Merlin........new for 2007 !!

[greydog]

Here's some pics of Ben's latest creation. Some of you will have seen the new bow if you've been to the shop, but here's a sneak look at the finished product, fully anodised and hot off the press

http://www.merlinarcherycentre.co.uk/xv.htm

Congratulations on a great looking bow, Ben

[Moose]

Originally Posted by Kae

Mmmmm, it looks okay, but to be honest, I've a few areas that i'm unsure of.

1. All threads are directly into the metal of the riser, so can't be replaced with a new "plug"
2. All threads appear to be annodized, so either the screw won't fit, or it'll have to be forced in.
3. I fail to see the point of the tec bar at the front, rather than at the back of the grip.
4. There's nothing new and exciting, a shame really as the other manufacturers all seem to be trying something new this year.

I'll be interested to hear how people find these in the future.

Tech at the front does the same as at the back but I would expect it does not infringe copyright.

I like the look of the bow with the exception of the lack of a proper grip. I wish manufacturers would think about the archers who do not like the skinny grip and produce a grip on the bow that can accept a full grip like on the mathews switchback without having to bugger about with grip maker

[greydog]

Only the rear threaded mounts go directly into the riser, that standard for most (but not all) bow companies and these mounts don't get the kind of abuse the front stabiliser bushing does, the fact they are anodised won't mean you have to force anything in anywhere, the layer of anodising is fractional.

The front truss has been discussed a number of times, but essesntially it allows the handle area to be machined thinner to accomodate a wider range of hand sizes without compromising the strength of the riser.

The grip has been reworked to be more ergonomic, taking design cues from the Super Nova grip, which is hard to improve upon Much more torque resistant, but I'm waiting to hear whether the riser accepts the wooden and metal handles too, for people who prefer to cling onto their bow
There are two rear mounting holes, one angled down, away from the hand to allow back doinkers to be fitted without the risk of then contacting your wrist/arm area if you shoot with quite a bent arm.

The ends of the riser have been machined to increase stiffness, without increasing the weight, and the over all balance of the bow is superb, meaning it will require less stabilisation weight.

I can't say Mathews new bows have really been radically different to last years models, or Hoyts for that matter, there is probably only Bowtech who's bows are significantly different in design when compared to their previous models.
This bow is not a range by itself, it's a continuation of the 'X' range, so why would it look completely different ?

[whisky]

Originally Posted by Moose

Tech at the front does the same as at the back but I would expect it does not infringe copyright.

I like the look of the bow with the exception of the lack of a proper grip. I wish manufacturers would think about the archers who do not like the skinny grip and produce a grip on the bow that can accept a full grip like on the mathews switchback without having to bugger about with grip maker

The XT and XS both have the option of either a metal grip or a wooden one if you prefer that

The anodizing on the rear is no different to the XS and XT and as far as I know there's been no problems with them? My old Hoyt was no different either

[Moose]

Originally Posted by whisky

The XT and XS both have the option of either a metal grip or a wooden one if you prefer that

The anodizing on the rear is no different to the XS and XT and as far as I know there's been no problems with them? My old Hoyt was no different either

It was not a dig at Merlin rather an observation of the trend towards metal grips, these do not suit all, I do not grip the bow but find that the metal grips like on the prestige and hoyts etc hurt my hand I love the mathews grip as the heel of my hand fits nicely on the grip and allows my thumb and fingers to lightly curl around the sides withou causing the muscle in the heel to tense up, I also like the grip on the hoyt helix (no I have not defected - wifes bow honest)

are you and greydog factory shooters or just enthusiastic Merlin bow lovers??

[Huffy]

How does this bow fit into the current range , i.e axel to axel length and the other facts and figures?

Best wishes , Mark

[whisky]

Originally Posted by Moose

are you and greydog factory shooters or just enthusiastic Merlin bow lovers??

LOL I wish I was, I don't even get discount! Ben??

I just believe in the product and love the great service and personal attention I get from the Merlin guys. I tried Hoyt and couldn't get on with them (not a nock at Hoyt bows either - just personal choice)

[greydog]

I do not grip the bow but find that the metal grips like on the prestige and hoyts etc hurt my hand I love the mathews grip as the heel of my hand fits nicely on the grip

thats a fair point and I think the main reason Merlin went towards the woodedn and metal grips and away from the super nova style grip. Merlin have always listened to what people want and tried to offer every option they could.

are you and greydog factory shooters or just enthusiastic Merlin bow lovers??

I am sponsored by Merlin http://www.archery-interchange.com/f...+spo nsorship ..........how do you think I managed to get hold of the pics but I shot Merlin bows for a short while before getting sponsored and had recommended them based on my experiences of them as distributers and manufacturers before I was offered sponsorship. However I wouldn't shoot or support a bow I didn't have confidence in as I turned down the offer of limited sponsorship from another, larger bow company just over a year ago for that reason. I don't get any money from this deal, so there's no incentive for me to make claims that aren't true. As for how the bow shoots I'll post my findings in the manufacturers section when I've had time to tinker with the bow

[Marcus26]

Looks good, I like the styling of this better than the previous model, bit more Super Nova like (best looking bow made in quite a long time)
The grip looks good
I really don't like the TEC bar or the cams, however if I was going to shoot a Merlin I would happily shoot this one.
Nice looking bow, well done.

[bowman104]

How much and do we get a discount Ben.?