Lots happening at Unicorn at the moment, what with launching the 2010 range and all, but I’m going to put off discussing any of that for this time and instead address some outstanding business - not that Unicorn isn’t always an outstanding business, of course (hopefully get a gold star from The Big Boss for that one!).
Anyway, my last blog - “A Bit of a Barney” - didn’t have my usual Q&A addendum for the simple reason that there were no new Qs on the uniBlog website to A. However, it turns out that this was not due to any sudden lack of interest in flight dynamics from the darting public but because the questions in question had somehow got temporarily Lost in Cyberspace. Since then they’ve remorselessly marched into view like Cyberspace Invaders (Warning, Will Robinson, aliens approaching!). So, with due apologies for the delay, here I go trying to deal with them:
Unanswered Qs from “Node Debate”
Nick S and SlikStiks
I wouldn’t say SlikStiks (or side-loaders) are “the best” shafts, Nick, but I would say they offer advantages. When used with standard length flights they are easy to load and protect from “Robin Hooding”. They also offer scope for using pointed flight shapes that are less suited to end-loaders (which is one reason why I chose them for the Sigma Pro shafts). Mechanically, the titanium type have slightly better performance (and, inevitably, cost), but whether they, the aluminium, or the all-plastic versions are best for a particular player will depend on the optimal dart weight distribution for their throw and preferred barrel and flights. To even the score up a bit, I should say that some players can be put off by the end of side-loaders when they draw them back toward their face and by their lessened ability to keep the flight panels square to each other. However, that doesn’t seem to worry Phil Taylor any!
Harm de Vries and Help from Holland
Harm’s post was more of a selection of helpful comments rather than actual questions. I’ve taken these on board and some of the things he asks for may appear sooner rather than later! Not sure about orange Sigma One flights, though! Still, I won’t rule out seeing them one day – especially if Barney were suddenly to get a hankering for them!
Lonnie and Phil Taylor’s Darts (also regarding his question after “A Bit of a Barney”)
At the time of writing Phil plays with gold Phase 5s exactly as supplied. I’ve already written quite a lot on the saga of Phil changing his darts, starting off in “Sigma to the Power of One”, then adding more in “Unlucky for Some” and in an answer to Warren et al in the next blog “Snow Business”, so Lonnie can find detailed answers to his questions in those blogs. To summarise, Phil changed from the Sigmas because he wanted a more aggressive grip that extended backward, in fact on to the shaft. The Phase 5s that eventually resulted are based on John Lowe Hero barrels (which are in turn related to Sigma prototypes from many years ago) and Sigma Pro shafts with grip grooves but no tightening hole. Phil uses slim flights rather than Sigma Pros because the sharper trailing edge of the Pros could sometimes catch his cheek.
Qs from “Level Best”
Chris R and Flights
Even if the kite and the Sigma Pro flights are quite similar in shape, Chris, there can still be significant aerodynamic differences – such subtleties help me to earn a living! But another possible explanation for the disparity in performance is a difference in weight – even a fraction of a gram could greatly affect the dart’s moment of inertia (my MI2 blog looked at this). Although there’s no fixed trend for all players, heavier flights can easily cause a lower impact angle than lighter ones of the same shape.
Pete Fearn and Sigma One vs Sigma Pro
Well, Pete, just in case you weren’t clear about this, the barrels of Sigma Ones and Sigma Pros are essentially the same, it’s only the shafts and flights that differ. All other things being equal, the better you are the more you are likely to prefer the less aerodynamically stable Pro set-up. The lower stability means they are less forgiving of a wayward throw in terms of impact angle, but are more accurate if thrown well. However the Pros cost more as the shafts, being titanium, are more expensive to produce and the darts are additionally supplied with One shafts and flights so that the player can revert to a more forgiving set-up if required. Hence, unless money is tight, I’d recommend you getting the Pros. If money is tight, as with any new dart purchase, I’d suggest you try and borrow a set before committing yourself.
Ribena and Forward Grips
A long answer to this one! An interesting point here, Robin, (and something that influenced the somewhat rear-biased grip design of Sigmas - which there are no plans to change at the moment) is that many players have a forward grip when starting their throw but – as slow-motion video can confirm - actually move their forward fingers off the dart well before release, typically leaving an index (or second) finger/thumb pinch grip further to the rear to do the real throwing. However, a player’s perception here, even if not quite accurate, is important and it’s key that you should feel comfortable with, and have confidence in, the grip on your darts. I must admit I’m not 100% clear which dart you’re playing with at the moment, the T90 23g that was new last year (catalogue no 07397) or the older, longer model (no 07445). As the former is more like the old Sting 23g you mention, I’ll assume it’s that one. You also don’t say if you’ve changed the shafts/flights from the Karate medium length/Hi-Lites Plus shape that were supplied, but if not you haven’t got a particularly low-stability set-up (in fact, it wouldn’t be even if you were using the other longer T90 23g). From your description of your “straight” throw I think you might be underestimating yourself a bit here and you could actually be good enough to benefit from a lower-stability, higher accuracy set-up that might help keep your darts out of those 5s and 1s. As much as I and Unicorn would be quite happy for you to spend your money buying Sigmas, we both believe it’s more important that you get the right (OK, Unicorn!) dart for you. Therefore, if you feel comfortable with the T90s, I’d try experimenting with your set-up before you change darts. Maybe start by trying out CheckOut medium length shafts (cat nos 78565 – 78568) with Maestro Xtra flights. Good Luck!