Merlin Excalibur

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Liam
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UK East Mids Area Rep (NFAS)

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Location: AR HQ

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 5:22 pm Post subject: Merlin Excalibur

Merlin's latest offering is available in March (taking orders now), see more of it here From what I can gather it's got longer a2a than Merlin's previous X range @ 40" there will also be 37" & 34" available I believe. Interestingly Merlin have gone for split limb this time, but me thinks their limb issues are now a thing of the past. The EX40 also sports a new cam system that delivers the same excellent cable stop as the Viper but a smoother action. All in all I reckon it's gonna be a cracker and I know Ben (Jones-Mr Merlin) is really excited about this one. _________________ Why not?

Club: Long Eaton Field Archers
Bow: Karel Osage Orange Hungarian Reflex Bow 50lb @ 28"
Sight: Not Brilliant
Arrows: Sitka Spruce 11/32's @ 31"
Accesories: 2 Funny gloves with not enough fingers on them

Ratfighter
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Posts: 850
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Location: the Ratcave

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 6:10 am Post subject:

It looks very nice and ticks a number of boxes for improved stability and shootability. If a bow is easier to shoot then it should give a point advantage The limb issues on the X range were solved a couple of years ago though with revised limb designs and stress relieving bolt cups but interesting Merlin have taken the limb manufacture back in house at some considerable expense! I would have been interested in shooting the proposed shorter axle length bows but I gather we won't be seeing massive leaps in speed, which, may be an issue within the field world where 340+ bows are now the norm. With a price tag reputed to be over £150 more than the X range. I think my brace of XS' will be going nowhere for a good while yet. _________________ "It isn't whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get back up" Vince Lombardi 1913 - 1970

Club: ARROWSTORM
Bow: Merlin XS x2
Sight: Axcel 3000 Viper Scope
Arrows: Navigators & Gold Tip Ultralight Pro's
Accesories: Apollo launcher, Tru Ball BT release, Merlin Triad stabiliser

Bows now sporting my own strings!!!! yummy!! Also trying HT with my Matt Farnham signature bow

sambow
Apprentice Bowman

Posts: 245
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Location: Warwickshire

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 12:55 pm Post subject:

Its always difficult to tell from a photo, but the limb pockets don't appear to offer alot of side support to the limbs. Also the arrow shelf appears very narrow, not sure where centre shot end up is it roughly in the centre of the ledge (which may not give much clearance) or whether it sits over the upturned lip like on my SuperNova.

Club: Rugby Bowmen, Forest of Arden
Bow: Oneida BE 2, Alternative eXact, Hoyt Protec
Sight: Challenger
Arrows: Carbon Impact Ultra Fast 550, Fat shaft 5000
Accesories: Stan Micro III Quatro & Carter Atension

Hoyt Nexus with SF SHC 32Lb Limbs

Liam
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UK East Mids Area Rep (NFAS)

Posts: 6969
Archery Website Publisher

Location: AR HQ

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 1:48 pm Post subject:

Apparently your looking at parting with somewhere in the region of £700 - £750 for the excalibur so it's not a choice to be taken lightly, from what I'm hearing though it's worth the cash for the serious shooters out there with bottomless pockets _________________ Why not?

Road Runner
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Posts: 144
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Location: Doing missionary work in Derby

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 4:15 pm Post subject: excaliber

700 quid for a unicycle !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! _________________ Not me Guv..... a big lad did it and ran away I am NOT Bushys' DAD !!!!!!!

Club: Black Arrow FAC - Treasurer
Bow: Winstar2 with Carbon limbs and I love it
Sight: Failing with age
Arrows: Just made my first woods !!! and they go better out of the bow than the eastons !... whats that all about then
Accesories: A boat load of enthusiasm and a glove

Hungarian Magyar Horse bow in a sexy little cream leather number... POC Shafts and home made arrow wraps

sambow
Apprentice Bowman

Posts: 245
No Commercial Interest

Location: Warwickshire

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:27 am Post subject:

Liam wrote:

Apparently your looking at parting with somewhere in the region of £700 - £750 for the excalibur so it's not a choice to be taken lightly, from what I'm hearing though it's worth the cash for the serious shooters out there with bottomless pockets

I believe the Merlin SuperNova was this price when first sold, but frankly I think this pricing could be a mistake. I can't see why this justifies such a price tag. I imagine they have done it becuase Hoyts and Bowtechs have increased their prices recently, but that is mainly because of the weak pound vs the not so weak dollar. Merlin don't have this issue to worry about and could clean up by heeping to good prices and converting archers that would have chosen a Hoyt but don't want to pay high prices. They could also clean up abroad with the exchange rate.

It will be interesting to see how it sells, "..but I am out, because even with the poor exchange rate and after paying customs and excise, I could buy a Oneida or Monster bow for a similar price".

sunmouse
Apprentice Bowman

Posts: 186
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Location: Rhondda, S Wales

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 11:54 pm Post subject:

Looks a beauty, but I'm very happy with my TM thanks. I wonder whether the other half will look at trading in his Bowtech Old Glory and shoot a proper British bow? Certainly looks worth the £700+ they intend to charge. I know that the Hoyt and Bowtechs are as expensive.

Club: Blandy Jenkins
Bow: Win and Win Pro Accent & Samick Agulla
Sight: Shooter and Arten Olympic and Shibuya dual click, Toxonics, MAC scopes & Axcell
Arrows: Easton 1813 Plat plus and Easton 1616 blues X7 Eclipses in 2014 & 1614, Accs and Accs for compound
Accesories: KAP limbs, Win & Win quiver

Bickerstaffe and Ash self bow. Bowtech Old Glory and Merlin TM5 compounds