Discraft Spectra

The Discraft Spectra is a 12-speed understable distance driver. With published flight numbers of 12 / 5 / -2 / 2, it is most often described as suited for tailwind distance drives, easy-turn hyzer-flip and flat shots for lower arm speeds.

Overview

The Spectra is a beadless Discraft distance driver rated 12/5/-2/2.^[3][4][5] Discraft's own page says it "may be the next distance record setter, because it goes a long way with much less effort" and lists the Z Line version in Supercolor designs.^[1] The PDGA records a 21.2 cm diameter, 1.7 cm height, 1.2 cm rim depth and 2.2 cm rim thickness, with a maximum weight of 176.0 g.^[2] Infinite Discs lists a slightly larger 21.4 cm diameter and 1.9 cm height.^[3] Sources differ on stability: Infinite Discs and DiscMetrics call it very understable, while Disc Golf Dojo describes an even balance of two turn against two fade.^[3][4][5]

Flight characteristics

Flight numbers describe the published behavior of the disc when thrown at its design speed. Real-world flight varies with plastic, weight, age, and thrower power. The community-averaged numbers above reflect crowd-sourced observations from real throws — typically slightly more understable than the manufacturer's published values, which is the most consistent pattern across nearly every commercial mold.

Recommended uses

Infinite Discs recommends the Spectra for tailwind shots and for players with less throwing power, since it reaches distance with reduced effort.^[3] DiscMetrics lists easy distance, turnovers and rollers for beginner and intermediate players.^[4] Disc Golf Dojo suggests it for a developed arm and a good disc downwind, and notes that it works out to the right through the middle and returns at the end rather than fading the whole way.^[5] Discraft calls it a downwind driver that is fast and easy to control.^[1]

Best for:

• Tailwind distance drives
• Easy-turn hyzer-flip and flat shots for lower arm speeds
• Rollers
• Long drifting releases that finish with a fade

Plastics & variants

The Spectra is available in the following plastic blends from Discraft:^[1]

Z Line, Supercolor

Plastic blend significantly affects flight character. Premium plastics like Champion, Z, or C-Line generally fly more overstable when fresh and hold their stability over time. Base plastics like DX, Pro, or Active beat in faster and become more understable workhorses with use.

History

The PDGA lists the Spectra as approved by Discraft on October 31, 2005, under certification number 05-18.^[2] Disc Golf Dojo gives the same 2005 approval year.^[5] Discraft's current page describes it as a Z Line distance driver that comes exclusively in Supercolor designs.^[1] Infinite Discs lists Supercolor and Z Line misprint plastics and does not state a maximum weight.^[3] Measurements differ between sources: the PDGA lists a 21.2 cm diameter and 1.7 cm height, while Infinite Discs lists 21.4 cm and 1.9 cm.^[2][3] No source consulted names a designer or credits a notable thrower.

Notable throwers

Currently no information

How it compares

How the Spectra lines up against the discs players most often weigh it against, using each manufacturer's published flight numbers.

References & further reading

• How to read disc golf flight numbers — Discpedia primer
• PDGA Approved Disc List — search for "Spectra" to find the Discraft Spectra entry (PDGA-approved 2005)
• Discraft official site — manufacturer product page

Sources

Content on this page has been cross-checked against the following sources. Numbered citations in the prose above link to the matching entry here.

1. Spectra Z Line Distance Driver — Discraft (official product page)
2. Spectra from Discraft — PDGA Approved Disc (approval date and specifications)
3. Discraft Spectra — Infinite Discs (flight numbers, plastics, dimensions)
4. Discraft Spectra — DiscMetrics
5. Discraft Spectra — Disc Golf Dojo

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