This year Darton Archery celebrates its 50th anniversary and is doing so in grand style. The 2000 line of hunting and target bows is Darton's most versatile and performance enhanced showing to date. In the highly competitive world of bow manufacturing, Darton has sent a true heavyweight into the ring with its flagship, the Maverick Express 2000. This contender has dealt a resounding blow that the rest of the industry will not soon forget.

I have thoroughly enjoyed evaluating the Maverick and even though this report is being brought to you now, rest assured, the testing (read: fun) will go on for years. I like to know what all of the technical "ins" and "outs" of a bow are as much as the next guy, but when it comes right down to it, what I'm really interested in is what they do for me. To bring all of the Maverick's technology and features into perspective for everyone concerned, each technical point or feature will be followed by a "what's in it for me?" commentary.

Eccentrics:
The Maverick Express Recurve is equipped with the C/P/S (Controlled Power System) Express Single Cam. This isn't your average single cam though, it is actually something quite different. The C/P/S system consists of a large diameter upper control wheel and the power cam. 

The upper control wheel has a dual track with an eccentric groove that allows the exact length of string out as does the bottom power cam. This results in perfectly level nock travel. The large diameter of the control wheel also reduces the amount of hysterisis (friction). Tuning marks are inscribed on the wheel for a cam tuning reference. If the control cable passes just above the top tuning line, you need to add twists to your cable. A control cable that is just below the bottom tuning line requires you to untwist the cable for proper set-up. It is that simple. Also for 2000, Darton has incorporated a sealed ball bearing system for the upper axle.

What's in it for me?

• Level nock travel achieved through the dual track eccentric groove gives you easier tuning, greater consistency, and also, greater accuracy.
• The reduction of friction from the large diameter gives you greater efficiency, increased arrow speed, and a high level transfer of stored energy. In other words, more of the bow's power is placed where it belongs upon release ... in the arrow!
• Engraved tuning marks are in my opinion ingenious and give you ease of eccentrics tuning. This is a feature that impresses me greatly because it is simple and gives the average guy like me the ability to easily determine if my rig is out of tune - no hassle!

Each module has five separate adjustments at approximately 3/8" increments for a total of 1 1/2" draw length change. The upper control wheel also contributes an additional ¾ inch draw adjustment through five bowstring anchor points. Another of the power cam's features is Darton's patented control arm and adjustable module combinations. 

By correctly matching each cam module location to the correct control wheel anchor point location, the best stored energy rating can be achieved for any of the available draw length increments. Matching these locations controls the relationship between the upper control wheel and the power cam. Other one-cam set-ups are at peak performance only at specified draw lengths. Any deviation from that select draw length and sacrifices are made in performance and nock travel.

What's in it for me?

• A cam that is shaped in such a way to cycle as describe above, gives you an ultra smooth draw (feels almost as smooth as round wheels) and still packs the power of a radical one-cam. Later, under the testing section, you will see how this smooth draw translated into having more fun shooting a bow than I have had in a long time!
• The adjustable and interchangeable modules give you a wide range of draw length adjustment, which in turn allows you to custom fit the bow to your draw length. Most other one cam bows have a limited draw length range.
• Controlling the proper relationship between the upper control wheel and the power cam gives you the bow's peak performance at any given draw length.

What's in it for me?

• The use of Power-Tuff to construct the limbs ensures trouble-free and long-lasting performance. 
• Superflauge is an attractive camo pattern.

The Maverick Express' reflexed riser is first forged from 7075-T6 aluminum and then placed in a CNC machine that shapes the Maverick into its appealing, high performance design. Cutouts are machined at strategic points along the length of the riser to make the Maverick even lighter, under 3-½ lbs.! Rubber is used to construct the narrow two piece grip that is used on this and many of Darton's other models. All of the standard mounting holes can be found on the riser along with limb lock down bolts that ensure a consistent draw weight adjustment. The riser is film-dipped in Superflauge camo.

What's in it for me?

• The use of aluminum and machined cutouts gives you one of the lightest bows on the market making long walks "back-in" less of a burden.
• The narrow rubber grip gives you comfort and less surface area, which may prevent torque problems.
• A reflexed riser translates into a longer power stroke, enhancing the Maverick's speed.
• Standard mounting holes gives you the ability to "deck out" your Maverick with most of the accessories available today. 
• The Superflauge camo on the riser and limbs provide a consistent good-looking pattern.

What's in it for me?

• The materials selected to construct the cables and string are designed to resist stretching which gives you a bow that stays in tune longer (translated: less hassle!). The short length and even distribution of the string also limits stretching. 
• The efficiency enhancing nocksets give you great speed.

Twenty-seven and one-half inch Carbon Express 300 arrows tipped with 100-gr. field points were then properly tuned to the bow using the paper test method. This task proved to be unusually simple and took little time. After approximately 150 shots, the bow was placed in a press and the power and control cables were brought back into alignment with the tuning marks.

I almost hated to stop shooting to tune the eccentrics because I was having so much fun. This is a point that I feel should not be overlooked. The "fun factor", as I call it, is something that has archers across the country turning to the Maverick in droves!

Almost daily, I am in contact with bowhunters from Connecticut to California, and most, if not all, of those that own Mavericks comment on the enjoyment they get from shooting their bow. I lent my Maverick to a co-worker who owns the most hyped compound on the market. Two days later he returned to my office asking if I would trade him on the spot - and he was serious! The Maverick takes you back to the "feel" of a round wheel, while still giving you the power and speed of a high performance cam bow. This year I pulled every top-end bow on the market through its draw cycle and without a doubt the Maverick is far and away my pick for the smoothest of them all.

Being draw length challenged, I was unable to test the Mavericks performance at AMO and IBO standards, however, the speed of my set-up was determined using a Shooting Chrony Inc. hronograph. Ten arrows were consistently shot through the chrony with an average 272.3fps. A variance of only 1-fps was experienced through the ten shots. For my 28" draw length and 65 lbs. of pull, that is the fastest I have ever shot. I checked with the local pro shop owner to see if he had the chance to test a Maverick at AMO and IBO standards. Indeed he had, and it consistently met or exceeded Darton's published speeds.

Too many bows are on the market today with inflated speed ratings and I was happy to see that Darton did not fall into that trap. Before installing any silencers or vibration reducers on the test bow, I found the noise level to be low and hand shock to be minimal. Once I "decked out" my Maverick with limb savers, string leaches, cable guard silencers, stabilizer enhancers, and accessory savers, almost no shock could be felt, and the noise levels were closer to that of a long bow than a typical cam bow!

Only one thing concerned me with the Maverick that I received, and that was the camouflage finish. When removing a few stickers from the bow, patches of the finish, one of them about one-inch in diameter, came off. Again, as I was making some adjustments to the bow, my wrench bumped the finish, and it bubbled and flaked. Camo means very little to me because my bow usually ends up almost completely covered in black hockey tape. Hockey tape serves to deaden the noises encountered when a twig or some other object slaps against the limbs or riser. However, some hunters are extremely picky about the finish of their bow, and for them, this may be a concern.

Conclusions:
Again, I cannot overstate the enjoyment I had while testing the Maverick. It is extremely smooth, with a comfortable grip, and is a real shooter. The test bow consistently met or exceeded my expectations, and the manufacturer's advertising. The Maverick's high level of stored energy, arrow speed, quietness, and accuracy make it an ideal bow for both 3-D and hunting situations. If you are looking for a high performance hunting bow without the sticker shock associated with most other rigs at this level, then the Maverick Express 2000 should be seriously considered.

Spec Sheet

• Family: Assault Series
• Approximate Pro-Shop cost: $500.00 to $575.00
• Draw weights: 50/60/70
• Draw Lengths: 27-31"
• Axle-to-axle length: 37-5/8"
• Brace Height: 6-1/4"
• Mass Weight: 3.5lbs.
• Let-off option#1: AMO 65% - Effective 75%
• Let-off option#2: AMO 75% - Effective 80%
• Eccentrics: C/P/S single cam
• AMO speed: 244
• IBO speed: 314
• Available finish: Superflauge camo and competition colors
• Power cable: 12-strand Brownell S-4 Fast Flight
• Control cable: 14-strand Brownell S-4 Fast Flight
• String: 14-strand Premium 450 (61-1/2" length)
• Grip: rubber two-piece
• Riser: forged/cnc machined 7075-T6 aluminum
• Limb pockets: magnesium
• Limbs: Power-Tuff solid recurve
• Cable guard: high-mount straight

Darton Performance Archery Equipment
3540 Darton Road
Hale, MI 48739
(517) 728-4231
http://www.DartonArchery.com