Soma Saker Tab

[Marcus]

We just got our Soma Saker 1 tabs in
http://urbanarchery.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=699

Very neat product, good quality too. Jessica Walters is using one and her comment was it's the first tab that fitted her really well.
Has features you won't get on other tabs.

http://urbanarchery.com.au/images/saker1.jpg


We also have the Soma Mobile phone rings as well. These are pretty cool. ;)
http://urbanarchery.com.au/product_info.php?cPath=57&products_id=698

http://urbanarchery.com.au/images/phonering.jpg

[Coghlan]

I have seen these, they look and feel great.

[primal]

i love good products with bad english


whats a shothing feeling?

http://urbanarchery.com.au/images/saker1_text.jpg



but seriously, i saw a couple of these down at DVA tonight.

they look very well made and look to have a good set of features not on other tabs.

[archerybob]

ive shot one since october last year.......servey says.....ding ding ding VERY GOOD. great tab that is excellent quality.

[Jay.G]

urgh... Just bought a Cavalier.

[Clare Barnes]

Looks nice, but #15 concerns me a little... :-?

[puddin]

a guy in my club has one. looks and feels great. will be trying one when i get home from a tournament this weekend.

[tombutt]

i tried archerybobs one was good apart from the fact it was massive

[Kerrie W]

:rolleyes: mmm the phone things would make great earings....:rofl:

[Jay.G]

:rofl: Looks nice, but #15 concerns me a little... :-?

[Progen]

Looks nice, but #15 concerns me a little... :-?

No. 7 sounds horribly suggestive. :D

[Erika]

Trying the Soma tab....tried the small and now I'm trying the extra small (which is cool cos I don't like yellow). Very attached to my cavalier and I hate change, but the colours are kind of cool. So in the name of fashion, I will persevere for at least another day.

[alexvpaq]

urgh... Just bought a Cavalier.
Same thing >_< :mad:

[Progen]

Same thing >_< :mad:

Why are people suddenly acting as if the Soma's the best tab in the world? :confused: :confused: :confused: Good's good but it ain't for everyone.

And alexvpaq, you wouldn't happen to know what the lady in your signature gif is using, would you? ;)

[reversehaven]

Looks nice, but #15 concerns me a little... :-?

hmm.. if your fingers come in adjustable knobs and screws we'd be changing fingers, not fingerTABs. :silly:

urgh... Just bought a Cavalier.
hmm.. for some reason i don't like the cav. It's kind of smooth(like most cordovan tabs) and somehow the thick plate in the front.. makes it's use quite comfy. But it's boxy shape and heavy feel don't exactly set it apart from other tabs.

Why are people suddenly acting as if the Soma's the best tab in the world? Good's good but it ain't for everyone.

well, it's US$50 for one. or so i've heard. the tab i've been using since 3 months into starting archery till now (have two of them which i season equally too) cost me only like SGD30. which is between 1/3 to 1/2 of the price of this thing. Just spent a bomb on my arrows and limbs, don't want to further drain my finances yet. Besides, they don't sell replaceable leather pads, do they? and the leather wears out pretty fast (my friend had been shooting for just a few weeks with it and it already looks quite worn.)

guess i'll wait till i feel i absolutely need it :cool:

[Progen]

:rolleyes: mmm the phone things would make great earings....:rofl:

There's a chance the pinky hook on that tab will catch on them. OUCH!

[A&O]

i ahve been using two for about 4months and though they look abit worn, probably du eto the fact that the cordovan is aligned wrongly, like GT said, they still work great and my fingers don't feel anymore painful than usual with them new or with my angel tabs.


well, it's US$50 for one. or so i've heard. the tab i've been using since 3 months into starting archery till now (have two of them which i season equally too) cost me only like SGD30. which is between 1/3 to 1/2 of the price of this thing. Just spent a bomb on my arrows and limbs, don't want to further drain my finances yet. Besides, they don't sell replaceable leather pads, do they? and the leather wears out pretty fast (my friend had been shooting for just a few weeks with it and it already looks quite worn.)

guess i'll wait till i feel i absolutely need it :cool:

[Marcus]

A few of our recurve women have been using these for the last week or so and have already put in a few PB scores.
Michelle Collins put in a 308 at 70m and a 281 indoor (including 548 double). :thumb:
Cortney Simpson has been over 510 consistantly indoor with hers and shot a 275 at 50m (small face) last week. Cortney's been shooting less than a year.

