Opto Plastic

[Jason Southwick]

I have a little theory. Don't know if it's true but it's true for me.

Opto plastic -- otherwise known as Champion and Z and, sometimes, HPP, is not less grippy. Translucent plastic seems less grippy than opaque plastic cause solids seem like they're more grippy because of a trick in the eye-brain thing inside our head. We grip a nice translucent Opto Pain and can look through it and think it'll slip, because our eye slips through it.

Plus, Opto plastic, the clear urethane, is more durable than Gold Line or Star or Echo Star (which is less durable than Star) and ESP and FLX ESP.

The best discs right now are clear or clear-ish, depending on their additives.

VIP is not less grippy than Tournament. Gold in not less grippy than Bronze. Z is not less grippy than FLX.

It's a myth perpetrated on us by manufacturers, the power of suggestion, and the weird thing that happens in our eye-brain when we hold translucent plastic compared to holding opaque plastic.

In ten years it'll be scientifically proved and you can all line up to skmeyedk. Until then, however, a lot of you will be turning over the more expensive less durable plastic into trees and ponds.

Urethane baby. It's the best plastic.

[Andy_Harris]

On a warm day, all these opaque discs seem to form condensation on the underside when the sun hits them. And the opaque discs seem to leave moisture on the disc longer than the (? More porous) star/ESP ones. And if you don't believe me you can domytxesthsyrwthwthholdngs. Or shvlmydrvwayifitsnwsevr.

[Tim Carter]

And if you don't believe me you can domytxesthsyrwthwthholdngs. Or shvlmydrvwayifitsnwsevr.

I would like to nominate this for 2012 post of the year.

[Andrew Tabaczynski]

Disagree- there is a reason why the best players use KC Pro Rocs and D Ching Rocs, instead of the stupid champion ones. The same goes for putters, how many people do you see using champion or OPto plastic putters? There is a reason behind it and I think it comes from the grip and feel of the D or opaque plastic, not to mention, the most prized discs in any players bag aren't the OPTO plastic drivers they carry, they are the more beat in, understable to stable discs that have been worked in, beaten up, and are difficult to replace.

[David Hoey]

Disagree- there is a reason why the best players use KC Pro Rocs and D Ching Rocs, instead of the stupid champion ones. The same goes for putters, how many people do you see using champion or OPto plastic putters? There is a reason behind it and I think it comes from the grip and feel of the D or opaque plastic, not to mention, the most prized discs in any players bag aren't the OPTO plastic drivers they carry, they are the more beat in, understable to stable discs that have been worked in, beaten up, and are difficult to replace.

Well, I think he was talking more about drivers or mids...

Opto seems to be some of the most durable stuff out there. At least, that's the majority of the feedback from what I'm hearing and reading.

I don't see anyone using Urethane putters... when I do, I courteously ask them if they're crazy.


Plus most of the best players are sponsored and have unique access to the "good" KC Rocs and Ching Rocs... but I'm not about to pay $20, $25 or more for a single replacement like that sweet sweet Ching Roc... I'll let my Vector do the talking.

[Karl Molitoris]

It's the Indian, not the Arrow*. You could hand a GREAT player just about ANY disc(s) and they'd still find a way to whomp yer butt. I understand the whole "feel" thing (and actually agree with it) but for most players - whose throws exhibit more inconsistency from throw to throw than any disc exhibits - they would like to have SOME consistency...and they can find that in a premium plastic disc more so than in a disc that will warp (read: change flight characteristics) after 3 hard tree hits. Which will happen probably in the first 7 holes!

Karl
*God how I hate saying that...considering I use an Arrow

[David Gipson]

Disagree- there is a reason why the best players use KC Pro Rocs and D Ching Rocs, instead of the stupid champion ones. The same goes for putters, how many people do you see using champion or OPto plastic putters? There is a reason behind it and I think it comes from the grip and feel of the D or opaque plastic, not to mention, the most prized discs in any players bag aren't the OPTO plastic drivers they carry, they are the more beat in, understable to stable discs that have been worked in, beaten up, and are difficult to replace.

Reason most don't throw Champ Rocs is the $$$$ factor. To pricey to replace. They do take a long time to break in,but I prefer them to the KCs don't get me wrong a nice broken in KC Roc is $$$ but the champ stays stable so much longer.