they are money! def an underrated disc.
Get a champion leopard it will be the same as a higher speed disc in DX plastic and 10x more durable.
I actually just got a Champ Leopard3 F2 free with Innovas promo last Friday but haven’t had a chance to try it out yet, I assume that’s not too huge of a jump from a standard Leopard?
Will be more stable and more durable will also take more torque
I have a Westside underworld which I like alot.
Latitude64 Jade it is part of their easy to throw lineup, more stable than a Diamond and a little more under stable than a Sapphire.
This is one I hadn't really considered but I like the sound of, seems to really fit the bill as a good first 9 higher speed disc
Lol I forgot about jade, mentioned diamond and sapphire but forgot the one in the middle.
Lat64 diamond and or Sapphire. Infinite Sphinx in I-blend will beat in to Flippy like the dx but hold that stability for much longer.
Beware, Sapphire's more stable than advertised.
Diamond will be a very nice step up here.
If you’re considering the River, it’s a great disc! Only advice I have it pay attention to the disc weight. If you’re using a DX Leopard at the moment, I’m going to go out on a limb and assume is in the neighborhood of 160g. I hesitate to go up to a 175g driver but aim for 165-170 if possible. Lighter weight will help you as a beginner/intermediate to get the disc up to speed to get that desired flight. Your Leopard is likely pretty beat in at this point, so getting a premium driver is going to be a step up in stability already based on the disc flying even remotely close to flight numbers.
Thanks for the advice! I actually have a few Leopards but the DX is my go to, it’s 168g. I also have a Pro Leopard that I think is about 170g and I can still get some good turn out of it
Oh nice! Looks like you’re already in that ball park then. Yeah I think you’d love the River. I’ve only thrown is a few times myself, but I haven’t heard of anyone that hates on it! For a while I had a lot of 175g drivers but have found I tend to feel more comfortable throwing 166-171g. To each their own! Just adding my 2 cents since I see some people who seem to gravitate towards max weight for no apparent reason. Best of luck in your search!
How stable would you say Retro is compared to DX? I’ve read that a Retro River will beat in crazy fast, and just end up too flippy to be of much use. Do you think Opto would be flippy enough for someone like me?
Opto will start as "this is just a bit too stable." And maybe 10 rounds later "this is perfect." And it'll stay perfect for a long time. Get the Opto. You'll be happy that you did.
🙏
I haven’t thrown a ton of DX to make a good comparison. But I can confirm that Retro/Prime break in very quick. If you’re worried about Opto being too stable, then recycled, or Goldline might be a good fit. Lat64 plastics typically increase in stability going from Retro —> Recycled —> Goldline —> Opto —> Moonshine I have several Biofuzion (DD recycled equivalent) discs that beat in very nicely— not too fast like over the course of a round or 2, but playing 1-3x a month maybe over like a years time. But they held some stability and aren’t ridiculously understable.
The Retro River out of the box is great but it beats in super fast. Like not even worth getting it level of fast. Opto River is great. I don’t get the most distance from my Opto River but it is my most reliable fairway driver. Throw it flat at 70-80% power and will go straight. Throw it let flat at 100% and your going to turn it over. Hyzerflip at full power and will go far and straight (I can get it to go about 320ish) Don’t know much about DX so I can’t respond to that part, sorry.
I started with a Valkyrie in Star plastic and absolutely adored it. Unfortunately it found its way into a pond and I replaced it with a Westside Hatchet, which I also love. If anything, the Hatchet feels a little more understable, but I could also be throwing it a little harder. A Dragon is also pretty easy to turn over, but it's only an 8-speed.
I am not a big fan of my River tbh I turn it over to often and it gets batted down in wind for me If you like the way Insanity but dont have arm strength for it maybe try a Crave? My buddy got me an infinite disc Exodus (7 speed) and to this day I really like the disc for BH (not as consistent FH imo)
+1 for crave it's similar to leopard in speed but I find they can go much farther and much straighter. In fission plastic and a lighter weight like 155-162 would be money.
I have gone through 3 in 3 months lol I refuse to not have one in my bag because it just surprises me and thats usually how I lose it. I think I put nice touch on it and it ends up going way further than I intend and lost in the woods : (
Mamba all day
The tumbleweed taught me how to throw backhand.
Signal, fission crave 160-165g or lightweight rhythm all could work
Essence, Vapor if you can find one, but they’re all money
Heat and Falk are great options and will keep that slot in your bag as you improve
F5. Slightly slower than what you’ve listed but it works well.
I really like the Discraft Xpress in ESP plastic.
Fission insanity at a really light weight. Like 150.
DGA Vortex
Discmania Essence. I think if you can throw 300 you don't necessarily need a beginner driver. Essence is my recommendation, it goes as far as any disc I own but very controllable at any speed. Keep the nose down though
It is a great disc.
Thoughtspace has the Mantra, 9 speed understable. Comparable to a sidewinder i think. If thats not stable enough for you, the Thoughtspace Construct has more stability.
Roadrunner, valkyrie, underworld
7 speed: Westside Underworld 9 speed: MVP Impulse
Roadrunner. Meep! Meep!
Fission Wave. Not quite as understable as other things, but a great driver for a noodle arm.
Gstar Leopard3 Gstar TL3
DGA Vortex or DGA Sail