Unicorn Phase 5 Mirage DNA 22g darts review

[Getagrip]

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqSfnR_G3fU&list=UUFOUzs58B7425JEDXkBLoGQ


As I am sure most people are aware now this is a refresh of the very popular Phase 5 darts which were a re-working of the also very popular John Lowe darts. I think a lot of people well be very pleased Unicorn have brought out the Mirage range and its sure to please the people who have been hankering after another launch of the Lowe Hero darts but even more so it will please the people who have been eager to try the Phase 5 and needed it in a different weight.

Well not only can you now get it in different weight but also in a lovely range of colours too! Woohoo! Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

The shape of the dart is a true classic that has stood the test of time and been a real winner for many people especially the 2 guys who made it their own: Lowe and Taylor. The Phase 5 took the design of the Lowe Bullet and tweaked it a little but was only available in 26g, now you can get the Phase 5 Mirage range in 22, 24, 26 and 28 grams so there should be a weight to suit most people but the choice is enhanced even further with the range of colours available, as can be seen on the back of the packaging:

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There is from left to right: Natural, Blue, Rosso, DNA and Black. These are married with Gripper Mirage shafts that complement the colouring and have a kind of transparent colour effect to match the colour of the barrels which are then set off once again by the combination of the specifically coloured Phase 5 DXM flights.

The barrels are 95% tungsten and come in some new packaging which seems to be following a recent trend of elaborately designed and packaged goods which give the darts an extra feeling of quality but I can't help feeling that we should really be sliming down on the use of bigger packaging, but nevertheless its nicely made and the aforementioned stems and flights are neatly packed in a foam insert along with the barrels which are in a very nicely made alloy point protector.

On the back of the foam insert is a PVC bar wallet for storing your darts.

These are the 22g DNA version and each barrel weight is of specific dimensions relating to its weight.

The darts retail around £60 and you can find more info on the Unicorn site here: Unicorn Mirage DNA darts

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I do like this new alloy point protector as seen in the pics below, its very neat, it has what looks like rubber "O" rings in the holes to help hold the darts in place:

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As you can see from above the darts have a thin cut ring grip which is very near to being a high level of grip, I find it has a very nice level of grip which gives an assured feel without been overly aggressive, I think its just about right really. The DNA colouring on the barrels is very nicely done and I think its sort of enhanced by the curve of the grooves in between the rings as it helps to give a different angle of reflection which has the effect of making the coating a two tone colour. Its quite deeply coloured and I like it. I should imagine the coating will last a good while as your flesh is mostly touching the rings edges and therefore less contact from your sweat etc on the colouring should mean it lasts longer Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

Below is a little comparison with my original (1990 and unused) set of Golden Ti Lowe darts, they are 20.9g I think, and as you can see are a couple of mm shorter:

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Dimensions:

Length:

A very short barrel dart:

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Width:

Unicorn site says 7.87mm but I kept getting 8 or 7.99 mm so not much in it, but approx. 8mm then Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

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Detailed dimensions:

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Weight:

All barrels were very closely matched with 2 been exact and just 2 hundredths of a gram difference from the third:

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Weight of the full setup as supplied:

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Balance:

With nothing attached the balance is very slightly towards the front, but it is such a short barrel that I feel the balance is less significant as my thumb is almost the same width as the barrel lol, not as big as Dirty G's thumb though Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

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Balance with the supplied set up moves it more central:

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Balance with my medium, short and extra short nylons and standard flights:

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With these darts my front grip is not as affected with such a short dart, so I can grip it just about anywhere and it is close to the sweet spot, which is nice! Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

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With the standard flights fitted the darts were landing in a slight up angle but with the DXM flights they were landing flatter, but they were not quite right for me so I stuck with the standards:

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Conclusion:

As I have said this barrel shape is a classic bullet style that may not suit everyone but I think its a shape everyone should try at least once, I think the kind of grip that may have most problems will be the type that likes to stretch their fingers out along the barrel, with it been so short it does not lend itself well to such a style but anyone who has a close finger style should at least try it.

I used to love the Lowe dart years ago and it was one of if not my favourite darts until my throw changed after my injury, I was never quite sure why but it never seemed to work for me after that.

I tried the Taylor Target darts recently and cant say I got on well with those but these seem to be working a whole lot better, may be because they are shorter and lighter? I was not doing too bad even with the tiny DXM flights on, they flew quite well but I much prefer the way they fly with my standards.

With the DXM flights the darts seemed quite zippy and was not completely off putting but I feel that extra floatiness offered by the standards befits my throw more.

With the standard flights on they were very very stable through the air and I think its also in part due to the shortness of the barrels and the fact that no matter where I grip on the barrel I am never too far from the balance point. I think in playing with these it brought back my memories of why I liked the original Lowe darts and it was great to have a throw with these, very enjoyable and making me think again about whether I should persevere with them and see if I can improve with them, hmmmm!!!

The darts are not so cheap but they are a very nice dart and I think the balance is very sweet.

The DNA colouring on these is great, its only a colouring I know, but it has a very nice effect and gives them a cool look as the different colours show through.

I quite like the Mirage shafts too, they seem very solid and were stuck fast on the barrels once I tightened them up. They were a bit tough to get fully tightened at first and I think it was because of the little round marks from the moulding process but once on they did not budge and feel like a very strong stem. I like the way they have a hint of colour and they shape nicely from the end of the barrel into a smooth taper although I am not sure if the slightly flattened top may be of some problem as regards incoming darts points?

Overall I like these darts, they do seem to be of a very nice quality and its a great bullet shape that's nice and stable in flight Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

Summary Ratings:

Looks: 8 (nice DNA colouring)
Grip: 7.5 (on a 1 to 10 Scale, 10 been severe grip)
Weight match: 9.5 (very close)
Quality: 9 (very nice quality)
Value: 7 (95% tungsten but would be nice if a little cheaper)
Suitability for me: 8 (nice and stable)

Best Feature: Nice balance and stability Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

[Tormentor]

Great review Darren. I enjoy reading your reviews. That is a short dart! Would like to try some in that weight. I like my black phase 5s just too heavy.

[0ldjoblo]

Very nice,,,,I like them,,,,short barrel Phase 5's ,,,,now I want a set,,,,,,


Anybody want my 26gm Unicorn Purists darts,,???? Trade you,,,?

Keep on aRockin',,,,,

[0ldjoblo]

Great review Darren. I enjoy reading your reviews. That is a short dart! Would like to try some in that weight. I like my black phase 5s just too heavy.

Same here,,,,

Keep on aRockin',,,,

[Getagrip]

Very nice,,,,I like them,,,,short barrel Phase 5's ,,,,now I want a set,,,,,,


Anybody want my 26gm Unicorn Purists darts,,???? Trade you,,,?

Keep on aRockin',,,,,

Have you tried the Bullet shape before?

[Getagrip]

Great review Darren. I enjoy reading your reviews. That is a short dart! Would like to try some in that weight. I like my black phase 5s just too heavy.

Cheers Shawn, that was weird, I looked and it was just oldjoblo first reply and no others, then after I replied to his post there was 2 more and yours was first, very strange???

But I think you should try them, it can be weird at first but I remember I had the same feeling with the Lowes years ago, the first time I tried them I thought they are way too short, but I went back to them and they were at the top of my list for a long time until I tried the Whitlocks then I was not sure what I liked best but I cant throw the Whittys at all now, they just will not behave but these were very nice to throw, I had a similar feel from the One80 reactives which are also a short barrel.

[paulc73]

great review again,as you were saying on here,your second dart drifts to the 12 on the video review..im the same at the mo,its doing my nut in!!!

[JayKay]

Great review of a great looking dart! +1

[slot]

Awesome review, would u recommend too get any other barrel with this DNA colour?

[4737 Carlin]

Superb review Darren as always. Been throwing my Phase 5 LP's a fair bit lately and reckon I'm going to try the 24 gram Mirage's. Got my eye on a blue set next payday. Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

[rich345]

Great review as always mate. Very nice darts but sadly I can't use short barrels.

[Getagrip]

great review again,as you were saying on here,your second dart drifts to the 12 on the video review..im the same at the mo,its doing my nut in!!!

Thanks mate, yeah its annoying me, I well have to sort it somehow Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

Great review of a great looking dart! +1

Cheers Jay!

Awesome review, would u recommend too get any other barrel with this DNA colour?

Thanks Jordi, well you prefer straight barrels don't you? Try the Jenkins or Wades but don't rule out having a bash with the shorter bullet shape if you have never tried em before Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

Superb review Darren as always. Been throwing my Phase 5 LP's a fair bit lately and reckon I'm going to try the 24 gram Mirage's. Got my eye on a blue set next payday. Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

Thanks! yeah the blue look nice too, good thing with the DNA is you get a bit of every colour so I guess it is a good choice if you cant make your mind up lol!

Great review as always mate. Very nice darts but sadly I can't use short barrels.

Cheers Rich, yeah short barrels will be very awkward for some Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

[slot]

Awesome review, would u recommend too get any other barrel with this DNA colour?

Thanks Jordi, well you prefer straight barrels don't you? Try the Jenkins or Wades but don't rule out having a bash with the shorter bullet shape if you have never tried em before Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

I'm thinking to get the Anderson P'3

[*Saber*]

Super nice review Gripster :whodaman:

[Buddha7974]

Your reviews are great.