Posts : 964 Join date : 2012-08-14 Age : 53 Location : Perth Australia
Subject: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 1:44 am
I was contemplating on getting a new set of darts and arfter looking at maybe 100 odd- sets I found a few candidates. Trouble is that most of the ones I really like are a gram or 2 lighter than i throw (26's) and a couple at 27g. This is mainly due to grip position and roughness, I like a grippy dart ecpecily at my thumb. I came to the conclusion that I would rather go heaver than lighter my reason for this is that I use too throw 22's untill a friend left his 25's over my house for a couple of weeks so i picked them up and raped the hell out of the 60 almost instantly,he had a hard time getting them back. Yhey felt so easy to throw and I needed little effort to get them to the board, I assume this is a MASS = VELOCIIY x DRAG THINGY GOING ON.
The point is that I would like to hear from my fellow NUTERS as to why they throw the weights they do and what advantages or disadvantages they think they get over heavy vs light.
I think this could be an interesting topic and mybe a learning curve, along with some arguments and mybe a good old fasion dust up
getagrip
Posts : 8793 Join date : 2012-01-09 Age : 54 Location : North Yorkshire
Subject: Re: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 1:53 am
Well for a long time I was using 23g then went a little heavier at 24g, now I have tried lighter darts again of around 22g and I find that I throw them just as well, so I am in a bit of a dilemma at present myself. I did buy some heavier darts also in 26g but not tried them yet. The reason I bought them is that when I went to my nephews house he had some 29g bomb shape darts and I had a few throws with them and they seemed easy to throw like you said about the 25g darts. He had a trainer board and I very nearly hit a 180 on my first go. So I just have not settled at the moment. I think a heavier dart is definitely more forgiving of any little waywardness that may occur whereas a lighter dart tends to need a little more velocity to stay accurate.
DIRTY G
Posts : 964 Join date : 2012-08-14 Age : 53 Location : Perth Australia
Subject: Re: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 2:00 am
That was quick GRIP you must live on here!! I know what you mean about settling I just want to find my perfect weight and profile and stick to it, been searching for about 3 years now LOL.
hamo
Posts : 1343 Join date : 2012-04-25 Age : 37 Location : Northern Ireland
Subject: Re: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 2:08 am
I can't really give an opinion as I have always threw around the same weight (24g) but our self proclaimed 'light dart guru' could give his opinion on the lighter arrows. I'm sure he'll be around some time soon....
spat66
Posts : 619 Join date : 2012-07-31 Age : 58 Location : Middle Georgia, USA
Subject: Re: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 2:11 am
I think heavy - thick darts are alot more forgiving. Meaning your stroke and release doesn't affect them as much. A light dart you need to have everything on or they go wild. That's how it works for me anyway. I used to throw 21g sigmas, I was either lighting it up or way off.My inconsistencies show alot more with a light dart. I switched to 24s then 23s and was more consistent. I have to play alot of soft tip in my area so I throw 18g darts and I am very consistent with them, but maybe it's due to the bigger target. I'm down to a 22g now and it seems to suit me well. I am beginning to think the length of the dart has more to do with it than the weight, short darts seem to go wayward for me. If I could find a long thin 18g steel dart I would like to try it. The darts I'm currently using are 54.5mm long and 5.65mm thick at 22g. Being that thin my release has to be perfect.
DIRTY G
Posts : 964 Join date : 2012-08-14 Age : 53 Location : Perth Australia
Subject: Re: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 2:23 am
Thanx for your input SPAT I seem to be in the same boat you are, long and thin is what i am arfter, AND NO IM NOT A POOFTER.
Seem to remember some JAP softip that they claim were long I think around 50mm mark but they had a heafty price on them, nice looking range of darts though.
FOUND IT. DYNASTY AFLOW dont know how to link lol. I copied and pasted the specs and their plug, they say it is front loaded but it must be ever so slight if it is. There is diferent pics and angles on their web site. [img][You must be registered and logged in to see this image.][/img] A FLOW "THE EAGLE" LARRY BUTLER MODEL Specifications: Material ： Tungsten 95% Length (barrel only) ： 51.0mm Maximum Diameter ： 6.2mm Weight ： 18.0g each (Barrel only)
Package Content Shaft ： LARO SILENT 260 Tip ： LIPPOINT Flight ： Dee.flight w/ A-Flow Logo
A rare, long barrel With its 51mm in length, it is very long and straight. The main cuts are comprised of wing cut only which makes this barrel very simple in shape. Because the design is so simple, players don't have to adjust their throw or their grip to the barrel so it is very easy to use. The overall balance is excellent and players can hold the dart anywhere on the main cuts and have a confident and comfortable grip. It is a front loaded barrel.
getagrip
Posts : 8793 Join date : 2012-01-09 Age : 54 Location : North Yorkshire
Subject: Re: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 2:47 am
oh they look nice!
