What is the difference between the Fx, FL, and F runs of the firebird?
Also what is the origin of the roc bird?

FX most overstable
FL less over stable
F in between

That's how I think of it anyway. Here is some info on the ROC (http://webhome.idirect.com/~donlong/monsters/Html/Roc.htm). Not sure if that is what you had in mind or not.

FX most overstable
FL less over stable
F in between




Not Exactly..

FL does mean Less Stable Firebird.
There are some Fs that are actually FLs.
There are some Fs that are FXs
FX was being used to distinguish between the Less Stable Firebird and standard firebird.

If you feel a little lip under the nose of the disc - FX
No lip, just smooth - FL
There are only two molds. For comparison sake, the new Pro's are FL's and any Champion ones are FX. Old CE's can be either.

FX most overstable
FL less over stable
F in between



There have been only two Firebird mold variations: the "FL" mold and the "standard" mold. The CE FX is from the "standard" mold.

The FL (= less overstable) mold variation was designed to compensate for the increased overstability of Champion Edition plastic vis a vis DX. The goal was for the CE Firebird to fly similarly to the DX Firebird. The first run of FL CE Firebirds were simply marked "F." [NB: there are also FLs from subsequnt runs that are simply marked "F," however, it appears to be the case that most post-first run FLs are marked "FL."]

Player response to the CE FL indicated that.players wanted something more overstable than the CE FL, so a run of Champion Editions Firebirds was made using the original mold. Initially those runs were marked "FX" (=eXtra overstable), to distinguish them from the regular version CE Firebird (previously marked "F"), which were marked "FL."

Over time, the market dictated that it preferred the FX version, so the FL version was dropped from production. Since there was no longer a need to distinguish between FL and FX versions, subsequent runs of CE Firebirds and its successors (candy 10x, original (candy) Pro, and Champion) have simply been marked "F."

[Note: the preceding summary is derived from responses to questions posed on the Disc_ussion board by Dave Dunipace, supplemented by several PMs from Dave in response to follow-up inquiries.]

I thought all first run firechickens were marked FL. I think I asked dave before, but im too lazy to look it up. Arent all first run teebirds marked tl also?

Also what is the origin of the roc bird?


I heard it on "Ben Stein's Money"...a 'Roc' is the mythical bird that attacked Sinbad on his 5th voyage. Watch n' TV does 'occasionally' produce benefits! /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

I drive predominately forehand and have used the candy Firebird as my primary driver since it came out a couple years ago. I throw the F's, FX's and FL's. They are all great. I carry 6-8 Firebirds in the bag at any given time. Generally all are CE versions except for one of the new really overstable candy Champions for severe hyzers or severe headwinds. And, btw, candy Monsters fly essentially identical to CE Firebirds in my hands.


It doesn't especially matter what the minor differences in the candy Firebirds are. They are all superb overstable drivers. Although there are differences among and between runs, all of them are useful. I have never found a candy Firebird which is too overstable to be valuable and have never found a candy Firebird, even when beat to heck, which is too understable to be useful for anhyzer shots. And since a candy disc wears in so gradually, when you throw it you will learn how it flies today and for the foreseeable future.

If you throw with big power backhand or with good (or better) power forehand then the candy Firebird is a special driving disc. In my opinion it is the best forehand driver made to date.

Mark Ellis

Ditto!!! :D
I have yet to find it's equal.