Video link = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy0atw5mo5s
I got these darts around Christmas time before they were available in the U.K. they cost around 44 euros. They are a 90% tungsten dart from Bulls X-Grip range. This is the X1 model and there is 2 weights in this model 22 and 24 grams. There are 7 models in the range and you can find more info on the Bulls site here: Bulls X Grip darts
Each dart has a nice laser micro grip zone which is the black section of the barrel you can see in the pics hence the X-Grip moniker Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.
BOX AND CONTENTS:
The darts come with a Bulls slim Cone case which you have to clip together, be careful when you do so as it can easily break the lugs if you force it wrongly. There is a set of short Simplex Ali shafts and some 150 micron X-Power standard flights and of course the three barrels:
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PICS OF THE DARTS IN DETAIL:
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CLOSE UP PICS:
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These are quite a good looking dart and the black X-Grip section certainly stands out well in contrast to the silvery barrel.
When I felt the grip in my fingers for the first time the black section did feel quite grippy but when it came to throw the dart and I held the barrels with a lighter grip it did not feel as strong as when I was deliberately pressing my finger and thumb in to feel it for the sake of feeling.
I quite like the feel of it though as its a nice micro ring style grip but the rear of the barrel which is a kind of spiralled screw/knife edge style grip is a little more grippy. I would say the black section is a medium level and the rear is a high medium.
DIMENSIONS:
Length:
The darts are really quite long, quite deceiving really:
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Width:
A fairly slim dart:
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Detailed Dimensions:
Notice that the barrels are drilled out quite far at almost 22mm, close to half the length of the barrel!
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WEIGHT:
Well its another perfectly matched set of barrels, pretty amazing!
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Weight of the full setup as supplied:
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BALANCE:
The barrels are drilled out a good way so with nothing attached the balance point is near the front:
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With the supplied set up it moves around the centre, may be just in front:
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Balance with my own medium, short and extra short nylon stems and standard flights:
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MY GRIP WITH THESE DARTS:
As to be expected I gripped on the black section, its a nice grip here but may need to be grippier for some people Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.
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Darts were fairly flat flying and landed a little flatter in the board than my usual high angle:
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CONCLUSION:
This is another great quality set of darts from Bulls, they are all perfectly match weighted again and nicely machined. The barrels are quite long but they felt lighter than their 24g weight which may have something to do with the fact the barrels are drilled out quite far?
The darts are quite a nice dart to throw if a little long for me but they were nice and stable in flight and only misbehaved when I tried throwing from the rear which is not my natural grip.
As a front gripper though they felt quite nicely balanced but I think the black X-Grip section may have been enhanced a little more if the grooves in between were a touch deeper. Overall the grip was nice and felt good but I think it was grippier on the rear section.
I think if your a centre and rear gripper the balance may be a little off for you but its hard for me to be certain as I don't usually grip at the rear and because this is a long barrel at 54mm it was even more awkward for me experimenting with a rear grip. I do think its made with a front gripper in mind though but the fact it has that grippy rear section too may mean it could work for rear grippers also.
Its a good looking dart and feels nice to throw and there is a few models in the X-Grip range I would like to try, if your a front gripper looking for a long and fairly flat flying dart then this is it Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.
SUMMARY RATINGS:
Looks: 8 (looks good)
Grip: 7 (on a 1 to 10 Scale, 10 been severe grip)
Weight match: 10 (perfect!)
Quality: 9 (very good)
Value: 7.5 (fine)
Suitability for me: 7 (not bad overall)
Best Feature: Nice quality Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.