Archery - Help decide on new Bowtech Carbon model

[Ledd Slinger]

I know this is not a firearm topic, but any help would be appreciated.

I am in the market for a new bow this year. I have narrowed my decision down to a few carbon model bows by Bowtech. Reason being because I want a rally lightweight bow (3.2 to 3.3 lbs) with good IBO speeds. The Carbon Knight, Carbon Icon, and Carbon Overdrive.

Not considering Hoyt carbon bows at this time as I have owned both Hoyt and Bowtech (Maxxus and Commander) bows in the past and have a personal opinion that Bowtech makes a better all around bow for my fit. Plus I like the look and durability of finish on the Bowtech much better. Just my opinion and taste.

The Carbon Knight started it all in the Bowtech line and is basically the same exact bow as the Icon minus the flip discs on the cams. So I'm kind of ruling out the Icon as I will never want to turn the performance of by bow down in hunting situations.

The Carbon Overdrive has more tunability and a little faster speeds, but just wondering if it is worth the extra money over the Carbon Knight? Would like some input from Bowtech shooters who own or have shot these new Carbon bows in the past. Looking for good honest unbiased opinions. Thank you all for any help you provide for me in making this decision

 

[jonbearman]

In my opinion after shooting for 35 years is the companys that make all these claims and change models each year is to take your hard earned money. Does your bow that you have kill deer? Probably yes. Is speed the answer , no it is a selling point and the advertised speeds that they get are in a high altitude building where they all test their bows. I have killed countless deer with a recurve since the late 1980's that would shoot somewhere between 180 fps and the low 200's. I hope you see my point, it is all about developing sales by making claims and making things more complicated and expensive. If you buy a bowtech or any other bow keep it and invest your time into practice to make humane kills in normal distance's. I have killed deer at 8 feet and 45 yds with recurves shooting cedar arrows. Don't keep throwing money at the hunting experience, go out and enjoy the many hours of practice and ditch the speed game. Enjoy what ever you do and I am not judging you or trying to insult you. I am trying to teach. I was in the archery business for 10 years and watched my customers and friends spend tons of money and never be satisfied with what you have. Go now and get a new bow but keep it for 10 years and get so used to it that it is like an extension of your arm my friend. I quit the speed race and had way more fun being an archer.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Thanks Jon. I completely understand what you're saying. It's just that right now I'd like to have a lighter weight bow. Speed isn't a huge concern to me. The bows I am considering arent any faster than what I have now. But they are 1.5-2 lbs lighter. So when I'm hiking up steep mountains or just long hauls on foot in general, I know the reduced weight will pay off. I try to keep all my gear as light as possible without sacrificing durability or functionality. So getting into a carbon fiber bow will help me that much more in reducing my gear weight.

The reduced weight will also pay off on an approaching elk where it can sometimes take several minutes of holding at full draw completely motionless before he turns to allow the shot. With the bow I have now, my shoulder starts burning pretty good after a minute or two. If the lighter weight can extend my hold time, which it will, it will definitely help when I encounter that situation.

 

[Midnightmedic]

LeddSlingers, I have been shooting bows for 30+ years and have been lucky enough to shoot almost every bow Bowtech has produced and the carbon night gives up nothing in the way of hunting to it's more expensive brothers. You will love the light weight if doing a lot of hiking. I got my teenage boys the carbon night bows about a year ago and after shooting their bows I ordered the Icon for myself. They do run "best" at About 60# or less as the riser can seem flexy when getting up to 70+# range. The speed is there, My son's 45# (26"draw) carbon night sent his 450gr arrow clean through his mule deer at 18 yards. Keep the poundage low, draw early and be amazed at how long you can hold accurately. Under 60 yards you will not tell the difference between bows. If you like long range archery, then like a rifle, weight is your friend for stability and accuracy as the wind seems to blow your bow arm around with light bows. I hung up the 350fps bows and have enjoyed shooting once again with the new light weight carbon bows from bowtech. They are fast, quiet and smooth. Not to mention a dream to carry. Save the extra money for a good rest and sights. Just two cents from a satisfied shooter.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

