It's Here!

[LBR]

Big announcement from BCY. X-99 bowstring material is officially on the market. This will be the 5th generation of blended bowstring material by the company that invented and introduced the very first blended material. X-99 is 20% Vectran (LCP) and 80% SK99 Dyneema (HMPE). Dyneema is the most well known and respected name in HMPE (high modulous polyethylene), and SK99 is the current best of the best. Available in all of the solid colors (color chart can be viewed at http://www.bcyfibers.com/ColorCard032818.pdf ). If you prefer a 100% Dyneema material, BCY also has Mercury - the first 100% SK99 Dyneema bowstring material. 

I haven't been tinkering with it yet, mainly because it's very similar to BCY-X (my favorite) and I have a good supply of BCY-X still.

The reason for these new materials (Mercury and X-99) is because the supplier of Dyneema (DSM) has discontinued production of SK90 in favor of SK99.  That means that, when supplies are exhausted, materials using SK90 (8190 Universal, 8190 F, BCY-X) will be discontinued.  Biggest difference for traditional shooters is the strand count will go up slightly to get the same diameter string (SK99 makes a smaller diameter thread), performance, durability, and string noise will remain about the same or if anything slightly improve.

If you have any questions, I'll try to help or information on the new X-99 will be added to the BCY site (www.bcyfibers.com) soon.  Information on Mercury is there, but if you need more details just let me know.

It's worth noting that my perspective is primarily that of a bow hunter.  Things like durability, consistency, and stability in all conditions are a big deal to me along with a quiet shot.

Chad

[Orion]

Thanks for the info, Chad.  I'm still back in the dark ages with my D-97.

[LBR]

Dynaflight '97 is still a great material--the fact that it's still on the market attests to that.  I won more tournaments and killed more critters with Dynaflight than any other material...but I used it a lot longer too.

[Bisch]

I’ve pretty much killed everything with D97. It’s all I’ve used for as long as I can remember. Got everything worked out with D97, so don’t see a need to change.

Bisch


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[LBR]

It's all about perspective. 

I've killed critters and won tournaments with self bows.  Still enjoy them, and if that's all I had I'd still shoot them...but I very much enjoy shooting laminated bows.

It's not that materials like Dynaflight '97 won't get the job done...but we have options.  Better durability, better stability, better consistency. 

I can remember when 125 grains was about as heavy a broadhead as I could find, and it did (and still does) the job just fine.  String material came in black and white, and sometimes yellow.  I remember a rumor about blue going to be discontinued and a buddy of mine bought up every spool he could find.  He's still got a lifetime supply of blue, even though that was some 20 or so years ago.  He didn't want to loose that option.

I didn't post trying to tell anyone what they should or should not use...it was for the string nerds like me who geek out on this stuff.  Some folks get excited over a new arrow, a new broadhead, a new bow...I get excited about strings and string material.

[Bisch]

Understood! And I, in no way, was trying to come across like I was knocking that!!! I am one of those types who detests change. Once I find something that works well, I tend to stick with it till it is no longer available, or until some other factor neccesitates a change.

I tend to be one of those "You can't teach old dogs new tricks!" kinda guys!

Bisch

[Rough Run]

I tried BCY-X late last summer, just for experimentation and "sampling" purposes.  I felt like I got nearly as big a difference in performance, stability and feel after moving from D-97, as I did when I switched to D-97 from B-55.  Smaller strings that feel much better than the "skinny" strings to me, very nice roundness, no problems with noise or dampening, brace height doesn't move after adjusted and set.  Now have it on all my bows.  Can't imagine why I wouldn't go to X-99 next.

[LBR]

Totally understand Bisch.   

[Friend]

Chad....much appreciation for the informative update...thank you.

[mahantango]

I've been a fan of D97, but last summer at Denton Hill you gave me some samples of BCY - X and I've really gotten to like that.  Story of my life - every time I find something I like, it gets discontinued.

[LBR]

That's the good and bad thing about this sport...fierce competition is always driving the market to build a better mousetrap.  The good news is, if anything, X-99 will be a little better than BCY-X.  At least just as good.

[Terry Green]

Oh by the way Chad I haven't forgot about you I got to send you the drawings of my self bows whenever I get a chance man

[limbshaker]

Thanks for keeping us in the loop Chad! Sounds like it should be some pretty trick stuff. I bet the smaller thread will make for a nice round flemish string.

If I ever use up all this BCY-X you set me up with (doubtful, lol) I'll have to try it!

[M60gunner]

I have become a fan of the BCY X. I think you have made me at least 6. They don’t stretch in our summer heat. That’s a plus when things like tape and some glues turn to goo.
 Any improvements for B-55? It’s a good product, better than B-50 IMO.

[LBR]

No problem Terry.  I'm going to be away more than I'm home next month anyway...got the TN Classic, NASP Nationals (wish the team I help coach was going...costs too much for the school to consider it), then up to CT to visit BCY, then in June there's Comptons and the Howard Hill...think I only have Denton Hill in July though.

M60, no foreseeable improvements to B-55.  There's just so much that can be done with polyester.  Even some "modern" bows are restricting which "FF" materials you can use...well, one brand is anyway.  Never know though...

[Bob Morrison]

Chad any idea the difference in Mercury and the X-99?

[Roy from Pa]

I got 2 spools of BCY-X from Chad a couple months ago.

"Best price I found anywhere."

I really like the BCY-X, now I gotta use it all up before getting the newer material:)

[SteveB]

Chad any idea the difference in Mercury and the X-99?

I'm not Chad but the Mercury is 100% Sk99. Haven't seen the X99 yet, but here it's strand diameter will be close to the Mercury and be 80% Sk99 and 20% Vectran.

I'm thinking of clearing old inventory of X and Mercury and going with the X99. Keeping D97 and B55 of course.

[LBR]

Yep--what SteveB said.  The difference is the Vectran will make it even more stable, especially in high temps, and to me (I haven't done any metered tests, just my ears) materials with Vectran seem to be a bit quieter.

I love BCY-X and plan to use it until my supplies are exhausted.  I don't expect any noticeable differences in noise, durability, or performance with X-99.

One other thing that I almost forgot.  With most other string materials, when something great comes out it gets copied.  Been the case with Dynaflight '97, 452X, 8190, Mercury, etc.  Won't happen with BCY-X or X-99 - not because other companies don't want to mimic them.  The way these are constructed is patented.