(http://i.imgur.com/7pRWJ.jpg)
Zipper Nitro - 62" and 52lbs @ 28".
I have always wanted to find a longbow that could deliver similar speeds as my recurves could at my lower poundages. I was talking to Bill Dunn one day and was telling him this when he said "I've got something I would like to send you to shoot". About a week later a bow box shows up. After setting up this new bow I can tell you that no longer are longbows second to recurves in performance. As most of you know Bill is always thinking, tinkering and refining things.
This bow is the same draw weight as my SXT with recurve limbs. Both are foam cores with added carbon and it is every bit as fast as my recurve. I didn't chrono it but arrows are flying exactly the same at long distances. With a little help from Bill I figured out the silencer configuration it likes and it is very quiet as well. Very easy to tune with a brace height of 6-3/4". Not sure how Bill has done it but with that low a brace height there is no issue with string hitting my arm or even close. I was so confident in the bow and its deadly accuracy I took it to the tree stand two days after I received it. After a few weeks and as fate would have it I couldn't get a shot on a deer but did test it under a hunting situation on this guy from 12 steps from my tree. The arrow flew exactly where I was looking.
(http://i.imgur.com/Qvr4m.jpg)
Not sure how the shelf is cut (Bill?) but shot my 2114's, 2016's, Carbon Express 150's and my Trad Only 500's like bullets. The grip is very nice and is very forgiving on strange angle shots like from a hunting situation. Bill can add more about the particulars of the bow but I think the woods are Ebony and Maple in this one. Limbs are backed with carbon and have maple veneers on the bellys.
To close this ain't your typical longbow guys, no longer is the argument that a recurve outperforms a longbow at the same weight valid. Sending this bow onto Lowebow for an opinion from a long draw guy, but from a vertically challenged hunter this bow has no stack and is the real deal.
(http://i.imgur.com/OHtag.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/AFnqg.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/5PEYS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/cewoy.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/OJNLu.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/3VDZb.jpg)
Bill certainly builds some beautiful bows!
That's a nice looking rig
Can you take a quick measurement, and let us know how long the riser is please?
14"
I thought the Nitro was going to be a 1 piece bow. Is that riser specifically for the longbow limbs? Looks like Bill will have new bows and broadheads for the KaZoo Expo!
That is truly a beautiful bow. I am with you as far as longbows being as efficient as recurves. I am shooting a habu VyperKan longbow that performs as well as my recurve in everyway.
QuoteOriginally posted by owlbait:
I thought the Nitro was going to be a 1 piece bow. Is that riser specifically for the longbow limbs? Looks like Bill will have new bows and broadheads for the KaZoo Expo!
Owlbait, as I understand it the new Nitro is this 3 piece, the one piece will be calked Zip stick. Bill uses the same riser for both. It can be ordered with a grip like this or with a more traditional low grip also.
Thats an interesting longbow!
Really like the looks of it!
Thanks TJ. I must've lost my memo from the last Pro-Staff meeting, or Benjy forgot to send me the notes. I thought Bill dropped the Zipstick name, and I wasn't aware of the 3 pc bow. Sure is hard to keep up with his research and decelopement. I'll bet it is a shooter, like all the Zippers. Do you have a pic of the shelf area?
So you are saying that the riser is different from a SXT or ZXT?
Oops sorry. Here are some shelf side picts.
(http://i.imgur.com/LzXNE.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8NcI7.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ngHZ2.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/HYwhH.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ABtAB.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ufdWA.jpg)
Tom, you are killing me!!
That is a very nice looking bow! I would expect nothing less from Bill. :thumbsup:
Thanks TJ. Great pics as usual. Bill just keeps upping the ante, doesn't he?
Nice looking bow!!!
Typical Bill Dunn,I just get settled into my Zipper ILF and this pops up...lol :biglaugh: Nice looking set up. You can count Mr. Dunn to be always working to improve things.
Sounds cool Tom. Now, do you think you'll get it back from Mike? :)
I loved that RER LX I had. Have you shot Mike's? Comparisons in your eyes?
