DARTON
Cyclone 3-D
by Lou Milanesi
Darton Cyclone 3-D - by Lou Milanesi
 During
the past few years we have had the pleasure of experiencing an incredible
increase in the sophistication of new bow designs. Risers machined from
aluminum have become commonplace and ever more elaborate. Innovations
like split-limbed bows and others made their splashing debuts and rippled
across the industry. Perhaps the most significant “ripple-effect”
innovation in recent years has been the introduction (or reintroduction)
of the single-cam bow.
Clearly, single-cam technology has demonstrated advantages to offer
both 3-D competitors and hunters. Recent competition among
manufacturers has led to continued improvements in this new class of bows,
however most of them seem to be powered by similar cam designs. In
contrast, the folks at DARTON Archery
decided to evolve a unique single-cam design by developing their Controlled
Power System (C/P/S). Several models in the Darton line are equipped
with the C/P/S including the subject of this review, the Cyclone 3-D.
Characteristics of the Bow Design
Cams, Cables and String
You have to look carefully at Darton’s new C/P/S cam to recognize that
this is a single-cam bow. The Control Wheel on the Cyclone is distinctly
different than conventional one-cam bows currently on the market.
Instead of a round idler wheel that simply redirects the travel of a very
long string, the C/P/S Control Wheel has two independent tracks of different
shapes. One elliptical track controls the travel of the bowstring,
while another round track controls the travel of an independent control
cable. The Control Wheel works in conjunction with the Power Cam
to achieve virtually straight-line travel of the nock point throughout
the power stroke.
Also unlike most conventional single-cam bows, the C/P/S system allows
a wide range of draw length adjustments. The five available modules (E1
to E5) for the Power Cam produce incremental increases of 1 inch of draw
length for each module (28 inches to 32 inches). A wide range of
draw length adjustment can be made for any of these modules. Variations
can be made by changing the adjustment screw location on the installed
module (1 ½ inches range), and/or changing the string anchor position
on the Control Wheel (an additional ¾ inch range). For example,
an E3 module would have a standard draw length (as shipped) of 30 inches,
however the bow could be adjusted for lengths ranging from 28 7/8 inches
through 31 1/8 inches. The A.M.O. let-off for the Cyclone 3-D is rated
at 75% with and effective let-off of 80%.
Two other simple, yet ingenious features of the C/P/S system are noteworthy.
First, the interchangeable Power Cam modules are extended to form a draw
stop. This extension contacts the power cable as maximum draw is
achieved producing a firm, clearly defined wall at the end of the drawing
cycle. The second feature is the addition of tuning marks on both
the Power Cam and Control Wheel. These marks allow synchronization
of the cam rotation with the travel of the limbs for maximum C/P/S system
efficiency. I was much impressed by the addition of these simple,
straightforward tuning indicators. The next time you attend a 3-D
shoot, notice the orientation of the cams on the single-cam bows (try to
compare bows of the same model and manufacturer). You will probably
notice some, if not substantial variance in the rotation of the cam at
rest. This variability is directly linked to performance, something
that may surprise folks who think single-cam bows eliminate any need for
tuning.
Both the Control Cable and the Power Cable are constructed using Brownell
S-4 Fast Flite. The 14-strand Control Cable connects to adjustment
anchors on the Power Cam and Control Wheel. The 12-strand Power Cable
is anchored to the base of the Power Cam and is divided into a split yoke
that connects to sheaves mounted on the Control Wheel axle outboard of
the limb. The string on the C/P/S system is far shorter than other
single-cam bows. The 14-strand BCY Premium 450 string on the test
bow measured 61 11/16 inches. Speed enhancement weights were installed
on the string at the factory at 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the Power
Cam and Control Wheel respectively.
Limbs
The limbs on the Cyclone are similar to most top line single-cam bows.
They are straight with an overall length of 14 ½ inches and a constant
1 5/8 inches width. The outboard ends of the limbs are reinforced
with additional thickness for approximately 6 inches, and the axle holes
are bored trough this thickened section ¾ inch from the limb tip.
After being machined from blanks of Gordon Power-Tuff, the limbs are silk
screened using either camouflage or target colors. Limb adjustment
bolts screw directly through the fixed limb pockets into the riser.
The holes for the limb bolts extend completely through the riser.
Two set screws are inserted from the face side of the riser to tighten
against the end of the limb bolts as weight adjustment locks.
Riser
The deflex riser on the Cyclone 3-D draws from the high performance
3-D history of the Cyclone line combined with the tournament-quality consistency
of the Executive Vegas. This combination maintains ample performance
for 3-D competition, however the heavily clothed late-season hunter also
will appreciate the 8-inch brace height. The riser measures 23 ½
inches between the tips of the limb pockets. It is machined from
aluminum, which is then dip finished with Timber Top Brown camouflage or
one of three target color choices. It has a usable sight window of
just over 6 inches, which is inset approximately 13/16 inch. The
lower 1 13/16 of the window is further inset by an average 5/16 inch for
additional arrow clearance. The standard 2-hole (10-24 UNC) sight
mount pattern is provided. A standard 5/16 – 24 UNF arrow rest mount
hole is located above the pivot point on the grip with a second hole located
approximately 5/8 inch forward. Mounting points for an optional 2-piece
quiver are machined into the riser near the base of the limb pockets.
The machining on the Cyclone riser is simple and clean. Edges are
beveled and finishing material is removed from the threads of the sight
and rest mounting holes.
