Oneida Black Eagle II

[stonecold]

I have always wanted one of these bows from the first time I saw one, well after a lot of research I took the plunge just after christmas and ordered one from Oneidabows.net

After a couple of chats with the proprieter (a chap called Joseph Ciampa ) it was established what model of bow I would require to suit my drawlength and accomodate any future changes should I choose to shoot it with a release aid rather than fingers as I do at present. Order was placed and I recieved a UPS tracking number - 5 days later it was on my doorstep, thats better than I have had from some UK retailers in the past !




Inital Impressions:-

I had asked for the bow to be setup at 42lbs and 28" drawlength, both were exactly right no adjustments required fom me, the instruction manual is clear and concise and also included from Joe is a DVD showing exactly how to work on the bow from the basics like setting up drawstops right down to a full stripdown - this is a brilliant addition as I'm confident I can now strip the bow myself if required.

The bow is a lot lighter than my Reflex Superslam and feels very nice in the hand, it comes with a quality two piece wooden grip thats beautifully engraved on one side with the company's eagle head logo - it looks a lot more complicated than it actually is and the quality of finish is right up there with Hoyt and Bowtech (as it should be being hand built).


Shooting the Bow:-

A most pleasing experiance, I'm from a target shooting background so I anchor under my chin, the draw cycle on the bow is incredibly smooth with no sudden let off as on wheeled compounds just silky smooth all the way - its actually a lot easier to draw the Oneida than the Reflex and they are both set at the same weight. It shoots beautifully and is very quiet - it really does feel like shooting a recurve but with the power and let off charateristics of a compound.

Initally the let off was set at 80% but with such a low holding weight a perfect release was critical - not so much of an issue with a release aid but certainly challenging using a finger release - I changed the let off to 65% using the spare cams supplied and this took all of 5 minutes to change 4 small cams - an absoloute breeze !

Hand shock is zero, there is no movement at all when the bow fires - its quite a spooky feeling at first but I'm getting used to it now, I shot 272 out of a possible 300 indoors at 18M with the bow, no sights just barebow and fingers. My previous best with the Reflex was 271 but that was with a pin sight.

I would love to use a sight with the Oneida but cant due to my anchor point, the riser is quite short and with my sight fitted the riser fills out closer the the power limbs and obscures the sight to around the 40 yard mark. This is not an issue if you anchor on the side of your face as obviously you eyes are higher in relation to the sight pin and I can set up for 10 yards and beyond if I anchor like this. I bought it to shoot barebow though and thats what it does beautifully.


Service:-

I can honestly say some of the best pre and post sales service I have ever encountered, nothing is to much trouble and Joe even provides a free webcam service to guide you through any problems or questions you may have.


Conclusion:-

Am I happy after taking the plunge without ever shotting one of these bows before ??

Definately yes, its one of the sweetest shooting bows I have ever shot (and I have been shooting for over 20 years).

Hopefully this mini review will assist anyone who is thinking of purchasing one of these stunning machines.


In case your wondering import duty on the bow was 2.7%. So you get charged 2.7% of the purchase price and the postage combined and then 17.5% VAT on top of that !

Postage was $150 for a package that was listed as 9lbs for shipping purposes - I could have got it cheaper via the USPS but I wanted fast delivery with accurate tracking and insurance to cover the full value of the bow.


Cheers

[grahamc]

that looks awesome! never seen anything like

[bern47]

Hi Stonecold! Welcome to the land of Oneida!!

100% + on all youve written, here's my Extreme Eagle, #77, 35/55#'s draw weight range set at 47#'s @ 28" draw, for the moment, let off is 80%.



and my collection! [the TomCatIII is the 1st from the right]



best bow I've ever shot!

Bernie

[Phijama]

I've always dreamt of owning an Oneida bow, ever since I started shooting back in the early 80's. I remember the first Oneida model appearing in Severn Archery's catalogue back in 1981 (I think), back then It was simply about the looks and sleek curves - the kind of thing that appeals to a 12 year old lad.

Although I've shot on and off over the years my desire to own an Oneida has not dwindled. I love to shoot recurve though I have considered taking a wee amble into the darker side of archery. An Oneida would be the perfect bow as it combines aspects of both technologies.......and they still look sooo good!

