Ask Steve Dodge about Vibram Disc Golf

[gippy]

I say a disc that dosent beat up much is sweet. They will beat in due time. Look at CE discs takes forever to get those beat up and I love em dont change anything. Maybe just a differnt disc that is less stable would do the trick

[shteev]

you can get a dx putter and beat it in nice and quick but something that will last and be as sweet as the VP will be a staple in my bag for sure so i dont think it would be something to worry about. i personally like that they hold up so well and like gippy said...another certain disc can balance that right out.

[dgdave]

I think the durability issue is a preference. There are minimalists that only want to carry one mold in various stages of wear, like the Clone story. Then there is the "Throw what works" group. If there was an option, I'd like to see a super durrable and a not so durrable option, especially since I really like the feel of the mold. I usually carry 4-5 wizards and before that it was 10x KC Aviars. These molds both take a while to beat in, but I have a feeling the VP is going to last a LOT longer. If the Summit is a good feeling and flying discs, then I don't have a problem with it. I also have a big stack of beat Wizards so I'm good that wat too. Idealy I'd only like one putter in the bag, but if two are needed, then two are needed. I like multiples so I know how each disc flies.

So all in all, after all this rambling, I'd like to see 2 durabilities available. If that's not the route you and Vibram want to go, I'd say keep it real durable like it is now, cause they are sweet, and just offer the different flexibilities

[dgdave]

I'm not getting the reviews saying these are soooooooo slow and no glide. Compared to a Wiz or Aviar P&A, they are slower and have less glide, but its not a crazy amount. I think their speed, glide and stability all balance out to a fine, consistant disc.

[shteev]

i think they do seem pretty slow compared to my other putters. my aviars are much faster when thrown flat and they dont fade out as hard as the VP's do either. the VP has seemed to perform especially well when thrown on the correct hyzer line by me that is. the disc is a consistent disc though. i am certainly not denying that. its great! but it does seem slow until you acclimate to that, which isnt hard to do because these putters fit in my hand and feel so very nice.

[TROTTER]

Is it consistant to throw 4 discs from 60' away and have them all touching each other 6 feet past the basket - right side? I did that twice today... while just throwing around for about 25 minutes between Baskets #6 and #8 at Lincoln Park right by my house...

Truly loving this disc... I have to say the more I throw them... the harder it is for me to tell the difference between the A's and B's - anyone else having the same experience?

[dgdave]

Yeah. The Bs seem to be loosing a bit of their firmness from flexing and use.

[shteev]

i started with loving the A and have come to enjoy the B a little bit more....the A seems to be a bit floppy for my taste similar to jk 3x-4x.

[dgdave]

Has anyone tried some intentional breaking in? (Walls, trees, thumbers to the parking lot)

[CRUISER]

You first...

[StevenDodge]

Has anyone tried some intentional breaking in? (Walls, trees, thumbers to the parking lot)

Yes.

The flight plate seemed to loosen up under the repeated stresses. The scuffs/nicks were minimal. The stability remained consistent.

[shteev]

i did play object golf for some time today and was hit trees pretty [censored] hard. they were wide and i was far away so i could throw AT it from afar due to the width of the trees. it didnt change a bit. very sturdy disc. they dont scrape up too bad either. obviously any road will eat up any disc but these seem to take to the abuse much better than other plastics ive thrown.

[dgdave]

Yes.

The flight plate seemed to loosen up under the repeated stresses. The scuffs/nicks were minimal. The stability remained consistent.

Wowza. Sounds like I'd have to play on an asphalt course to get these to break in. I bet they are nice when they finally get there though

[dgdave]

Played in some 20-30mph winds with 35mph gusts yesterday.

The VP is the best windy day putter hands down. I've never had a putter perform this well in the wind. I think yesterday solidified its spot in the bag. Its like a Wizard and a Rhyno or Bulldog had an illegitamate child

[shteev]

great way to put it dave. couldnt agree more. played a very windy round myself on sunday(30-35 mph gusts: steady 25) and it was great. and its holds a hyzer line great!

[Breeze]

It would be nice to get one to try out.

