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Merlin Bows...Don't overlook them!

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Old 08-31-2002, 02:42 PM
  #1  
Typical Buck
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Default Merlin Bows...Don't overlook them!

I've noticed, only a few guys that post on HuntingBBS message boards shoot Merlin Bows.
At least, not in comparison to other boards.
I have only shot them for the past 3 months. First the Max2000 and now my Super Nova.
As all of you know, I am a big fan of the Bowman bows. And still am.
I always resisted buying a Merlin but have admired them for several years.
I have enjoyed friendly arguments in the past with Pinwheel 12 about who shot the better bow.
I finally decided to order a Super Nova target bow back in early March. But it kept getting set back for one reason or another.
One day, Pinwheel emailed me and said he had an extra Max2000 in my draw length and asked if I was intersted. At first, I said no but then I started thinking...
Heck, I can order that Max and not have to wait 3 or 4 weeks for it to arrive like I normally would if placing an order.
I decided to order the bow sight unseen just from the way Pinwheel talks and brags on them.
It has been an outstanding bow from the moment I first shot it.
Everyone who has looked at it and held it has been impressed.
They can't get over how well made it is and how well the grip fits their hand. Most everyone has stated it's the best feeling, best made, and prettiest bow they have ever seen.
It's an extremely easy bow to tune and shoot and is dead accurate.
Last month my Super Nova finally arrived.
When I pulled it from the box all I could think is...WOW!
Imo, it's the most beautiful compound bow ever made anywhere.
It has a silver finish that looks like polished chrome. It glows in sunlight. The finish on the gold limb pockets is outstanding too.
The geometry of the riser with its lines and curves make it look like a high priced sports car compared to other bows. Most other bows pale in comparison.
The limb pockets are just as outstanding as the riser. They are pivoting style, locking, with vibration absorbing material placed between them and the limbs to reduce shock and vibration when shooting the bow.
The limbs are the new Profusion carbon, like found on the Max2000.
They perform beautifully and recover very quick on the shot and are a very handsome recurve style limb to boot.
I can't say they're the best limbs made just yet because they're so new and haven't been time tested. But it wouldn't surprise me if they turn out to be the best.
I took my Super Nova to the local Pro Shop last week.
All the Mathews die-hards raved over the bow when I uncased it.
I let several guys hold it.
All of them said it had the best feeling grip and was the most beautiful bow they had seen.
It was just like the Max review all over again.
An employee at the shop, who shoots nothing but Mathews, said it was beautiful and exotic looking.
Another guy said it looked too pretty to shoot.
I was flattered by their comments.
Their comments, along with Pinwheel 12's reply on the Accu-Riser post are the main reason I decided to post this topic.
I know, most guys here on BBS like
Bowtech, Mathews, and Hoyt bows best.
Nothing against those bows at all.
I still have my Hoyt Superstar and have thought about buying a Bowtech and Mathews before.
But you may be missing an opportunity to own the overall best crafted, best shooting, and best looking bow you've ever owned by overlooking a Merlin.
Some guys argue they're made in England and you're taking jobs away from Americans.
When was the last time you bought an appliance made in USA or a car with all the parts made in USA ?
Heck, every last piece of chrome on a Harley Davidson is made in Taiwan!
Others say, it's too far away to get warranty service.
I've noticed, reading other people's reports, Merlin seems to be faster than Hoyt or Mathews getting bows repaired for customers.
The only valid complaint I've heard is not being able to shoot one before you buy.
I can buy that one but, I bet, if you did get to shoot one. You would say it had the best feeling grip best balance, and best craftsmanship of any bow you have ever seen anywhere.
...And the best looking!
I'm very confident in saying that because for the last three months everyone that has handled my Max2000 and now, my Super Nova has said the grip and feel of the bow are outstanding.
Only one guy has stated otherwise.
But he didn't dislike the grip. He said, he would have to get used to it.
This is around 75 shooters I'm talking here.
No, not a great number but a pretty good indication, imo.
With Merlin, you don't have to worry about buying an expensive Shrewd, Loesch, or other custom grip to replace the one that doesn't feel right like the grips on most other bows.
Merlin's grips already feel outstanding and are superior to the custom grips anyway.
I feel, buying a Merlin bow sight unseen will not be a problem for 95% of the guys out there who choose to do so.
So, if you're looking for a new bow, you really owe it to yourself to check out the Merlins.
You won't regret it!
I can see a few more in my future.
Pinwheel 12 offers outstanding service with Merlin bows.
I wouldn't consider ordering a Merlin from anyone else.
It took him a couple of years to convince me to try a Merlin.
I'm glad, I finally took his advice and decided to get one. Now two.
He was right about them.
They are outstanding!


Sag.

http://www.merlin-bows.co.uk
http://www.pinwheelproducts.com



Edited by - Sagittarius on 08/31/2002 16:41:39
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Old 08-31-2002, 04:12 PM
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Typical Buck
 
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Default RE: Merlin Bows...Don't overlook them!

Sag-

Great job! Looks like I'll have to put you on the payroll! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Seriously, I never thought I'd get you away from the Bowmans, but am now very pleased that I took the extra time and effort to try and do so. Thanks for the nice words spoken for myself and Pinwheel Products, the Merlins of course I had no doubt as to what you'd be saying once you saw and shot them, the same as myself and many others have found out! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> Good shooting, Pinwheel 12

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Old 08-31-2002, 05:45 PM
  #3  
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Default RE: Merlin Bows...Don't overlook them!

I'm glad your 100% happy with your choice of bow!!

But , I'll never buy another bow without trying it out first. And IMO the Merlin doesn't have anything superior over our top of the line american bows , so I'll continue to bolster the american archery industry.
Just my patriotic feelings!

&quot;Nocked,cocked & ready to rock&quot;
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Old 08-31-2002, 07:31 PM
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Default RE: Merlin Bows...Don't overlook them!

I've bought two bows this year, without trying them. I sold two bows this year that I only owned one week. One bow was a very highly recommended model from a well know company. The other was a middle of the line bow from a big company. Never again. What one person thinks is gold, another is likely to be less than impressed with. I've learned my lesson.

Maybe some day I'll get the opportunity to shoot a Merlin and I might agree with the assessment given, but I won't be owning one before the first time I shoot it. Sorry to contradict what you have said, but I think it's very wise to shoot before you buy.

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Old 08-31-2002, 08:35 PM
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Default RE: Merlin Bows...Don't overlook them!

After hearing the great things about Merlin, I too wish there was a dealer a little closer. I am a firm believer in shooting a bow first and I believe in supporting my local pro-shop. Hopefully Merlin will concentrate on the American market a little more in the near future. They obviously have a lot to offer the American hunter.

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Old 08-31-2002, 11:23 PM
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Default RE: Merlin Bows...Don't overlook them!

Bowfanatic

Its a shame when anyone starts out a post with the words &quot;I'll never&quot; because that is indicative of a lack of willingness to try something that could very well improve your shooting. Negativity like that only says that you are stubborn to possibly doing a little research and finding out that what Sag is saying is infact the case.

I've owned top of the line Hoyts and Mathews and they are fine shooting bows, but I will second Sag in that the Max 2000 is the most impressive bow I have ever shot and owned. I was nervous as hell about buying the bow sight unseen but when enough qualified proven target shooters swear by a bow and a bow company there is no need to second guess. &quot;I'll never&quot; type of people will &quot;never&quot; reach there potential. Try to have an open mind and have a little trust when enough top target archers say something is a no brainer, and the Max2000 for an all around bow and the Supernova for spots are &quot;no brainers&quot;

Tom

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Old 09-01-2002, 12:29 AM
  #7  
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Default RE: Merlin Bows...Don't overlook them!

Pinwheel
I am in the process of talking my wife into letting me get a 3d bow and am interested in the Merlin line but not sure of which one.
What would you reckomend??
Email me if you like my email is in my profile.
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Old 09-01-2002, 03:32 AM
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Default RE: Merlin Bows...Don't overlook them!

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Bowfanatic

Its a shame when anyone starts out a post with the words &quot;I'll never&quot; because that is indicative of a lack of willingness to try something that could very well improve your shooting. Negativity like that only says that you are stubborn to possibly doing a little research and finding out that what Sag is saying is infact the case.

I've owned top of the line Hoyts and Mathews and they are fine shooting bows, but I will second Sag in that the Max 2000 is the most impressive bow I have ever shot and owned. I was nervous as hell about buying the bow sight unseen but when enough qualified proven target shooters swear by a bow and a bow company there is no need to second guess. &quot;I'll never&quot; type of people will &quot;never&quot; reach there potential. Try to have an open mind and have a little trust when enough top target archers say something is a no brainer, and the Max2000 for an all around bow and the Supernova for spots are &quot;no brainers&quot;

Tom


<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>


Tom

As you can see in my post , I said I'll never buy &quot;another&quot; bow without trying it out first. Another , meaning not again. I've made that mistake before and I learn from my first mistakes.
As for a Merlin making me a better shot<img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle> You dont really believe that , do you? It is'nt the bow that makes a great archer!

