Which Quantum Soft Tip Set Suits Me Best?
(Above – Quantum Darts Four Current Soft Tip Barrel designs)
Here in the United Kingdom, soft tip darts doesn’t have as large a following comparable with likes of USA, Canada, Australia, other countries in Europe and Asia, but it is certainly growing in popularity.
The creation of the UKSDA (United Kingdom Soft Darts Association) who run league games and tournaments (connecting to each other virtually over the internet) & recently launched IDart Academy in Hastings specifically set up for youngsters backs up this fact .
As those of you who have been following us since our initial product launch are aware, we try to get on the soft tip boards as often as we can. It is almost unbelievable, how much different it is to conventional steel tip and it feels like a completely different game, so definitely worth checking it out if you can.
We’ve written this article to help you, as our customers decide, which of our soft tip barrels are suitable for you and we hope that it provides you with an in depth analysis/overview of each dart.
Barrel Technical Specifications
QD501
These are the soft tip version of our QD500 series darts (slightly shorter than the steel tip version), which doesn’t focus on any specific gripping areas along the barrel, hence highly suitable for front, middle or rear grippers. The circular dimples combined with the ring grooves provide a little extra to the aesthetics of the dart and to the distinctive grip to touch.
• Length: 48,3mm
• Width: ø 6,38mm
• Tungsten Content: 90% Nickel Tungsten
• Weight: 18,0 grams (Barrel Weight)
• Price: £27.99
Front Grip
Middle Grip
Rear Grip
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Griptide
‘Griptide’ from Quantum Darts has been designed with grip over the full barrel length and machined accordingly with varying grip intensities. The barrel has a centre section with plain grooves, two sections of wavy grooves on opposing sides of the centre (which form a fairly aggressive grip), radiused nose & tapered rear, on both of which there are evenly spaced grooves to add extra grip right up to the point end/shaft end.
• Length: 48,3mm
• Width: ø 6,75mm
• Tungsten Content: 90% Nickel Tungsten
• Weight: 21 grams (Barrel Weight)
• Price: £31.99
Front Grip
Middle Grip
Rear Grip
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Paradox
Quantum Darts ‘Paradox’ has been designed specifically centralising the main area of grip on the barrel. As a middle gripper (but not necessarily constrained just to middle grippers), these darts would suit you perfectly.The combination of flat and rounded grooves form a level of grip that isn’t overly aggressive, yet plentiful when you hold the barrels in your hand. The scallop at the rear of the dart counter balances the weight removed with milled cross shaped cuts and the constant radius from the point side.
• Length: 42mm
• Width: ø 7,20mm
• Tungsten Content: 90% Nickel Tungsten
• Weight: 17,5 grams (Barrel Weight)
• Price: £41.99
Front Grip
Middle Grip
Rear Grip
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Backlash
Quantum Darts ‘Backlash’ presents itself with a more conventional soft tip dart profile which is perfect for someone who grips the barrel at the rear. Starting from the point end there is a taper, then the profile continues into a smooth section and then a stepped tapered back right the way down to the shaft. A combination of subtle v shaped grooves/scallops mixed with aesthetically pleasing dimples, some shark grip sections (with flat grooves centred) and some stand alone flat grooves that create a distinctive grip when you hold the dart in your hand.
• Length: 40,6mm
• Width: ø 6,75mm
• Tungsten Content: 90% Nickel Tungsten
• Weight: 16,5 grams (Barrel Weight)
• Price: £38.99
Front Grip
Rear Grip
Barrel Balance Points
Balance is an important consideration when choosing a set of darts because it can really impact how it 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).
You can see below, the balance points as barrels only, not set up with flights/points/shafts for our soft tip sets;
QD501 – Just in front of centre
Griptide – Central
Paradox – Central
Backlash – Just In Front Of Centre
When we tinker with flight (kite/standard/slim/pear/fantail etc.), shaft (short/medium/intermediate/nylon/titanium/aluminium etc.), point setups (point style/point length etc.), it is effectively this balance, or the arc motion that we are influencing to achieve the results that we feel that we want.
Useful Links:
UKSDA (United Kingdom Soft Darts Association – UKSDA Facebook Page
Dartslive UK (Find your nearest board) – Dartslive UK Search
Quantum Darts Soft Tip Darts – Quantum Darts Soft Tip Barrels
Fallon Sherrock Helps Launch IDart Academy – BBC News (IDart Academy)