I have the following:
Elven Bow (Flawless)
-40 Damage
Nightingale Bow (Superior)
-37 Damage PLUS 20 Freeze & 10 Shock

In my Weapon Inventory the little triangle (which I think denotes the more powerful weapon) is next to the Elven Bow. Am I correct in assuming that the little triangle does NOT take into account the magical (Freeze & Shock) damage?

Basically...is the Nightingale Bow more powerful than the Elven Bow because of the magical damage?

Thanks

Yes.

The little triangle is not always (or even often) correct after you start getting enchanted weapons.

I never really pay attention to the triangle anyways.

Thanks.

Same, doesn't seem to be reliable at all. v1.4 seems to have fixed the game showing whether or not gear is better then currently equipped though (I mean the red or green number next to current value along the bottom edge of the screen)

Yeah, it only compares base damage. However, enchantment damage isn't boosted by sneak attacks or critical hits, while base damage is. So if you are doing 6 times damage with a sneaky shot, that Elven bow dishes out 240 (6x40) damage, while the Nightengale Bow dishes out 231(6X37 + 20 +10) damage.

This is why my character runs around with an unenchanted legendary ebony greatsword; 90% of the attacks I make are power attacks, so maxing out base damage just overwhelms any enchantment I could possibly use. The tiny bit of extra damage just would not be worth the devastation I can cause with "elemental fury", and the soul gems (even with Azura's Star) just aren't worth the hassle.

This triangle is not giving real info about my weapons

Daedric War Axe damage 224 = Triangle
Daedric Sword with damage 224 = No triangle. Why if the damage rating is the same??

Maybe there is a connection with the enchantment? Axe burns 36 pts (silent moons). Paralize 5 secs. / Sword burns 36 pts (fire). 43 pts Magicka Damage.

I don't trust the triangle.

I never trusted it, either.