TJ very nice, always love your posts!! I love the Zippers and my next riser will be one of their ILF's. Very nicebow and I like the fact you can brace it so low and not get string slap on your arm! Sweet pics.! Shawn
DANG!!! I am really likin' that combo on the riser woods - it is very handsome!
Sounds like it shoots as good as it looks too!
Enjoy!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Real nice, something told me I should of waited before sending in my money for a Zipper Hunter S, lol. All good.
Beautiful bow!
QuoteOriginally posted by varmint101:
Sounds cool Tom. Now, do you think you'll get it back from Mike? :)
I loved that RER LX I had. Have you shot Mike's? Comparisons in your eyes?
Matt....lemme say this. You know how I absolutely LOVE the RER I got off you.....well...I did shoot this Zipper a few weeks ago and shot an earlier prototype of it a few months ago at Bill house in Ohio.....
It's an absolute awesome shooting bow. Hard to compare the bamboo cores of the RER to the carbon/foam core limbs of the Zipper. For smoothness, speed, and weight the Zipper takes it. The grip is that of a normal Zipper, which is an awesome feel and fullness of the hand, but when matched w/ the RER the "bulb" of the LX grip wins.... with that being said, Bill did tell Tom that he thought he shaved a little too much off of it when finishing her out, sot I'm not gonna judge it on that as TJ's recurve grip fits me perfectly.....
Would I own this bow? Hell yeah! I can't wait to get it from TJ this week and put a few more arras thru her. I'll be hunting w/ it the next day! LOL! Great bow!
Shooting Bill's bows are a memorable experience in and of themselves. He is dilengently working to raise the bar.
Beautiful bow!!!
Beautiful bow. Got a Zipper SXT on order which is due in March. I was hoping to eventually pick up a set of longbow limbs to go with it.
TJ, Will these limbs fit the SXT riser?
I better get my order in quick as a review like that from someone like Tom who KNOWS bows will surely have Bill stacked up with orders.
Thanks for the pics and review Tom, great looking bow!
Nicely done Bill!
Thanks for the review Tom. I was actually going to ask how you were liking it. Can't wait to get one in my hands !!! :pray:
Bill
QuoteOriginally posted by 1/4 away:
Beautiful bow. Got a Zipper SXT on order which is due in March. I was hoping to eventually pick up a set of longbow limbs to go with it.
TJ, Will these limbs fit the SXT riser?
Don't want to speak for Tom, but I did ask Bill that same question the other day Fred and he said no, as the limb pad angle was different.
Jake is right. These riser pads are at a different angle than the SXT Fred. No worries though Bill makes long bow limbs for the SXT also.
All that I can say is, My wife is gonna kill me! I was waiting on Bill's one piece but... I really like the looks of that 3 piece! I was able to shoot the proto type at the Trad Worlds. It was a pleasure to shoot. It shot exactly like TJ says! I watched multiple people shoot it and they all had that "look" in their eyes afterwards!
I can't wait to fling some more arrows through it! Hint, hint! :bigsmyl:
Very interesting. How does the 62" handle a longer draw?
QuoteOriginally posted by KentuckyTJ:
(http://i.imgur.com/7pRWJ.jpg)
Zipper Nitro - 62" and 52lbs @ 28".
I have always wanted to find a longbow that could deliver similar speeds as my recurves could at my lower poundages.
That is an attractive bow and it appears you shoot it well.
I recently acquired a Centaur double carbon and it is actually a faster bow than any similar poundage recurves I have owned. Might be another option in your search.
QuoteOriginally posted by looper:
Very interesting. How does the 62" handle a longer draw?
Looper, that is what we are anxious to find out after Lowebow gives it more of a go next. He has a 30" draw length. PM him for his thoughts.
For what its worth I drew the bow a couple inches longer just to try and see if there was any stack and didn't notice any at all. I am pretty sure there will be none but we can let Lowebow tell us that.
I'll do that. This might be just what I'm looking for. As much as I love my 70" Hills, a shorter bow sure would make some situations a lot easier.
Looper pm sent
That is a cool looking bow!
I don't think my head is turned as easily these days but this one did it for me.
God bless,Mudd
Any idea when this configuration may be available?
That bow is downright creepy looking. Im waiting anxiously for the 1 piece. As always, functional art from Bill and Tracy.
