got a new CheckMate Thunderbird
 

The new bow arrived this morning, and unfortunately I won't have time to set it up and "test drive" it for a day or two, but it looks good! Shedua riser & walnut limbs.
Can't wait to sling a few arrows with it!
Thanks Chad!

RE: got a new CheckMate Thunderbird
 

Congrats on that Thunderbird, I have shot the Firebird and these chek-mates are well built bows and are sweet shooters...;)

RE: got a new CheckMate Thunderbird
 

Wow! the wait is over! Don't forget to let us know what ya think, and NO subjectivity allowed! hehe... ;)

RE: got a new CheckMate Thunderbird
 

Still haven't had time to really shoot it, but I did string it and install a nocking point. I have an indoor target with 40 ft max range, and it seemed to shoot OK at my standard nock setting. I braced it at 7 1/2" to allow for some string stretch. My first arrows were slightly left, but they may be a little overspined for the new bow. After 3 shots I was right on target. Shot a couple more and quit while I was hitting the bullseye. I hope to get out and do some real testing this weekend, some "stump shooting".
I am impressed with the looks of the shedua/walnut combo. Wasn't too sure how dark limbs with a lighter riser would look, but I like it! I also haven't installed any string silencers yet, but was amazed as to how quiet it seems without them. I'll add a set, but I'm not sure it even needs them.

RE: got a new CheckMate Thunderbird
 

Congrats on the new bow wabi sounds like a sweet shooter

RE: got a new CheckMate Thunderbird
 

I took a couple of pics. Here's a belly view of the grip:

RE: got a new CheckMate Thunderbird
 

A couple more views as requested. And a brief description of it's shooting qualities:
The Thunderbird is a very smooth shooting bow. Very little if any handshock. A little noise without string silencers, but that's minimal and silencers should take care of it. Good arrow speed. Tolerant of spine variations over a 10 - 15# range (my bow is 54# at 28" which is my draw length and I've shot arrows from 50/55 to 60/65 spine in it with decent flight from all. Groups change a little of course but flight stays good.
All things considered I'd rate at as in a dead tie for the best shooting longbow I've personally shot, the other being a 3-Rivers tomahawk SS, but the Thunderbird is close to 1/2 the price of the Tomahawk SS, so let's give it #1 spot!:)

RE: got a new CheckMate Thunderbird
 

Glad you like it Mike. Have you shot a Crusader yet? I do like the Thunderbird, but............:eek:

Chad

RE: got a new CheckMate Thunderbird
 

Chad,
Hate to say it, but the shoulder has been acting up again and I haven't been able to shoot much lately. I can shoot a couple of times to get acclimated to the pain, then shoot a couple of groups before things start to fall apart concentration wise. When I go through these spells I find it best just to hang the bow up for a few days before all confidance is lost. Even if I'm not getting to shoot the new bow as much as I'd like, it sure looks good hanging behind my desk, but not what I really intended for it.
wabi

RE: got a new CheckMate Thunderbird
 

Wabi, that is a nice looking bow. What is the length?


=keith=

RE: got a new CheckMate Thunderbird
 

Keith,
It's 62" - 54# @ 28"
I was impressed with how smooth it shoots. No noticable hand shock. Chad furnished a ff type string (not actual ff, but one of the low stretch fibers) and it's a little noisey without any silencers on it, but I find that to be the norm for that type string material. I thought of making a B-50 dacron string for it, but I like the speed it gets now. Haven't chronyed it yet, but when summer gets here and I have time to play.....................

RE: got a new CheckMate Thunderbird
 

Pretty sure you got a Dynaflight '97 string, 14 or 15 strands. It's not built for ultimate speed (you could go with a lot fewer strands and a shorter serving), but I never cared much for the piano wire strings, and usually the speed gain is minimal. I like the durability and lack of stretch/creep with them, along with reduced shock more than the speed increase.

Chad

RE: got a new CheckMate Thunderbird
 

Wabi, thanks.

When I got my Vision it had fast flite on it. I ordered a continuos in B50 and rolled a Flemish in B50. First couple of days with the B50 on the bow i wanted to scream. But after a bit I tuned in and I don't think I will go back to the Fast Flite. Still haven't made up my mind about Flemish versus Continuos.

=keith=