Cheap baskets-- M-14 vs Instep (Pacific Outdoors)

[Toby Puttzinski]

I am going to buy a few cheap baskets for the back yard, and I'm leaning toward the Pacific Outdoors Disc Golf Goal for $80.16, with free shipping through amazon.com.

I haven't found the M-14 for any less than $110 or so-- and from what I've gathered, it is fairly comparable to the more affordable Instep/PO basket.

I realize that neither of these baskets are super sturdy, and both could use some added chains. Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations, or knows of a better deal somewhere.

[snap7times]

Not too sure about the pacific basket, I would probably lean towards the M-14 and add a row of chains on the inside like I did, been nothing but awesome for me since I added chains on the inside.
That's just me...

[NWDiscer]

i know i can not vouch every1 Else's experience with them, but my M-14 is a 1st run it is close to 9 years old and the only thing i had done to it was to grind down the outside nubs as they would slice and dice on dx plastic......

I never had a weld break and it did travel some in its younger years a couple of tournies and out to TDG events back when the rules were a little more relaxed in regards to tee pads....

It has some rust on it now, but it's still intact and catching plastic......

[Joshua Olmsted]

I bought a used M-14, now 2 years ago and it's been great, another set of chains would be nice, but they're not necessary. It's definitely a better basket than the Instep, worth the price difference, I haven't used the Pacific Outdoors basket, but I'll put my support down for the M-14.

[NWDiscer]

yea as far as the xtra chains i figure if i can make putts on those chains i should have no problem on a standard basket

[sk8architecture]

My instep is over a year old and is fine. I would say the construction of the M-14 is probaly better. I do get alot of spit outs but if your goal is to focus on hitting dead center chains then who cares if it spits out.
The chains seem to be softer then others so as a result its not as loud. I added a towel in the middle and the thing is real quiet. I don't feel bad about putting late at night as a result.

[NWDiscer]

Originally Posted by sk8architecture

My instep is over a year old and is fine. I would say the construction of the M-14 is probaly better. I do get alot of spit outs but if your goal is to focus on hitting dead center chains then who cares if it spits out.
The chains seem to be softer then others so as a result its not as loud. I added a towel in the middle and the thing is real quiet. I don't feel bad about putting late at night as a result.

that is exactly what i did also in an old Apt. i had a 35' long hallway from the front door to the back door it was perfect for putting and adding the towels made it super quiet as to not wake up the newborn baby...

[Tim]

Using the M-14's at Fircrest for putting practice, my putters looked like I'd been putting at a cheese grater.

[NWDiscer]

Originally Posted by NWDiscer

the only thing i had done to it was to grind down the outside nubs as they would slice and dice on dx plastic......

[Tim]

yeah, I saw that, just adding my experience with them. Not everyone has a grinder handy either. I couldn't be sure, but I think some of the chunks coming off the discs were also from the s-hooks on the "ring" of chains at the bottom.

[NWDiscer]

Originally Posted by Tim

yeah, I saw that, just adding my experience with them. Not everyone has a grinder handy either. I couldn't be sure, but I think some of the chunks coming off the discs were also from the s-hooks on the "ring" of chains at the bottom.

you know i never really thought about the S hooks doing damage but inspecting some of my practice putters i think you are correct.

[Scott]

I've had an instep for a couple of years and it's just fine for a practice basket. It has held up very nicely. It does need some additional chains, though. I haven't gotten around to adding them to mine - I know if I can sink a putt in that thing it will stick anywhere.

[Adam Schneider]

I don't understand the compulsion to add chains to a practice basket. If you hit it dead-center and it doesn't stick, so what? You know you hit it.

[thadeouspage]

Originally Posted by Adam Schneider

I don't understand the compulsion to add chains to a practice basket. If you hit it dead-center and it doesn't stick, so what? You know you hit it.

I can somewhat agree with that... your job is to hit the chains in full, the rest is up to the golf gods. However, I have not added the extra row to my Innova practice basket and when the put I need to hit my 20th in row (or 10th, or 50th, or whatever practice game I have set up) looks beautiful going in, only to continue all way through and out the other side...well, I call it pain. Plus as many have said before me, anything you can do in practice to mimic authentic playing conditions is generally beneficial.

[snap7times]

Hmmm... I have 14 putters with my M-14 and none of them have chunks coming off, just the basic wear and tear from hundreds of putts on the lower end plastic maybe... As for adding a row inside, it really adds to the mental part of the game, spit outs dont raise your confidence and you still left wondering if it would have stuck in a real basket. I got 25 feet of that thin wire and a bunch of cheap light chain from homedepot, added 6-7 rows on the very inside like the 3rd set on m-3 or whatever and been the best thing i did to my game ever... maybe we should add pictures of modified baskets somewhere on here?

[Toby Puttzinski]

Why is the M-14 better? I've putted on the M-14's, but not the Instep baskets-- the Instep looks a bit sturdier to me from viewing the pictures, and they're considerably lower in price...
talk me out of buying the Pacific Outdoors or I'm pulling the trigger on 2-3 of them... there's a deal-breaker.... 3 of them vs. 2 M-14's at equal cost... 3 > 2.

I appreciate all of the input thus far... the pics of modified baskets would be helpful-- thanks either way.

[Tim]

I've putted on Insteps before, but not a lot and they're not bad for what they are. I believe there was one at the Sumner Meadows tourney a couple years ago, and I felt more confident in my putt sticking on that than in my Mach Lite. 3>2, indeed. The only thing that I'd be worried about is how well they'd hold up in the elements. The M-14's at Fircrest have held up pretty well, aside from some people bending a pole here and there. Also, dunno about the Insteps and putter shredding, but I have a stack of "Fircrest only" putters that I use, so you might need to factor in that cost as well.

Just to show that I'm not making shit up, this putter has only been used on M-14's. The gouge on the left was from one putt, the chunk on the right was from the last time I used it. Fine for practicing, but I keep my gamer discs sequestered.

[Scott]

Originally Posted by Tim

The only thing that I'd be worried about is how well they'd hold up in the elements.

Mine has been sitting outside for about 3 1/2 years. There is a little rust on a few of the chains, but it has otherwise held up very well.

[Scott]

Originally Posted by Adam Schneider

I don't understand the compulsion to add chains to a practice basket. If you hit it dead-center and it doesn't stick, so what? You know you hit it.

It depends on what you're using the basket for. If you have set up temporary holes it's frustrating to have a putt or ace run pop out.

But you're right - ultimately it doesn't really matter, which is why I have never gotten aroundt to adding chains to mine (and probably won't).

[Ol' Bob]

I think the inner chain rows help those long hard shots stick. So, it's the aces and birds that get puked out on well centered shots that bang the pole. What could be more maddening?

But putting practice? I can handle the mental trip of a good putt not sticking. That's just not a big deal. I can see it was a good putt, and in practice, I count those as in. I've seen the best baskets do it too. It's when it's on the scorecard that chafes. Hard to be an atheist in the face of those durned golf gods.