Both archers are liking their Soma's alot and it has helped then align their hands much better.

[2Dogs]

Bloody thing is a ripper.

Wish I had that little finger hook about 10 years ago.

Makes a big difference for me, in how well I shoot the curve.

[Bia]

I need a new tab urgently... And I

[Marcus]

seems to be about the size of a cavalier, but the spike at the back fits in under the thumb muscle and helps keep your hand flat.

[Bia]

Interesting...
Very curious to try...

[2Dogs]

Well ....typical women, stop yapping about it and go do it :)

[Bia]

:p

Typical men... Spending the money on a blind date... :)

[Buzzlightyear]

Trying the Soma tab....tried the small and now I'm trying the extra small (which is cool cos I don't like yellow). Very attached to my cavalier and I hate change, but the colours are kind of cool. So in the name of fashion, I will persevere for at least another day.

Erika, so what's the verdict on the Soma as compared to the Cavalier?

[Erika]

Erika, so what's the verdict on the Soma as compared to the Cavalier?

Still playing... I'm finding that all the extra bits that are supposed to help don't actually touch my hand.

I didn't like the finger hook at first cos I actually fold my little finger in far enough to touch my palm (so it's behind the hook)... but I'm warming to the idea slowly. The pointed bit at the back of the tab doesn't actually touch my hand at any point (and I played with three sizes), so I don't know if it's helpful or not. Having shot the extra small for a while, I've gone back to the small (I've got relatively small hands, but long fingers) to see if I can make better use of the Soma tab features.

Thus far I shoot just fine with either the Cavalier or the Soma, but I'm leaning towards the Soma even though I violently detest change!

[Jay.G]

With like the cavalier tabs, do many people use it with the finger spacer? I just find it uncomfortable because its too deep in my palm.

[2Dogs]

I'm shooting my best recurve for eons with this thing.

Enough to make me want to make an Olympic Team.................... NOT :rofl:

[Progen]

I'm shooting my best recurve for eons with this thing.

...

That means your luck has improved. :D

[Erika]

With like the cavalier tabs, do many people use it with the finger spacer? I just find it uncomfortable because its too deep in my palm.

The finger spacer goes between your fingers... why is it touching your palm? Perhaps you're holding it upside down? :o

[Progen]

Don't think it can be used any other way though. The Cavalier one, that is. If you reversed it, front to back, it'd dig into your palm and be more like a palm to tab separator. :D

Flip it over and there's no way you can get an arrow nocked. :rolleyes:

Maybe Jay.G has really large hands and is using a Mini. That'd explain the finger separator digging into his palm.

[Jay.G]

I use a Large, but I think I'll just shoot without the finger seperator, it just feels awkward, I wish its like the same as the win&win one.

[Erika]

I use a Large, but I think I'll just shoot without the finger seperator, it just feels awkward, I wish its like the same as the win&win one.


I hated my win&win tab. Will never use it again. There are some theories about Asian vs Caucasian faces and which tabs are appropriate. ie the win&win is supposedly good for one versus the other.

I'm still waiting on what that means for half asian/half caucasian, but so far the cavalier was fine and the soma tab is fine but I couldn't hit the side of a barn standing inside with the doors shut with the win&win. :D

And I still don't get how a finger spacer comes any where near your palm???

[Progen]

...
And I still don't get how a finger spacer comes any where near your palm???

You don't happen to be using the entire tab backwards, do you, Jay.G? :silly:

[Jay.G]

no that'd just be silly! :rofl: its not the palm I'm talking about, got the hand anatomy mixed up, just the flesh between the middle and index finger.

[Progen]

Are you using the older style separator (which came free) which is basically a piece of folded metal or the current plastic one? It's quite impossible for the current one to cut into the webbing.

[Jay.G]

the current one, is webbing the flesh between the fingers? if so, no its not cutting it its just pressed into it.

[Progen]

One word comes to mind.

AQUAMAN!!!

[Brocky]

the current one, is webbing the flesh between the fingers? if so, no its not cutting it its just pressed into it.
Is there any movement for the spacer to go forward? or move the tab forward into your fingers or get someone to have a look at the position of the back of your hand at full draw trying to keep it flat. Also check your tiller I know it sound strange but you never know. Best of luck:thumb:

[machinegunjones]

Wondering if anyone knows of any retailers in NSW - or even Syd metro that stock these? Wanna try one out to possibly add to my ever-growing collection of tabs.

Would the Pink one be the size of a medium cavalier?

[Artemis]

Would the Pink one be the size of a medium cavalier?

I used to shoot a large cavalier but I found the small (gold) soma tab was right for me. Someone else I know also shot with a large cavalier but opted for the medium (pink) soma tab. The critical elements seems to be how that point fits under the pad of the thumb and the width (finger coverage). The rest - finger separator, little finger hook and shelf - is very configurable. I was able to check out all sizes before I bought so the only disappointment was having no choice of colour!

[TrevorK]

Is it legal in all types of archery Competition! Just a thought. And it does look good, I'll wait to see what puddin says.

[puddin]

Is it legal in all types of archery Competition! Just a thought. And it does look good, I'll wait to see what puddin says.
i have no idea really cant see why the judges in napier were all in a fuss. if you want to shoot it go for it. i dont see why they would make it illegal, everyone has the same opportunity to buy it so noone is at any advantage over another.
but hey its archery and they always make funny rules. (well nz anyway)

[Archangel]

i have no idea really cant see why the judges in napier were all in a fuss. if you want to shoot it go for it. i dont see why they would make it illegal, everyone has the same opportunity to buy it so noone is at any advantage over another.
but hey its archery and they always make funny rules. (well nz anyway)
Seems like I missed something (well other than gear inspection itself...). What were the judges saying about it?

[TrevorK]

Seems like I missed something (well other than gear inspection itself...). What were the judges saying about it?
The chief judge took the tab to show the other judges what the tab looked like and seem to say that the hook on the bottom of the tab would/might be illegal, and I believed he asked for the hook part to be removed from the tab, although I didn't hear the whole discussion or know of the outcome of the hook removal.

[Marcus]

The tab is legal.
Typical that a judge would rule it illegal without actually knowing :rolleyes:

[Archangel]

The chief judge took the tab to show the other judges what the tab looked like and seem to say that the hook on the bottom of the tab would/might be illegal, and I believed he asked for the hook part to be removed from the tab, although I didn't hear the whole discussion or know of the outcome of the hook removal.
Thanks Trevor :-)

The rules say:
7.3.1.8 Finger protection in the form of finger stalls or tips, gloves, or shooting tab or tape (plaster) to draw, hold back and release the string is permitted, provided they do not incorporate any device that will assist the athlete to hold, draw and release the string.
7.3.1.8.1 A separator between the fingers to prevent pinching the arrow may be used. An anchor plate or similar device attached to the finger protection (tab) for the purpose of anchoring is permitted. On the bow hand an ordinary glove, mitten or similar item may be worn but must not be attached to the grip of the bow.
I assume their problem was that it might "assist the athlete to hold, draw and release the string". Seems a bit strong to me - of course, one could also argue that any tab assists an archer to hold the string... ;-)
The second part talking about anchor plates could be interesting too. You could suggest it's a "similar device" for the purpose of anchoring...

Anyway, I'd take them on :-D

Next question: Whose tab was it? I didn't realise anyone over here had one...

edit: ugh, PHPBB's code tags are nicer...

[Jay.G]

Puddin's from the sounds of it.

