Unicorn Eclipse Ultra Review
Amazon
Decathlon
My Unicorn Eclipse Ultra test: analysis & comparison
CompetitionMy analysis
My review of the Unicorn Eclipse Ultra
The Eclipse Ultra is the flagship of Unicorn's Eclipse range, and you can feel it from the very first darts you throw. The UniLock spider (radial wiring system) with a staple-free bullseye is extremely thin, a world apart from the conventional wiring found on entry-level or mid-range boards. The result is that bounce-outs become rare, even when grouping darts tightly around the triple 20. It's no coincidence this board is used in professional competition: it's built for players who want as little interference as possible between their throw and the board.
The premium sisal pairs perfectly with this thin wire: it grips the dart well without tearing prematurely around impact points, and crucially without damaging neighbouring segments every time a dart lands close to a wire. It's the kind of detail you don't notice right away, but it makes a real difference after months of heavy use.
My test of the Unicorn Eclipse Ultra at the oche
At the oche, the difference compared to an entry-level board is immediate. The blade wire is so thin it almost disappears visually once you're focused on your target, you're aiming at the segment, not the wire. Darts that clip a wire are far more likely to stick in the sisal rather than bounce out, which genuinely changes the flow of a game, especially in doubles and trebles where every bounce-out can cost you a leg.
Visual comfort is good (8/10): the board stays readable during fast-paced play, even if it doesn't push colour contrast as far as some newer models designed specifically for TV visibility. It's clear the priority was gameplay performance (bounce reduction, dart retention) rather than pure visual impact.
Durability of the Unicorn Eclipse Ultra
With a score of 8/10, durability is good without being exceptional. The premium sisal holds up well under regular use, but a board with such a fine wire setup still requires a minimum of maintenance, regular rotation, and a solidly fixed board to avoid the angled impacts that wear wires down prematurely. Over time, there's no abnormal degradation around the triple 20 segments, which is a good sign for such a heavily used board.
It's not the toughest board on the market, but it's clearly built to last across several seasons of serious play, provided it's treated with the care its high-end positioning deserves.
Installation and mounting the board
Installation doesn't fundamentally differ from a standard traditional board: a standard wall mount for the 17.7" format, classic assembly with numbers to screw or clip on depending on the kit supplied. The 5.5 kg weight calls for a solid, well-secured wall mount, not something to hang on a fragile partition wall.
As with any tournament-approved board, I recommend respecting official throw distances and heights during installation, especially if the goal is training under conditions representative of competition play.
Price and value for money
I estimate the price of the Unicorn Eclipse Ultra generally between €55 and €65 (estimate to be adjusted depending on retailer and ongoing promotions). At that price point, it sits clearly above entry-level boards, which is consistent with its status as the flagship model of the Eclipse collection.
Value for money remains solid for anyone specifically after the benefits of the extra-thin blade wire: fewer bounce-outs, better dart retention, and polished finishing (9/10). For a casual player, the investment may seem excessive; for an advanced or regular player, it's a coherent choice.
Verdict: should you buy the Unicorn Eclipse Ultra?
Yes, without hesitation, if you're an advanced player tired of bounce-outs on an entry-level or mid-range board. The extra-thin blade wire and premium sisal form a genuinely effective combination, and the overall 8.6/10 score reflects a product that gets almost everything right: bounce reduction (9/10), perceived quality (9/10) and finishing (9/10) all deliver.
The only caveats concern durability (8/10), very good but not quite at the maximum level, and visual comfort (8/10), decent without being the product's standout strength. For a beginner or casual player, an Eclipse Pro will be more than enough; but for anyone wanting the reference model of the Eclipse range without compromising on playing surface quality, the Ultra remains a relevant choice.
Criteria breakdown
Durability
The premium sisal holds up very well under regular, heavy use, with no abnormal wear around the triple 20 segments. That said, it's not the toughest board on the market: a wire setup this thin still needs a minimum of maintenance (rotation, careful mounting) to last over time. A score of 8/10 reflects solid durability, without quite reaching the maximum level.
Bounce-out
The steel blade wire, with a staple-free bullseye and extremely thin, drastically reduces bounce-outs, even on tight groupings around the triple 20. This is precisely what earns it a place in professional competition. It sits near the top of the pack without quite claiming the title of the lowest-bounce board on the market, hence the 9/10 score.
Finish
The finishing is polished, with clean assembly and a blade wire that integrates seamlessly into the sisal without any noticeable roughness. You can tell real effort went into making sure the wire doesn't disrupt either gameplay or the board's overall look. A well-deserved 9/10 for a board that leaves little room for criticism on this front.
Visual clarity
Readability stays good during fast-paced play, with segments and numbers clearly identifiable even after several hours of practice. That said, priority was clearly given to gameplay performance rather than the high-contrast visuals found on some newer models designed for TV broadcast. Hence a good, if unexceptional, 8/10 score.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely thin blade wire with a staple-free bullseye that drastically reduces bounce-outs
- Used in professional competition (notably on the PDC circuit), a mark of competition-grade reliability
- Premium sisal that grips darts well without damaging neighbouring segments
- Polished finishing and a genuine sense of high-end perceived quality
- Tournament-approved, suitable for training under official conditions
Cons
- Durability is good but not maximal, regular maintenance is still needed to preserve it over time
- Visual comfort is decent without being optimised for TV-level readability like some newer models
Frequently asked questions about the Unicorn Eclipse Ultra
Its main strength is the blade wire, which is extremely thin with a staple-free bullseye and drastically reduces bounce-outs, especially on tight groupings around the triple 20. The premium sisal complements this wire perfectly by gripping darts well without damaging neighbouring segments. This combination is exactly why it's used in professional competition.
The Eclipse Pro is the mid-range model in the Eclipse collection, with a thicker wire than the Ultra. It offers good value for a regular player, but doesn't match the Ultra's level of bounce reduction, which is aimed at players most demanding about playing surface quality. The Ultra remains the flagship choice of the Eclipse range.
The Eclipse Ultra 2.0 is the successor to the Ultra, a newer version introducing Grade A sisal, an upgrade not found on the classic Ultra. That said, the Ultra remains a solid, proven reference on professional circuits, with a blade wire that's just as effective at reducing bounce-outs.
It's aimed primarily at advanced players looking for a board with no compromise on playing surface quality, whether for serious training or competition. A beginner or casual player won't fully make use of the extra-thin blade wire's benefits and may prefer a more accessible model like the Eclipse Pro.
Installation follows the standard 17.7" format with a classic wall mount. Given its 5.5 kg weight, it's important to use a solid, well-secured wall mount. I recommend following official throw distances and heights for training under conditions representative of competition play.
The price generally sits between €55 and €65, consistent with its high-end position within the Eclipse collection. This figure is an estimate to be adjusted depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions.
Player reviews Unicorn Eclipse Ultra
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