Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH18yrLTdIA
This is the Retro 2 model from the Red Dragon Retro range, there is 4 models and each model is made in one weight only. These are 22g and you can see the full range here: Retro darts
The darts are 90% tungsten and cost £21.90.
CONTENTS AND PACKAGING:
The darts come in a plastic bag/wrapper and inside you get a RD XS-Wallet, the barrels fitted to a point protector, 3 sets of edgeglow bubble stems in medium and 3 sets of hardcore fluorescent standard shape flights and a set of Team Red Dragon standard flights, so a really nice bundle for the price!
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PICS OF THE DARTS IN DETAIL:
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CLOSE UP PICS:
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The darts are quite colourful in their full set up and the name is quite apt with their retro style 80's fluorescent colours Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images. I think the barrels on their own are a nice barrel regardless though. Its a classic straight barrel dart with a slight twist in that it has a very subtle micro gripped squared kind of scallop, its only fractionally thinner than the rest of the barrel on that section but just enough that you can feel it. The standard ring style grip is quite grippy and I would say its a high medium and almost verging onto a high level grip and the micro grip section is a medium level grip but the edges of the rings either side feel a little more pronounced.
DIMENSIONS:
Length:
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Width:
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Dimensions in detail:
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WEIGHT:
The difference between the lightest and heaviest barrel was just five hundredths of a gram so pretty close match:
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Weight of the full set up as supplied:
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BALANCE:
With nothing attached the barrel is balanced front of centre on the micro grip section:
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With the supplied set up the balance moves more central:
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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:
I did try with my natural front grip near the nose but I found the darts flew best with the grip on the micro grip section:
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Darts landed in the board in my usual angle:
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CONCLUSION:
These darts remind me a little of the Snakebite 8 darts I reviewed a while back, very similar design except for the indented micro grip section. That's no bad thing though as those darts were quite good. These are a little more curious to me though as when I tried with a normal front grip around the nose they were ok but they were so much better to throw from that micro grip section. Its not exactly at a front grippers position there and not quite dead on centre but I think its a little closer to a centre grippers position on the whole but never the less after a bit of practice I was throwing the darts quite well from that grip.
The balance at that point of the barrel seems just right and it felt a little strange at first as it seemed to make my grip kind of change on the draw back, a bit hard to explain it, but it just needed some practice with it and it started to feel rather comfortable.
I was a bit surprised at how much better the darts flew from that position of grip though, I did not think it was going to be so different as it was. So it shows how some subtle changes in design can make a difference, I have put the pics of the Retro 2 and Snakebite 8 below with the detailed measurements to show that although they are similar there is enough of a difference to have a different feel and affect, I think the Snakebites 8 worked better a little up from the nose too but I think the microgrip section is a little further up still on theses Retro 2:
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So if your grip naturally falls into that position then it should be a very good dart for you, but even if its near abouts your usual grip it could be well worth persevering with the darts for some nice results Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.
Trying the dart from the rear for me was not so good though, it just felt too wrong but that's not to say it may not suit a natural rear gripper I just think the sweet spot for these is on that micro grip section.
Darts are nicely made and the whole package is great value at just £21.90!
Summary Ratings:
Looks: 8 (looks a nice funky dart)
Grip: 7.5 (seems to vary on a 1 to 10 Scale, 10 been severe grip)
Weight match: 8 (Close)
Quality: 8.5 (nice quality)
Value: 9 (great value)
Suitability for me: 7.5 (Took a little practice from the indented scallop but worth the effort as flew well there)
Best Feature: The micro grip section as it flies well from that position Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.
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