LeddSlingers, I have been shooting bows for 30+ years and have been lucky enough to shoot almost every bow Bowtech has produced and the carbon night gives up nothing in the way of hunting to it's more expensive brothers. You will love the light weight if doing a lot of hiking. I got my teenage boys the carbon night bows about a year ago and after shooting their bows I ordered the Icon for myself. They do run "best" at About 60# or less as the riser can seem flexy when getting up to 70+# range. The speed is there, My son's 45# (26"draw) carbon night sent his 450gr arrow clean through his mule deer at 18 yards. Keep the poundage low, draw early and be amazed at how long you can hold accurately. Under 60 yards you will not tell the difference between bows. If you like long range archery, then like a rifle, weight is your friend for stability and accuracy as the wind seems to blow your bow arm around with light bows. I hung up the 350fps bows and have enjoyed shooting once again with the new light weight carbon bows from bowtech. They are fast, quiet and smooth. Not to mention a dream to carry. Save the extra money for a good rest and sights. Just two cents from a satisfied shooter.

Thank you very much for your input. I have a top of the line TruGlo sight, G5 magnetic quiver, and Ripodcord Ace rest I plan to take off my old bow when I get the new Bowtech. So I already have good components.

Have you shot the Carbon Overdrive yet? Most reviews I read say that it has a little more hand shock than the Knight and Icon. Thanks

 

[jonbearman]

Ledd slinger if you really want to save weight,my recurve barely weighs a 1 1/2#'s.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Ledd slinger if you really want to save weight,my recurve barely weighs a 1 1/2#'s.

I'm a compound guy. Perhaps one day I will get good enough at stalking animals to try a recurve or long bow, but until then I need the accuracy and distance edge the compounds give me. I just feel that with my intermediate archery skill level, a compound bow is a more humane way for me to take animals during archery season.

 

[Sniper338]

Man I love my bowtech, it all comes down to picking them up and seeing what feels the best to you... and thats it.. I bought a bowtech destroyer 350 and have it set up well... I have no need for buying a newer model anytime soon. What feels right is right.. they can all kill... even old slow bows work still.. mine throws my arrows at 342-343 fps shot over my chrony.. IBS speed is never exact... all depends on how you rig it out...

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Yeah, I just love the feel of Bowtech. I had the Commander years ago and loved it. I got rid of it and wished I never did. Tried Hoyt, Rytera, and some others, but never liked them as much. So I'm going back to Bowtech and planning on staying there. I have a local archery shop that deals in Bowtech and has a 50 yard indoor range. I suppose I will just have to stop in there when I get back home in a few weeks and shoot the different Bowtech Carbon bows to see which one I like.

 

[ridgeway]

Have you ever shot an Elite? Do yourself a favor and shoot one...your adimate love for Bowtech might fade, lol. I've and a couple Z28's, Judge and currently have a new Energy 32.

I suggest going to as many dealers as you can and shoot as many brands as you can. Don't compare an old bow to the new stuff out there....all together different.

Ask yourself a few questions: what is the primary use? Do you like longer or shorter ATA bows? Do you prefer long or shorter brace height bows? A longer brace heigh bow will be a tad bit forgiving to shoot and flaws in form...

I primarily prefer shooting 3D shoots and my bow will double as a hunter. So its pretty much set up for a hunter class 3D with lighter hunting arrows and a CBE hybrid type of single pin sight. I did the separate all out 3D bow several years back....no more, lol

 

[Ledd Slinger]

It will mainly be for hunting. I say I am an intermediate shooter because I have never shot competition, but I have been shooting bows for about 12 years now.

Definitely going for the lighter weight and shorter axle to axle with a forgiving brace height. The Bowtech Carbon bows offer all of this.

I've been watching and reading tons of reviews on all the newer bows from 2014 to 2015 while keeping an unbiased mind. PSE, Hoyt, Elite, Obsession, Bowtech, ATA, Bear, etc...

Elite bows have always been nice. But they are one of the slowest bows on the market right now. Many folks love the Elite draw cycle and shootability, but they say the same about many other bows as well. Some folks describe the Elite bows as a "Nice handling sports car with a Toyota Prius engine". Now speed isn't everything to me, but when none of the elite bows have beat out other flagship models in any of the side by side comparisons for overall value and performance, I figure I might as well have a faster bow. However, that does not mean an Elite won't be for me, but all I can do right now is read. At least until I shoot one.

The PSE DNA SP has great reviews as well and at 3.8 lbs it is a contender. So far, the Carbon Overdrive is looking like it has everything I am looking for in a hunting bow for high country mountain terrain. But I am going to wait until I shoot the Knight and Overdrive side by side before deciding. Fortunately the Bowtech dealer back home is also a PSE and Mathews dealer so I will be able to test a lot of bow models before making a decision. They used to be an Elite dealer too, but not sure if they still sell them? Might have dropped Elite when they picked up the Mathews contract. I'll have to check on that when I go there. Be nice if they still sold Elite. The more options, the better

 

[jonbearman]

Ledd slinger, you are a good man putting humane kills above all. That means everything to me. I wish you luck in finding the bowtech for you. They in my opinion are the caddilac of compounds and honor their warranty if something goes wrong which is doubtful.

 

[CJ6]

Mathewes.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Mathewes.

I will shoot the Mathews bows at the shop when I go home. I know mathews used to be an industry leader and I always liked their bows in the past, but in many reviews over the last few years, it seems that they have fallen off the wagon in the bow race. Even a lot of newer companies get better reviews for handling, speed, draw cycle, noise, and hand shock than the new mathews flagship bows. Ive even had some of my buddies that are die hard mathews fans tell me the same thing. But those are opinions. Perhaps I will like mathews the best, who knows. Just have to wait and try them.

 

[ridgeway]

Honesty...Any new higher end bow is good. For the most part, the MFG's stand behind their products and go far beyond to help. In the bow world, most of the failures are user induced, if you know what I mean! I've seen a lot of hacked up stuff that makes you wonder what in the world is that! The "DO NOT DRY FIRE" is like a curiosity slogan to some...and the buddy question "is it hard to pull back?" question and you can use your imagination as to what happens, lol.

Here is my Elite E32, CBE Tek Hybrid, Limbdriver, Self made carbon fiber stabilizer/weights and quick disconnect. I have a set of custom strings(fluorescent green/silver/black pin stripe) to put on, but haven't got around to doing so...

 

[CJ6]

Mathewes.

I will shoot the Mathews bows at the shop when I go home. I know mathews used to be an industry leader and I always liked their bows in the past, but in many reviews over the last few years, it seems that they have fallen off the wagon in the bow race. Even a lot of newer companies get better reviews for handling, speed, draw cycle, noise, and hand shock than the new mathews flagship bows. Ive even had some of my buddies that are die hard mathews fans tell me the same thing. But those are opinions. Perhaps I will like mathews the best, who knows. Just have to wait and try them.

I still use one of his originals occasionally from the Austin Mn.shop. Local that's done real good....

 

[effendude]

Shoot the Mathews No Cam before you buy anything. It is the sweetest shooting bow I have shot in 40 years of archery. I amazes all who try it.
Scott

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Shoot the Mathews No Cam before you buy anything. It is the sweetest shooting bow I have shot in 40 years of archery. I amazes all who try it.
Scott

Will do. Thanks

 

[Raythemanroe]

Buy a Hoyt




Ray

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Buy a Hoyt




Ray

I had the Hoyt Maxxus back in 2010. Didn't really care for it. Every Hoyt I have shot has a spongy back wall and tend to produce more noise than other brands. Read reviews of the same problem with their new model bows so don't think I'll be considering Hoyt anytime in the forseeable future