Trainer Boards vs Standard

[redhedkev]

My almost 1 year old trainer board is looking a little rough, but I was wondering if I shouldn't just replace it with a quality standard board?

Suggestions?

[Big Gun]

What level are you playing at RHkev? Trainer boards are great for an hours practice before a big comp or a County Game to get you focused on those doubles and trebles but unless you are really pushing to take your darts somewhere I would just stick to a good quality standard board. After a year of use if its looking rough you must be using it a lot? They can have a negative affect on your darts too if you use them too much as players get frustrated when using them too much when they are struggling with form. I have had mine for a few years but only use it a few hours per week.

[Getagrip]

I would just get a standard board, unless you prefer the challenge of the trainer.

[gumbo2176]

Just did a post to another thread about boards. I use Alien boards now, but have used Winmau Blade III's and IV's for years and like them a lot too. It all depends on what you want to spend on a board as to what quality you will get and how long it will last under regular playing conditions.

I find the cheaper boards will have staples in the wires separating the scoring areas. Many times these wires and he numbers ring will be shiny chrome plated and that distracts me. You will also find with cheaper boards that the colors will bleed from the doubles and triples scoring area and the overall appearance of the board will not be a crisp looking as the better boards.

The Alien boards I now use have white wires separating the scoring areas and white numbers ring. The wires are chiseled to come to a point on the face of the board and that prevents a lot of bounce outs when the dart hits the wires. There's more of a chance they will deflect. The wires are almost invisible from the Oche and I like that feature. Also the Alien boards seem to heal better once you pull your darts. Within a short time the holes will magically disappear for the most part.

It all comes down to what quality board you want and what you are willing to spend to get it.

I've used a Champion's Choice Trainer in the past and like other's have mentioned, it can help and it can hurt. I agree, too much time spent throwing on them can be a bad thing.

[redhedkev]

What level are you playing at RHkev? Trainer boards are great for an hours practice before a big comp or a County Game to get you focused on those doubles and trebles but unless you are really pushing to take your darts somewhere I would just stick to a good quality standard board. After a year of use if its looking rough you must be using it a lot? They can have a negative affect on your darts too if you use them too much as players get frustrated when using them too much when they are struggling with form. I have had mine for a few years but only use it a few hours per week.

I bought it last year around February from A-Z Darts (Magic Darts in California)
I'm a fair to midland Division 1 player who was out of darts for several years before relocating near my dart playing brother.
The double bull ring fell out and I just did not replace it.

BTW... yes, that is a legit 180, the only one I got on this board about 2 weeks ago, so I took a pic of it!

21 gram Rhenium B barrel, Cosmo Fit Flight slim medium graphite shafts, Fit Flight air flight Rocket flights Blue

[Big Gun]

So do you just use this board all of the time as your main practice board? If so I would invest in a standard one & keep this for 1 hour a weeks practising on.

Excellent news on the 180 I have only hit 7 on mine over the years but mine is an older one with round wires so the trebles are even smaller than on the thinner wired ones. I enjoy using it but as I said I only use it before big tournaments to get me sharp on doubles. I am lucky really as I am a bit of a Gary Anderson on my trebles and hit quite a lot of 180's so I don't really play on the trebles that much on my trainer board. Good talking to you buddy keep the posts coming.

[redhedkev]

So do you just use this board all of the time as your main practice board? If so I would invest in a standard one & keep this for 1 hour a weeks practising on.

Excellent news on the 180 I have only hit 7 on mine over the years but mine is an older one with round wires so the trebles are even smaller than on the thinner wired ones. I enjoy using it but as I said I only use it before big tournaments to get me sharp on doubles. I am lucky really as I am a bit of a Gary Anderson on my trebles and hit quite a lot of 180's so I don't really play on the trebles that much on my trainer board. Good talking to you buddy keep the posts coming.

Thank you Big Gun, yes it's my only board...and my brother also has a trainer... only hit standard boards at the pub or on dart night...at other pubs...which ended this Monday....:Saucey:

[redhedkev]

Just did a post to another thread about boards. I use Alien boards now, but have used Winmau Blade III's and IV's for years and like them a lot too. It all depends on what you want to spend on a board as to what quality you will get and how long it will last under regular playing conditions.

I find the cheaper boards will have staples in the wires separating the scoring areas. Many times these wires and he numbers ring will be shiny chrome plated and that distracts me. You will also find with cheaper boards that the colors will bleed from the doubles and triples scoring area and the overall appearance of the board will not be a crisp looking as the better boards.

The Alien boards I now use have white wires separating the scoring areas and white numbers ring. The wires are chiseled to come to a point on the face of the board and that prevents a lot of bounce outs when the dart hits the wires. There's more of a chance they will deflect. The wires are almost invisible from the Oche and I like that feature. Also the Alien boards seem to heal better once you pull your darts. Within a short time the holes will magically disappear for the most part.

It all comes down to what quality board you want and what you are willing to spend to get it.

I've used a Champion's Choice Trainer in the past and like other's have mentioned, it can help and it can hurt. I agree, too much time spent throwing on them can be a bad thing.

I looked at the Alien boards on A-Zdarts website... very nice looking boards. I've heard the Diamonds are good too.

[uncle poop]

Get a decent standard board. Maybe a Gladiator 2, Grip did a review on it not that long ago.

[*Saber*]

Well heres my 2 cents ( which is what its worth lol) I want to practice on what I compete on - that just me - have a nice day.!! :hiding:

[redhedkev]

All good suggestions, thank you. So, I'm figuring get a good standard dartboard and keep the trainer handy. Alien and Gladiator 2 boards are on my list of possibles. Thanks guys!

[mgm37]

I have seen more harm done on trainers as opposed to standard size. I think if someone made a board with larger trips doubles and bulls, like an american soft tip board, it would do alot more for people of all skill levels.