//looks around to see that everyone has new plastic.

lol

-Chris

[two5twosix9]

The more I throw it the more it grows on me. They are super durable. I still have to say that my favorite thing about them is how hard they will pull to the right when turned over (RHBH). Has anybody else noticed this. They are very predictable. Hyzers go up and come down without much carry. Throw it straight and it will hyzer out without much carry. Get over on it on a straight line and it will hold for a long time before fighting their way back to flat. And the forced turnover is amazing. Give them enough height and watch them pull out of the turn to flat and stay heading in the same direction while picking up speed. Still can't force myself to putt with them exclusively because it is tourney season. The few times I have they grip the chains and if they miss they drop very close to the basket. I am a push putter but they make me want to spin putt or put a little more spin than I use with my KCs. Everyone that I have shown the, to have can't wait for them to come out. This being the first disc from vibram and coming out to be exactly what they were aiming for makes me very excited to see what they will do in the future. Am I the only one that would like the plastic to be firmer?

[StevenDodge]

Am I the only one that would like the plastic to be firmer?

Nope. We've heard this from several other testers as well. And yes, we are listening.

[dgdave]

I haven't played with these in real warm weather yet, only 55-65ish. I'm used to putting with 10x Aviars and M and F Wizards, but I haven't had any trouble adjusting to these. The one problem I could see with a harder one could be that they'd be really slick. A nice grippy texture on a really firm one would be nice.

You could make a firm one and call it C, then you'd have the ABC's of putting. (Sorry. That was bad)

[crotts]

I have played with them in weather from 55-80F. They haven't changed at all. Same firmness same texture in all weather.

One of my favorite things is how easy they are to clean up, if they get wet just wipe once and all the grip and texture returns.

: ) :

[dgdave]

I don't think I've ever taken to a putter this quickly. I'm not just saying that because I feel I have to.

[dgdave]

Does anyone have any negative thoughts about these?

[shteev]

i thought the bead might be a little big but that is the only petty little thing i could think of. otherwise not at all. the B plastic especially.

[crotts]

i love the extra large bead, fits right in my hand

: ) :

[J_VanOver]

Does anyone have any negative thoughts about these?

The text on the undersize is too big but Steve already said that they were going to fix that. I'm not a big fan of the Vibram logo in the middle because I like to dye discs and that disrupts the "canvas" if you will. I haven't tried to apply dye so I'm not for sure if it can even be done so it may be an invalid complaint any way. That was the two things that I put on my initial reaction questionnaire. No complaints with the flight, grip or durability. I did notice that one of my A discs got a little softer when left in my truck and it got up to about 90degrees inside but the B stayed pretty firm. Anyone else in warmer temps have that happen yet?

[crotts]

one thing about the vibram label on the top is if the disc gets turned over and slides, dirt will get stuck in the channels around the label and it's a pain to get out.

: ) :

[shteev]

i personally like stamp on top. no real reason though. just do. maybe flatter or more shallow on the top?(for the label that is)

[dgdave]

Have any of you guys totally replaced your normal putter line up with these?

I was carrying 4 Wizards, but now I just have 2 VP in the bag. I could use something with a little more touch, but I'm working these quite well.

Can't wait for the summits!

[shteev]

i was using two 4x jk aviars but now have my 175 jk aviar and one VP(B) the VP is my main putter though and has done nothing but help my game! i am pumped about the summit! anyone who got a VP want to trade a B for an A? the A is just too floppy for me so i wont throw it but the B is my favorite.

[zbiberst]

i love the plastic, but im not crazy about the mold. it gets down too fast and dives early. i have to throw it really hard to get it out there, id rather throw a challenger with more finesse and get it there instead of beefing the vp. but as for putting it hits the chains and sticks. the flex stops any force, and the grip stops any spin and it just dies. i havent had any kickout, and when you hit the assembly or the tray, it just hits the ground and sits. i think its hard to get into the discgolf putter market, there are so many putters that are very similar, especially stable beaded putters, but i think the plastic is something special, and where vibram should do well.

i wish the logo didnt stick up or down from the flight plate, its neat but gimmicky. and even if its minimally, it has to slow it and make it fly off axis. and i want mydiscs to all fly, well... like discs. balanced and intentional.