Starting Compound Equipment

[Jimmy]

Originally Posted by Allvyn

Ah wonderful, that just makes me feel better. There is no chance of it firing otherwise right? As long as I keep my finger off the trigger while drawing? How reliable are the mechanics in the release aid anyways? Will they last forever?

I'm being a little now with all these questions hehe but if you don't ask you don't get right?

If you are going to use a back tension release, just be careful and check which one you have because not all back tension releases work on you drawing up with your thumb off the trigger, for instance the Carter Evolution and Evolution plus releases work on you drawing up with your thumb on the trigger. I'm not trying to confuse you, its just a friendly warning as otherwise you may get a shock.

[ArcheryRoxStar]

Originally Posted by Allvyn

Thanks for the suggestion, I am leaning towards the Challenger after some good experiences with Sure Loc's customer service.

As I'm not too financially sound right now I might just go for a simple Cartel scope with X8 magnification? I wonder what the pros use as I find that too much magnification would make it a little harder to keep the scope still and locked onto the gold.

As for my release aid, I'm considering a simple 3 finger back tension release by Tru Ball. I wonder if the number of fingers matter at all when it comes to getting a good release while keeping a relaxed hand? So many questions

with regards to the scope, the average is about 6x mag, john dudley shoots that for outdoors, and from what ive tried, that came out the most comfortable, good for indoors too, so you get enough variation with it.

8x for me is too much, especially for shorter distances like 30m/50m, but hey, it is a personal thing.

try not to get the wacking great big cartel scope, go for 29mm or 35mm, nothing larger, as i know they do it =p

as for the release, this again is so much a personal thing, but you do HAVE to get a good one.

back tensions such as tru-balls are good, especially if they are pure hinge back tensions. the sweet spot (1 of their safety locking ones) imo is worth avoiding. i personally find that tru-ball release aids have too longer neck for good position, carters are the allround size and comfort. if you are going for a trigger, id say go target 4, then if you do want to use 3 instead of 4 fingures, you can take the 4th fingure off without any bit from the release getting in the way.

as for the 3 or 4 fingure for a release aid. try both. i find that i am not as stable with 3 fingures that i am with 4, but that is just me, my coach is steady with 3, and not so much with 4 =p but if u get a good 4 fingure release, then you can use 3 fingures if neccessary.

[Marcus26]

Back tensions are a great way to start off because they teach you to be patient and work the shot (as long as you use them correctly).
Few people use triggers correctly and it is very easy to develop bad habits with them. Yeah you'll score well fast with one, but you could end up with problems.
All my best juniors started with back tension releases.

If you do buy a back tension spend the extra and get a Scott Longhorn. The head angle on these are by far the best that I have tried and they are smoother and more consistent than other brands out there. I'm using the Longhorn IV Red right now.

[Allvyn]

Thanks for all the recommendations and information. It seems back tension is the way to go so I will go for a simple TRU Ball back tension release which my budget can accomodate.

By the way is there any difference between a hinge and a spike release? How about the extra rope feature which seems to come with the cheaper TRU ball releases?

[ArcheryRoxStar]

Originally Posted by Allvyn

Thanks for all the recommendations and information. It seems back tension is the way to go so I will go for a simple TRU Ball back tension release which my budget can accomodate.

By the way is there any difference between a hinge and a spike release? How about the extra rope feature which seems to come with the cheaper TRU ball releases?

hi Allvyn,

go hinge release, the difference is that hinge is designed for d-loops, and spike is designed for having a string on the release aid. i tried a spike colby on d-loop once for funzies, it was a bit hairy =p and not what it was designed for

d-loops are more accurate imo out of the two, and is easier to control overall consistant positioning imo.

[Allvyn]

Just what I was looking for, thanks a bunch. I've pretty much got everything sorted out now with a back tension release, trophy taker spring steel rest and all. I will be stuck with my Cartel activa and recurve sight pin for the time being due to my lack of funds.