Shot the new Diamond Gladiator tonight.

Straightarrow · 03-11-2004, 08:15 PM

It reminded me of a faster Diamond Machete, which means it was quiet with low vibration and almost no recoil. This didn't surprise me, because the riser looks identical to the Machete's, only with a different limb pocket angle. Lose a little brace height and gain a little speed. Diamond has also added a new camo pattern. I'm not sure which one it is, but it looks very good. Lots of light areas is the pattern, which will give it less of the dark blob appearance that many have in the woods. And the most pleasant surprise was the drawlength. It was only 1/4" more then stated drawlength. This is a big improvement over prior years for a Diamond bow. This meant speed without cheating.

It has a 34" ata, 7" brace height and 323 fps IBO. The one I shot was 70 lbs at 29" draw length. The arrow was approximately 400 grains and I got 300 fps on the crono. I'm not sure how this compares with IBO specs, because I don't normally pay much attention to this stuff, but I knew quite a few others would be interested.

If you like fast, quiet bows that typically sell for less then $600, this one will be worth checking out.

Rangeball · 03-12-2004, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Diamond has also added a new camo pattern. I'm not sure which one it is, but it looks very good. Lots of light areas is the pattern, which will give it less of the dark blob appearance that many have in the woods.

Mossy Oak Break Up...

323 IBO - 8 fps for 1" less DL and 15 fps for 50 grains more arrow weight = 300 fps...

Go figure

DaveC · 03-12-2004, 08:38 AM

Sorry if I missed it, but was it the single or double cammed model?

Rangeball · 03-12-2004, 08:42 AM

With a 323 IBO rating, it had to be the SC. The Dually is "only" rated at 219...

nub · 03-12-2004, 08:47 AM

Quote:

With a 323 IBO rating, it had to be the SC. The Dually is "only" rated at 219...

Say what?????????????[&:]

DaveC · 03-12-2004, 08:48 AM

I thought the solo was 328? At least that's what my 2004 catalog says.
And I think you mean 319!

Rangeball · 03-12-2004, 09:20 AM

Has anyone seen my brain?

Yep, meant 319. Story of my life, always using the wrong finger...

Dave you're right, IBO is 328. I didn't double check it, just went with what was posted above. So the 300 fps speed is 5 fps lower than calculated, which would be easily accounted for based on what was on the string when tested...

Jeepnut · 03-12-2004, 09:31 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Rangeball

With a 323 IBO rating, it had to be the SC. The Dually is "only" rated at 219...

I thought maybe you were talking about the 25" draw model with a 560 grain arrow. Made perfect sense to me.[8D]

Straightarrow · 03-12-2004, 03:35 PM

Yes, I had the IBO wrong. I wasn't thinking clearly that early in the morning.

It was the single cam. This shop has the two cam on order, but they haven't come in yet.