Saw the new Excalibur Micro 330 the other day which boasts a 24" recurve... makes you wonder how much smaller they can get!
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Saw the new Excalibur Micro 330 the other day which boasts a 24" recurve... makes you wonder how much smaller they can get!
Good they realize size is an issue, my Exocet gets hung up on the thick stuff often, especially a problem at night when those hidden branches reach out and grab it (yes it is encased at night).
Hopefully they work on the weight next.... another reason I will sometimes carry my traditional recurve bow.
Mobility has been only complaint ever with Excalibur, good for them.
Yes I was actually surprised with the weight as they have hollowed out the stock more of a tactical look.
Probably goes to the limbs to be more dense to handle the tension.
My friend mr meat just bought one. From what he has told me its a GREAT little bow. I'm sure he will see this thread and comment
Is it 24" wide cocked or unloaded?
25 inches uncocked. It makes the Matrix series bows looks big.
25in uncocked and 22 cocked well balanced! If you can find one try it out!
I am skeptical of any new technology! My style is to wait until a product is proven beyond any doubts.
Something so small that tries hard to deliver such high output of power must be engineered incredibly well to last a long time, shot after shot. The physical stress on the material is huge! While excited to hear about the improved portability, I will not rush out to buy one for myself yet. :scream:
This is the new "big" thing resulting from it's partnership with Bowtech I'm assuming (pun intended). In terms of their new recurve xbow designs it's definitely going down a completely different path than what they were heading down year after year after year before. Finally, a year that they aren't releasing a "new" model that isn't identical to last years model but with a different colour, or a thumbhole stock, or painted black. I think they're going to pick up a lot more of the younger or modern hunter market with the stock designs, and honestly you simply can not argue with having better ergonomics and more practicality found in a smaller package. A great release, and finally something different!
But with all the great new advances that came with this xbow, I don't think I'd love it in the same way I would my Vortex or my old Phoenix. I loved and admired the grassroots, owners as the front line customer service, old school small business feel of the Excalibur brand and I felt good giving my money to a company like that. They worked their butts off to keep your business. I absolutely love the changes in design and I know it's going to be a great bow, but owning an Excalibur won't ever mean the same thing as it did.
If and when the Vortex gives up, I'll still be trying out the new Excalibur.
I looked at the specs and 270 pound draw for maybe listed 335 feet which is actually closer to 320 with 125 grain broadhead. My exclipse XT has a 200 pound draw and is listed to get 330 (more like 315). For me the lower pounds in a compound make more sense. I have been looking at the new stryker LS 390 which is listed at 155 pound draw and speeds up to 390. Also found out excalibur is a warranty shop and sail and other stores are selling these crossbows. Too much draw for very little speed. I think if you want a narrow bow get a compound crossbow. I am would like to see some guys take their strings off their 380 or 405. I am not sure they can safely remove that string with a stringing aid. Too much poundage. I am hestitate to buy a bow like this.
With anything else and technology advances they only get stronger faster and smaller.
I was surprised with how much weight they still had with what appeared to be a much smaller bow.
The fact that you can drop them out of a tree and pick them up to shoot bang on is what separates them from the pack.
Are they owned by Bowtech or did Excalibur purchase Bowtech?
Bowtech bought Excalibur. Excalibur distributes Stryker bows and is a warrant shop for Stryker. When you buy an Excalibur you are really buying a Bowtech product.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ridger
I'm intrigued, tempted it certainly has some big selling points, but like Hawkman, typically don't like playing guinea pig with new things, tech.
Next year's model, or the year after maybe.
Bowtech is owned by Northwest equity partner's they bought excalibur and purposely put them under their Bowtech umbrella !! Look's great for NEP's portfolio.Quote:
Originally Posted by pbonura
When you buy an Excalibur you are actually still buying an Excalibur product. Still made by the same people in the same plant. Despite new ownership it's still run as a separate entity.Quote:
Originally Posted by pbonura
Took the string of my Matrix 380 last night. No problem using the string aid.Quote:
Originally Posted by pbonura
Slightly naive to think an acquisition has no impact. Still the same people but when one company acquires another there are changes that happen. This is what actually happens in the real world. I am not bashing their products I have two of their crossbows but I also understand how business acquisitions work. Heck my next crossbow is going to a matrix 380 or stryker 390 ls. Just rather not be the first guy to buy a 270 pound micro crossbow unless I read quite a bit of reviews. I know they make great products.Quote:
Originally Posted by TPM
I've never had much interest in a crossbow until now. All of my hunting buddies shoot excel's most have 405's and all of them are drooling over this micro
I've shot it now a few times the only complaint I have is it seems to hive a mild kick upwards my buddy at the bow shop agrees not enough to not say that this is not Excaliburs best bow to date
Dan
A triple negative, you could make a killing writing politicians' speeches haha :pQuote:
Originally Posted by myot
Does the kick affect arrow flight at all?
I only shot it less then 20yards so I couldn't tell but I've heard from several guys its dead on out to 50yardsQuote:
Originally Posted by x_xeon_x
Dan
Not saying it has no impact. I work for a large multi-national corporation and have plenty of first hand experience with corporate acquisitions and mergers. There's no doubt there will be a long term affect on the Excalibur brand (and that's a good thing in my opinion) but what I am saying is that at this point Bowtech has had very little effect on Excalibur's current product line. All R&D and production is still in Kitchener. That may change somewhat over time but for now it's business as usual.Quote:
Originally Posted by pbonura
This mirco does not meet the min draw length of a crossbow for hunting of 11.8 inches, so illegal to hunt with no?
Its legal , draw length is measured from the bow to the trigger. Not the actual draw to the trigger.Quote:
Originally Posted by skeeter1
if anyone is looking for a top quiver mount for a new micro im getting some cut very soon .
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psa5e0983a.jpg
They look very cool....Nice
May be looking for one soon...
Thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by MUNCH
hey frank I thought you must be looking at the micro when I seen I seen your other bow hit the for sale section .good luck Dutch
I think I want one of these Micro's for my Dec. hunts.
Got a deal on a new Excal Micro I just couldn't pass on.
So despite thinking I didn't want to be a Guinea pig, I pulled the trigger.
Also was able to keep my older better scope for it (Wider tube, larger elements and illuminated).
When I put it and my Eclipse (335 factory) through the Chrono.
The Micro despite using bolts with 150g field points vs the Gold Tip laser with brass inserts and 100g tips.
Fired faster.
Micro at 326
Eclipse at 317
Congrats on your new toy John!
I am sure we'll get more ongoing first hand reports from you, and find out about the long term quality of service from this micro package of yours. Hope to see a tagged deer photo soon as well. ;)
I had a good sight in session with my Micro today... All I can say is WOW!!! Compact well balanced & pinpoint accurate!!
A few pics of my new rig...
http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/z...psf365a0f6.jpg
http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps91b57af3.jpg
Compared the the old Excaliburs. LOL The old one looks like it is 4 feet wide!!!!!
http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/z...psa51cc95b.jpg
Impressive!
That thing must be easy to carry in the woods and in/out of a tree stand. :)
Please keep shooting it and keep posting updates, as this is a huge benefit of these forums!
If they used a side by side picture like this in their advertising their sales would double. Talk about practicality while walking in the woods, also think about how much easier it is to hide movement when raising the bow on a deer while you're in the stand.Quote:
Originally Posted by bellerivercrossbowhunter
Hmmm... anyone want to buy a Vortex?
Exactly why I pulled the trigger. Generally I don't like being a guinea pig, but once I had it in my hands and felt the weight difference, size difference. Thuoght about how much crap I typically carry into the stand (camera equipment plus normal stuff)..plus how much easier it will be to handle in a stand etc. One thing I will say is due to the draw weight it won't be easy drawing in a stand, if the need ever arises.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawkman
I found its a little smoother on the trigger and quieter as well.
I'll be in camp next Sunday for 8 days. Hopefully I christen it.
Well then....I guess I know what is on the list now.
Heres a pic of mine.
For some size perspective the bolts with 150 grain bolt cutters are 18 inches.
http://jbenphotography.ca/img/s5/v131/p191183679-5.jpg
Nice picture!
I think you need bigger, wider stands to hunt from JBen! ;)
It's nice to see them dressed right up to the 9's with the string suppressors/etc. There will be lots of "oldish" Excal's for sale soon or come January!
For the guys who have a micro:
How is it to c o c k?
Is it noisier/quieter/no difference?
Does it use smaller diameter bolts? Is it possible to use the 20'' bolts?
Im thinking of parting with my excal and upgrading to the micro for next year.
Me too Mox , who has these in stock so far?
I held one the other day, nice bow, Excalibur quality, but I was not impressed with the scope. Last light would be an issue for my old eyes.
I tried to my friends bow, i think it was only the matrix and i had the hardest time to pull it back, i can only imagine what the new one is like. His brother has one and said he can only pull it back 2 or 3 times then he is exhausted. So much for practicing.
Yes I can well imagine it will be quite a pull to it . I had the opportunity to handle one a week ago when a friend dropped by . I never shot it but man oh man it sure felt nice . Well balanced and made for a nice comfortable grip . Felt lighter and stock gave me a better hold then I have been used to . I didn't want to give it back .:thumbup:;)
TD
Quote:
Originally Posted by fishing1
If its really that bad a crankaroo would be a good investment for practice/sight in. As far as hunting goes, lets hope only one c o c k I n g is required.
I need to try one!
I have had my Micro nightmare for a few weeks now.Quote:
Originally Posted by mox72
c o c k i n g the Micro is about the same as the 380. However just when it get's real tough it clicks in to the trigger. I loaded it around 30 times in my last pracyise session & it was not an problem for me. I am only 5'8" with a slim build & if I can do it most people will have no issues with the Micro.
I find it is about the same noise level as the Matrix bows but I never worried about noise when you arrow is travelling 335fps.
Arrows are the same diameter as all the other Excalibur arrows. You can use 20" but they will stick out way past the stirrup. I am using 15.5" arrows with great accuracy & they are just inside the end of the stirrup because I use the NAP FOC 170gr heads.
I have owned many Excaliburs including a Matrix 355 & I can tell you this one is simply amazing to hunt with. You get all the benefits of a narrow compound with the relibality & ease of maintenance of a re-curve.
WIN WIN
I would suggest trying one out for yourself. But leave the credit card @ home because once you try it you will want to buy it... LOL
This is exactly what I was looking for, real world user experience. Thank you very much.Quote:
Originally Posted by bellerivercrossbowhunter
Im assuming there is a little more 'recoil'? With shorter limbs and a lot higher velocity than my axiom (which is like carrying an aircraft carrier into the bush) the extra energy must be felt somewhere. Not worried about the shoulder or anything, more so accuracy. Are you finding it just as easy as the old excaliburs to shoot a tight group?
The trigger pull has to be better than that of the older models?
This is where the Micro shines. It is more compact so the bow is is closer to your body & gone are the days of a front heavy crossbow. This one I can actually shoot offhand with decent groups. The old school excal's extend so far out that my groups were horrible.Quote:
Originally Posted by mox72
I feel no extra recoil that would affect anything.
The Micro has the new & improved trigger & is really nice. I actually took the stock trigger out & installed a Trigger tech single stage trigger to see if it was any better. Guess what? No differance between the 2. I wasted 150bucks for nothing... Oh well such is life...
Quote:
Originally Posted by bellerivercrossbowhunter
Thanks again for the input.
I notice people complaining about having to draw these heavy poundage bows. I's like to know how they are planning to retrieve a 200lbs dressed mature buck once they pull the trigger.Quote:
Originally Posted by fishing1
Dan
Lots of friends and a 4 wheeler to boot. Maybe even the farmers tractor if need be.
Back from my 9 days in 47 (Loring Yards) for the last week of archery.
The bad first.
Weather plays a crucial role in hunting this area, this time of year.
No deer, I mean numbers are way way down.
Lots of dogs, wolves and Yotes
As a group (7 of us) we saw….saw (doesn't mean they were in range, or had ethical shots)
30 deer over 8-9days hard hunting.
30 deer seen by 1 person is a low week…Good years, each hunter will see 20 or more deer each day.
*******
The good.
Oh my gawd am I ever happy I moved from my eclipse, to the Micro.
Didn't really have a good shot for the week myself. So I can really only speak to lugging it around, holding it in the stand, the one day I ground/still hunted (moving from spot to spot through brush with it) and the time spent putting a few bolts into a target block at different ranges.
If I have a "nit" I need to find a good target block.
At 20 yards the extra weight ( Im using 150g heads now) and shorter bolt length and higher fps (compared to my Eclipse) resulted in practice bolts being buried so far into the target block, there was no getting them out.
At 40 and 50 yards.
I wasn't able to get the bolts out, broke a couple trying to.
A friend who shot a few bolts from his Matrix 380 into the same block at 20 yards…While he had to screw a retriever into the the bolt, hook that up to his atvs winch, and winch it out…was able to get his practice bolts back….Mine…nope not even the winch helped.
Couple of field pics.
While I wish I could post pics and tell you a story about the buck I shot at 35 yards, or 45 yards, on the last day, at the last hour and threaded the needle, stiff and sore neck shoulders from spending 6-7 hrs a day in a stand...
Sorry didn't happen
:)
The target block did happen. It ate every single practice bolt I put into it, from 20 yards to 40 yards and when my friend tried to winch one out (as he did with his bolts fired from a 380 at 20 yards)…The insert pulled free before the bolt did.
http://jbenphotography.ca/img/s12/v182/p906651891-5.jpg
http://jbenphotography.ca/img/s6/v148/p746585349-5.jpg
With respect to the nits I read about the scope.
Can't speak to that. being a photographer and knowing that good optics are good optics. I kept the best scope I could mount on a x-bow, and mounted that instead of the default factory supplied by Excal..(wider elements, wider tube) to allow more light in.
It looks like a toy
It feels like a toy
It handles like a toy
Its no toy
Great pictures.
Nice JBen! Sorry to hear that it didn't go as well as previous years.
Good report JBen... Nice pictures to look at as usual. :)
Sad to hear yet another confirmation for low deer numbers in most places. Sad to hear that you didn't get a deer with the new bow.
Your target practice results sound quite impressive though, and if I ever shoot one of these I'll set my target at 90 paces to have a chance at getting my bolts back!!!
Great pics young fella and yes it is a bow that just feels right . Just like my 30 30 it feels right and when it does ,its right .:thumbup: Best and most comfortable bow I ever drew up for me . It will be my next one . Saving now .;) I've tried the Matrix 355 and 380 but the micro is a real orgasm or the rest faking one LOL :D
TD
You did better then we did. We were there last 4 days of the season and seen a fawn that's it. Not sure if they yarded earlier when we had the big snowstorms or just a really really bad year...
Without getting too specific NT, it's an annual hunt for me/them/us.
We are right on and in some prime area, migration trails. I was there from Dec 7th to Dec 17th. I saw one group of four out of range and had one buck bump me at 15 yards after leaving my stand (Murphys Law)...Still not sure who surprised who more.
As a group of 7 we saw just under 30 and tagged 3.
Even without sightings and obviously low, low, low numbers, there were very few in the way of fresh tracks and sign...My game camera recorded 1 nocturnal Doe......
Lots of dogs though. So whether there are lots more to arrive...or few in the area wandering around....who knows...
Just know, we saw very little, sign or warm bodies
JBen don't know if you have tried it but I use silicone lubricant on practice bolts and arrows. I get way more life out of my 3D and block targets. I also get more life out of my elbows. I use a dedicated quiver to avoid any scent contamination. I also only treat the first 6 to 8 inches.
I so bad want to shot the micro .mayby after the holidays .something to look forward to Dutch
I plan to buy the micro next year
Thanks Mdiddi. Will definitely be doing that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mdiddi
The wife left a black Micro under the tree for me this morning!!!!! Happy Happy
Now there's a good wifey who understands her man. CongratsQuote:
Originally Posted by mr meat
Cheers and Merry Christmas
Quote:
Originally Posted by mr meat
Lucky guy