Quest for MVP's Firebird - Battle of the Overstable Drivers

In disc golf, the Innova Firebird is one of the most well known discs and loved by many. It's technically an overstable distance driver with a flight rating of 9 | 3 | 0 | 4 but many consider it a utility disc and is great for getting out of trouble or moving left or right to get around an obstacle.
After discovering MVP discs many years ago, I began a quest to see if MVP had a disc that could challenge the Innova Firebird. In this video I'll compare the Firebird with 5 competitors:
- MVP Resistor
- MVP Motion
- Axiom Fireball
- Streamline Flare
- MVP Terra
Do any of these contenders from MVP have what it takes to match or beat the Firebird?
0:00 Start
0:47 Channel Update
1:27 Disclaimer
2:02 The Firebird
4:15 The Contenders
7:03 Flight Test
11:20 Streamline Flare
11:45 Axiom Fireball
12:20 MVP Motion
12:58 MVP Terra
14:06 MVP Resistor
15:21 The Quest
15:59 Wrap Up
Music: Trust Me (Instrumental) by RYYZN / ryyzn
Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0
Like us on Facebook: / discgolfdownunder
Visit our web site: www.discgolfdownunder.com/
Copyright 2022 Disc Golf Down Under

[@arhshields]

Everyone: Yeah, that Motion is a meat hook Streamline Flare: Hold my beer.

[@Chris.Davies]

It's Deesc Golf Dare Nunder!

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

Love this!

[@natemaas1982]

I have a motion which is way OS, kind of similar to the 2021 sexybird, and it's my utility disc. My terra is my new baby. I LOVE her so much!! No turn, dead straight for 250-270 ft then reliably strong fade. I lost my 2021 resistor but I'dagree, it wasn't very OS. In fact it flew like a shorter beat in volt. I haven't stopped racing about my terra.. Great video and I couldn't agree more!

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

Great to see another Terra fan. I honestly wasn't expecting a heap from it but have been pleasantly surprised.

[@christopherbrown222]

My Neutron Resistor flew closer to an Explorer than a Firebird. It went straight for so long then had a nice reliable fade at the end. But not a beefy fade like a Fireball.

[@cnking27]

I'm only about 6 months in and haven't thrown a ton of discs yet, including a Firebird (I know), but the Terra is insanely beefy. It was my first disc in the MVP family and it has developed my game so much. I didn't understand why more people didn't throw it, but now seeing that it's a very new mold that makes more sense. I'm crazy about the Terra, especially for sidearms but also for flat hook shots and I'll even grab it on approach shots that need a big hook sometimes. As long as you get spin on it it'll fight through anything. Because of my love for it, I just bought a Resistor for those lower speed shots.

[@nyqpi33]

I love your great detailed reviews! Great job!

[@ahsleywithabeard]

Thanks for doing this comparison! This video does a lot of the ground work for me, and will help make my own disc selection for that slot!!

[@neverlayup]

Man! I did a review on these overstable 9 speeds but I have so much work to do before my content is up to this level. Great work! Great review.

[@ddownham]

Thanks for this. Been trying to find a replacement for a beat in Felon and have tried a bunch but looking to snag a used Terra as it may be the ticket! Always love your videos comparing multiple discs! Need more content creators showing a whole lineup next to each other!

[@jacobcolon5295]

love your content man!

[@VarietyDiscGolf]

I’ve watched this video half a dozen times probably over the last year. I started out with the resistor and loved it as a utility disc. I lost it in a creek on vacation and picked up a flare to try as a substitute. I’ve loved the flare for utility hooking shots. Definitely the most stable. I ended up getting my resistor back and now bag both. Yesterday I played a tournament and was missing something for just a little more distance than the resistor that has a good hooking fade at the end… My buddy reminded me that I have a Terra that I got in the Gyropalooza box this year. It feels great in hand for forehand and backhand. I’m going to try it out and it might just stay in my bag. Great comparison! Love your videos!

[@user-qv7fs6ut2f]

First video I've seen and subscribed.

[@dhyde7723]

I bag a lightweight (160ish) fireball and love it. That light weight means it flies more like a firebird, but it skips like crazy.

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

I just got myself a lighter weight Fission Fireball. Haven't really had a chance to throw it much but I think I agree with you.

[@josiahlandis1314]

I can honestly say the Streamline Flare is so ridiculously reliable

[@brandonrossmark2557]

Truth. That being said, it is one of my favorite discs that will never leave my bag. It feels amazing in my hand for both forehand and backhand. I throw it a lot less than my Fireball (will try the terra more after this) but it does things no other disc in the MVP family does and I love that!

[@zafotbeeb]

Really appreciate your thorough research into all things MVP. Very helpful information. Thank you.

[@MegaLaban12345]

I love this type of stuff

[@KirkRem]

Great video! 👍 Wow, that was some really tall grass around the basket in the beginning of the video!

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

Yep, hadn't been mowed for over 6 months. Waist deep in some sections. Only for hardcore disc golfers.

[@AndrewKurdelski]

Bro... You nailed it.

[@maxmotors9497]

Really stoked you guys got so much rain- hope it doesn’t lead to as many wildfires as it usually does in the us. But ample crop and stream is always a good thing

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

In Oz we go through cycles of drought and flood. The forecast for the next 12 months is heaps more rain. So I guess that's good from a bushfire perspective but not great for anybody who lives near a river.

[@sir_tut2949]

I believe issue with the 2021 Resistor was that they had a mix up on the molds because all of the ones I bought (3 in total) kept giving me that straight to minimal fade flight that I love so much from the Servo. So I decided to line the two up and they are identical. I recently got a glow Resistor and it was back to that consistent overstable flight and had the high parting line and board flat top.

[@gwolfe333]

TIL you only have 3.5k subs (I don't normally look at the number because I don't care about that). I stopped playing for 25 years and landed on team MVP because of the information they give & feel of the discs. It's been hard making a bag on my limited knowledge, but you've been a big help. Edit: I bag a Terra and a Resistor

[@dougadamsau]

Interesting. Haven’t thrown the Streamline disc, but thrown the others. Resistor is a fixture in my bag. Carried the Fireball as well but I can do the same things with the Resistor. Tried the Terra a little and liked it a lot … must revisit it.

[@hexher616]

I threw a Raptor before starting to throw gyro and got a Fireball to replace it. Took some getting used to but I'm happy with it now. I also have a Resistor that I haven't thrown yet. Need to give that thing a try.

[@AlgorithmDG]

Here to say the '22 eclipse resistors are nice and beefy just how we like them. Got one with some prize $$$ recently.

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

I picked one up for glow also and very happy with the Eclipse beef.

[@christopherbrown222]

Big Resistor fan. I like seeing it get some love here! I have 174/158g Motions, a 160g Fireball, a 168g Eclipse Resistor, and 173g Neutron Resistor. I’ve taken the fireball and 174g Motion out of the bag and mostly use the Resistors. The eclipse Resistor is on another level of beefy so it’s more utility. Guess I need to try a Terra!!

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

I have an Eclipse Resistor on the way to go with my Neutron and Proton. Can't wait.

[@jadebotes2128]

Love this channel, saw a new video and had to click. Would love to hear your thoughts on Fission plastic and whether its truly the pinnacle of Disc Flight technology.

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

I do love my Fission Wave, Photon and Octane.

[@doggyd.floofy7445]

Love your videos. Have you ever thought about trying out Thought Space Athletics discs? MVP does the plastics and molds for those like streamline, but they don’t seem to be apart of the “family.” Nonetheless, the quality is superb. Their Omen seems like an amazing firebird replacement too. Thanks for all the info you put out on these discs!

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

I have thought about them and have a friend who throws some TSA discs. He loves them too. Definitely on my to do list.

[@jvtc]

Predator is my go-to Firebird

[@nickfotopoulos5323]

The Resistor is the most money disc i've ever owned. I ignored it for a long time because I thought it if I cranked on it, it would lose it stability. Nope. Over stable bag is currently Envy -> Zone -> Deflector -> Resistor -> Terra -> Photon

[@RaiderWarpath]

Good stuff. I always chuckle at Flare reviews. I jokingly call it a discount tilt. It fades hard like it's scared of flying. If you're really into MVP plastic, don't forget to look at Thought Space and Mint. Both are moulded by MVP. TSA has two near firebird numbers.

