[Innova] Blizzard Technology

[Menacewarf]

I went shopping for my Blizzard Boss after reading in this thread that Innova wants the bubbles to be relatively concentrated in the flight plate rather than the rim. I can see how they want the bubbles as small as possible as well, maybe even microscopic, like the air bubbles in Ivory soap. I would expect the distribution of the bubbles (how far they are from the center) to affect the stability of the disc.

So I shopped for a 150g Boss with visible bubbles in the flight plate, but I didn't want the bubbles too big, since I was worried about the plastic opening up where the bubbles are and forming holes through the flight plate. I saw a wide range of specimens in my local store, from no visible bubbles at all (probably microscopic) to big bubbles like you see from condensation on the side of a frosty glass of Coke. I saw them way out on the rim, packed into the flight plate, some of both, etc. I also saw a few of those extra-domey Destroyers in the store, and both the store's owner and I were curious about how that deformation affects the discs' flight. We only saw that in the Destroyers.

The Boss I chose was just over 150g with lots of visible but small bubbles (like fizz in a carbonated drink) distributed evenly through the flight plate. I also chose one with a relatively low "parting line height." I didn't want to go down to the 130-something discs, which I thought was a bit extreme for my first Blizzard disc.

Before playing a round, I threw it some in a field, and my first impression was the same happy amazement that others are reporting: EXTREMELY fast take-off and long glide that result in a significant and consistent distance increase over my other long drivers. My Blizzard Boss is definitely more understable than a new Star Boss, but I have a Star Boss in the bag that I have beaten to more understable than the new 150g B-Boss. My 150 B-Boss seems to take a line more like a 170g Star Valkyrie, but it goes farther with less effort. It will hold a suprisingly low anhyzer line for over 350' for me, but beyond that it tends to want to pull out of the turn. Its HSS is distinctly understable, but it turns over gradually and smoothly, rather than the hard flip you often see in something like a Sidewinder. It is also fairly consistent in expressing its LSS at the end of its flight, which makes it easier to trust than a more understable mold.

The only negative I have found in throwing this disc is that it tends to come out of my hand late. This makes it hard for me to throw a hyzer line with it, though I expect with practice I will get a feel for it. Otherwise I'm really excited to have it in my bag, as it opens up scoring opportunities on long holes that I didn't previously hope for. This disc makes me begin to wonder when the PDGA will start limiting the technological advances in disc manufacture. I would be surprised if the distance records aren't soon taken over by Blizzard discs.

Good insight. I think the blizzard plastic really encourages the slow arm, fast hit, style of throwing ,particularly for big hyzers. Nice post

 

[The Hammer]

I threw a couple of friends Blizzard Destroyers, as was quite impressed. I'm going to pick up a few for distance comps. However, for the first time ever I will be keeping discs out of my golf bag because they go too far. I just don't have a need for a 500'+ driver, with rare exceptions.

 

[ViolaBouquet]

I used my Blizzard 156g Katana at leagues today. Every hole I used it on I had my farthest drive ever. I cannot say I have an all Discraft bag anymore.

 

[mattw]

I picked up a 145 Blizzard Wraith and have been pretty impressed. I am not a big power guy so I wasnt expecting much. Each drive was longer than anything I have thrown before and the disc was pretty easy to control. Looking forward to working some more with this disc.

 

[MrGlass01]

I am hopping on the blizzard train soon. Just have to say grab a 150 teebird, dx or star with a little hyzer with a smooth throw you will get the d. First time I threw a 150 teebird I pooped my pants a little.
I think this blizzard tech is "cool" for sure, but putting a 150 or lighter disc out there is a thing of beauty and can be done with lots of 150 class not just blizzard.

 

[jtencer]

I still don't get the flippyness on the Wraiths. I have a 137 and 138 and will even thrown them into a decent head wind.

Winston-Salem

Your head winds are generally weaker than most other people's head winds fwiw.

 

[codyroberts18]

Picked up a couple destroyers early last week. They were very overstable! Thrown into a 15mph headwind, they would flip barely and hold that line for a while then have reliable fade. My buddy was getting them to 500 and he generally throws around 470. We bought them at Lavonne Wolfe's shop and he said a player from UAH who is throwing 650 already was getting them to 700, and sure enough when we played a UAH he was out there, throwing them 670ish. These things are awesome for people who already have a lot of distance.

 

[VyZx]

I am hopping on the blizzard train soon. Just have to say grab a 150 teebird, dx or star with a little hyzer with a smooth throw you will get the d. First time I threw a 150 teebird I pooped my pants a little.
I think this blizzard tech is "cool" for sure, but putting a 150 or lighter disc out there is a thing of beauty and can be done with lots of 150 class not just blizzard.

It's interesting you bring this up. I am a Teebird guy and just decided to check last night how light they go. I discovered a 143 DX and a 150 champ. I usually throw DX, but was thinking of going champ in the lighter weights. Thoughts?

