Disc Golf Information: Gateway Wizard In-Depth
In this article, I will try to address some of the scientific and aerodynamic differences between the Gateway Wizard and Innova™ Aviar™.
First of all I believe the Wizard is a bit longer in flight than either the Aviar and just about all putters; most players who throw big with a putter will agree. This longer flight is because of gyroscopic effect, balance of air deflection, and materials on the surface of the discs. The more matted the finish on a disc, the less contact the air makes with the disc’s surface. We try very hard to create a matted finish with the rubber in our materials, causing less surface friction and a reduction in drag. The Wizard’s balance of air flowing under and over the leading edge is much closer to equal than the Aviar, which allows for greater glide on declaration. A Putt & Approach Aviar will flip quickly when thrown hard and a KC will fade left more than a Wizard at lower speeds. In layman’s terms, the Wizard’s stability covers a much larger velocity range than either Aviar.
Most of the reasons behind this stability difference are based on the angles of deflection (wing vs. top or dome vs. bead). Here are a few others:
1) The Wizard is smaller in volume (~125 cc) than the Aviar (~140-145 cc), equating to less over ll space taken up by the disc. If both discs were to weigh 175 g, the Wizard’s density ratio would be 1.4 while the Aviar’s is only 1.2. Even with both discs weighing 175 g, the plastics in ours are more dense and distributed very differently.
2) Besides the very different shape of the nose, the Wizard’s rim is still close in mass or size to the Aviar. However, the Wizard has a .068″ thick flight plate while the Aviar’s flight plate thickness is over .075″. The Wizard’s flight plate begins to thicken at 1-1/2″ inside its outer edge, and thickens all the way to .125″ by the time it meets the inside edge of the rim. Even soft Wizards feel “beefy” at first, but you can break them in by flexing them. Because we use such high-end rubber compounds, the rebound resiliency (or “memory”) and abrasion resistance are both greater, so Wizards come right back to their original shape – only a bit more flexible.
Even on firm wizards, the surface is still very grippy and tacky for grabbing chains.
The added thickness in the outer part of the flight plate near the rim helps the Wizard tremendously when compared to the Aviar. First, the added thickness reinforces the overall shape of the disc, adding structural stability. Thus, even a very used Wizard will remain close to perfectly round. Second, the added thickness adds to the gyroscopic property of the disc – a more gyroscopic disc will remain spinning longer. And the longer the spin, the longer a disc can hold its flight pattern. Thanks to both of these qualities, the Wizard is straighter and flies with a much tighter “S”-pattern and will hold just about any line you throw for a longer period of time, no matter whether the shot is 30 feet or 300 feet, 20 mph or 70 mph!
3) The thickness of the flight plate tapers down quickly from the outer portion to 1-1/2″ away from the inside of the rim, where the thinner .063″ central portion (compared to .075″ for the Aviar, which does not have a tapered thickness) begins. This thinner portion provides a much better feel between your thumb and fingers when pinching the flight plate for putting – you can get better touch putting with a thinner flight plate.
Besides all the technical mumbo-jumbo, the main reason we believe our putters are more successful is the range of grips and feels. It’s like buying a good micro brew compared to Bud Light! We spend hours dry-blending formulas for 200-1200 disc batches while our competitors are way past that stage for their putters (no offense). It takes a lot of time and results in funky weights and blended colors! We may run a 60 disc batch and make it softer or firmer, then blend and run a 300 disc batch.
Every player seems to like a different aspect of a putter. Since you wind up using it on every single hole and sometimes more than once, you’d better really like it! Many people play with and like the Wizard for all their shots under 300 feet. We sell more Wizards than any other disc, and will soon be selling many more!