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

It's a bit hard to get TSA and Mint discs down under. Only one company distributing them and very limited quantities.

[@5whiskey5]

I own the Resistor, Terra and Fireball. I LOVE my Resistor. It's a workhorse for me.

[@sleepmachine7522]

Is the fireball like a big brother for the resistor? My resistor is one of my favorite discs and one of my most used workhorses.

[@5whiskey5]

@@sleepmachine7522, pretty much. I probably just barely have the arm speed for 9s and 10 speeds. The Resistor is perfect for me.

[@ericdunthorne1981]

Plasma isn't their Gstar equivalent. Soft Neutron or Proton would be their closest plastic to Gstar.

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

I'll agree that Plasma and GStar aren't the same but most agree that they are similar: flightcharts.dgputtheads.com/discgolfplastics.html

[@MegaLaban12345]

Plasma and discrafts Titanium feel, and look, quite similar.

[@ericdunthorne1981]

@@MegaLaban12345 I agree. Titanium is probably the closest comparison to Plasma. I wish it was closer to FLX Titanium though. I really like the extra flexibility especially in the winter.

[@gregorysummers6413]

Gstaad firebirds are so money!!!!

[@ericdunthorne1981]

@@gregorysummers6413 I was using one yesterday. I have one in star plastic as well. The Gstar Firebird is just much more usable than the one in star. I can actually get a decent distance if needed with the Gstar one. The Firebird in star is way too beefy. It starts fading immediately after leaving the hand. I don't think I can get over 300ft with it. Strictly a utility disc. Loving the Gstar Firebird though. I'll probably pick up a couple more for backup.

[@matthewwilson7802]

I bagged the firebird specifically for forehands.. and I was excited to try the Terra, but could never find the throw I wanted, I have three. You can have them all😂

[@ninjasrus333]

In my experience flare and motion are ridiculous beef, flare slightly more. Both of those would be closer to a flattop super OS firebird. Fireball is the next step down and I havent fallen in love with it either. Terra is just slightly less overstable and I agree its a good choice. Im glad you added the part of the resistor because the ones I've throw are pretty straight, might have to try and grab a newer run see how it compares. Im not sure how easy it would be to get overseas but maybe you could add Mint discs and Thought Space Athletics disc to your reviews. They are manufactured by MVP so the plastic feels the same and they have some good discs. Love the content btw

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

Funny you mention Mint and TSA. I was looking to buy some of their discs the other day, but unfortunately my favourite store didn't have the ones I was looking for.

[@mmdoof]

If you're looking for a Sexton/GStar Firebird replacement that goes far, try to find one of the older Plasma Motions with a little dome. They have a tiny bit of turn for a powerful thrower and tons of glide. Teslas are also a good option for someone looking for an overstable but workable nine-speed.

[@jaythejuiceman3000]

I love my 2022 glow resistor.It has a little dab of turn to it where my ideal firebird doesn't. Even with a little bit of turn it fights out with a nice skip. Throw it on the slightest of hyzers and it glides right in. Nothing replaces a Firebird though. Most have Firebirds, not a Firebird. I have champion, star, NS color glow champ, FAF firebirds, and they all have enough of a difference to bag and or remove certain firebirds depending on the course. My champions are usually good up to 260 feet. My stars have less stability, but I can throw up to 360'. My FAF will go straight and then dump with a skip up to about 290'. There isn't one disc that can replace all of that so a resistor, terra, fireball, motion, and flare would all be needed to replace my Firebirds.

[@matthewwilson3399]

I use mainly MVP discs, I do have a Terra bagged, but I still bag the firebird because the Terra doesn't come out of my hand is clean

[@billherrera6386]

Resistor is so good. Might have to try a Terra. I thought it would create overlap with my Thunderbird though.

[@sethheasley9538]

Yeah I've been looking for a longer Resistor.

[@billherrera6386]

@@sethheasley9538 yeah I have a Envy, Zone, Pyro, Resistor, Thunderbird, Anax, Force, and Halo Boss that cover all my OS needs.