As for you owning top of the line Mathews and Hoyts , but you now believe your Merlin is superior , well , that sounds too familiar. Everyone with a new bow feels their new purchase is superior to everything else.
Like I said before , it's just my patriotic feelings to spend my hard earned american cash on top quality american made archery products if for no other reason than , american made archery products are second to none!
To each his own , if your shooting Merlin and your happy thats all that counts.
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Old 09-01-2002, 06:58 AM
  #9  
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Default RE: Merlin Bows...Don't overlook them!

Great post, Bowfanatic. It's good to hear the disagreements kept professional and clean.
I'm sure that the Merlins are fine bows, and Sagittarius did a great review. I personally wouldn't buy a bow without testing it first, but that's me. Glad it worked out for you, Sag, hope you all have a great season!
Trebark

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Old 09-01-2002, 07:01 AM
  #10  
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Default RE: Merlin Bows...Don't overlook them!

Ausie-guy-

I think the Max 2000 makes a great &quot;all-around&quot; bow. It'll hunt, shoot spots, Fita, indoors, and yes, it has plenty of speed for 3D. You'll find that TOP shooters do NOT shoot radical setups and speeds in excess of 300 for 3D, they use forgiving and stable setups and work on their numbers. Gotta be able to hit what you're shooting at, and you can't do that CONSISTENTLY with the 34-36&quot; ATA and 6 or 6.5&quot; of brace that you need for 300+ speed. I've won an IBO World title myself (over a decade ago) and did it at 284fps with a 41&quot; ATA bow with 7.25&quot; of brace. HMM, the Max 2000 is 41.25&quot; with 7.25&quot; of brace. Coincidence?

I use the Max for all applications, and it handles everything without a fuss and is super accurate, the most accurate bow of it's configuration I have ever put into my hands to date. (Yes, I use mine for 3D, shooting 3-28 ACC's at 60lbs, 29&quot; AMO drawlength, right in the 290fps range) In fact most of us Factory Merlin shooters that shoot 3D's are using this model. Gene Witt just placed in the top 5 overall in Men's Semi-Pro in the IBO National Triple Crown using this bow, and won Bedford, the first leg, in BOTH 2001 and 2002.

The Lite Storm is great if thinking about a solo, it has 305 speed, yet still offers 38&quot; ATA and 7+&quot; of brace. I've found this bow to be quite accurate also.

Bowfanatic--

Don't fool yourself. I'm as patriotic as the next guy, but after shooting darned-near every bow made at one time or another, have to agree with Sag and Tom on this one. The Merlins have the tightest tolerances, greatest attention to detail, and are the best handling bows I have shot to date. Yes, of course SOME USA bows are top quality, but some are complete junk also, and as stated before, there are alot of &quot;good&quot; bows out there, but few &quot;great&quot; ones, ANYWHERE! Might as well broaden your horizons, right? If you feel what you are shooting is &quot;great&quot;, that's fine by me and your opinion,(at least you're shooting something, that's what it's really all about) but to say that you &quot;won't&quot; because it's &quot;not USA made&quot; or that you cannot hold it first is like slapping all of us in the face who went out of our way already. We stepped up to the plate and basically stuck our necks out first, and after doing so and running the bows through their paces, now are trying to relay the message that they are worth it for others to buy sight unseen and are some of the finest-built bows on the planet. I don't know about others, but I will NOT steer someone away from what I believe to be the truth. If you don't want to believe us, especially those of us who HAVE shot every brand, HAVE won many titles and Championships over the years and HAVE been working in the industry for over 3 decades, then I guess that's your choice, but I'm not following this type of thinking, really.

That's the problem with this world today, everyone is getting too independent. Kids don't listen to teachers or parents, people won't listen to those that have &quot;been there and done that&quot;, they have to stick their foot in the same chuckhole to find out for themselves that it will give you a broken ankle! I learned from the great techs before me, and did it the HARD way, before computers with info at your fingertips, and altho you can gain lots of knowledge here, NOTHING beats hands-on experience over many, many years with hundreds of brands of equipment of all types. I'm telling you from this experience that the Merlins are in the top of their class and sit on the pinnacle with only a few. No BS.

BTW, Most &quot;BIG&quot; USA manufacturers' bows are NOT on that pinnacle either, IMO, sorry.

Good shooting, Pinwheel 12





Edited by - Pinwheel 12 on 09/01/2002 07:15:11
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