This list is subjective to the max.
Innova lays claim to a million different molds. Should you sit down and come up with your own list of the company’s most under-appreciated tools, no doubt you’d go in a different direction. As I see it, these discs are great at what they do, but overshadowed by more popular options …
It’s tragic.
1. Putter: The Whale (2 | 3 | 0 | 1)
Everybody and their dog bags an Aviar …
This blogger included.
And I get that Innova’s tweaked the Aviar a dozen different ways to get the right Aviar in the hands of their buyers, but the Whale’s nothing to shake a stick at, either. A beaded, stable-flying putter, the Whale most closely aligns with what you’ll get from any Big Bead Aviar variant.
Though it’s a touch less overstable, thanks to its deeper profile, it’s more torque resistant. So you can putt with it, drive with it and even forehand the thing, assuming that’s your jam. When Team Innova dudes (and dudettes) need a break from the Aviar, without fail, they go with the Whale.
Ricky Wysocki did it; Anthony Barela did, too.
It’s made Joel Freeman a LOT of money.
2. Midrange: The Mako3 (5 | 5 | 0 | 0)
Are you an Innova fanboy?
You (probably) pray to the Roc.
These days, with the Roc3 Innova’s standard midrange mold, there are WAY too many disc golfers missing out on the magic of the Mako or Mako3 – take your pick. Calvin Heimburg can get a seasoned Champion Roc3 to do somersaults in the air. And you can do the same thing …
You just need a Mako3.
My favorite thing about the Mako3 is that it’s a seasoned flier from the very first throw. In other words, you can nab a Star or Champion Mako3 and get it to fly like your well-beaten KC Pro Roc. The Mako3 is beadless, but if you’re good with that, she’ll knock your socks off.
Yes, the Roc3 is a dynamite disc …
But don’t sleep on the Mako3.
3. Fairway Driver: The Monarch (10 | 5 | -4 | 1)
Cut the eye-roll, please.
The Monarch is a staple of my bag.
I struggle with the feel of thin-rimmed fairway drivers on backhand lines. So while the TL, Eagle and Teebird are amazing discs, due to the in-hand feel they offer, I don’t perform well with ‘em. Though a 10-speed, the Monarch offers a distance-driver feel with a fairway-driver flight.
It’s beautiful.
For many, the Monarch might be TOO understable. For the more mortal amongst us, however, it’s a wooded golfer’s delight, capable of producing both laser-beams, as well as gentle S-turns.
The underside of the rim does have an indentation, which might freak you out. Rest assured, though, forehand or backhand, you don’t even notice it – and it flies nothing like a Groove.
4. Distance Driver: The Archon (11 | 5 | -2 | 2)
The hierarchy of Innova distance drivers is obvious:
You could argue the Boss belongs in that third spot, but it doesn’t – or rather, it shouldn’t.
It’s the Archon.
Just as the Wraith is step-down from the Destroyer in stability, so too is the Archon more manageable for the vast majority of disc golf arms. The only REAL problem with it?
Nobody throws it.
Again, assuming you’re not the second coming of Gannon Buhr, welcome a Star Archon into your arsenal, and you’ll need all of five minutes to discover it’s one of the farthest-flying discs in your bag, if not THE farthest-flying discs in your bag. It’ll start out workably understable, which is great for all-out smashes. Given enough time, though, the thing’ll beat into a roller machine.
One word:
Versatile.
* Note #1: The Archon has the plateaued top of the Vulcan, so do keep that in mind.
5. Utility Disc: The Whippet-X (6 | 3 | 1 | 5)
The flat-top Firebird is epic.
But there is NO better utility disc than the Whippet-X.
* Note #2: The Whippet-X is all that Innova runs these days – it’s a beefier O.G. Whippet.
Similar to the FAF Firebird, the Whippet-X does it all: flexes, thumbers, tomahawks, spike hyzers, forehand rollers, etc. But you know what it does quite a bit better than even the nastiest of Fire Chickens? Thanks to the UFO-inspired dome of the disc, this thing’s flare-skip is unreal.
This is THE utility frisbee.
End of discussion.
* Honorable Mention: The Innova Stud is (virtually) the same thing as a Classic Roc.
Rancho Cucamonga is seemingly capable of pumping out a new mold every 15 minutes. Truth be told, the manufacturer could probably kick half of ‘em to the curb, and nobody would notice.