DIRTY G
Posts : 964 Join date : 2012-08-14 Age : 53 Location : Perth Australia
Subject: Re: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 2:52 am
another set to you arsenal grip? you just gota havem all dont you. Think the price tag will keep you at bay. They do some nice steel tip's for $160 odd usd.
Subject: Re: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 2:56 am
If you like a grippy dart this is for you bub
and they have 26 gm too.
Guest Guest
Subject: Re: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 3:10 am
Here's why I use such a light dart. I was like just about anyone else I knew and played darts with. I used a 24 gram dart since the beginning because that's pretty much what was available. All new darts came in 24 grams, seemed to be the standard here in the states back in the 90's when I first started playing tournaments. I was always a pretty good player in our area. But being from Maine we had a MASSIVE line up of talent at any given luck of the draw. A guy and friend Ted Ray, who was ranked in the top 10 ado points, another player George Grant who was our top player. Won MANY big tourneys, White Mountains, Port City, even made it to the finals out in Vegas during the peak of darts in the late 80's. Was an ADO all star. Mike Conicelli, who I consider the best player when he's on. Always did well at big tourney's. The list goes on, and it was VERY hard at a luck of the draw where I lived. These guys were there every Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday for luck of the draws and we'd get 40 people on the regular.
Anyway, around 1999 I picked up a set of 14 gram soft tip darts that my friend had at a luck of the draw. I started shooting with them and was hitting everything. 180's, 177's, etc. I couldn't believe how much room was left in the triple after 2 darts were already in the triple. I asked to borrow them- which was on a Thursday night. I went home played a bit with them during the next day and was still hitting everything it sight. That very night was the start of a massive tournament for us. The Maine State Championships. We had 84 people for the luck of the draw which I ended up winning. A really big win for me considering that everyone I mentioned up there ^^^ was there. The next day was the singles. I made it to the semi's shooting lights out all day. I ran into Mike Conicelli. Beat him 2 straight. In the finals I met George Grant. This was the 1st big finals I ever played in. I smoked him in 501 1st game, he paid the favor back in the 2nd game, cricket. I won the cork and called 501 for the 3rd game and was sitting on 61 after 12 darts. Bull, d-18 and I finally beat ole George with darts I've been using only 2 days. 10 grams lighter then I was used to. Later in the day I ended up winning the mixed triples as well. Been playing serious for 3 years and this was my 1st "big" win. Just so happens they were all big wins that weekend.
After that weekend I have NEVER gone back to a heavier dart. The smaller and lighter darts just group so tight. One of the things I'm best at is bulls. But I think I'm only better because of the darts. They have to help. Funny though, if you asked me to shoot with a 14 gram dart BEFORE that weekend ever happened I would of thought you were an idiot. Who shoots with something that light on steel tip? Well, it definitely changed me for the better. There is just no way I could group a larger 24 gram dart the way I do a 14 gram dart. Don't get me wrong though, I feel I could play almost as good with ANY dart given me. But the small darts are just that. Small. I rarely have to go for cover shots. I stick more 6 marks on the bull then anyone I've ever known, including famous pro's.
I would recommend anyone try a light dart at least once. Give it a week or so. Doesn't have to be crazy light, but maybe try an 18 gram barrel. You might be one of those players who excels at light darts, but have yet to discover them.
DIRTY G
Posts : 964 Join date : 2012-08-14 Age : 53 Location : Perth Australia
Subject: Re: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 3:11 am
yes SABER they are in the top of my favorites list. good value to.
Last edited by DIRTY G on Wed Sep 05, 2012 3:30 am; edited 2 times in total
getagrip
Posts : 8793 Join date : 2012-01-09 Age : 54 Location : North Yorkshire
Subject: Re: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 3:22 am
DIRTY G wrote:
another set to you arsenal grip? you just gota havem all dont you. Think the price tag will keep you at bay. They do some nice steel tip's for $160 odd usd.
