Thumb style releases?
 

So I'm thinking of trying a thumb trigger release this next year for hunting. We carry several at work, but the only one I've come to like is the Carter Chocolate Addiction 3-finger. Considering the release is roughly $200, I figure I'll give myself an allowance of that much to spend.

For those of you who have used/hunted with this style of release in thepast, which do you prefer and why?

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

I was just about to post a similar question about thumb releases. I was curios how close to a back tension they actually are. I was thinking of one for 3D this year and hunting of course next year. Thanks for the help.

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

I've shot QUIET a few different releases this year. I started hunting this year with a Tru Ball Pro Diamond. A cheap hunting thumb release. Not supposed to be the nicest thing out there, just for hunting. It was alright. I then went back a Scott Sabertooth to hunt with. I ordered a Carter Instatiable 3 a few weeks ago, and that's the one I'm liking right now. I'm shooting it really well. I'm also throwing in a Scott Longhorn Pro, pure Backtension to keep things in check. I used the Carter to shoot my 300 spot round a few days ago.

In all honesty, the Carter was my 2nd choice. I really wanted a Stan SX2 (Super X 2), but I couldn't get them through the shop, seeing as how it is a REALLY new release. It's AWESOME though, as soon as I can find a way to get one, that's what I'll be getting. They are just simply amazing. I love them.

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

I prefer the carter Fits Mee Too because I have SMALL hands.






If I had normal sized hands,I would use the Just Be Cuz.





One of the things I like is the I.T.S. sytem.


interchangeable tension system.




There are definately some other good releases out there but I love my Too.

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

The ITS is nice, but it does get a little old, because you almost have to break in all the springs to get a feel for what you want. I never could get used to the JustB Cuz, something about that finger hole, I can't get used to.

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

I've got smaller hands too, TFOX, which is probably why I prefer the three finger Chocolate Addiction over the four. How much does that release normally run?

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

I was happy with my TRU ball pro diamond, but I found that I prefer to keep the release attached to my wrist for hunting. I shot fine with either one, just personal preference.

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

Not sure but pretty sure it is OVER the $150 mark.


Matt,I have no problems with the springs,I pulled the factory out and got the HEAVIEST spring in the pack and installed it,haven't changed it since.;)

That is one of the biggest mistakes people make and manufactuers make releases for what people think they need.Heavy promotes much better Bt than light.That is why I like the ITS system,I can't get a heavy trigger pull with it.

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

The biggest problem you might run into for hunting is clearance through the hole for gloves.I don't use mine for hunting but my daughter does.That is how small my hands are.:eek:

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

Matt,

On the web site the picture of the Stanislawski Super X Trio Release looks to have a hook almost like a coat hanger. What is that? Probably a dumb question but I don't know.

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

I believe you are referring to where your index finger goes.

Just like the release I posted but doesn't come all the way around.

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

If I only had one release for every venue of archery including hunting, it would be a T.R.U. Ball ST-3. I currently am using and prefer a Just Cuz for all aspects of target archery, and the ST-3 for hunting specifically, but I did use the ST-3 for everything at one point. The Just Cuz fits my hand a bit better, but the open hook design on the ST-3 is a HUGE plus when using a sear style release in the woods.......I don't have to cock/uncock to get on and off the string. Add in the fact that I can use their modular wrist strap and have it attached to me so I can't drop or lose it.........and it's really the perfect thumb trigger for in the woods in my opinion. The only disadvantage is that the fit is not quite as repeatable in my hand as the Just Cuz, that's why I now use 2x different releases now for target and hunting purposes.

With all that said........unless I honestly felt it was the best fit for everything with no compromises I'd never consider only one release for everything again. I'd rather spend the $$$ to have the perfect fit for different uses.

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

All good points Rick/Matt


Here is the release.





One nice thing about the Carter is you would be able to leave the release attched to the loop and let it hang ready at all times.

It really does come down to personall preference.

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

I think he is asking about the rope you wrap around the string TFOX.

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

No, I guess its where the release hooks to the string. I am just a little confused as to how it works.

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

The ropehooks aroundthe bowstring,no d-loop.(usually)it just comes around and hooks back into the release.

That was what people used mostly before the d-loop came along,a few still use them and they work great.

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

Personally, I bought a cheap one to see if a like it, and how it felt to shoot. I ended up loving it, and i shoot a lot tighter groups now too! I also use it for hunting, which is another reason I went the cheap route because i didnt want to take the chance losing an expensive release. I went with one with a caliper head so it would hang on my d-loop while hunting. I would suggest either getting a cheap one at first to se if you like it or getting one that fully encloses. One thing you that will change is your anchor point, so that may take some getting use to.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...4000_400-14-14

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

Like I said, I've been shooting one at work for quite awhile now and I really like it. My anchor hasn't changed as I never developed one that incorporated the "bone on bone" theory. As long as the string touches the tip of my nose and my peep is lined up with my sight housing, I'm golden.

