Darton Archery, ultra tough , well made bows that perform. Remember the 1956 buick? It would not dent, scratch or rust? Well the Darton bows are the Buicks of the archery industry. I think Darton is the real 'sleeper' in the industry. They don't spend the mega bucks in advertising but they make a super line of bows that can compete with or exceed the performance, feel and reliability of any bow made today. 

For fifty years the company has been making hard hitting bows that perform. Shootability, quiet, deadly and extremely accurate - that is Darton. So, I wondered what would happen if I compared a low-end Darton, the 60MX, to a high dollar bow from another high-end company. The 60MX bow is equipped with a die cast magnesium riser (wood grip installed.) The axle-to-axle length is 42 3/4 inches with straight limbs with high-energy molded wheels. Let off is 65%. The modular wheels can be adjusted to change draw lengths. The 'A' wheel can go from 26 to 29". The 'B' wheel can be adjusted from 29 to 32". No bow press needed. Just unscrew the modules, put on the module needed and screw back on to the base. Simple and so easy even I can do it.

The limbs are compression molded, straight and camouflaged with Darton Timberland Forest. This gray, green leaf looks good and will
blend in with a variety of terrains. The brace height is a modest 7 inches for forgiveness and adequate speed. The total weight of the bow is 4.3 pounds and it comes with peak weights of 60&70 lbs.

The tests. This Darton was set at 27 inches (short draw, low speed?) at 50lbs. Using 27 inch Easton 2213Yukon arrows with 100 grain tips. The arrows went through the chronograph at 197, 198, 197, 200, and 196 for an average velocity of 197.6 The second set of arrows were the same in length , grain and tips. The only difference was I increased the bow draw weight to 55 lbs. The second readings were 203, 205, 206, 208 and 207 for an average of 205.8.

Now one might think that is modest speeds but consider this. One, all arrows were shot with a Saunders finger tab, Huntmaster 2000 Rest and Tarantulas Silencers attached. The bow also had a Dacron string, steel cables and TEAR DROPS. This bow was set up for Hunting!

What would you pay for this bow minus the accessories? maufacturers suggested retail is 222.20. But, it sells for $110.00 at Darton's www.ArcheryDirect.com web site!!!!!!

Recently I tested another hunting bow of mine. It was from a major manufacturer and was set up with the same accessories. The peak
weight that I shot was 55lbs but it did have Fast Flite string, single cam, split limbs and a brace height of 7 1/4 inches., No tear drops no steel cables and Limbsavers. The average speed for that bow was 201.5 How much did that bow cost? The retail was $499.95!!!!!!

Now penetration. The arrows that were shot into the Morrell target that we use on the range were marked where the arrow met the target then measured. Arrows penetrated the target at 17", 17 3/4", and 16 3/4" all from the 27 inch arrows!!!!!!!

The $500.00 bow although the same speed (almost) were measured at 18" 18 1/2" and 17 3/4!!!. So pound for pound the Darton
$110.00 bow performed as well as the higher priced bow. 

While I was shooting, a friend, Gary Wildes was watching. Standing ten yards in back of me I asked him to close his eyes and tell me what he heard. He said he never heard the bow go off. He heard the arrow go over the rest and the arrow making a loud whap in the
target.......no bow noise or vibration......the Darton was quiet. Then Gary shot his Hoyt Havoc.

His Havoc shot Beman carbon 400 at 28'inch draw with a mechanical release. His arrows shot at 258,259,and 258 respectfully. His arrows penetrated the same target that I shot at approximately 3" deeper. So in our test what did we find? 50 fps faster meant 3'' deeper at 20 yards!!!! But If a deer is on an average 12-14 inches wide both arrows would have gone through providing you hit the heart and lung area.

Conclusion (mine): You can certainly spend more money and buy a high quality bow. But, you can also spend hundreds less and get a
Darton low-line bow that will do everything that the higher priced bow will. I was impressed at the way the Darton 60MX performed. 

It also was smooth, quiet and was easy to set up. It was made of the same components as the high priced bow so my question is, why spend the extra dollars? 

I love my longbows , recurves and my compounds. But after shooting this Darton I do not think you can find a better shooting bow at this price with this quality from ANY COMPANY, any where. 

1 is lowest 5 is highest

• performance 5
• looks 5
• quietness 5
• weight 4
• adjustability 5
• guarantee 5
• speed 5
• durability 5
• price 5 

Although the bow seemed a little heavy it absorbed the vibration and quieted the bow down to a whisper without added accessories. The
bow was fast enough to down any game, had no hand shock and could not be heard going off at ten yards away. Thank God there are still tear drops and bows people can afford, thank Darton for making quality bows that are reasonably priced for the past 50 years. 

For more information on this or any other bow in Darton's line-up contact:

Darton Performance Archery Equipment
3540 Darton Road
Hale, MI 48739
(517) 728-4231
Visit the Darton Archery web site at www.DartonArchery.com