Time to get out the wallet me thinks....

[Jerry Tee]

Welcome to the club.

[bern47]

Hello Jerry Tee,
thanks for the welcome, how's your Pro-Eagle?

Bernie.

[stonecold]

Originally Posted by Phijama

I've always dreamt of owning an Oneida bow, ever since I started shooting back in the early 80's. I remember the first Oneida model appearing in Severn Archery's catalogue back in 1981 (I think), back then It was simply about the looks and sleek curves - the kind of thing that appeals to a 12 year old lad.

Although I've shot on and off over the years my desire to own an Oneida has not dwindled. I love to shoot recurve though I have considered taking a wee amble into the darker side of archery. An Oneida would be the perfect bow as it combines aspects of both technologies.......and they still look sooo good!

Time to get out the wallet me thinks....

I'm informed Oneida is in the process of standardising its pricing across all its dealers, so no discounts on RRP available as I read it !

You may be able to get a deal on a bow that any dealer currently has but not on new stock if I understand correctly.

[grahamc]

I am almost afraid to ask, but ho much are they? Price range?

[stonecold]

Originally Posted by grahamc

I am almost afraid to ask, but ho much are they? Price range?

Mine was £350 + import duties and tax. I believe the base price now is around £440 !!!

I just look at it as having to pay for exclusivity

Have alook here for an idea of the current range Oneida Eagle Bows Sales & Service

There are other dealers and you can even buy from the factory direct but the link above is where I got mine from and was I believe well looked after.

[grahamc]

Originally Posted by stonecold

Mine was £350 + import duties and tax. I believe the base price now is around £440 !!!

I just look at it as having to pay for exclusivity

Have alook here for an idea of the current range Oneida Eagle Bows Sales & Service

There are other dealers and you can even buy from the factory direct but the link above is where I got mine from and was I believe well looked after.

Thanks for that! Thats not too bad a price, especially considering the price of compounds on the market... Even my recurve cost more than that

[stonecold]

Well its breaking in nicely now - took a while to get used to it but shot 285 tonight

[Jerry Tee]

Originally Posted by bern47

Hello Jerry Tee,
thanks for the welcome, how's your Pro-Eagle?

Bernie.

Just fine. You can keep the BE and even the Extreme I am sold on the Pro Eagle.

[Mamba]

Stonecold

I have to agree. I took the plunge on the Oneida after wanting to shoot this bow for years. If you are going to shoot, you want to enjoy it and this is one of the most user friendly pieces of equipment out there.
Joe Ciampa at Oneida Bows Sales and Service has provided me with such a high level of customer service, he has made me feel more of a friend than a customer. Here is the Web address

Oneida Eagle Bows Sales & Service

My involvement with Oneida was very short lived as I only purchased mine in Novenber 2007. Joe contacted me saying that he had anoher bow in England and do I know anyone who would be interested, I got my friend to buy it and he has been so impressed he has told everyone at the local club in the Navy that he has now joined, about it.
What a pleasure to shoot and the arrows really hold their velocity and he is getting really deep penetration on the targets at his club despite shooting lower poundage.
He has now got another friend intersted and he wanted an Oneida, and did not want to wait, so I sold him my Black Eagle 2 and we now have a third overly satisfied archer.
However that now leaves me wih out an Oneida so I have now got Joe fully customizing and reconditioning an Extreme Eagle for me.
After a long discussion about the pros and cons of the Exreme verses the Black Eagle I have gone with the Extreme.
Joe has stripped it down and having the riser and limbs Duracoated in a Tactical Black, all the hardware, cams, limb bolts etc will be powder coated in Red and there will be a custom black and red grip with a black and red Winners Choice bow string.
This is a special project and Joe has been very proffessional and helpful throughout.
The only thing is waiting for the bow to be completed and to be delivered.

I will you keep you updated as soon as I know more and will definately be putting out pictures as soon as i can figure out how to do it.

I am glas you are happy with your bow.

Mamba

[stonecold]

Mamba

Thats where I got mine from The Black Eagle just gets better and better the more I shoot it.

The other bow in England was mine - well if it ended up in Essex it was cus I posted it !

Top class service - would not hesitate to buy from Joe again - enjoy the Extreme