An Efficient Killer - The Pred Thread

[jubuttib]

I think it's a very good beginner disc, one of the best overstable drivers for beginners. They just need to realize what it's for and not just try to use it for distance.

so why is the predator a good beginner disc? I actually don't think it is - champ banshees would be a lot better. If the pred is a beginner disc, wouldn't the firebird and xxx and whatever other overstable pig be a beginner disc too?

I know that's what we all recommend, but a champ banshee or even a good champ eagle would be better for a beginner's overstable slot.

Mainly because of this:

There is a lot of PD/Pred overlap as the Pred in general is one of the most versatile and least overstable of the overstable drivers, and the PD is one of the most versatile and overstable straight drivers.

And I'm not saying it's the best overstable driver for beginners, just one of the best. Banshee is probably the single best choice for a first OS mold, but I don't think the Pred is a bad choice for the second or third. People who've played for a while and have manged some semblance of form are still beginners. =)

[kern9787]

It's not a flashy disc either, so I'm not sure sparkle or midnight preds would really generate that many sales with hardcore pred throwers.

I'm not even worried about it being a flashy disc. I just haven't been a huge fan of the recent Z plastic I've had my hands on. I'd ideally like something a little more firm.

[CatPredator]

I'm not even worried about it being a flashy disc. I just haven't been a huge fan of the recent Z plastic I've had my hands on. I'd ideally like something a little more firm.

There's gotta be plenty of older Preds out there. I haven't bought one in a couple years so I'm not up on current runs, but it's rare that a Z Pred get's "too beat in".

[cmroorda]

I've had my first Z Predator in my bag for at least 8 years. It has been my primary OS driver and thumber disc the entire time. Still fast and overstable into a moderate headwind. Also have a seasoned esp that will turn, but still finishes strong. Finally decided to add a new Z just this last summer. Durable, versatile, predictable, and consistant run to run! What more could you ask for in a disc? Nothing.

[roman]

I've had my first Z Predator in my bag for at least 8 years. It has been my primary OS driver and thumber disc the entire time. Still fast and overstable into a moderate headwind. Also have a seasoned esp that will turn, but still finishes strong. Finally decided to add a new Z just this last summer. Durable, versatile, predictable, and consistant run to run! What more could you ask for in a disc? Nothing.

Man, you must be really kind to your discs! I cycle Z Predators in my bag, and my oldest one currently in the bag is from 2008. It is definitely not useful into any head wind unless you want a turnover drive. I love it for its predictable turn and straight finish, however. The Predator I added back in 2010 is only a couple of tree hits away from a super straight control driver now (flies like a new PD).

[cmroorda]

Yeah, my home course is pretty open. Only beating they really take is hitting the ground on thumbers and an occasional tree. But even i'm still suprised at the stability it still has.

[Aubin]

Need some help picking a predator or maybe a tsunami:

I have an ESP that flies like a pred should. I also have a newer Z that is very flat, broken in, but has a lower PLH than the ESP and is much less stable. I can throw it similar to a PD or longer teebird, a control driver with dependable fade but damn does it go far before it does... and it's very trustworthy. On a full power throw it will track right just a hair from a flat release.

I'd love to go minimal and have 3 or 4 preds as my main drivers. I can't picture the ESP or even the less stable Z getting to a flippy understable spot (I use 4 teebirds right now, 2 champ and 2 DX, one beat). Without trying to dig up some old X predators, would you recommend beating up a tsunami? What's the difference between D line and pro line?

[CatPredator]

I'd love to go minimal and have 3 or 4 preds as my main drivers. I can't picture the ESP or even the less stable Z getting to a flippy understable spot (I use 4 teebirds right now, 2 champ and 2 DX, one beat). Without trying to dig up some old X predators, would you recommend beating up a tsunami? What's the difference between D line and pro line?

I think the Tsunami is only in production in Pro and SP line currently. I've only had a little experience with Pro Line stuff but it does beat in a little faster than ESP plastic. I'm sure you could artificially beat one into being flippy pretty quickly by throwing it at a wall or something 100 times. On the course it seems like it would take an awfully long time to get really understable.

If you're looking to get a speed 9 overstable-ish driver beat into flippy, a P-PD is a good way to go. It will almost certainly have a better distance potential and fly smoother lines than a beat Z or ESP Pred, and will definitely get to the sweet spot waaaay faster. Obviously it's a different mold, but the transition felt natural to me as a dedicated Pred/Teebird thrower.

[jubuttib]

I think the Tsunami is only in production in Pro and SP line currently.

Don't know what plastics it's produced in currently, but when we got testers to review last year they were in D and Pro, and the only ones available on the Powergrip site currently are the D and Pro.

[Frank Delicious]

Tsunamis are production run in Sparkle Z and their ESP (they call it pro line) plastics

http://www.discgolf.com/equipment/discs/sp-tsunami.html

http://www.discgolf.com/equipment/discs/tsunami.html

[Aubin]

weird, there's def a bunch of d-line tsunamis available online. old stock i guess.

[Frank Delicious]

they ran those as a one off run a while ago and were super unpopular.

[LumberJack]

Discmania should purchase the Predator mold from Discraft and then start up production on pro Predators. GoGoGoGoGo

[jubuttib]

Would probably require a heck of a lot of work converting it to fit Innova's machinery...

[Spike]

Someone mentioned an overlap in his bag with the Pred and Eagle X a while ago (think it was Frank D? not sure). That got me thinking of trying replacing Pred with EX because I like the Eagle-grip better. It’s been a while since I tried EX, but I’m not sure its h.s.s would be enough to replace Pred. Any comments on the comparison between the two discs?