I did some research before buying a dartboard to make sure I didn't end up buying a cheap piece of junk that I was just going to have to replace after a few games. I learned right away that sisal fibre or "bristle" boards are better than the old "cork" boards that were common when I was a kid. I noticed that the Viper Shot King was consistently rated as one of the best, but I wasn't sure at first because, compared to some of the other recommended boards, the Viking has a much lower price. But since the reviews were mostly positive, I went ahead and bought one, and I've played almost every day since I hung it on my carport wall about two weeks ago.
The first thing I noticed when I opened the box was the weight. This board is packed with lots of fibre that makes for a consistent surface tension. The wire ring with the numbers is movable so that the board can be rotated periodically to get an even wear, while making sure that the 20 is always in the 12 o'clock position like it's supposed to be.
To install it, a bracket mounts on the wall -- or like I did, on a 3ft. X 3ft. square piece of plywood to protect the wall from getting holes all over it -- and then a screw goes right in the center of the back of the board to hang from the bracket (so that the board can be rotated). It includes three spacers to make an even gap between the mounting surface and the back of the board. Once the depth of the center screw is adjusted to make sure the board doesn't rotate too loosely, it's ready to go.
On the front, the wiring is attached very tightly and evenly to the board, using as few staples as possible. The wire around the single (green) bull has no staples, and the double (red) bull has its own separate metal ring, made to taper to a sharp front edge. The playing surface is smooth, the painted sections are very bright, and they are evenly sized and proportioned.
The board I bought came with 2 sets of darts that are fairly well made, but they're a bit too light for players like me who prefer heavier barrels. The shafts, however, are not very well made, so I changed them on the first day, but kept the original red and black flights, which have the Viper name on them. I use those darts for friends who prefer to play with lighter darts, so it's nice to have them.
Considering that it is priced at least 20 dollars less than other quality boards this is, without a doubt, one of the best official competition size (18 inch) dart boards you can get. The mounting hardware is made from decent quality materials, and the installation is simple but effective. The ability to rotate the board so that the playing surface wears evenly makes for a longer product life. The playing area is very well crafted, and it is so well assembled that the wiring lines up perfectly with the edge of every section.
I'm very happy with my Viper Shot King, and I've recommended it to all my friends. Before buying it, it had been years since I played darts, and having it now has made me rediscover the game. I had forgotten how much fun it is!
| Brand | Viper |
|---|---|
| Material | Sisal |
| Color | Black |
| Product Dimensions | 17.75"W x 17.75"H |
| Item Weight | 9.1 Pounds |
| Included Components | Mounting Hardware, Viper Shot King Regulation Bristle Steel Tip Dartboard Set with Staple-Free Bullseye, High-Grade Compressed Sisal Board with Rotating Number Ring, Includes 6 Darts, 17.75 inch, Instructions, 6 Darts |
| Shape | Round |
| Item Thickness | 1.5 Inches |
| Theme | video-games |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 19.21 x 18.5 x 2.17 inches |
| Package Weight | 4.67 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 17.75 x 17.75 x 17.75 inches |
| Brand Name | Viper |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Warranty Description | 30 Days Against Manufacturer Defects |
| Model Name | Shot King |
| Suggested Users | unisex-adult |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Manufacturer | Viper by GLD Products |
| Part Number | 42-6002 |
| Style | bristle |
| Size | 17.75 inch |
| Sport Type | Darts |
