Author Topic: martin dream catcher........ (Read 1773 times)

snowdog · « **on:** February 12, 2005, 07:35:52 AM »

well my PSE Kudo took a crap on me after shooting less than 150 arrows
thru it (2 outings) the top limb is cracked. trying to save a couple
hundred bucks again, lesson learned............looking at a Martin
dream catcher, read up here and there that they are good bows, any
one have any experiences with the Dream catcher ? Please inform.

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2005, 09:45:32 AM »

I don't have a Dreamcatcher but I do have a Vision. All the Martin bows are top shelf. Mine will shoot cedar arrows at over 200 FPS. I just can't shoot it any more since I had shoulder damage.

Rusty <><

snowdog · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2005, 11:39:58 AM »

Thank you Rusty, quick question. the AMO of the dream catcher is
60" I read the owners manual for the bow, the dealer was letting me
string the bow up to see how I liked it, the Flemish string it comes with
is 60 inches. the distance from the riser is supposed to be 8 1/4 inch to
9 inches. we twisted the string ( 47 times) the measurement we got from the riser was 7.25 inches. My friend who was there was saying that some
how the string is the wrong one. I measured 57 inches before twisting
it. we got it down to about 56 inches, Martin says the string lentgh for
their 60 inch bow should be 4-5 inches shorter than the 60 inch bow.
so we tried that but couldn't get it no more than 7.25 inches from the
riser.......I am worried that we are putting to much twist in it and that it
will affect the limbs. Is it OK?

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2005, 03:12:50 PM »

I don't really think that twist on the sting would impart twist to the limbs but I could be wrong. I've never heard of it before. You might try going to www.traditionalbowhunter.com and go to the leatherwall. That is their message board there. There are many people there with a lot more experience than I.

Rusty <><

snowdog · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2005, 07:43:47 PM »

thanks again Rusty........I will look into the site.

I appreciate all your help :grin:

Woodbutcher · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2005, 03:48:46 AM »

Dear Snowdog:
I own a Dreamcatcher, got it at the turn of the century. Very pleased with it, and Martin has earned my respect with their service dept. First class all the way.
At the time I was shopping for a new bow, there was a traditional store in my area. ( no more, however. ) I had the chance on several occasions to shoot a number of bows from different mfgs, as in grab 3 or 4 bows and try them out, and then repeat with 3 or 4 more. This was a real learning experience, cause some of them I didn't like at all! I finally learned what stack meant and hand shock. Most important thing I came away from that experience was that the type of bow absolutly does not matter! It's a non issue! If it feels good to shoot, and it will deliver, case closed!
Some of the bows I did not like were preferred by my friend with me, for the very reasons I didn't like them. For example I do remember one that felt "mushy" to me, didn't like it all, and it was his pick, because it was so "smooth"!
Any way, from that great decision making effort, I ended up with the Dreamcatcher, and I'm very satisfied that there ain't nothin out there any better for me. So I would....cautiously...recommend it to you. If it feels good, shoot it! Appearence speaks for itself, and the quality is Excellent!
Mine is 60#, shoots Maple shafts at 185 fps, and cedars at a bit over 200. How much more do I need and what would it take for me to get it?
As to your concern about string length, may I offer my small thoughts? Let the bow dictate the fistemele it prefers when you shoot it. Mfr. recommended string length is a starting point in the tuning process. Your arrow length, weight, balance, arrowrest, Ect.ect.ect. You got some work ahead of you boy! Enjoy yourself!
I did make a different string, flemish, slightly shorter, to get things set for me, cause twisting only shortens things so far. Made a mark on the quiver to check brace height. No problem, strings are easy to deal with, besides a couple of spares are needed to carry with you anyhow.
May I restate a point for your reassurance? Been there, done that, know your thoughts. Had the opportunity to try alot of equipment. I do have a number of bows, recurves and longbows. I keep the ones I like. I'm fooling around with all wood bows right now, as in oak floorboards into bows. Having a ball, lotsa fun! The Dreamcatcher is my favorite. Woodbutcher

snowdog · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2005, 05:05:14 PM »

Thanks for the advise woodbutcher, Yes the Dreamcatcher felt nice
to me.... when I was shopping around, I settled on the PSE because
mainly of the price. It does feel good. the dreamcatcher, really feels
good in my hand. I shoot cedar arrows, I'm looking at a 55# lb bow.

I don't know when they started doing it but the dreamcatchers now
come with a flemish string. The string that was with the dream catcher
was a bit too long, even though it said it was the right size. the
brace height was 6 inches. anyways, I'm gonna get the limbs repaired
on the PSe.......and I'm gonna pick up the dreamcatcher.

Thank for you guys input !!!!

ratgunner · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2005, 11:30:49 AM »

I have a super diablo wich is much like a dreamcatcher and I HAD a savannah both great bows.

ABaker · « **Reply #8 on:** April 04, 2005, 06:38:24 PM »

I also have the Super Diablo and I love it. Although it might be to pretty to take out and scratch up....

Old Tanker · « **Reply #9 on:** May 10, 2005, 02:54:07 PM »

I started with a Hunter about 16yrs ago. and have enjoyed there bows ever since. I currently shoot a Hatfield Takedown and like it. I do miss the weight of the one piece recurve and longbow. I have shot a Dream Catcher and it shoots fine, but it is too short for what I like to have for my long draw. I think the Saber, Hunter and the Super Diablo are better looking than the Dream Catcher but you know the old saying "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder". I do not think you will go wrong with either of them. I have also met a lot of there bow makers and toured both of there plants and think they build a fine bow.

NimrodRx · « **Reply #10 on:** May 12, 2005, 07:56:43 PM »

You'll have to look long and hard to find anything too negative about Martin and their trad. line. I came real close to a dream catcher at one time. Just seemed a little to big for my hand. Didn't love the palm swell. Then again, that has NOTHING to do with the bow - more to do with me. They're top shelf. Just didn't fit me. Ended up going with a Jeffery bow - the Classic 60 recurve.

Another great source for trad. info is the leatherwall.

darrell8937 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 17, 2005, 02:45:54 PM »

I have the Martin Tracer, love it. my shooting has greatly improved. and this is a small light weight hunter. Their service dept really turned me off. The Cable guard cam that holds the cable guard fell off and got lost. No big deal I thought. No one had one anywhere. This is a PSE part that martin uses. I finaly order three as they are only 2.19 a piesc. The shipping and handling was 8.90 I was outraged. This is the minium charge. A postage stamp will cost you 8.90 to ship The actual postage was 1.11 cents. In a envelope. The remainder was for some one to take it from a bin and package it. The same day, I got a Cabellas order. A good size box with lots of goodies inside. It was 6.49 shipping and handling. Martin was very quick to respond to my email when I needed something. Since I expressed my displeasure, they no longer respond. I buy a new bow every three years or so. I love them but this upsets me. Maybe I am too trivial.