Disc golfers love sexy fliers.
Most bags have at least a few frisbees worthy of the “eye candy” label. Unique, one-off stamps are fun. And without a doubt, custom-made, done-from-home dyes and designs are awesome.
My favorite, though?
That one’s easy …
Innova’s I-Dye plastic.
Most manufacturers offer something similar, but Innova was one of the first to the scene. I-Dye discs are tie-dye discs with a clever name. As far as the exact method Innova uses for dying them is concerned, that’s proprietary. Logic suggests, however, the company starts with a clear disc and then creatively drip-dyes it – and atop a spinning pivot-point, should one be needed.
Click here to see the process in action.
The results are amazing …
Better yet, no two I-Dye discs are exactly alike.
So the one you own is unique to YOU.
That’s cool.
But for as incredible as I-Dye discs look, there’s a dang-good chance yours don’t stay with you for long. You see, they’re practically camouflage. I don’t care if it’s a soccer field, your local pitch-and-putt or the freaking Hundred-Acre Wood: Those things will never be easily found.
Remember: For as Fruity-Pebbles as the discs appear, the base color is clear. So when held up to the light, they’re rainbow. But when resting atop a bed of dead leaves, they’re poop brown.
That’s not good.
* Note: Champion I-Dye discs are clear, but the less-common Star ones are white underneath.
My advice?
Shop smart.
If you can’t resist the allure of the I-Dye – and I won’t fault you for that – stick with a mold that’s not known for being thrown far. Naturally, this makes finding it on the backend that much easier. For example, the Champion I-Dye Aviar is a rock-solid approach putter – it fits the bill.
In my opinion, one I-Dye is worth the risk.
But just one.
Otherwise, you’ll play paranoid.
And that won’t work.
Have anything to add? Take to X to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
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I see you with the idye article….. Lol
Also, i kinda disagree with your take. I have 2 champion iDyes and 3 star idyes. And it only depends on the dye, not the plastic. Bright colors are bright colors.
Sounds like your compliant should be with all champion or translucent plastics, not idye. I would argue idyes are EASIER to see in champion than a standard plain champion disc … Cuz contrast.
But also, thanks. I didn’t know other manufacturers did idyes. Now i need to go court some other discs….
Fletch, check out Discraft’s Z-Line Fly-Dye lineup …
In my opinion, Innova does the whole “tie-dye” thing best, but they do a pretty solid job, too.
So if you’re a Zone guy (or something else similar), it might be worth looking into.
I wish I had your luck with I-Dyes …
I’ve owned three, and all of ’em?
Gone.
And in the woods, to be more specific.
(one of ’em was a seasoned Firebird – the biggest of my missing-disc losses)
I hear people say this all the time but knock on wood I haven’t lost any of my I dyes yet. I love them also. I have an Avery Jenkins star tee bird with the chain chomp stencil dye that I would take a bullet for. I also like to buy black discs for some reason. I just think they look cool. One of my playing buddies constantly gets on me for buying them stating that I’ll lose them. Haven’t lost one yet. Granted I don’t use them in the winter when they can get under the leaves but in the summer a jet black hole in the middle of a green field sticks out pretty well. One of my cash reward if found discs is a I dye pro Boss that I’ve had forever. Hopefully it sticks with me, I love that disc
Oh, you’re a black-discs guy?
Man, that’s impressive …
For me, they look great, but are impossible to find.
UNLESS they’re putting putters – those are pretty cool.
Glad you’ve not yet lost any of ’em!
On top of the disc being mostly clear, the I-Dye pattern breaks up the round outline of the disc. Perfect circles don’t appear in nature, so our brains pick up on the shape as much as the color.
They look amazing, but it’s not dissimilar to how some camouflage works. WW1 battleship camo comes to mind as an example of how vivid patterns can mess with our ability to accurately gauge an object’s position.
Oh, Joseph that’s so true …
Didn’t even think of that, but makes sense:
GONE is the perfect circle.
Thanks for chiming in with that tidbit, brotha!
Appreciate it.
(and our readers will, too)
To each their own I guess. Imo dyed discs are hideous. I have a buddy that loves them but just not for me.
Fair enough, Eric!
What don’t you like, exactly?