Greg Summers and family build one success after another. Tomorrow’s Resources Unlimited introduced its first mechanical release aid in 1995. With a background in machining, Summers understood quality construction. He also understood the other aspects required to be a success in business, especially in a niche sport like archery—imagination and participation, a commitment to customers, a willingness to work hard and stand behind your product…and maybe a little luck as well.
In fact, Greg’s very first product, the T.R.U. Nock, is still in the T.R.U. Ball line. It’s a CNC-machined, anodized aluminum loop designed to end nock pinch. “The rounded loop stops unsafe jaw hang-up,” he says, “and allows a cleaner, more accurate shot.”
Early T.R.U. Ball releases experimented with ball bearings in the release heads, both single- and double-ball jaws. Free-floating balls held the bowstring to eliminate torque. But bow speeds were increasing and synthetic strings, sometimes temperamental and unstable, required different concepts.
“In business, you adapt and move on,” Summers says.
What T.R.U. Ball moved toward was the foundation of its current line of releases for competitors and bowhunters, releases that attach directly to the bowstring or to a D-loop. T.R.U. innovations soon included non-collapsing triggers, rotating release heads and even trigger adjustability in back-tension releases. In the hunting market, Summers’ team developed fold-away and forward trigger designs. They even experimented with lights in the handle portion of a glove release.
For 2012, T.R.U. Ball is introducing a multitude of new release options. There’s literally something for everyone including several styles of straps, buckles and connections.
Recognizing that the economy remains shaky, Summers’ company is offering the affordable Predator dual caliper hunting release. Designed to operate silently, the Predator is attached to a new micro-adjustable wrist strap. It features a half-inch swiveling head to eliminate torque while drawing and holding the bowstring. To use, an archer pulls the trigger to open the jaws and lets up to engage. The micro adjustable screw-to-wrist strap connection lets a shooter fine-tune for draw length or anchor point.
New CenterX Series wrist strap releases are fully micro-adjustable for both trigger sensitivity (tension) and travel. The CenterX-S1 and X-S2 use a comfortable web connector to the wrist strap. CenterX-G1 and X-G2 depend on a tubular “Globo-Swivel” connection. Both S and G series allow for a choice of forward or swept-back triggers.
CenterX releases feature an open hook connection for fast attachment to a bowstring. This release uses a new Flip Sear internal trigger mechanism which allows very light trigger settings, yet is strong enough to hold that setting under any bow weight.
The new Inside-Out back tension target release has a “Zero-Torque Single Head Adjustment” that eliminates any twist on D-Loops. T.R.U. Ball’s Infinite 2-Screw Speed Adjustment has engraved marks on the handle for accurate settings. A flip sear changes the release from “click” to “no-click” operation. The Inside-Out is available in S-XL handle hole sizes (25/32-, 7/8-, 1- and 1 1/8-inch). It is also offered in 2-, 3-, 4-, or 4-finger-straight models and a unique optional handle piece can be added to eliminate finger grooves.
In the early 2000s, Summers began to think about bringing out other products and pulled out some of his earlier sketches for bowsights. In a bowhunting world, his first Axcel sights—in 2005-06—were built for competitors. He included a Mathews Harmonic Dampener in extension bars. The idea was to prove his design by putting it in the hands of some of the world’s best international competitors and then take it mainstream.
For 2012, Axcel introduces the Armortech Vision with a 2-inch round aperture. The Vision’s scope housing has a slight hour-glass internal shape. This design gives shooters a perfect circular picture even when viewed slightly off center, especially when it is coupled with the engraved partial ring on the exterior of the housing. This ring is cut at the depth of the sight pins for greater accuracy when viewed slightly off center. Putting an arrow in the vitals won’t be automatic, but the effort will feel more natural.
Vision sights will be available with a fixed sight bracket and, as the Pro-HD, with a sight bar extension. Both the bracket and the bar feature tool-less adjustability for windage and elevation. Fiber optic cable and aiming points are completely protected and sights include a bubble level for 2nd and 3rd axis adjustment. Dealers can expect RH-LH interchangeability and individual micro-adjustability for each pin. The Pro-HD includes a Mathews Harmonic Dampener in the extension bar.
“We cater to dealers and distributors,” says T.R.U. Director of Marketing Brandon Reyes. “We have strong dealer direct programs and by establishing a direct business account, a dealer will always get the best available price, depending upon his volume.”
Tomorrow’s Resources Unlimited uses two sales rep groups. Outtech (330-562-9929; www.outtech-online.com
Contact T.R.U. Ball and Axcel Sights at (434) 929-2800; and web sites: www.axcelsights.com and www.truball.com. You can also keep up with them and their many bowhunting and competition shooters via Facebook.com.