The above five, though?
Not a chance …
Hidden gems.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Editor’s Suggestions:
- Should you capitalize the word ‘frisbee’ when writing?
- The good, the bad and the ugly: What’s a ‘lid’ in disc golf?
- What’s a ‘chicken wing’ in disc golf? (and how to throw one)
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I’m back to preach the VRoc. Specifically the star and champion versions. It’s a touch more stable than the mako3, and much more affable on a forehand line, especially smooth slow turnovers that finish left. Always comes back but never dumps. Absolutely perfect. I’ve been told the Lion is a rebranded VRoc3, but all the ones I’ve seen have actually been domier than the star Vrocs I own. Get one and throw it. It’ll change your life.
Thanks for the recommendation, Adam!
Admittedly, never (knowingly) thrown a VRoc …
There are so many versions of Roc, it’s hard to keep track of ’em all.
Appreciate the tip!
Love my archon!!!
Andy gets it!
I’ve got some love for the Kite. Very odd disc but has endless glide and is a great roller. First disc I was able to hyzer flip on demand. Now I use it for shorter uphill shots and big towering anhyzers. The Kite is a fun disc that I see basically no one using.
I’m also a big time fan of the Colt but it’s got a little bit of a following.
See, never thrown the Kite before …
I’ve wanted to give it a try for a long time.
This comment’s pushed me over the edge – now to find one 🙂
I wouldn’t call the Mako3 underrated at all dude.
The Cobra is the one that’s underrated. Not the King Cobra, but a true Cobra.
Glides more than the Mako3, but is just as straight and flicks like a dream.
I love innova but have never tried the archon or monarch. Thanks for the recommendations- I’ll definitely give them a try!
Go for it, Mike!
Love both 🙂
I love throwing the star Colt. Super straight and can handle a lot of power and is thin so you can really clamp down on the disc.
Almost put the Colt in the “Honorable Mention” slot …
The Stud and Colt are VERY similar discs.
The Stud is just the tiniest bit more overstable.
I’m the only person I know that bags a Mystere. I’m going to say it’s my equivalent to your Archon, though, I’ve never thrown the Archon. They have very similar flight numbers, only differing in glide (Mystere being a 6). I do have a GStar that is actually a -3 turn, while my halo and champs are -2.
I know a couple of guys who swear by the Mystere …
I’ve never thrown one, but I’ve played with guys who do, and I think you’re right …
VERY similar uses.
Thanks for the tip!
Love the article. You guys should do more of these. Just managed to pick up a whippet x from the Innova store about 2 months ago. Really like it a lot. Currently throw the Archon but mainly for forehands. Lots of glide and moderately stable at the end. I’ve been curious about the monarch and now I’ll have to check it out. Another one I want to check out is the FL? I think it’s supposed to be a longer firebird. Any experience with that one?
Yes, I’ve thrown one before, but wasn’t a HUGE fan of the FL …
I mean, when I pick up a Firebird, it’s for doing “Firebird things,” you know?
If I want a longer Firebird, I throw a brand-new Eagle-X or something …
Too close for much of a need, as I see it.
But, there are guys who love ’em – hard to find, though!
BTW, we’ll do more of these for a bunch of companies …
That’s a guarantee.
Thanks for reading, Joe 🙂
The Mako has replaced the Buzz. I’m a lot more comfortable and confident with it.
Congrats, Steve!
It’s an all-time great midrange, for sure!
I think the most overlooked Innova disc is the TL. It is the staple of my game—my go-to disc for forehand drives and forehand fairway shots. I hope Innova never stops manufacturing it. What would I do without it?
Oh, the TL is a classic …
They’ll never get rid of it.
Well, are you okay with the TL3?
Because they MIGHT get rid of the TL and just stick with the TL3.
(you’re already seeing that with the Roc and Roc3, for example)
I picked up a star mako3 from my league. It was a disc people talked about but I’d never tried. It complements by bag of a new star roc3 and a very used kc pro roc. Those 3 together cover my mid-range game.
You CAN get a Mako3 flight out of a seasoned Roc …
But man, the Mako3 just makes it that much easier to achieve.
Also, no bead …
I’m a “bead guy,” but many aren’t.
Sweet midrange lineup, dude!