The fixed, high-mount cable guard consists of a carbon rod inserted
directly into a block machined onto the riser and held in place by a single
set screw. The staggered slots of the suspended cable slide maintain
a minimum of 1/16 inch clearance between the cables at the point where
they cross below the guard. These arrangements provided a minimum
of 9/16 inch fletch clearance from the outside of the 21/64-inch test arrow.
It should be noted that any high-mount cable guard, while being a superior
design, might preclude the use of certain older moveable hunting sights.
The Cyclone 3-D comes equipped with a two-piece rubber grip.
Each of the grip halves is mounted to the riser with two machine screws
and feature checkered center sections. The rubber is firm, yet soft
and very comfortable in the hand. These grips should improve handling
in wet weather, during those sweaty summer 3-D tournaments and on cold
winter days.
Testing
Testing was designed to duplicate the performance the average consumer
would get from a similar bow. No special modifications or improvements
were made to the bow before testing. All adjustment procedures recommended
by Darton were performed and the bow was found well-tuned as shipped from
the factory. A New Archery Products’ Quick Tune 2000 rest was installed
and all centershot and nocking point adjustments were made using a single
metal nock. These settings were verified by paper tuning with both
the heavy and light test arrows. The 60-pound peak bow was set for
standard A.M.O. test conditions of 60 pound draw weight and 30 inches draw
length. A Sight Master X-celerator sight and a 9 ounce stabilizer
were employed during the tests.
Two arrows of recommended spine were used in the testing. The
heavier arrow was the 540-grain standard required by A.M.O. test procedures
(9 grains per pound of draw). The lighter, 300-grain arrow was used
to measure 3-D performance at I.B.O. minimum weight restrictions (5 grains
per pound of draw). All arrows were fired across the center of the
chronograph sensors at a constant height of 5 inches. The Cyclone
3-D produced a mean velocity of 236.2 feet per second over the ten shots
with the 540-grain arrow, and yielded a mean velocity of 300.6 feet per
second for ten shots with the 300-grain arrow. Measured velocities
varied only 1 foot per second within each of the two tests.
My subjective assessments of the Cyclone 3-D’s performance were positive.
As stated earlier, I found the grip comfortable and functional. The
draw was smooth and terminated in a firm, clearly defined wall. On
release, bow noise was low and hand shock was light making the Cyclone
3-D comfortable to shoot.
Final Notes
The Note Sheet below contains summary information from the evaluation.
Remember that all performance data comes from a bow with a draw of 30 inches.
Archers with longer draw lengths will realize more speed from a similar
bow, whereas those with shorter draw lengths will see less speed from the
same model. How much performance is lost in shorter draw lengths
depends on the design of the bow. It is always in your best interest
to test shoot bows, ones that are correctly set up for you, to decide what
bow best suits your needs.
Note Sheet - Darton Cyclone 3-D
Manufacturer: Darton Archery, Model: Cyclone 3-D, Riser Style: Deflex
Riser, Construction: Machined Aluminum, Limb Style: Straight (14.5 inches),
Limb Construction: Gordon Power-Tuff Cam Type Modular Single-cam, Cam Name:
C/P/S, Cable Material: Brownell S-4 Fast Flite (12 & 14 strand), String
Material: BCY Premium 450 (14 strand), Finish: TimberTop Brown Camouflage,
Target Color Options: Red Marble, Gold Marble & Silver Marble, Bow
Mass Weight as Received: 4 pounds 4 ounces, Bow Mass Weight as Tested:
5 pounds 11 ounces, Overall Length: 41.75 inches, Axle to Axle Length:
38.00 inches, A.M.O. Draw Length: 30.00 inches, Brace Height: 8.06
inches, Power Stroke: 21.94 inches, Peak Draw Weight: 60 pounds, Holding
Weight at Full Draw: 12 pounds, Percent Let-Off: 80%, Speed with 540 gr.
Arrow: 236.2 fps, Speed with 300 gr. Arrow: 300.6 fps, Suggested Retail
Price: $550
The suggested retail price quoted to me by Jeff Darlington at Darton
placed the Cyclone 3-D smack in the middle of the $500 - $600 price range.
Darton is challenging some stiff competition among bows from other manufacturers
at this level, and it will be interesting to see if the innovations of
the C/P/S design are embraced by 3-D shooters without the extensive add
campaigns that are prevalent in the sport today.
Conclusions
The Cyclone 3-D is well adapted for both 3D and hunting applications.
Its strong suit is that it is a shooter-friendly bow, and it achieves its
forgiveness with only a moderate reduction in speed. Its design is
simple and uncomplicated which should enhance its durability and reliability.
The tuning marks provide a quick guide to adjustment and constant feedback
regarding bow efficiency. The Cyclone 3-D should be considered if
you are looking for a forgiving target or hunting bow.
Darton products can be viewed on-line at www.dartonarchery.com
, or if you are interested in trying the Cyclone 3-D, contact your local
Darton dealer. Dealers are listed on the website or you can call Darton
at (517) 728-4231 for the location of a dealer near you.
Lou Milanesi tests bows and equipment while preparing
reviews for 3-D TIMES Magazine. He teaches undergraduate and graduate
level courses in research and evaluation at the University of Wisconsin
– Stout. His interest in archery dates back to 1965, when at age
14 he constructed his first crude bow from native Osage. He now enjoys
many forms of competition archery, bow hunting and evaluating new products.
Some of his other product evaluations can be found here.
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