[@gcoffey223]

(Wrote this begore your conclusion)Resistors are great and go far too. I have been throwing the TERRA and love the feel and flight. I use that terra more than just about any other disc for control, distance, and dependable fade. That glide 5 really shows up too.

[@jimmyblundell7600]

The terra is so so good. Such a reliable fade for the amount of glide it has. I love it.

[@gcoffey223]

@@jimmyblundell7600 Just picked up the zenith... can't wait

[@Zaeed1]

Fireball and motion do what a Firebird should do. A longer flying version would be a cosmic neutron volt or photon. A shorter version is the deflector.

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

Agree on the Photon and Deflector and those Cosmic Neutron Volts can be mighty beefy too.

[@Zaeed1]

@@DiscGolfDownUnder I've got a cn photon and it's an absolute meat hook. Have a Terra on the way so super keen to see how it goes.

[@JoshJackson13]

@@Zaeed1 yea the fireball is closest to me and I have 4 different firebirds. Gstar plastic just holds straight untill the middle of the flight in any disc. old domey champion firebird has the beef but I prefer a light weight flat champ and a big z machete and proton pyro

[@nataledinatale1198]

Started my journey thinking about getting a Fireball and a Raptor. After research, including this video, I’m looking for a Terra and a Resistor. Question: For forehand shots, does disc weight matter?

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

Heavier discs will generally be more overstable and more resistant to off-axis torque. So I'd recommend max weight discs for forehand but don't neglect the lighter discs either.

[@buddatello]

The fission insanity has less fade and -2 turn but it goes on any line you throw it and is a blast. There's a bunch of light weights in the run as well so you can throw softer and go further

[@jayluuphee6703]

Fission insanity is crazy understable compared to these discs

[@shanesplanetshane3795]

@@jayluuphee6703 Agreed. I use a light fission insanity for those anny and hold shots. Its is pretty easy to turn and burn it. The Plasma insanity I carry is more stable by far, but still not anywhere near being an 'overstable' type driver. I prefer my mamba for flip up drives, over the fission insanity. Yeah, you rip that F insanity and just wave it goodbye.

[@jayluuphee6703]

@@shanesplanetshane3795 sadly my plasma has seen many trees so it likes to turn and burn. got an eclipse insanity buy havent got to figure it out yet.

[@shanesplanetshane3795]

@@jayluuphee6703 Let me know how goes. I was thinking of tossing an eclipse insanity in my fireball slot. I've a pair of E insanities, I need to just give it a go. I'm always hunting for an eclipse disc that does daylight duty. Atm I dont bag any eclipse for day rounds, I just keep an E Proxy in the bag for nights.

[@ericsimer6363]

The motion or the fireball are great replacements. They even feel way better in the hand then the firebird.

[@TheDrakmannen]

The newer proton volts are board flat and stupid overstable, I use that for a "firebird" together with a cosmic neutron that is more stable than overstable.

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

You're not wrong. Saw a new Champ Firebird the other day and it's a Tilt.

[@Meta-Drew]

I thought I wanted something more OS than a firebird so I got a flare, and that thing is just ridiculous. I can't even throw it hard enough to really get it to flare skip, it just falls out of the sky and spikes into the ground, way more OS than I needed or to do anything with, careful what you wish for, I suppose. For now I'm still bagging firebirds but I am keeping my eyes open

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

Yep, Flare has got to be MVP's most stable disc.

[@Jason-Moon]

Glow Firebird? The best version.

[@ryanfawcett33]

Hey Mat, I just purchased a Resistor last night from an online retailer. Didn't say whether it was a 2021 or 2022 disc. Is there any way to tell before throwing one?

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

Not that I'm aware of. The disc shape must be slightly different but unless you have 2 discs right next to each other, you would need a very trained eye to tell the difference. I'm doing a video right now on disc stability and the same disc oin different plastics that look identical side by side fly very different.

[@ryanfawcett33]

@@DiscGolfDownUnder Fascinating. Thanks for your reply! Love your channel as a fellow MVP-family thrower. Keep it up!

[@gcoffey223]

MVP motion replaced my firebird. Fireball is basically the same thing as a motion. I get more distance out of motion/fireball than a firebird for me

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

I still love the Motion. I'd like to try a Neutron Fireball one day. Maybe a little less stability.