I don't mind spending the money now on a quality release; I've learned that its better to make the initial investment instead of going cheap early only to be unsatisfied in the long run. We've got several cheaper models as well, but I really dislike the way they feel.

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

My bad Dan. It's been a long day! Anyway go with whatever feels the best in your hands. Mine fits my hand perfectly, but I will probably upgrade when that one wears out. I really like the Carter Choc. Addition.

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

I've never tried one of those types of releases......They look cool, but how would you hold that if you had bulky gloves on?? Doesn't seem like you could get a good grasp especially the ones with the hole to put your finger in...Like these:








would it even fit with a bulky glove on?

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

To be honest I've never shot a bow with a bulky glove onand would never really consider it as an option regardless of the release type I had. I use a very light glove when it's cold (scent lok savannah) and a hand muff with heater packs in it to keep my hands warm, they stay warmer this way, and the muff is always out of the way and a good place to stash things to munch on [8D]. My ST-3 works great with these gloves and I think the last 4 or so deer I've killed with a bow I had them on when I shot with no issues at all.

I cringe at the thought of accidentally bumping the trigger on a release that is just hanging on the loop and dropping it. I hate having to climb down to retrieve stuff I've dropped.......just a pet peeve of mine. I also have a problem with losing things that aren't attached to me.......so it's just easier to have it attached to me. I know you can do this through the cocking bar on a Carter but then you don't have the open hook design unless your usint the BK hunter style release........the ST-3 I feel has a cleaner trigger mechanism to be honest and is easier to tune and adjust. The last several TRU Balls I've used I felt had better trigger mechanisms, and were easier to adjust than the Carters........but my Just Cuz fits my hand too well to worry about this stuff at least for target venues.

This is what my ST-3 looks like w/ the wrist strap. When climbing or doing other things, I can easily tuck the release in my jacket cuff to keep it out of the way.

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

Hey Matt......good a palace as any to ask this....

On my target bow....I wanna use a thumb release. There's really NO need for me to shoot a loop if my release has the rope, right?

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

Correct, however the release loop/string loop discussionand which is better is an age old debate. It's purely personal preference. A release loop can and will make different types of releases fire differently though with different amounts of pressure on the trigger to execute, and can also make hinge style back tension releases fire much smoother when "loaded" with tension at full draw.

I've used both and I prefer a loop just becausewith the current release types I'm using I can't tell a difference, and if you have an emergency string creeping issue that causes your peep to turn in a tournament you can at least try and chase the peep turn with the loop to compensate. I had this happen 2x years ago in our state indoor tournament and while it cost me a few points I still ended up in the top half of the pack because I was able to compensate with the loop between shots. For the record it was not a Gibblet string that did this to me either, but that's a different story..........[8D].

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

Anybody ever use this one? It's a Trufire Stalker. It's a low end model but I have a friend who hunts with it and he likes it. I can pick one up for about $15 right now and I'm thinking about trying it. I've been using a Winn Free Flight glove but I want to try a thumb release. With a wife and 3 kids, I really can't justify $200 on a release when I already have one that still works.

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

To be completely honest, I don't think it would be worth a change in releases unless you could afford some sort of sear style of a thumb trigger like a TRU Ball, Carter, Stan, etc. I rather see you buy a 10 year old carter than something like this. I'd suggest to watch the classifieds over on that "other" site and see what you can come up with, you may see something good that is several years old pop up for $25-$35. I had a whole bundle of 40+ releases last year and wish I could have known then, because some of them went for as low as $20, yet worked perfectly.

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

I agree totally,most of the cheap thumb style releases have so much trigger movement that they do more harm than good.


Matt,I don't even use a handheld because of the fear of me losing it or dropping it.I love my Tru ball Short @ Sweet II for hunting.I have actually looked at using the st3 for huntingbut couldn't justify it.



Big,I stated that earlier about those type carter's.Thick glove would be a problem but I do like Matt,I wear very thin gloves and my hands stay warm in my parka jacket.


I also love the way the Fits Me Too fits in my hand but adjusting the tension couldn't be more simple.Take spring out and change it.But Like I stated earlier,I put the heavy spring in and left it.


I have a Tru ball Chappy and really hated the way it was adjusted.Worked great if you did it right but if you did it wrong,you might launch an arrow at an ill advised time.Saw a friend do that.:D

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

Carter Hole n the Thing 3. I prefer to shoot it triggering the pinky rather than the thumb.

Note: These releases are designed to be triggered using back tension NOT using your thumb motion. The bottom picture shows how it should be held ie...the placement of the trigger in your hand.

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

Good point Rob,I actually let mine rotate forward like a pure BT and the trigger sits in my palm and is fired just as I would my BT.

RE: Thumb style releases?
 

I am really out of target form but here you go.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxOwEPsvHVQ