• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Thumb Release

floydfreak

floydfreak

Active Member
Nov 16, 2019
134
106
43
36
Ontario, Canada
WEBSITE
www.rdwoodworking.ca
I've been shooting a wrist release since I started shooting and it works fine for me indoors but once winter/hunting season roles around it becomes a royal pain. I want to switch to a thumb release sooner then later this year so I can get ample practice with it now.

I know the Nock 2 It is probably the best one on the market but honestly the price is just way to much, especially with the exchange rate to CAD being where it is. I found this release https://www.canadaarcheryonline.com/products/merlin-mybo-mac-victory-plus-thumb-release in Canada for only $200. It looks very similar to the Nock 2 It and I really like the idea of being able to switch from a 3 finger to 4 finger design, especially since I've never shot a thumb release before.

I've searched high and low for any real reviews on this release and can't seem to find much info besides a how to adjust video and a few posts on an archery website.

Has anyone used or heard about this company/release before?

Also any info on what you like or don't like about your thumb release, and what I should be looking for in a release would be greatly appreciated.
 
MathewsMan7

MathewsMan7

Well-Known Member
Dec 2, 2019
479
559
93
35
I know nothing about the release you posted about, so I can’t speak to that.
I bought a few Thumb Button releases to try when I decided I wanted to make the switch. I ended up going with the Carter Wise Choice 3-finger release. I used John Dudley’s video on how he set his up to set mine up (because they are the exact same release except the Wise Choice is a 3-finger unlike the nock to it being a 2-finger)...it is such a clean break and release off the d-loop. I just really enjoy shooting it. The machining is top notch as well. Feels heavy and well built. There are a lot of good ones on the market but the difference in a $100 release and a $200 release is exponential. But once cry once when it comes to a lot of things in archery...especially thumb button releases.
 
L

loujo61

Active Member
Jan 11, 2020
171
104
43
59
I'm not familiar with the release you mentioned, i would recommend Stan, Scott, Tru ball, and Carter. I've wheeled and dealed on Archerytalk buying and trying used releases for years. I personally like the Stan thumb releases best they are very adjustable and have very crisp travel free triggers. It's a personal feel thing IMO, try as many as you can and see which one fits your likes and needs best.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SCSaddleman
MathewsMan7

MathewsMan7

Well-Known Member
Dec 2, 2019
479
559
93
35
It ultimately boils down to personal preference...everyone is different. Jerry Carter, the founder of Carter, taught an old man who showed me that the main difference, and why he personally prefers the 3-finger, is because when he can take his pinky off the release and curl it naturally, it naturally relaxes the hand more (which is how the thumb release is supposed to be held—-loose and relaxed)

again, it comes down to personal preference...I know some guys With big ole paws like the 4-finger, but the 3-finger helped me relax the whole hand more than the 4-finger.
 
  • Like
Reactions: peteherbst and stevethebreeze
floydfreak

floydfreak

Active Member
Nov 16, 2019
134
106
43
36
Ontario, Canada
WEBSITE
www.rdwoodworking.ca
I didn't realize that thumb releases needed to be held loose and relaxed, thanks for that info. I guess that's why the Nock 2 It is a two finger system then so it promotes less tension. My hands are by no means large so I guess a 3 finger would probably be best for me then.
 
MathewsMan7

MathewsMan7

Well-Known Member
Dec 2, 2019
479
559
93
35
I would say so, yes. I tried the 2 finger and it was just a little more difficult for me to draw the bow compared to the 3-finger. That’s why I went with the 3-finger over the 2-finger.
 
Madgrad02

Madgrad02

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Apr 10, 2019
586
438
63
44
South Central Wisconsin
I picked up a barely used Scott sigma for just under $100 on ebay and love it thus far... haven't gotten my hands on a stan or a carter, but once the few quirks were worked out over the wrist strap a was using, night and day difference.
 