[@krUsberry]

I would think the Wrath would make the cut here and would be the disc i think is most similar to a sexton firebird flightwise. All other MVP options more stable than a firebird imo.

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

I've spent a lot of time with both the Wrath and Tesla and they don't have the stability that the Terra does.

[@maxmotors9497]

I have a dead flat top cosmic neutron Tesla that might actually meet your demands. But I got it used and it was a mvp lab disc

[@maxmotors9497]

My new terra ant queens are the faves tho

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

I've got a fairly OS Tesla also but I'm slowly beating the stability out of it.

[@chefdave28]

This is the way. I use FAF Proton Teslas for that role.

[@discgolfwithelijah]

The motion

[@Gh0stShell]

The speed of the Resistor is 6.5 not 6 and the Rim width is 16.5mm not 17mm. The speed and Rim width at MVP Fairway and Distance Drivers correlate directly to each other. Speed + 10 = Rim width in mm Also for the other discs. Where did you get your numbers from?

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

I use the numbers from PDGA certification.

[@Gh0stShell]

@@DiscGolfDownUnder Interesting. I think it's because the PDGA only gives numbers in cm and not in mm and they proably don't want to show more than 1 decimal number. In the future it would be probably more accurate to look the numbers up directly at the manufacturer. Also I didn't found flight numbers from the PDGA. So where did you get these from?

[@adinchandler9077]

My entire bag is MVP Except my Captains Raptor

[@patrickruszkowski9182]

You needed to put a fission Tesla in there. Tesla is much more OS than the numbers say. I love my fission Tesla at 165g. Flies straight for a while then a huge, dependable fade.

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

Funny you say that. I just returned from some field work throwing the Terra, Tesla (165 g also), Wrath, Volt and Photon. For me, Volt was the straightest followed by the Tesla, then Wrath, Photon and Terra. I decided the Tesla is coming out and being replaced by the Wrath.

[@shanesplanetshane3795]

agreed. FIssion Tesla is still way OS compared to the numbers. Im trying to decid if I should bother with the tesla, as it overlaps my volt and fireball quite a bit.

[@gregorysummers6413]

I have a streamline line flare and it's a tilt for sure lol

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

Yep, I'd agree.

[@Discsforbaskets]

I love my Volt and it's as overstable as my raptor.

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

I do have a super beefy Volt but still prefer the Terra.

[@ZachBoyce_DG]

it’s also got a halo version

[@weedmanbrandon]

Isn't the axiom fireball owned by mvp? That disc is very close to a Firebird with a low profile and very flat top

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

Yep, Axiom is a brand of MVP.

[@Mr73Baja]

Holding a Gstar "firebird" yo a 6yo could flip that thing

[@johntardibuono625]

Proton VOLT !

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

Your Proton Volt must be different to mine. Mine flies straight with a little turn and just a small amount of fade at the end. I do have a super beefy Neutron Volt that would be almost as stable as the Flare.

[@johntardibuono625]

@@DiscGolfDownUnder No turn, and a consistent fade. Not as much as a 12 time KC Firebird. My question to you is are you throwing 100% or do you adjust your throws for the disc type?

[@jayluuphee6703]

No wrath?! Flies like a beat in fireball

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

My Wrath flies almost identical to my Tesla and neither are close to a Firebird.

[@jayluuphee6703]

@@DiscGolfDownUnder different strokes for different folks

[@craigjackson2697]

Mint and TSA are MVP

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

They are made by MVP but are not owned by MVP. Same as Innova used to make Discmania discs in the US.

[@craigjackson2697]

@@DiscGolfDownUnder You are correct. Personally, I care about the plastic and the manufacturing. I bag both Mint and TSA because they fill the gaps with “MVP”. I’m suggesting you could get go one more step outide the box in your search for replacements and still have “MVP” plastic 👍🏻 Great videos btw!

[@TheMaloya]

Streamline Flare?

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

I'd say the Flare compares closely with the latest board-flat Champ Firebirds.

[@davidbrunner6954]

His firebird is gstar... More understable.

[@DiscGolfDownUnder]

The GStar definitely beats in more than Champ.