 

[MrGlass01]

It's interesting you bring this up. I am a Teebird guy and just decided to check last night how light they go. I discovered a 143 DX and a 150 champ. I usually throw DX, but was thinking of going champ in the lighter weights. Thoughts?

i tried champ and star in 150, the star was a ton better for me. The 150 dx is a thing of beauty if you can keep it away from trees 150 dx is fragile. I can get these to 330 frozen rope at 70% power. hope this helps

 

[kingjames1014]

I tried to use my Blizzard Destroyers (150 & 155) yesterday. I may need to go lighter. i was throwing my 150 DX destroyer great, but the blizzards turned and burned. i just wanted something more durable than DX.

 

[Menacewarf]

Chucked my blizzard boss 156 paces (468? I'm 6'1" with long legs) on hole 16 at the Beast course of Enman field in Maine today with a one step runup. First round since injuring my knee and playing hurt I really appreciate this disc for big D. By far my longest toss without an X step.

 

[Oklahyzer]

Winston-Salem

Your head winds are generally weaker than most other people's head winds fwiw.

Ha...that's awesome. It's a rare day when we see winds that low here...we're generally way over the top of what that chart shows! I have to remember that when giving/listening to advice on wind. It's best to talk in numbers rather then perceptions of how strong it is.

 

[Menacewarf]

Was actually hole 17 and is 617 ft

Looking back at pad

Drive to pin

The shot was a low distance line in a tailwind which broke out of the high speed turn just in time to take a wicked skip up the hill of what had to be 60 feet.

 

[Craton]

One thing to note.. I love throwing Blizz discs forehand. Backhand they're a little touchy because of the release issues I have with the big weight change, but I can FH these discs much better than I FH heavier discs. It really helps with utility shots.. in fact I flicked a Blizz Katana last weekend in a tournament where I had ABSOLUTELY no way to backhand out of the brush I was in, but was able to do a finesse flick and get myself within putting range.

This needs to be commended. I've found the exact same results, and I'm an avid BH'er. I have a 130 boss and when I throw a nice, easy FH, it freaking cooks. The skips are delicious as well, and it's effortless to aim within 350'. I've actually been letting myself use it as a mid to screw around, and my buddy hit a 200' fairway ace with it when I told him "just back off, throw it at like 40%, and it will go right where you tell it." They're now not only crushing distances, but are SO for utility purposes.

 

[Menacewarf]

After throwing forhands with heavy discs for 3 years I agree these blizzards do have a special zip to them when thrown smoothly forhand. It is intreasting to me though because it is a very different type of toss than how I would normally throw a max weight destroyer 370 where you might force it onto an anhyzer by it will still hyzer eventually. It's more like flicking a Valk straight but with low speed fade at the end.

 

[Stud Muffin]

I must testify, the Blizzard discs I have is amazing.

I have 2 Wraiths that have awesome stability for such low weight discs. They turn over into the wind when I throw flat because I am putting an awesome amount of more spin on them than I do on the heavier discs I have.

My favorite thing to do is have a wide open hole with some backwind, I hyzerflip the blizzard Katana I have, and it seems like it is never coming down.

Blizzard discs have not only gave me better downwind distance, but I realized the techniques I am using to keep the from flipping over with the wind also work on heavier discs when going against the wind. I throw smarter, not harder.

Blizzard has added sometimes 50' to my drives, Holes that I used to work on placement for my drive for an easier approach I am now putting at.

I shot a round at my home course of Engler Park, and honestly, I putted terrible. I made nothing, absolutely nothing, outside of 15-20', and I still shot 1 stroke better than I ever have before. (-1)

One hole I had to throw a massive flex shot to reach, today, I simply threw a flat shot with my Wraith, and let it hyzer back, close enough for me to make a birdie. Simply amazing.

I wish I could say this is what is took to get me throwing longer with the big guns, BUT they have this same technology, and I can only imagine how far they are throwing now...

 

[Disc Scooter]

I tried my 150 boss today and I must say man it takes off fast from my hand. I love the disc and havent had any problems with it dying hard to the left. Very impressed with this disc.

 

[eegor]

I broke down and bought one at the course on Saturday. Boss (157)

I'll comment after I have time to throw it. I'm still skeptical.

 

[DiscLizard]

The Dominator is pretty interesting... Speed "13+" is what I'm told, I threw it with a gentle hyzer, it stood up flat and flew a good distance fading out at the end in a predictable fashion.

 

[scarpfish]

Finally got to chuck some "bubble plastic" today. Bought me a 139 and 141 Blizzard Wraith. Results were inconclusive, but after throwing 170ish discs for as long as I've been playing, I think I need to teach myself to lay back on these a bit instead of trying to crush them to get better results.