“Where should we set it up?” my sister Sarah inquired, eyeing my brand-new Arachnid Cricket Pro 900 electronic dartboard in our gaming room.
“This one’s going to replace the old bristle board with more cool features and games,” I explained.
“But how does it go up?” she queried, holding it against the wall.
I’d installed many dart boards in the past, so I figured this electronic one wouldn’t be too different. But there was a catch – this one needed a power source, so it couldn’t just go where the old one was.
After some shuffling around, we got it up and running. And from that point on, mounting one of these became a piece of cake. So, my fellow gamers, if you are in the same boat as Sarah was, looking for the correct way to set up your electronic dartboard, let me help you.
Height And Distance Measurements For Electronic Boards
Whenever you’re setting up a dartboard, I can’t stress this enough – stick to the official rules for height and distance. Trust me, even slight variations in where you stand and how high the board is mounted can completely change the game’s dynamics and your overall score. Here’s what you need to remember:
- Height On The Wall: For the height, make sure the bullseye of your soft-tip darts board is precisely 5 feet, 8 inches above the ground, just like the regular dart board.
- Distance From The Throw Line: Now, when it comes to the throwing distance, this is where the electronic dartboard sets itself apart. When you’re in the realm of electronic darts, you’ve got to back up a bit more – 8 feet away from the board, a couple of inches more than the throwing distance for a regular board.
In my experience, keeping to the standard measurements for hanging a dartboard is the secret sauce for maintaining your A-game, regardless of where you’re throwing your darts.
Set Up An Electronic Dartboard: A Step-By-Step Guide
If you’re a newbie to the dartboard setup scene, or if digital boards aren’t really your forte, I get it, it can all seem a bit overwhelming. But fret not! I’ve got your back with a comprehensive, easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide to walk you through the whole process. You’ll be a pro at this in no time.
Step 1: Unbox The Dartboard
I know this might sound a little too obvious, but I always recommend taking all the components out of the box and laying them out before you start putting up the dart board. This way, you have a clear idea of what you are working with and won’t be accidentally overlooking any nice accessories.
Step 2: Measure The Height With A Tape
Prior to the mounting process, don’t forget to take precise measurements to avoid any mishaps with its placement. No matter the size, positioning an electronic dartboard is all about the bullseye, which should be at a precise 5 feet, 8 inches from the ground. Also, be sure to choose a spot near a power source – after all, a digital board is no good without one.
Step 3: Make The Hang-Hole Markings
You’ll need to drill some holes in the wall for the nails to hang the board. Mine has a couple of hang holes on the sides, and I’m pretty sure all electronic dartboards come with these. Additionally, my board had four extra holes in the catch ring area that I used for some more secure fastening with screws.
Before anything else, I measured the distance from the hang holes to the bullseye. Then, I marked the spots for the holes on both sides of the mark. It’s crucial to align those markings accurately, making sure they’re at the same height.
Step 4: Dart Board Number Placement
Before we jump into the next phase, here’s a key point to note – the placement of the dart board numbers. With the numbers seemingly arranged in a haphazard manner, it’s easy to get mixed up about the correct alignment.
I used to think that the smallest number should be at the top, but that turned out to be a misconception. The right number placement rule is to keep 20 straight ahead at the top, while 3 finds its place at the bottom.
Step 5: Put Up And Secure The Board
Once you’ve marked the spots, go ahead and drill a hole for a screw at each hang-hole marking on the wall. Then, align the dartboard on the wall, making sure the holes are lined up, and pass the screws through them.
Next, tighten the screws to ensure the board is firmly in place, so you won’t have to worry about the force from the darts knocking it off the wall.
Step 6: Turn On The Dartboard
Activating an electronic dartboard is a breeze. Actually, mine doesn’t even require a separate power-on process – all I need to do is plug it into the power source and flick the switch. But, you’ll need to adjust some settings and pre-game options before you can start playing.
Where Should You Install Your Dartboard?
Like regular dartboards, an electronic board should always be put up firmly against the wall. Allowing it to hang loosely can potentially damage it, especially if it hits the wall every time it’s struck with a dart. Since there are pre-molded holes, they are much more likely to bounce out if the board isn’t secure.
When setting up the electronic dart board, ensure there’s a minimum of 10 feet of clear space in front. The throw line itself needs to be 8 feet away, and you should have at least 2 feet of space behind you to throw the darts freely without any obstructions. THIS IS VERY CRUCIAL.
In case you aren’t familiar with the term “throw line”, it’s a line on the floor to mark the distance from the dartboard at which you’re supposed to stand when you throw the soft-tip darts. For regular boards, the official throw line distance is 7 feet and 9.25 inches, which is a bit less than electronic dart boards require.