Thats shattered my dreams then!
Guest Guest
Subject: Re: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 3:26 am
imo the best light dart on the market these days is the 14g ted hankey dart
me personally i use 24g but have dabbled with light
spat66
Posts : 619 Join date : 2012-07-31 Age : 58 Location : Middle Georgia, USA
Subject: Re: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 3:27 am
I still disagree that a light dart gives you more room for grouping - it's not the weight that makes room it's the diameter of the dart. I have several 23g darts that are the same diameter of a 16g dart
DIRTY G
Posts : 964 Join date : 2012-08-14 Age : 53 Location : Perth Australia
Subject: Re: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 3:37 am
spat66 wrote:
I still disagree that a light dart gives you more room for grouping - it's not the weight that makes room it's the diameter of the dart. I have several 23g darts that are the same diameter of a 16g dart
that cause we like them long, check these out they do a lighter one around the same length. 26g 56.1mmL 6.4mmW 22g 56.6mmL 5.6mmW
Was just looking at th one80 dragons today just need custon micro groove in center me thinks. Never had much to do with one80 brand but they look quality, Particuley like the flush to the tip bullnose = no tridents Second thoughts it looks grippy enough. Dam that clock gota get up in 4 hours, good night all
Last edited by DIRTY G on Wed Sep 05, 2012 4:00 am; edited 1 time in total
spat66
Posts : 619 Join date : 2012-07-31 Age : 58 Location : Middle Georgia, USA
Subject: Re: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 3:57 am
Yea that's what I don't care for is the short barrel on light darts, they tend to go sideways on me. On a soft tip board it doesn't hurt much because the holes in the board straighten out the dart. The length of the dart doesn't take up more room for grouping - if the darts are straight in the board. I know the darts going sideways on me is from my release, but the longer darts seem to compensate it for me
Subject: Re: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 4:08 am
i did
spat66
Posts : 619 Join date : 2012-07-31 Age : 58 Location : Middle Georgia, USA
Subject: Re: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 4:10 am
Yep we are all different - that's why they make chocolate and vanilla!
McInnis180
Posts : 840 Join date : 2012-01-18 Age : 50 Location : Nova Scotia
Subject: Re: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 5:28 am
I shoot a 26g dart for the last 4 years or so.....couple of years before that I was shooting 24g. Got a great deal on a set of 28g Mega Thrusts....loved the weight...and like a lot of you said, heavier is more forgiving. But only thing is, if you are in a tourney for 8hrs, 28 grams gets very heavy...lol. At the end of the day I was trying to hit the 20's but was hitting the bull....lol.So I dropped a couple of grams and shoot well with this weight......for me I can shoot with any weight....as long as the dart is the right shape....I have a set of 14g..16g..18g like Winmau said...if you can get on with shooting them..they do group nice and surprised the hell out of me when I was shooting 180's.....I quickly put them away...lol..do to all the money I have invested in my 2 sets of Mega Thrusts. Never played soft tip before.....nobody plays it around here...I would fell that would mess a person up switching back and forth....lol. My 2 cents!!!CHEERS!!!
spat66
Posts : 619 Join date : 2012-07-31 Age : 58 Location : Middle Georgia, USA
Subject: Re: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 6:04 am
It doesn't really effect me switching - but I only practice with steel tip so going to a lighter dart and a bigger target is no problem for me, I actually think it helps my soft tip game. I think switching from soft to steel is a little more difficult but that's just me. You are right about throwing heavy darts for a long period of time - I used to throw 26s and after a few hours they really start dropping
DerekJones
Posts : 73 Join date : 2012-08-28 Age : 40 Location : Lexington, KY USA
Subject: Re: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 8:21 am
If you are looking for a really good dart, what I have found to have the best "bang for your buck" in a grippy dart check out the Raymond van Barneveld phase 2, 2a, or Machina. I have used all three, and LOVE them. They were pretty well priced before, now with the new line coming out they are a steal on ebay
shrek
Posts : 38 Join date : 2012-09-01 Age : 56 Location : Indiana
Subject: Re: HEAVY VS LIGHT Wed Sep 05, 2012 11:11 am
Heavier is more forgiving. Forgiveness is what I need till i get more consistent with my throw. These are probably to forgiving
