The escalade sports arachnid cricket pro 450 is an electronic soft-tip dartboard for playing Cricket and other dart games at home. Before buying one, check the exact model details, included accessories, and condition so you know what setup and scoring features to expect.
This guide explains what the board is for, how to check a listing, how to set it up, and how to avoid common scoring and maintenance problems. It also compares it with a bristle board and other electronic options.
What the escalade sports arachnid cricket pro 450 is
This model belongs to Arachnid’s electronic dartboard range. It uses soft-tip darts and electronic segments to register hits and display scores, reducing the need to track every turn by hand.
Its name highlights Cricket, a popular dart game, but an electronic board may include other game modes as well. Confirm the exact games and player options in the manual for the specific unit rather than assuming every listing describes the same package or revision.
That check matters for used boards, where manuals, adapters, and accessories may be missing. Retailer descriptions can also differ in how they summarize features. Look for the model number on the board or packaging and match it to the instructions supplied with the unit.
How to check its features before you buy
Compare the listing with the physical product and manual. Product names can be shortened online, and a similar Arachnid model may have different game selections, controls, or included parts.
| What to check | Why it matters | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Exact model number | Helps distinguish the Pro 450 from related models and confirm the right manual. | Any buyer, especially when shopping used |
| Game and player options | Confirms the board supports the games and group size you expect. | Families and regular game nights |
| Power adapter | An electronic board needs compatible power to run its scoring and display. | Buyers of secondhand units |
| Segment condition | Cracked or loose segments can affect hit detection and safe use. | Anyone inspecting a used board |
| Included darts and tips | Soft-tip darts need compatible tips, which may wear or break. | First-time electronic-board owners |
| Mounting hardware and manual | These make installation easier and help resolve setup or scoring questions. | Anyone without existing dartboard equipment |
For a used board, ask the seller to power it on and demonstrate a hit in several areas, including the bull and outer scoring segments. A single successful throw does not prove every segment works, so test more than one section if possible.
How Cricket scoring works on an electronic board
In standard Cricket, players target the numbers 15 through 20 and the bull. Each target must be hit three times to be “closed.” A single counts once, a double counts twice, and a triple counts three times. The bull is commonly divided into an outer bull and a center bull, each with its own value in marks.
After a player closes a number, further hits on it can score points if an opponent has not closed it. Once both sides close a number, it no longer scores. The usual goal is to close all the targets and have at least as many points as the opponent.
An electronic dartboard can record marks automatically, but players still need to understand the rules. Before starting, select the intended Cricket mode and confirm how the display shows marks and points. If a score looks wrong, check the selected game and the segment struck before assuming the board is faulty.
How to mount and use the board
Choose a firm wall with enough clear space for players to throw and retrieve darts safely. Keep the area free of people, pets, glass, and fragile objects. Mounting the board securely matters: a wobbling cabinet can affect play and may loosen over time.
- Check the manual first. Confirm the mounting method, power requirements, and any model-specific setup instructions.
- Measure the playing position. Standard soft-tip play commonly uses a bull height of 5 feet 8 inches and a throwing distance of 8 feet, measured horizontally from the board face. Check the rules you plan to use before drilling.
- Mark the throw line. Keep the line easy to see and measure from the face of the board, not from the wall behind it.
- Mount and test the unit. Make sure it is stable, connect the correct adapter, and check that the display and controls respond.
- Try a few practice throws. Test several segments at a controlled pace before beginning a scored match.
Do not guess the distance by measuring diagonally from the bull to the floor at the throwing line. That diagonal measurement can be useful as a cross-check, but the horizontal distance is the direct measurement used for the throw line.
Electronic board versus bristle board
The right choice depends on how you play. Electronic boards suit soft-tip darts and automatic scoring. Bristle boards use steel-tip darts and have a different feel and maintenance routine.
| Board type | Scoring and darts | Trade-off | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arachnid Cricket Pro 450 | Electronic scoring with soft-tip darts; confirm exact features for the unit. | Needs power and compatible tips; electronic parts can require troubleshooting. | Home players who want automatic scoring |
| Other electronic dartboard | Usually soft-tip darts with built-in scoring; game options vary by model. | Features and controls differ, so compare manuals and listings. | Buyers comparing price, game modes, or display layouts |
| Bristle dartboard | Typically steel-tip darts and manual scoring. | No electronic scoring, and the surrounding area needs protection from steel tips. | Players who prefer traditional steel-tip play |
Do not assume that an electronic board is automatically easier for every player. It handles score entry, but players still need to learn the game rules and choose compatible darts. Likewise, a bristle board is not a direct substitute if you specifically need soft-tip play.
Care and troubleshooting tips
Use soft-tip darts designed for electronic boards, and replace damaged or bent tips before they cause problems. Avoid forcing a dart into a segment or pulling it out at an angle; a straight, controlled removal is less likely to stress the holes.
If a throw does not register, check that the dart tip is intact and that the dart landed fully in a scoring segment. Then check whether the correct game and player turn are active. Power-cycle the board only as directed in its manual, since controls and reset procedures can vary.
- Keep the board dry and away from extreme heat or damp areas.
- Do not use steel-tip darts on a soft-tip electronic board.
- Keep spare compatible tips available for game nights.
- Store darts so their tips do not bend or get crushed.
- Use the manual to identify error messages or reset the score safely.
A common mistake is treating every missed registration as a bad board. A worn tip, shallow impact, incorrect game setting, or a dart landing between segments can produce the same symptom. Test multiple darts and segments before deciding that the unit needs repair.
Who should consider this board?
The Pro 450 may suit a household or casual group that wants soft-tip play and electronic scorekeeping. It can also work for players learning Cricket, since automatic marks help them focus on aiming and the rules.
It may be less suitable if you want steel-tip play, prefer a traditional bristle board, or need a particular game mode that the unit does not support. Check the exact manual and condition before purchase, especially if the seller cannot demonstrate the display, controls, and scoring segments.
The escalade sports arachnid cricket pro 450 is best considered as a soft-tip electronic board whose exact features should be confirmed against its manual and condition. Check the model number, power adapter, working segments, and game options before committing.
Your next step is to find the model label and compare it with the seller’s listing or included instructions. If you already own the board, mount it securely, measure the throw line, and test several segments before starting a match.