Merlin XT

[Friar Tuck]

Got to shoot my Merlin XT this weekend. WOW :lol:

Will chrono it in the next couple of weeks just out of curiosity. I am shooting Vapor CAA 3490 arrows 367 grains @ 28" draw and 65#.

Shot a round with Bowtech Tribute same spec and the Merlin seemed to be just as quick. Chrono will give the true indication though. Bowtech is slightly quieter to my ears but the difference is minimal and could stem from the rests being used.

[alexvpaq]

don't you know that Fita rules are 60pounds max, but if you ain't a competition shooter stay that way if you like it ! :D

[Marcus]

3D: Merlin XT


3D doesn't have the 60lb limit

[Friar Tuck]

Thanks Marcus

Canadians must have trouble with the downunder stuff including reading that far :lol:

[DanceswithDingoes]

Nice bow, shame about the price-tag :roll:
http://www.bowsports.com/acatalog/xt.jpg

[ninevalleys]

hey,

can you get teh trade mark shoot through hangers and stuff with this bow??, or have they stopped that??

i liked teh MAX 2000 nad 3000, nice bows. waiting to try one of these.

cheers NV

[wiggles]

Did you get the Vipers or Alphas?

[Friar Tuck]

Here is the initial picture taken upon arrival and just after I installed the Infiniti rest.

The bow is custom ordered in the following spec:
Black Riser with Camo Inserts
55# - 65# Black / Camo Limbs
Bronze Limb pockets and Cams

I have it setup at 28" draw on 65# with the Viper Cams.

http://www.hinterlandarchery.org.au/Sale%20Items/Antony/XT_AT.jpg

The Viper cams are on this bow and I may have to go to a heavier blade launcher so the arrow won't bounce on the drop into the wall. Hey Marcus time I talked to you about IMP E-blade again I think.

It draws smooth until the last inch or so and then drops into a solid wall. Similar to the Binary cam of the tribute with the smooth modules.

I will post closer pics when I get the chance.

As for the price debate - I think that given the quality of the product and that it is not a for the masses bow I am happy with the pricing. My alternatives are all in a similar price bracket and at least with Merlin I send an email to them and they respond with the product. Less than 4 weeks to get a bow that is not off the rack combination is okay in my book.

Now if there is anyone out there who knows how to teach a blind man shoot... 8)

[Nathan]

love the colours.. looks very nice!

[wiggles]

Damn, nearly looks as good as mine. Price was a big issue with me but the other bows I was looking at were either around the same or in one case a lot more.
One thing I did find, hated the wood grip. Took it off and laid it on a sander till happy. Waiting for the new machined one.
Apart from that, excellent bow. Have put through around 15 000 shots and my scores have gone up markedly :D

[Friar Tuck]

Have to agree with you Wiggles, if there is one thing that lets this bow down it is the wood grip. I don't see the attention to the finish in it like the rest of the bow. I will either get the alloy one or make one of my own from a custom wood.

[hans]

Have to agree with you Wiggles, if there is one thing that lets this bow down it is the wood grip. I don't see the attention to the finish in it like the rest of the bow. I will either get the alloy one or make one of my own from a custom wood.

Hi Friar Tuck,

Just like you I receive the Merlin XT 3 weks ago. Bought direct from Merlin and bow was in 3 weeks after the first call. I got the Aluminium grip 21 degree and am very happy with it.

Config is a silver XT 60 lbs max, Viper cam 28" DL. Shooting great with my X7.

Might want to consider getting Merlin to send you the grip and swap it on.

[Steve B]

Nice Rig you have there Friar, but I must be biased, mine is better :P
Black XT , cherry Red lens inserts, Alpha cams. 28" 54#. Suits me fine.

On the topic of hand grips I have made 3 different grips for mine, Aluminium side plates, 2 x Wood side plates, I have also removed a lot of the excess timber on my standard hand grip and it feels much better, I am happy in general terms with all the grips I have made and all feel good to shoot.

I will have all my grips at WFAC Friar if you are interested to have a look.

I still love shooting my bow, the feel and the way it does business is so damn good :peace: 8)

[pmulholland]

I took the wood grip off my XT with Vipers because I had problems getting a good tune. Problem was solved straight away, must be the way I grip the bow.

Marcus described it as a good looking 'pimps' bow at the nationals - I reckon they look great :D

The first tournament I shot with the bow was at the Nationals and scored a decent 1361 using 400gn Gold Tips.....got 5th place

Also shot my highest field score with a 354

Love this bow :D

[Friar Tuck]

Nice Rig you have there Friar, but I must be biased, mine is better :P
Black XT , cherry Red lens inserts, Alpha cams. 28" 54#. Suits me fine.

On the topic of hand grips I have made 3 different grips for mine, Aluminium side plates, 2 x Wood side plates, I have also removed a lot of the excess timber on my standard hand grip and it feels much better, I am happy in general terms with all the grips I have made and all feel good to shoot.

I will have all my grips at WFAC Friar if you are interested to have a look.

I still love shooting my bow, the feel and the way it does business is so damn good :peace: 8)

I wouldn't mind having a look at your grips if I can get there. I have some really nice hardwood blocks at home but they are hell to work with.
:-)

[Shirt]

can you get teh trade mark shoot through hangers and stuff with this bow??, or have they stopped that??


They've stopped it. Apparently the shoot-through stuff had benefits when there was a lot of movement along the cable guard, because when you've got that you've got a lot of friction and a lot of (potential) cableguard torque.

Now that the movement along the cable guard is down to a very small amount, apparently, it's not really worth the hassle.