Thumb or Index ?

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Old Beginner
Cub Poster

Posts: 9
No Commercial Interest
Location: Nottingham

Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 11:28 pm Post subject: Thumb or Index ?

Any advice on release aids, type, brand, value for money with more expensive etc ???

Club: Pines Park Archers
Bow: Merlin Vision
Sight: Trophy Ridge Pyro
Arrows: Easton Lite Speed 500
Accesories: Truball end on mongoose strap rist release

Ratfighter
Global Moderator

Posts: 739
Staff Shooter
Location: the Ratcave

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:08 am Post subject:

I used to shoot with a wrist release triggered by my index finger but have gone back to a thumb release as the index finger is about the most sensitive part of the body and was causing target panic. I hook the trigger inside the base joint of my thumb where there is less sensation and this prevents anticipating the shot. As for prices and brands, I'll try and be careful here. I shoot CC Porter releases which are the size of a brick but I do love them as they are a halfway house between thumb release and back tension. At this time I wouldn't shoot anything else. Carter are by far the most popular and can be found reasonably often on Ebay. I used to shoot them and they are a cracking release. The Merlin release is a surprisingly good release for the money and shouldn't be discounted. Apart from that there are many other brands which do more or less the same thing. It all boils down to what you feel comfortable with really _________________ MERLIN ARCHERY CLUB GETTING RATTIER BY THE MINUTE

Club: Merlin Archery Club
Bow: Merlin XS x2
Sight: Axcel 3000 Viper Scope
Arrows: Navigators & Gold Tip Ultralight Pro's
Accesories: Apollo launcher, CC Porter release, Merlin Triad stabiliser

Bows now sporting my own strings!!!! yummy!!

Bjorn
Cub Poster

Posts: 5
No Commercial Interest
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne

Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 3:24 pm Post subject:

The thumrelease provides the most natural and relaxt position in full draw. To shoot with an index finger release you need to twist your forearm and thereby introduce some tention. But it's down to each individual. Carter releaseres are a bit pricy but will last for years to come so there is perfectly fine to buy secon hand. Good luck

Club:
Bow: Hoyt Trykon XL
Sight: Toxonics Naildriver
Arrows: ACE
Accesories: S.A.P. Scope and stabilizers

A second Hoyt Trykon XL

The 3D field archer
Cub Poster

Posts: 26
No Commercial Interest
Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 11:03 am Post subject:

I tried a wrist release and could not get on with it at all. I now use a Carter Target 4 & have a Carter Insatiable 3 thumb release as back up, just in case. _________________ 'The voice of experience?' "It sometimes pays to put your brain in gear before opening your mouth"

Club: Friskney bowman
Bow: Bowtech Guardian &Tribute
Sight: Shibua ultima with scope/sureloc lethal weapon max
Arrows: all carbon for compounds, wood for others
Accesories: You name it: I've probably got it?

Grozer Hun Bow & Longbow

sheep2580
Junior Poster

Posts: 85
Club Committee Member
Location: Selby

Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 4:02 pm Post subject:

I used to shoot a wrist release. It was nice but i kept "thumping" the release. I didn't feel comfortable placing my index finger over the trigger to pull through the shot. When i changed to a thumb release (Tru Ball) I found it was much more comfortable to shoot. I didn't improve much at first but now that I am getting used to the different feel of it have started to see a steady improvement. Having tried a few releases I would say to go for Carter if you can shell out that much money. In my personal opinion my Tru Ball is the best release I have tried, it fits my hand perfectly. Try lots, then decide what suits you. _________________ To shoot compound accurately is easy, to shoot really accurately is really hard

Club: Selby Archers
Bow: Hoyt Vipertec
Sight: Toxonics model 3515
Arrows: Easton A/C/C and Easton XX75
Accesories: BlackSheep Long Rod, Tru Ball Wrist Release

sambow
Cub Poster

Posts: 31
No Commercial Interest

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 12:05 am Post subject:

If you are just beginning I would shoot a thumb release because I think used correctly you are less likely to suffer from target panic (which gets us all one day!) and even if you get target panic it lends itself prefectly for shooting in back tension style to get rid of it. Re makes, personally I have tried a few and if chosing a thumb operated release would only ever choose carter. Reasons: reliabilty, consistency of shot, wide choice of styles to suit different hand sizes, great service from carter, availability of alternative springs which as you progress will be invaluable. Only word of caution, try before you buy, the release aid is a crucial component, it must feel right, I have found I can shoot half a dozen carters and only one or two of them will feel right. My preferences are insatiable and target 4 but I have a medium to small hand, your "best fit" will likely be different.

Club: Rugby Bowmen
Bow: Merlin Supernova, Hoyt Protec
Sight: Challenger
Arrows: Carbon Impact
Accesories: Truball BT Gold & Carter Insatiable