[puddin]

Puddin's from the sounds of it.


no not my tab. i wish it was they are bloody nice. it was a guys from Mana (my club) that was in his first shoot so i was arguing with les.
the judges said it may be against the rules in that the little finger hook might "assist the athlete to hold, draw and release the string" area. he said it was mentioned in the fita judges letter and that there was no official decision on it yet. Mike shot with the little finger hook on it for the shoot as there was no official rules yet against it as far as we could see.

[The One]

no not my tab. i wish it was they are bloody nice. it was a guys from Mana (my club) that was in his first shoot so i was arguing with les.
the judges said it may be against the rules in that the little finger hook might "assist the athlete to hold, draw and release the string" area. he said it was mentioned in the fita judges letter and that there was no official decision on it yet. Mike shot with the little finger hook on it for the shoot as there was no official rules yet against it as far as we could see.

No, it does not assist the archer in holding the string, it assists the archer in holding the tab. Just like the finger chain/cord...

[puddin]

No, it does not assist the archer in holding the string, it assists the archer in holding the tab. Just like the finger chain/cord...
i know what you mean Andrew thats what i said, but acctually having shot it it does make it "feel" easier to draw as you have tension spread over your whole hand.

[Archangel]

No, it does not assist the archer in holding the string, it assists the archer in holding the tab. Just like the finger chain/cord...
Well, I guess the point is that it *might*, not that it did.
Fair enough that they were being cautious if FITA have mentioned it but haven't made up their minds yet - although there is a fine line between caution and needlessly pissing athletes off...

[TrevorK]

So its legal, until FITA say otherwise then!

[Archangel]

So its legal, until FITA say otherwise then!
Well not necessarily, it's a grey area. If I manufactured a tab with a little jaw on it to grip the string, it'd be illegal under the present rules full stop. This one isn't so obvious...
But still, I'd be quite unimpressed if they ruled it illegal.

[machinegunjones]

Marcus, seems to be a bit of a problem accessing the Urban Archery site today...

[Archangel]

Looks like a DNS problem of some description. Maybe he's moved the server to WA for the week :-P

If you really want something off the site, you're probably better off sending him a PM or something, rather than posting it three pages deep in a nonobvious thread. Post in here saying "PM Sent" when you've done it, he likes that :-D

[puddin]

Looks like a DNS problem of some description. Maybe he's moved the server to WA for the week :-P

If you really want something off the site, you're probably better off sending him a PM or something, rather than posting it three pages deep in a nonobvious thread. Post in here saying "PM Sent" when you've done it, he likes that :-D
your trying to get him in trubble

[Archangel]

your trying to get him in trubble
No, not trubble, I'd never do that.... :D

[burt666]

I came to the conclusion it's like Prada heels for girls:

- it's pink
- made of leather
- bit pricy for what it is
- uncomfortable when you are not used to it, or don't how to properly use it
- and change something in the way you stand, in a sexier way :rofl:

Honestly, i've been shooting mine for a mounth now and i love it! Tuning it can be a bit tricky, and i had to experiement a bit with the height of the shelf / position of the spacer.

It learnt me very quicky to have my hand more relaxed (first times the aft corner was going pretty hard into the palm of my hand, I've got a Mk. I), and i got a nicer follow through too! On the down side, the leather might not be of the best quality around (when compared to a cavalier or w&w), and I hope Soma comes with replacement leathers.

[DIMEinOURheart]

So now that this thing has been on the market a little longer are there any new down sides or does anybody have any more stories on how it's helped them (try to be specific if possible)

[bulletbrain]

I was thinking of purchasing one of these tabs but am unsure of what size to get.
Was going to get the x-small but going by what Erika said earlier on should maybe get the small.
It has been over a year since this thread started so I am wondering if any users of this tab have any comments to make on it now? :confused:

[DICER]

I recently purchases a small saker I - shoots much better than my cavalier (medium) and angel (small).

The best way I approached it was to make paper cutouts from print scaled pictures of the soma saker I. This part of the thread was posted by Py:

http://www.archery-forum.com/showthread.php?t=24171

[Jay.G]

I've bought a x-small tab so its around the same size as my medium Win&Win, the medium win&win I measured was 54mm.