Bolted-On: The T-800 Exceeds Expecations

Having been recommended these after a coaching session with A.I.M, another of the Darts World analysts, as a test for a slightly different barrel shape, and heavier weight. In truth I didn’t expect too much. How wrong was I…

Product: Darts (Steel Tip)
Model: T- 800
Brand: Red Dragon
Material – Tungsten (90%)
Variation: 24g
Price: c£65

With a player branded dart, I’m able to look at the barrel from the player’s perspective, and analyse exactly why they’ve opted for the grip, or shape they use. With a generic dart, I look at the barrel on a more personal level, as a representative of the general consumer the darts are aimed towards.

First Impressions:

Looking at the Red Dragon T-800’s at face value the darts immediately drew a parallel to the Target Dimitri van den Bergh G1, albeit without the thimble-style taper.

They feature a short, subtle ringed grip section at the rear, an intricate dual-ring grip in the centre, and an extended taper at the front, coupled with the same style of ring grip featured at the rear.

The T-800’s have been finished with a jet-black PVD coating across the entirety of the barrel. Black Nitro stem and T-800 branded flights come in the box to complete a very sporty and sleek look.

Grip:

I’m a player that demands a high level of grip from the darts I use, and as such the rear and front grip sections are interesting – the rings are too narrow to be a typical ring-grip, however they’re too thick and the grooves too deep-cut to be classed as a typical micro-grip.

I found the rear grip noticeable on my thumb while setting the dart, I had no darts slip from my grasp, yet instinctively felt I had to hold that bit more tightly in order to retain control over the dart.

The central-grip was a complete contrast. Aptly named as a ‘bolt grip’, it really took me by surprise with these darts, to the point where I’ve bookmarked the grip to be replicated in a future set of my own custom darts.

The style is, as Red Dragon themselves describe it, a ‘sport engineered milled grip’. In English, it means the dual-rings create a ‘U’ shape in the centre, with the 90° angles on the reverse side of the ring creating a box on the outside.

This combination of styles, along with multiple longitudinal grooves, creates an extremely aggressive feel, locking your fingers in place when gripping the barrel, yet still allowing for a smooth and consistent release throw-after-throw.

Set-Up:

The T-800’s long taper allows the barrels to be grouped closer together, maximising the space available in the treble bed. To take advantage of this, I’d recommend swapping out the plain silver points at the earliest opportunity, and replacing them with something longer – Red Dragon can do this for you via their website, so long as the option is selected at purchase.

Alternatively a decent darting supplies shop such as Pinnacle darts will sort this for you!

Dimensions:

The darts are available in three steel-tip weights – 22g, 24g and 26g. The barrels are all 50.8mm in length, yet vary in width, with the 22g measuring at 6.5mm, the 24g & 26g are 6.7mm. The T-800’s are also produced in soft-tip, with an 18g model available. They share the same length as the steel-tip sets, but with a slightly narrower profile of 6.3mm.

Summing Up:

The T-800 retail at £64.90 directly from the Red Dragon website. Providing you have an account, you’ll also pick up 64 rewards points, and if you’ve not already, you’ll be able to sign up to the Red Dragon Newsletter to save 10% off your next order, saving nearly £7!

This puts them in top end of the mid price bracket and certainly very good value for money. Players using pencil style barrels but in need of more complex grip, or a developing playing looking for their first ‘premium’ set may be especially interested.

——ENDS—–

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