QuoteOriginally posted by ermont:
Any idea when this configuration may be available?
Eric, They are available for order now.
QuoteOriginally posted by Izzy:
That bow is downright creepy looking. Im waiting anxiously for the 1 piece. As always, functional art from Bill and Tracy.
Izzy, Bill told me last night he is about to get the forms cut for the one piece. Won't be long.
Sweet, I like the looks of that one a lot !!
Cool. Thanks TJ I will follow up.
Picked the bow up at TJ's house last night. The physical weight of the bow is sooooo light! Had to start from scratch on tuning when the nock decided to slide 2" up the string on the 3rd shot, but was able to get her dialed back in after 15-20 shots. Shooting CX 150's 31" w/ 200gr up front.
At 13 yds in my basement the arrow flight is lookin really nice, so I fitted her up w/ a 4 arrow EFA strap on quiver and stuck some 150 4-blade stingers on the arras. I think she's ready to kill something.
So far my thoughts on the 62" is great! Very smooth to draw, quiet, light weight, great grip, fast......I need to get it outside to see how it does in the field, but seems like a great hunting bow to me so far!
Hoping to get out Sunday and into a stand as I have to go to MI for my Mother In Laws memorial this weekend.
I'll keep ya'll posted.
Mike
Mike did you notice any stack at the end of your 30" draw?
Nice. I may have to stop by next time I'm in Mt. Orab. Do you know what other lengths he'll make these in? I looked on his site, but couldn't find anything about the Nitro.
Matt, The 3 piece Nitro is available in 60, 62 & 64". The one piece "Zip Stick will be 58, 60, 62 & 64".
This 62" bow did not stack at all for me at about 29-1/2". I'd love to compare it to a 64", a 60", and a 58".....I wonder if Bill will send them down.... LOL!
Mike,
I'm looking forward to more feedback from you. Good Luck hunting !!! :thumbsup:
Bill
58" and 60" sound good. I definitely have to get down there and try one out.
I'm gonna bring this back to the top. I was able to get home from MI Sunday in time to head to a treestand for a couple hours. I'm really falling for this bow. The more I shoot it the better it fits me. I think sometimes it takes more than an hour of shooting a bow for you to really notice everything about it. I didn't get a chance to shoot it from the stand as the only deer I saw was a shooter 8pt that just skirted me along the edge of a picked corn field. I did however draw the bow multiple times in the stand and LOVE the 62" length. It's smooooth as butter and zero stack at my 29-1/2" draw.
I did fine tune it a litte in the basement and dropped down to 125 points w/ 50 gr inserts on my shafts. They are Darts now. I'm hoping to have blood on it before the end of the weekend and I'll be packing it up and sending off ot the next.
I hate to say this, but trying to compare this 62" carbon foamed Zipper to my 64" boo RER is like Apples and Oranges. Both great bows, but really not in the same class. IMO. The physical weight and speed of the carbon/foam is crazy! Great grip, brace, draw. The bow has it all for sure.
I see a Zipper on my rack in the future for sure.
Mike
I am wondering when it will appear on the site!?
Felix, I will have it up soon. Bill has been making improvements and is just now ready for production. This bow is a prototype.
Has anyone shot a prototype of the ZipStick?
Gen273 - Bill just made the press for it the other day. It will be a while.
Thanks for the feedback Mike. :thumbsup:
Bill
I thought it was going to be the "Dipstick". (My apologies in advance)
(http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa7/owlbait/zippergenius.jpg)
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
thanks TJ. :thumbsup:
Owl bait,
You ain't right; so you are welcome at my campfire anything!
So, from your review Mike you need to sell me that crappy RER so you can buy a Zipper. LOL. Had to try.
Thanks Buck! I love Bill's products and certainly don't want to detract from this thread. I brought that pic out of the archives, even though some were offended when I first posted it. I should've said "Dipstick" LIMITED EDITION: Available ONLY in Hespotuckey, Michigan! I look forward to shooting the Zipstick, if available, at KaZoo.
Thanks for the pics! Love my Zipper.
Can anyone conpare the Centaur Triple carbon to the foam/Carbon Zipper limbs for speed, draw, sound etc .. ? I have a triple but need a long bow with alittle more weight in the hand. maybe this is it?
