Innova Katana New 13 speed driver

[Stan the Blue Man]

I have been testing the Katana over the weekend. It has more turn than the Groove in Pro driver plastic, which is what has been made so far, along with test shots of Champion and R-Pro.

So far, the Pro Katanas look pretty good for distance challenged throwers, hyzer flip at less than max power, and power rollers. Power rollers can throw flat to slightly turned over and let the disc do the work. Power throwers should probably pass on this disc except for specific uses such as high turnovers and rollers.

The Katana in all three plastics tested so far is more speed sensitive than all of our other high speed drivers. This basically means it will flip considerably more into the wind than down wind. The R-Pro Katana is flippier than the R-Pro Boss and flippier than the Pro Katana, so it probably won't go into general production. The relative wind speed sensitivity makes assigning a turn number a little challenging, but for 400+ft throwers the turn for Pro will be at least a -3. For 350 ft max throwers, the turn will be less, (except into a wind). And, I don't recommend throwing these into a wind. Tentative flight numbers are: 13, 5, -3, 3.


Testing of normal Champion was unimpressive, compared to Pro, but the addition of the stabilizing process might change that. Though we haven't tested it in Starlight as yet, I believe that will prove successful.

The Pro will probably come out at the end of the year in general release. Before then, a limited amount of Pro, and a very limited amount of Champion and R-Pro will be available through Herodiscusa as a fundraiser for the Japan Open.


I found this on the pdga forums

[Dan Michler]

Katana is the best disc name ever in my opinion.  I can't believe they had to go through Boss before getting to Katana.

[Bruce Brakel]

Hopefully Discraft will copy the specs and come out with the Suburito.   

[fathergod]

 Hopefully it flies better than that POS known as the R-Pro Boss... 

[Steven Jacobs]

So it's for people who can't throw an rpro boss?

[fathergod]

ha you so funny!   

I'm talking about the durability of the plastic.  I've had two and they died faster than DX

[damonshort]

I picked up 3 rPro Bosses w/ funny money this year. They're good for about 10 throws then I move on...they're interesting but I'm glad I didn't pay 'real money' for them...although I actually did. 

I just realized I should melt these suckers down along with all my other old plastic and maybe repair the cracks in my foundation with them.... 

[Steven Jacobs]

ha you so funny!   

I'm talking about the durability of the plastic.  I've had two and they died faster than DX

? I wasn't responding to you.  I just don't see what this disc is for.  Rpro boss is already pretty easy to throw.  What imaginary gap was it supposed to fill?

[Dan Michler]

ha you so funny!   

I'm talking about the durability of the plastic.  I've had two and they died faster than DX

? I wasn't responding to you.  I just don't see what this disc is for.  Rpro boss is already pretty easy to throw.  What imaginary gap was it supposed to fill?

We haven't had a disc called the Katana before.  Thats the gap its filling.  I'm looking forward to saying I parked holes with my Katana.  Besides, Innova is running a business. Coming out with new plastic that people want to try simply because its new is good for business.  I've been playing this game for longer than you have been alive Steven, and they have suckered me in yet again.  I can't wait to get my hands on a Katana!

[DaBus85]

I to enjoy just buying new Innova plastic but I don't see myself getting a katana or a mako.  Innova is coming out with the Boss in Pro plastic the 19th.  That will add more distance to your drive then a champ or star boss and will last a little longer then the r-pro.  It also wont be as flippy in the r-pro because it will be available up to max weight.

[Chainmeister]

ha you so funny!   

I'm talking about the durability of the plastic.  I've had two and they died faster than DX

? I wasn't responding to you.  I just don't see what this disc is for.  Rpro boss is already pretty easy to throw.  What imaginary gap was it supposed to fill?

Steve

The R Pro boss is a good disc for a weak arm. I like it. Frankly, you will outgrow it soon.  However, its about as durable as Mark Prior.  Similar to the old Quarter K.  I still have my R Pro 150 boss and will only throw it on a wide open hole. I haven't hit anything yet and mine is still alive.  If the Katana is similar I might get one and actually keep it. Damon was alluding to  the reality that you really rent an R Pro boss rather than buy it. They just do not last.

[Jon Brakel]

So the R Pro Boss is the DRM of disc golf? 

[Dan Michler]

Dave, are you saying when the R-Pro Boss gets beat up it is no longer useful for you because its so flippy?

[stpitner]

R-Pro Boss is like the inkjet cartridges of disc golf.  They only last so long before you have to buy more to keep the machine running.  I agree with Dave's sentiments with just throwing it on a nice big open throw.  I've also used it for some rollers and had some crazy distance from it.

[stpitner]

btw, I'll have the Pro Boss, Star Mako, Star San Marino Roc, and Star Dart available at the Joliet Championships.  I'll also have DX Pumpkin Aviar's and Roc's.

[Bruce Brakel]

Why do they even call that cheapo DX plastic "R-Pro"?  When they came out with the R-Pro Dart and R-Pro Aviar, R-Pro was a soft, flexible, and reasonably durable plastic.  Why produce a disc in cheap stiff plastic and give the plastic the same name as what we just taught the players is a soft, flexible plastic?  Why not call it C-Pro or S-Pro so people would know what you are talking about?  

Innova pisses me off sometimes.  

[Chainmeister]

Dave, are you saying when the R-Pro Boss gets beat up it is no longer useful for you because its so flippy?

No Dan.  we all know that its physically impossible for a disc to get to flippy for me.  As the disc beats in it will not fly as far as it used to fly.  Since I have not beat mine up its still the same disc. Once it does get beat up I will likely retire it and use something different.  For now, the novelty disc is still in my bag in a section I reserve for rarely thrown though useful discs.

[stpitner]

It's only the Boss that gets banged up, and with good reason - it's a sharp edged driver.  All the rest of the R-Pro discs so far are mids and putters.

The thing that does irritate me is that the R-Pro Hydra is the EXACT SAME THING as a DX Hydra (which magically has been discontinued!).  The Pig with that super grippy plastic is now known as the R-Pro Pig, no changes.

But hey, if Innova can manufacture something at the same price as their DX (and I'm not saying that they are) and sell it to dealers at the Pro pricepoint - that's good business for them.

Even talking to the person at Innova that was hotstamping my order she was confusing herself on the wording of what she was stamping for me lol.

[Steven Jacobs]

ha you so funny!   

I'm talking about the durability of the plastic.  I've had two and they died faster than DX

? I wasn't responding to you.  I just don't see what this disc is for.  Rpro boss is already pretty easy to throw.  What imaginary gap was it supposed to fill?

Steve

The R Pro boss is a good disc for a weak arm. I like it. Frankly, you will outgrow it soon.  However, its about as durable as Mark Prior.  Similar to the old Quarter K.  I still have my R Pro 150 boss and will only throw it on a wide open hole. I haven't hit anything yet and mine is still alive.  If the Katana is similar I might get one and actually keep it. Damon was alluding to  the reality that you really rent an R Pro boss rather than buy it. They just do not last.

Yea I know, my rpro boss is dead.  So easy to throw over 400' with! I miss it. (It got so flippy i was throwing it across the lake at warren and from as sharp a hyzer i can throw, it went about 200 and took a sharp dive right into the drink)

[Bruce Brakel]

So if you've already got a 13 speed disc, could you make it 26 speed by adding a gear up front and a derailleure?