Putting in a plug for the Mirage. Much more reliable than my forehand on shoryer throws. Of course, that’s not saying much…
Never thrown one – thanks for the tip, TreeSlayer!
You forgot the one mold\model is more underrated than all the other discs mentioned, combined: The Innova BANSHEE. A fairway driver with the most unique flight numbers around (7/3/0/3) you will not find another disc out there that has the same numbers, regardless of the manufacturer. But those discs will absolutely do what they’re renowned for, holding their line even on the windiest of days. Perfect for grip&rip hyzer bombs at full power, they’re easy to control and land where they need to without worrying about over shooting the target having such a low glide. There will always be two in my bag despite word that they’re OOP now.
Thanks for the recommendation, Aaron!
Did you happen to stock-up on ’em, by chance?
Because the Banshee being OoP kind of sucks …
Again, thanks for the tip!
Finally someone shares my love for the Archon! I too am an Innova fan boy and the Archon is my favorite disc of all time. My 10 year old Champion Archon is finally too flippy, so I just ordered a metal flake one from Infinite during their Black Friday sale. Wish they still made them!!
Dustin, do they not still make ’em?
You can buy ’em on the Innova Factory Store pretty easily.
They’re still in stock!
Maybe just limited runs?
I was under the impression they were replaced by the Mystere in their “full production” lineup. Perhaps (I hope) I’m wrong. Regardless, these things are money!
Yeah, man – head to the Innova Factory Store site and search “Archon.”
There are plenty in stock 🙂
My a Google News app must need me greensplatter articles i missed cuz just seeing this one. Is the mako3 underrated? Everyone loves it. This is your time to shout about the Gator! Gator! Gator!
Green Splatter told me to buy a Gator, now it’s my most thrown disc. Everything under 200 feet? Gator. It’s even my primary putter. It’s the perfect disc.
The fact that you putt with a Gator is MADNESS.
But if you’re making them, who cares?
I like it for headwind putts, that’s for sure …
Also, did you actually find this in Google News?
I’ve been working on that syndication, so if you saw it there, that’d be great!
And lastly, I added the Mako3 on this list, as – when compared with the popularity of the Roc or Roc3 – it feels “under-appreciated.”
You’re right, though …
People have been calling that one out, so your comment has some hardcore merit 🙂
I pulled up my Google News App and started to scroll…. This article came up. So either good for you, or well done Google algorithm?
And yes putting with my star flat top Gator is so easy. I’m kinda a splush putter and it’s working well. Perfect fit in the hand, comes out very clean, only downside….it can catch an edge and roll. But i officially pulled the aviars from the bag entirely. Wasted space.
More power to you, Fletch!
It’s official …
You’re BIGGER on the Gator than I am now …
And by a long ways.
What run of flat-top Gator is it?
Ummmm i gotta nice white f2 Flat top star and a metal flake champion. Both 175g Oh that white ain’t white anymore thanks to some dye.
Is that what you’re asking?
And ya, the gator is just so consistent. Anything within 175 feet, aim about 25 feet right and throw it flat and you’ll park it. Need a straight shot? Put some anny on it. It’s the perfect mid.
Then after an awful putting round with the aviar i started putting with the star gator. Didn’t miss. Not turning back. Yet.
Yet.
Nice, man!
Have you ever tried a DX Gator, by chance?
Like, for putting?
They’re hard to find – flat, at least.
If you do find one, nab it.
I’ve got one, and it’s great.
(I don’t putt with it, but I still like it)
Why DX? Because softer plastic supposed to catch the chains more than my Star?
I don’t really believe the difference can be that great. Maybe 1 putt out of 100 stays in the basket that would’ve spit out if Star plastic. Maybe I’m just cynical
You’re probably right …
We tend to do as the pros do, so there’s that.
I think cut-throughs are more an issue than the disc “grabbing” the chains, per se.
I even see some of that with my KC Pro Aviars.
What’s a cut through?
So a spit-out hits the chains and bounces out – either back towards the golfer or off to the side.
Due to the slickness of the plastic (or even an insane hyzer-angle of entry), a cut-through is just that: The putter slicing right through the chains and out the other side.
With premium-plastic putters, the belief is that this occurs far more frequently …
Is there truth to that?
Eh …
Not sure.
(might do an article on this in the future)