I was really curious about the difference in the throw line distance. So, I decided to carry out some quick research and ask some professionals at our club. As it turned out, this is due to the weight difference of darts. The force required to launch a soft-tip dart is much less than a steel-tip dart. As a result, you should not throw lighter darts at the same speed unless you extend the line a few more inches.
And, one more thing, make sure there’s a power source nearby. I nearly made the blunder of drilling the holes in the wall at the same spot as my old bristle dartboard, only to realize at the last moment that the power outlet was too far away from it.
Leaning Over The Throw Line In Darts: Is It A Good Idea?
You can totally lean over the line when playing electronic darts, but make sure not to step across it with your foot. Stepping on it is fine, but stepping over is a no-no, especially in the big darts competitions. The trick is to stand right on the line, and if you need to, lean forward a bit to get the perfect throw.
But here’s the deal – leaning too much over the line isn’t the best move, trust me. When I first started, I thought getting closer to the dartboard by leaning in would make me a champ. I got all excited, thinking I found a secret tactic.
But here’s the reality check: leaning forward messed up my shots big time. It threw off my balance, making my throws wobbly and wild. When you lean forward too much, you’d be using just your triceps rather than your whole arm and shoulder to throw the dart, making it more stressful and difficult.
So, remember, while leaning forward might seem like a good plan, it’s a total disaster waiting to happen. Stick to the line, keep your balance, and don’t overdo the lean. You will thank me later!
Can You Screw Into The Back Of An Electronic Dartboard?
I definitely wouldn’t recommend screwing into the back of a digital dartboard. While it’s not the best way to put up a traditional board either, with a digital one, you’d risk damaging the electronic components. The good news, though, is that there’s no need to drill screws into the back of your board in the first place.
Those fancy electronic dartboards usually come with little holes for hanging. All you gotta do is stick nails in the wall and hang it up like a picture frame. Trust me, it’s way better than messing around with the board itself. The screws in those holes will hold it tight and keep it safe. Easy peasy!
When Should You Rotate Your Dart Board?
Traditional sisal dartboards need to be rotated very often to enhance their lifespan. Even though sisal has self-healing capabilities and the holes caused by the darts close once they are removed, hitting the same area repeatedly causes it to lose its restoration efficiency.
Eventually, the area would simply stop self-healing, forcing you to replace the dartboard. By rotating the board, you can evenly spread out the damage across different segments rather than keeping it focused on a specific area. This helps the board last far longer.
Now, with the electronic dartboards, it’s a whole different game. First off, the holes are already there, so the soft-tip darts don’t really dig in like steel tips do. Secondly, the whole point of using soft tips is to minimize damage. They are nowhere as sharp and penetrable as steel-tip darts, even if you play for hours daily.
Still, you gotta give it a spin every once in a while, but not nearly as much as the old-style boards. I usually give my digital board a rotation every 2-3 months, and it’s good enough to go!
Also Read: How To Clean An Electronic Dart Board?
Important Tips To Mount An Electronic Dart Board
As easy as installing a digital dart board might be, mistakes aren’t too uncommon for first-timers. Let me share a few important tips based on my personal experience:
Go through the manual thoroughly before you get started. I know that reading the manual can be boring, but it can really save you a lot of work (and potentially regret) later on. The diagrams on my electronic dartboard’s manual really helped me a great deal.
I’d advise you to be extra careful while measuring the distance between the hang-holes and the bullseye. Unless the markings are 100% precise, you might end up with a lopsided dartboard or, worse – a useless nail drilled into the wrong spot on the wall.
Make sure the dartboard is securely fastened against the wall. Leaving it loose not only leaves it more prone to damage but the repeated impact and movement can also loosen the nails further and cause the board to come crashing down.
You might want to get a dart board cabinet. I bought one of these, and it was totally worth the investment. Besides making it easy to store all your dart stuff together, a cabinet keeps the board protected from dust and other elements.
Mastering The Setup: Key Takeaways
Alright, let’s make setting up a soft-tip dartboard as fun as hitting the bullseye! It’s actually pretty simple, especially if you’ve experienced it before. Just watch out for getting the height and hang hole measurements right. Messing those up could be a real bummer!
If you face any problem in the process, you can take a quick look at the troubleshooting guide and get help. But don’t worry too much, slight mistakes in height won’t matter unless you’re going pro. The hang-hole alignment, though, that’s super important! If you’re still feeling a bit unsure, you can check out some cool video tutorials.
But honestly, once you’ve got the measurements and markings down, you’re pretty much good to go! So get ready to enjoy some awesome dart action!
