Parker Cyclone Update
05-16-2008, 11:24 AM
#1
Fork Horn
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Join Date: Jan 2008
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Posts: 478
Parker Cyclone Update
Hi All:
I just got back from the Parker Archery Academy in VA this morning. I got a chance to take a much better look at the Cyclone than I did at the ATA show. A few things just to keep everyone up to speed:
Yes, they are going to be sending them out any minute now...they have STACKS of completed crossbows just waiting on being boxed up so it will not be much longer on the camo versions before us dealers have them. The black ones will be several weeks out yet. There are not many ordered by dealers yet ( I have a few on order) as it is not advertized and it is a foot note in the catalog, but I feel that black ones will be big movers with ground blind people....opinions???
The production models are much quieter than the one I shot at the ATA show( mind you I was in an enclosed shooting room against a wall, but even in there this bow is MUCH quieter than I remember
). The adjustable stock is a nice addition and IMO the Cylone with the adjustable stock is definitely worth the extra few bucks over the Hurricane with the fixed stock. It also makes cocking it easier as you can collapse the stock and bend over the bow easier.
Speed and accuracy is exactly what I expected...excelent. It has a very long (15") power stroke and if you fully extend the stock that bow gets a bit long for my taste, but with the stock compressed to about half way it tucks in nicely and balances well.
Two things I noticed that I want to bring to everyone who may be looking at these bows attention:
When cocking the bow with the rope pull the T-handels back towards you. If you pull them straight or forward the hooks ride up over the rail and can scratch the camo (yes, I scratched the camo on the demo I was shooting) It is all in the technique, and once you do it a few times it comes natural, but it is VERY important that you concentrate on pulling the handels towards the bottom of the bow.
Next may be an aggrivation issue...The bow tends to want to "snug in" to your shoulder...meaning that it seems most comfortable with a shorter stock setting and tucking the bow closer to your body. This makes for a much more stable shot. However, that brings the scope too close to your eye for enough eye relief that you dont get tunnel vision. This may become a bigger factor for short armed people (like my wife for example who loved the bow, but could not see anything thru the scope at the stock setting that was comfortable for her) The rail is integrated into the trigger so there is no room for further adjustment. A big scope like a Lumizone for example may present even more issues. Obvioulsy a red dot eliminated this problem. One solution is forward extending scope rings that move the scope forward an inch. IMO this should take care of the problem and allow for this bow to be set up to work in the comfort range of just about everyone. I have been in contact with Parker over this and I am sure they will take care of this as it seems to be an easy fix.
Other than that, I have a feeling this is gonna be one hot bow this year....
Wyvern[/align]
I just got back from the Parker Archery Academy in VA this morning. I got a chance to take a much better look at the Cyclone than I did at the ATA show. A few things just to keep everyone up to speed:
Yes, they are going to be sending them out any minute now...they have STACKS of completed crossbows just waiting on being boxed up so it will not be much longer on the camo versions before us dealers have them. The black ones will be several weeks out yet. There are not many ordered by dealers yet ( I have a few on order) as it is not advertized and it is a foot note in the catalog, but I feel that black ones will be big movers with ground blind people....opinions???
The production models are much quieter than the one I shot at the ATA show( mind you I was in an enclosed shooting room against a wall, but even in there this bow is MUCH quieter than I remember
). The adjustable stock is a nice addition and IMO the Cylone with the adjustable stock is definitely worth the extra few bucks over the Hurricane with the fixed stock. It also makes cocking it easier as you can collapse the stock and bend over the bow easier.Speed and accuracy is exactly what I expected...excelent. It has a very long (15") power stroke and if you fully extend the stock that bow gets a bit long for my taste, but with the stock compressed to about half way it tucks in nicely and balances well.
Two things I noticed that I want to bring to everyone who may be looking at these bows attention:
When cocking the bow with the rope pull the T-handels back towards you. If you pull them straight or forward the hooks ride up over the rail and can scratch the camo (yes, I scratched the camo on the demo I was shooting) It is all in the technique, and once you do it a few times it comes natural, but it is VERY important that you concentrate on pulling the handels towards the bottom of the bow.
Next may be an aggrivation issue...The bow tends to want to "snug in" to your shoulder...meaning that it seems most comfortable with a shorter stock setting and tucking the bow closer to your body. This makes for a much more stable shot. However, that brings the scope too close to your eye for enough eye relief that you dont get tunnel vision. This may become a bigger factor for short armed people (like my wife for example who loved the bow, but could not see anything thru the scope at the stock setting that was comfortable for her) The rail is integrated into the trigger so there is no room for further adjustment. A big scope like a Lumizone for example may present even more issues. Obvioulsy a red dot eliminated this problem. One solution is forward extending scope rings that move the scope forward an inch. IMO this should take care of the problem and allow for this bow to be set up to work in the comfort range of just about everyone. I have been in contact with Parker over this and I am sure they will take care of this as it seems to be an easy fix.
Other than that, I have a feeling this is gonna be one hot bow this year....
Wyvern[/align]
05-17-2008, 05:37 AM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jul 2007
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05-17-2008, 05:54 AM
#5
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2007
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RE: Parker Cyclone Update
Sure would like to see one so I could figure out how to overcome the eye relef problem. I'm thinking that even using extended rings would not solve the problem with a Lumizone Scope. Since the scope ring base is an interigal part of the trigger housing, it creates a problem. Just have to see one. Might be that you would have to mill off the existing base, drill and tap for a long weaver style base or pictanny rail.
Hopefully Parker will come up with a fix that can be retrofit to existing bows!
Hopefully Parker will come up with a fix that can be retrofit to existing bows!
05-17-2008, 06:31 AM
#6
Fork Horn
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Join Date: Jan 2008
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Posts: 478
RE: Parker Cyclone Update
Actually...with the large diameter of the Lumizone I generaly have to use a tall ring anyway (say on a DS or something like that where I have to mount it forward) I actually have an idea that I am going to toss to my machinest when I see him today...I will keep you posted
Wyvern
And sorry...no pics of a black one as there are none in production yet...
Wyvern
And sorry...no pics of a black one as there are none in production yet...
05-20-2008, 05:28 AM
#9
Fork Horn
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Join Date: Jan 2008
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Posts: 478
RE: Parker Cyclone Update
They use the same trigger that they use in all of their crossbows, so it is actually very good (4lbs) Speed and accuracy wise it should be very comparable. It "feels diferant" than the others, so I am sure there will be some who will love it and some who dont, and that will be more of a deciding factor than anything IMO. It is ALOT less money than either, so I like that we can offer a "high end bow" at a mid range price. You can walk away and be shooting for $700 with the Cyclone and to do the same with the others you are over $1000 and up. I donth think it will replace them, but it is nice to give people more choices. It comes with the rope cocking aid and their crank system should work just fine on it.
I should have them in in a couple of days (hopefully)
OH...we may very shortly have a solution for the scope issue if anyone finds that they could use more forward adjusment.....
Will keep everyone posted
Wyvern
I should have them in in a couple of days (hopefully)
OH...we may very shortly have a solution for the scope issue if anyone finds that they could use more forward adjusment.....
Will keep everyone postedWyvern
05-20-2008, 05:55 AM
#10
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: N46° 27.914' W90° 10.614'
Posts: 383
RE: Parker Cyclone Update
One thing that I like about Parker is they rate their bows with hunting arrow weight!! Ten Point and Excalibur rate their bows with a 350gr arrow. Parker states right up front the Cyclone shoots a 430gr arrow at 350FPS. That is damn commendable, NO suprizes when you shoot the Cyclone through a chronograph!!