Lemme start by saying thanks for Bill for letting me play w/ this new bow. I'll be shipping in off shortly and have really enjoyed shooting it.
I took a bunch of pics of it last night laying w/ my RER LX. You will see the drastic differences in design, limb pocket angles, limb thickness, limb load/design, etc.
There is only one thing on this bow that I found I do not like and that was the grip thickness...(which would be a personal pref) I don't belive this to be a standard Zipper grip as it seems to be a little thin compared to any of them I shot at Bill's house last summer, but this is a "proto type" I just personally prefer a bigger heal on a longbow as I have GIANT hands. If you look at a side view of the grips (which I lined up in pics)...they are cut sooo similar. Great fit on both. Where the RER grip shines is in the thickness of what I would call the heel. It fills my hand and gets exact placement each time I grab the bow. As it fills my palm it helps my bow are turn just right to give more clearence to the string.
Like I said....prob a personal pref for me, but worth noting.
There's a little blood on the RER...sorry..
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af314/LoweBow/Bows/d84eb94d.jpg?t=1323717487)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af314/LoweBow/Bows/4b34556a.jpg?t=1323717488)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af314/LoweBow/Bows/bbf2d754.jpg?t=1323717488)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af314/LoweBow/Bows/3575b890.jpg?t=1323717488)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af314/LoweBow/Bows/b4e03c47.jpg?t=1323717488)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af314/LoweBow/Bows/67325618.jpg?t=1323717488)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af314/LoweBow/Bows/062be81e.jpg?t=1323717487)
(http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af314/LoweBow/Bows/f5d0244d.jpg?t=1323717488)
My rating of this bow would be a 9.5 of 10 and I've never shot a "10" longbow.
At 62" is smooth as silk at my 29-1/2" draw.
Light as a feather. (Amazed at it's weight!)
Super fast.
Point of aim is great.
Quality expected from a high end bow.
Excellent sight window.
Finish is super tough.
I don't own a Zipper, but will deff be ordering one to my specs. Great bow!
Mike, I had the same comments to Bill on the grip. He has a later version than this prototype that is his personal bow and he said the heal issue has been altered and is wider.
Thanks for the morning chuckle when I read the part about you having GIANT hands.
Great pictures Mike...thanks for taking those!
Always amazing to me how different bows can be from each other in the way of design/shape but still have such similar desirable characteristics.
The wait is killing me...but I guess I can't be to upset, even if Bill was up to mine, he couldn't do anything about it.....I have yet to decide on woods :knothead:
LOL!
You know what they say about a man w/ Giant Hands?????
Giant Gloves!
:biglaugh:
Nice pics Lowebow,
Bill, any ETA on the 1 piece Zip-stick and would performance be comparable to take-down? Debating on whether to get back in da line for another helping. :D
I'm getting in line for a Nitro.
I have been working on the Zipstick form.The form is cut and ready for action it is just the steel cradel that is still in the works.
The Zipstick performance will be right in line with the Nitro. It is the same limb design, with the same overall riser length at the same angle.
The Nitro prototype arrived in Pennsylvania this afternoon. :thumbsup: Got her all setup this evening. Should get to shoot it tomorrow. I will post a report in a few days.
Bill
After 2 days of shooting this bow I'm quite impressed. :thumbsup: Like all the other Zipper models the grip is excellent!!! The bow points extremely well and has a silky smooth draw out to my 29" draw length.
Everything feels great during the shot, from start to finish. The bow is totally free of any hand shock, and is also whisper quiet. She really slings an arrow quite nicely as well. :thumbsup:
The fit and finish on this bow is great as well. Bill Dunn really has an eye for detail. :notworthy: I'm also really impressed with the new textured finish. It should hold up really well under hunting conditions.
Bill Dunn has added another great bow to the Zipper line with the Nitro. I would highly recommend that anyone making the trip to Kalamazoo, stop by the Zipper booth and tryout the Nitro.
Thanks to Bill for letting me demo the new bow!!! I can see a new Nitro headed to western Pennsylvania in the very near future. :D
Bill
:clapper: