[Recommend] What to replace my Xcaliber

[trevorn]

Hello fellow disc golfers. I am new to the forums and look forward to being part of the community.
Now on to my first post :clap: . I am still a rookie to disc golf. I throw right hand fore arm due to it feeling so natural for me. My main driver is a Xcaliber but I lost it playing this weekend (dang blackberry bushes). The Xcaliber seemed to work prety good for me. I would get some nice distance with a nice long hyzer (sorry if lingo is wrong). I am now in need of replacing it though. I only own Innova due to the local shops here but I am interested in trying a Discraft driver. Any suggestions on a Discraft driver? I would prefer something like my Xcal but with less of a hook at the end. If it helps any, I bought a Destroyer in the past and it just takes off on a hook right from the get go for me so I would like to avoid one like that. My distance right now is about 300-350ft.

Thanks for any input

 

[U_NICED_ME]

Hi Tre, welcome to the site! Maybe a Pulse or a Predator would be good.

 

[hogleggbob]

get another x-cal,or if your looking at discraft try a surge or a force

 

[TxDiscGolfBoy]

replace the xcal.

If you're looking for something str8er, the destroyer should work. they are pretty beefy discs new, but beat it up and I'm sure it's what you're looking for.

 

[climbingbubba]

Like others are saying, if it aint broke don't fix it.

however if you really want to try a discraft disc for FH then look into a Crush, surge, or pulse. All would be good for what you are asking for. The pulse is specifically designed for FH throwers. It has a little thumb groove on top and a comfortable rim. some like it and some don't though because of these things

 

[gsw_03]

Force or Z Nuke.

 

[NateDiscFlip]

Force or Z Nuke.

These discs are definitely more on the speed/stability end as a excaliber

Echo Star Boss is nice too!

 

[toothyfish]

I would say Force, for a Discraft disc.

However, the new Star Destroyers seem to be coming out overstable, at least the three I have. If you also like to throw BH for distance, a new Star for FH and as it beats in would become a nice BH straight flyer.

 

[bpierce08]

id stay with the xcal or even try a firebird.

 

[chiroflyer]

I have an Xcal that I rarely throw, and a pulse that I use as a hard meet hook. The pulse will definately turn harder than the Xcal so I don't know that that woulod be good if you want to avoid a hard turn.
If you want my Xcal let me know, I'll give you a great deal on it.

 

[trevorn]

Thanks for all of the replys. I have been looking at the recommendations and think im leaning towards a Surge. The force sounded interesting but looks like it will have more of a hook at then end than I am looking for. Anyone have any recommendations for what plastic is good for the Surge? Anyone have any pros and cons about the Surge that I should be aware of?

Thanks again

 

[SAxDrc]

a discraft Crush is my FH driver of choice

 

[buzzinb]

Thanks for all of the replys. I have been looking at the recommendations and think im leaning towards a Surge. The force sounded interesting but looks like it will have more of a hook at then end than I am looking for. Anyone have any recommendations for what plastic is good for the Surge? Anyone have any pros and cons about the Surge that I should be aware of?

Thanks again

ESP Surges can run a bit on the flippy side. If you don't use clean form, they can turn and burn in a hurry. I have both surges and Xcals and use them for different situations. Surge is for longer, straighter shots and the Xcal is for longer shots that need a decent fade(RHFH) at the end. I have to make sure that I keep my wrist from rolling over when I throw the Surge. The Xcal is definately more forgiving.

 

[ATrainWecker]

Try a new DGA Hurricane.

 

[trevorn]

"ESP Surges can run a bit on the flippy side. If you don't use clean form, they can turn and burn in a hurry."
I am still on the new side. How do I know if a disc "flips"? It sounds like that maybe a Surge wouldnt be the best option for me if it flips easy. Is there a disc that might be more forgiving than a Surge or would a Surge be good to go with and help with getting better form?

 

[bcr123psu]

If you liked the XCal, then stick with the XCal. Very small learning curve (if at all) to throwing a disc you already know.

Welcome to the site!

 

[bettsjc]

I'd say Elite Z plastic and beat it in some for the Surge. As stated before, I think from your experience with the Xcal your are probably wanting a beat in Destroyer, Star plastic will be your best bet for the Destroyer. Out of the box is going to give you a hard fade, but get some scuffs on one and it should suit your needs. Maybe even go slightly lighter than what you're throwing now.

 

[buzzinb]

"ESP Surges can run a bit on the flippy side. If you don't use clean form, they can turn and burn in a hurry."
I am still on the new side. How do I know if a disc "flips"? It sounds like that maybe a Surge wouldnt be the best option for me if it flips easy. Is there a disc that might be more forgiving than a Surge or would a Surge be good to go with and help with getting better form?

Those are excellent questions.
Basically, a disc flips if it winds up going in the opposite direction from where it should fade/finish. For example, when you throw your Xcal, it should shoot out pretty much straight for a good ways before moderately fading to the right(assuming RHFH here). With an Xcal, even if you release it with a little anhyzer angle(outer wing up), it should still be overstable enough to resist turning too much and should eventually come back and finish to the right. A Surge however, would not be able to resist turning over(going hard left) near as well as an Xcaliber if thrown with an anhyzer release. It would not fight back as well and if torqued enough, it will flip all the way to vertical and dive sharply into the ground(turn and burn). This typically happens to me when I'm trying to put way too much power into the throw and end up using bad form. Overstable discs like these: Predator, Monster, Flick, Firebird etc. are very forgiving of wrist rollover(where your thumb ends up forward of the rest of your fingers at the release point). Less stable discs like an ESP Surge need to be thrown with cleaner form. On a FH throw, this would mean your hand would ideally finish pretty much vertical or straight up and down(handshake position) at the hit(point where disc rips out of your grip). As far as the Surge being a good disc to develop clean form--IMHO, I think it is a better disc than an Xcal in that regard. If you have been throwing your Xcal with a little wrist rollover, it may be somewhat frustrating transitioning to a disc that is not nearly as overstable.

 

[BrotherDave]

Those are excellent questions.
Basically, a disc flips if it winds up going in the opposite direction from where it should fade/finish. For example, when you throw your Xcal, it should shoot out pretty much straight for a good ways before moderately fading to the right(assuming RHFH here). With an Xcal, even if you release it with a little anhyzer angle(outer wing up), it should still be overstable enough to resist turning too much and should eventually come back and finish to the right. A Surge however, would not be able to resist turning over(going hard left) near as well as an Xcaliber if thrown with an anhyzer release. It would not fight back as well and if torqued enough, it will flip all the way to vertical and dive sharply into the ground(turn and burn). This typically happens to me when I'm trying to put way too much power into the throw and end up using bad form. Overstable discs like these: Predator, Monster, Flick, Firebird etc. are very forgiving of wrist rollover(where your thumb ends up forward of the rest of your fingers at the release point). Less stable discs like an ESP Surge need to be thrown with cleaner form. On a FH throw, this would mean your hand would ideally finish pretty much vertical or straight up and down(handshake position) at the hit(point where disc rips out of your grip). As far as the Surge being a good disc to develop clean form--IMHO, I think it is a better disc than an Xcal in that regard. If you have been throwing your Xcal with a little wrist rollover, it may be somewhat frustrating transitioning to a disc that is not nearly as overstable.

^ this.

You have two options here really, you can go for the quick short-cut that will mask some fundamental flaws or you can hunker down and try a less forgiving disc that will take some practice and finesse to work with but in the long run will make you a FH demi-god.

For the short-cut, I'd suggest just getting another Xcal, maybe in Echostar plastic. If you really want to work on it, disc down to a Predator, Firebird, Banshee, Orion LF, Starfire, on down to the Eagle-X or Teebird in order of more forgiving to less forgiving.

Welcome to the site, you made a wise choice coming here. :thmbup:

Have fun and I hope you keep coming back for more tips or to brag about whooping your buds thanks to us. :hfive:

 

[trevorn]

Thank you very much for the detailed answer buzzinb. That clears things up a lot for me. I think I will have a Surge being delivered to me in the near future I look forward to seeing how it flies and to work on my form and release.
I will post some updates after I get some throws in.
Oh by the way, what is a good plastic? My course has a lot of trees but also a good mix of just wide open shots.



Thanks everyone for all the input