Telstar A Closer Look – Quantum Darts®

Quantum Darts Telstar – A Closer Look

Why 95% Tungsten?

Quantum Darts ‘Telstar’ was designed to be a front weighted/balanced dart, but one which does so without compromising the outer diameter at the widest point. As an ideal scenario of course we want to keep the darts as thin as possible, to allow for tighter grouping in the trebles on the dartboard and create more space for free flowing darts. These were designed to be a straight barrelled front weighted dart unlike our QD100 darts which are a short, bulbous style; with a 7,6mm diameter and 45,7mm length.

In this case keeping the diameter low, was achieved by making the dart from a 95% tungsten (w) to 5% nickel (ni) composition material. This means that the material density to weight ratio is much greater and the barrel thickness comparable to an 80% or 90% tungsten dart in the same length is greatly reduced because there is a higher weight to volume ratio. The feel of a 95% dart in your hand is quite different and you can definitely feel the difference in material density almost like it’s ‘heavier’ to hold.

When designing a dart there are two base variables that have a dramatic effect on the weight: A) barrel length B) barrel width, but other factors such as groove depth and thread depth also contribute. Below you can see, using the dimensions of the 22g version as an example comparison, the approximate differences between the mass of raw material for a 90 & 95% tungsten dart. In design terms this has a significant impact.

Design Concept

As already mentioned, we set out to make this barrel front weighted/balanced. Natural occurring thoughts would suggest that for an object to be front weighted then the mass at the front end, assisted by the additional mass of the dart point, needs to be greater than the mass at the rear end and this is why the barrel shape (albeit simplistic) was conceived. You will note its contour which starting from the point end has a radiused nose, with reduced starting diameter to reduce deflections, and then tapers towards the rear seamlessly transitioning barrel to shaft.

In the image above, you will also note the concept design (top) and the final design (bottom). Sometimes in design, you have to go back to basics and certainly something that we thought in this instance, focusing more on the balance & the shape making that ‘comfortable’ for a dart player to use than anything else.

We’d spent a fair amount of time testing out the concept, but made one key observation. Whilst the tri -groove pattern provided quite a substantial grip (not aggressive however) in its 7 places along the barrel, the smooth land in between meant the dart would occasionally slip out of fingertips on release. It’s doubtful you need to be a spot the difference champion to note the change between the concept and the final design! The flat jagged cut grooves we put in place provided the perfect solution; not overly aggressive but enough to stop this from happening. Darts review channel actually described this level of grip as a medium to high medium grip and gave it a rating of 6/10 in the review they did for us.

Telstar barrel 22g setup

Telstar barrel 26g setup

Telstar Grip Closeup

Telstar 22g & 26g Comparison

The Balance

Here is the balance we wanted to achieve which is frontal of the actual mid point along it’s length. The stem and flight set up does effect the balance and aerodynamics in flight in the ‘arc’ between leaving your hand and reaching the board. Things such as shaft length (extra short, short, inbetween, medium or long) flight thickness (75 micron, 100 micron or 150 micron) or flight shape (small standard, standard, kite, pear, slim, vortex, mini standard or fantail to name a few) all need to be considered.

The below is an excerpt from one of our previous blog posts on balance & the ‘arc’ aforementioned.

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Balance is an important consideration when choosing a set of darts because it can really impact how the barrel flies through the air in its ‘arc’. In most cases, when we throw a dart, we tend to throw it upwards and then let it come back down, with the effect of gravity (newtons laws of physics), towards the board at the point of equilibrium.

A dart with a more frontward balance (‘a front weighted dart’), tends to pull down quicker at the later stage of this ‘Arc’ compared to one with middle or rear balance because there is an over exaggerated pull with the addition of the ‘mass’ (which is the other critical factor).

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You can see below, the balance points as barrels only, not set up with flights/points/shafts;

Telstar 22g balance point indication

Telstar 26g balance point indication

If you hold the dart towards the front around the balance point, the taper almost allows your finger to *hug* the barrel, much unlike a completely parallel dart, because it gets thinner towards the rear. Whilst it may not be ideal for extreme rear grip (see our new resonance darts for a suitable style), this barrel is certainly suitable for front, middle or mid rear grip.