Gator

Gator

Well-Known Member
SH Member
May 20, 2019
2,476
3,362
113
Virginia
I just went through several releases trying to make the switch as well. Started with Carter Insatiable. Liked how it fit my hand but didn't like that the hook didn't auto close. Wouldn't have been much of a deal deer hunting but target shooting having to close it over and over was a deal breaker for me. Next bought Carter Chocolate. Didn't like how it fit my hand, not swept back like the Insatiable was and hated the external trigger bar. Next tried the Stan Shootoff. This was just a purchasing mistake as I didn't realize Stan sells different sizes and I happened to get a Medium which was just too small for my hand. At this point I also had a Hot Shot Vapor on order. Then I found a Stan Perfex (bought from this site). I truly believe this is the most adjustable release out there and finally my search was over. Luckily I was able to cancel the Hot Shot order without having to pay for another release and the rest were all traded or sold outright.

I guess I typed all of that as a long way of showing how the fit to your hand is probably the most important part besides the obvious of being a "good" trigger release.
 
  • Like
Reactions: floydfreak
Jay_Disarray

Jay_Disarray

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 7, 2019
1,951
2,653
113
MN
I recently picked up a hot shot vapor, i like it. Has the adjustments of the more expensive ones, but didnt cost me an arm and leg. Works well and is comfortable.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Red Beard
Jay_Disarray

Jay_Disarray

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 7, 2019
1,951
2,653
113
MN
Word of caution from someone who recently went from a wrist release to a hand held, be careful adjusting the travel, too loose and your gonna punch yourself in the face and lose an arrow god knows where.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CamoMan and EverettJ89
EverettJ89

EverettJ89

Active Member
Apr 28, 2020
142
141
43
34
Fauquier County, Virginia
Jay_Disarray said:
Word of caution from someone who recently went from a wrist release to a hand held, be careful adjusting the travel, too loose and your gonna punch yourself in the face and lose an arrow god knows where.
Click to expand...

This is important advice, and if you go with a nock 2 it, Dudley goes over this on his set up video. Carter also has this on their site. I love my Nock 2 it. Go to the shop and they should let you shoot some different thumb releases, there are many quality options. Buy what is comfortable for you and what you shoot well with. Like Jay said in his first post, you can get the adjustment in other releases. I think this feature is an important one.
 
floydfreak

floydfreak

Active Member
Nov 16, 2019
134
106
43
36
Ontario, Canada
WEBSITE
www.rdwoodworking.ca
There's not many bow shops in Ontario...I did find one place that will rent out releases but they don't really have the ones I'm looking at. I am gonna just have to bite the bullet and buy one. Worst case scenario it will end up with some posts in the classified section lol

I might also put up a WTB post and see if anyone has something they would be willing to sell.

At this point the only must have for the release is the ability to auto lock it. If I'm gonna spend a few hundred bucks I think that's a nice option to have. Plus I like the idea of it being locked and left on the bow when hunting.

Right now the carter wise choice and stan prefex seem to fit the bill.
 
L

loujo61

Active Member
Jan 11, 2020
171
104
43
59
floydfreak said:
There's not many bow shops in Ontario...I did find one place that will rent out releases but they don't really have the ones I'm looking at. I am gonna just have to bite the bullet and buy one. Worst case scenario it will end up with some posts in the classified section lol

I might also put up a WTB post and see if anyone has something they would be willing to sell.

At this point the only must have for the release is the ability to auto lock it. If I'm gonna spend a few hundred bucks I think that's a nice option to have. Plus I like the idea of it being locked and left on the bow when hunting.

Right now the carter wise choice and stan prefex seem to fit the bill.
Click to expand...
There's a Stan Just X (XL) on AT classifieds for $100, one of my favs
 
Gator

Gator

Well-Known Member
SH Member
May 20, 2019
2,476
3,362
113
Virginia
loujo61 said:
I think you have to have 20 posts before you can go on the AT classifieds.
Click to expand...
and possibly even more to post a reply to classifieds but you can PM whomever started the thread with questions and offers. I know because I can see the classifieds but can't post to them. I just did some trades for the above scenario I went through on archerytalk.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom