Archery - Help decide on new Bowtech Carbon model

[Raythemanroe]

I've shot Hoyt for years, This is the furthest thing from my experience. Hoyt builds bows that actually do the speed ratings they claim without shooting an arrow that is basically dry firing the bow.. I live next to a Bowtech dealer that now sells Hoyt, he has seen Bowtechs limbs just come apart.. Hoyt build the strongest risers and limbs in the business.. Noise comes from your setup, lite arrows vibrating sights and such.. My Hoyt Alpha Elite (2012 model) was advertised at 320 fps, I used a 400 series Goldtip and am getting a smooth quiet 338 fps..



Ray

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I'm sure some Hoyt bows are better than others. Never shot an Alpha Elite. But every Bowtech I've shot impressed me, including the one I used to have. I guess it's personal preference, just not a Hoyt fan.

As far as limbs coming apart. That is so rare that it's not a concern to me. Could happen to any bow. Pretty much all manufacturers have lifetime warranty anyhow. At least I know Bowtech does.

But if they do have some Hoyt bows in the two shops I plan on visiting, I will shoot them to see if I like their new bows better.

 

[Raythemanroe]

I'm not slamming Bowtech, Mathews bows have a good fit and finish also.. Bows, They would be the top three in my opinion.. Find what your comfortable with, I like longer axle 2 axle bows. I believe they are smoother and more forgiving, That's why I lean to Hoyt.



Ray

 

[TC260]

I don't own a carbon bow so not of any help on that. Next year though I'll probably be in the market again for a new bow. The thing I like about faster bows in general isn't shooting soda straws at break neck speed, it's the improvement in the performance of heavier arrows that I like.

 

[jonbearman]

TC260, right on. The heavier arrows make the bow shoot with less vibration and better kinetic energy. The heavy arrows actually improve knock down power istead of the dry fire situation. I used to drive a buddy crazy with his light arrows going fast and my recurve shooting 600 grain arrows which had higher kinetic energy than the light arrows could.

 

[effendude]

http://mathewsinc.com/media/video-gallery/#651673



Watch the video, go to a shop, and shoot one. I rarely get excited about the latest and greatest new models as they are often only slight improvements over past model. This is a game changer...
Scott

 

[Dgd6mm]

Mathews is known for Innovation, not Imitation.


Mathews#1

 

[Ledd Slinger]

http://mathewsinc.com/media/video-gallery/#651673



Watch the video, go to a shop, and shoot one. I rarely get excited about the latest and greatest new models as they are often only slight improvements over past model. This is a game changer...
Scott

I like the idea behind the technology. Simpler IS better in my opinion. Will definitely shoot the No Cam HTR if I can get my hands on one. Thanks

 

[fredo]

While you're at it, shoot an Elite.
Have owned PSE, Hoyt + a couple (4) Mathews bows. Currently shooting an '13 Answer, its the honey of the bunch. Would have to be really impressive to beat this Elite for shootability...

Bows are so subjective though, whichever one feels best to you is the one you need.
Good luck!

 

[Raythemanroe]

http://mathewsinc.com/media/video-gallery/#651673



Watch the video, go to a shop, and shoot one. I rarely get excited about the latest and greatest new models as they are often only slight improvements over past model. This is a game changer...
Scott

I like the idea behind the technology. Simpler IS better in my opinion. Will definitely shoot the No Cam HTR if I can get my hands on one. Thanks

Can you say cam and a half? Just a copy of slaved together cam systems.. Long time ago Darton came up with it..Hoyt barrowed and adjusted on it, now the solo cam has gone prehistoric, Mathews has gotta call it something.. Nothing bad to say, less timing issues then old duel cam bows had.. Try a Hoyt comp bow, Elite line if you want tack driving..


Ray

 

[Raythemanroe]

Short axle 2 axle bows like the Elite, Mathews, Bowtechs suffer from excessive cam lean which is bad.. Pop a string off and you usually have a cam that flops around, can't be good.. Thin risers, Although lite weight is the popular thing, this just adds to riser flex.. I'm still seeing some of these bows being manufactured without bearings in the cams, I shouldn't have to explain that..


Ray

 

[fredo]

Here's a file photo of a PSE Nova, circa 1997, with round Vector IV "no cams", LMAO...

 

[bowfisher]

Then shoot a 38 ABS from OK Archery. Very light bow that shoots extremely well.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I know there are tons of good bows out there, but don't forget to keep my original post in mind and consider that I am looking for an ultra lightweght bow that does not sacrifice speed or accuracy before making suggestions. When hiking up steep mountains, every ounce counts. The other factor is that I want a compact bow. That's why I am so intrigued with the Bowtech Carbon series.

I understand cam lean, riser flex, etc. I think G5 has a patent on the only cam system that produces virually zero lean. Until that patent expires, I think most other manufacturers will just have to deal with a little bit of lean in their cam designs. Most of us here have been shooting bows for years and have owned many bows in the past that produced a lot of cam lean, so not extremely concerned there. If the bow shoots, it shoots.

 

[bowfisher]

Get what fits for what you do. I think a compact carbon riser bow will work just fine. Cam lean can be tuned out as you mentioned. The OK bows are shoot-through design, absolutely no lean what so ever, but they are not compact..shorter speed bow can be unforgiving of less than perfect form, but they can be shot very well in the right hands, good luck on your endeavors!

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Get what fits for what you do. I think a compact carbon riser bow will work just fine. Cam lean can be tuned out as you mentioned. The OK bows are shoot-through design, absolutely no lean what so ever, but they are not compact..shorter speed bow can be unforgiving of less than perfect form, but they can be shot very well in the right hands, good luck on your endeavors!

Thanks. I'll be home in a week. I'll let you all know what ended up fitting my preferences the best. Until then...

 

[Swift4Yotes]

If you are into tuning, the OD Binary cam system is a must. I have had most of the new Bowtechs in the last few years. I shoot 30" and imo the Experience can't be beat. Run the mods one notch shorter. The Prodigy is awesome if you are a bit shorter draw. I had a carbon overdrive for 2 days and it had terrible hand shock and yes it was tuned.
If weight was my primary concern I would buy a deep cam groove destroyer 340 or 350 depending on dl and put some barnsdale limbs on it. I am not a fan of Bowtechs carbon riser.

 

[jonbearman]

I like all the high tech bows but I am glad I shoot a recurve instinctively. No headaches and it weighs about a pound and a half. My arrows don't fly fast but they fly true and have killed more deer with them than I can remember.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

THE VERDICT IS IN!!!

I shot a lot of bows today. Shot all of the Bowtech Carbon bows, PSE, and some Mathews bows. In the end, I didn't get a carbon bow...

The bowtech Carbon bows all had bad hand shock, lots of torque, and wanted to jump out of my hand after the shot. The grips we're really "blocky" and did not sit well in my hand. The draw cycle was horrible on the Carbon Icon and though the draw cycle was definitely better on the Carbon Overdrive, I still didnt particularly care for it. The hump before the back wall was sudden and landed hard, especially on the Icon. AND ALL OF THE DEMO BOWS WERE SET UP WITH STABILIZERS AND TUNED RESTS! Decided right then and there that I wasnt going to be buying a Bowtech Carbon bow...at least not this year.

I shot some PSE bows in the same shop as well. The Decree was a nice shooting bow with very low hand shock, but had a long lasting vibration after the shot. Not stabilizer installed, sure it could be ironed out with a good one installed. Pretty impressive for a 355 IBO bow. The draw cycle was fairly smooth but it also had a good hump before hitting the back wall and the back wall was slightly spongy. I thought the Decree might be a potential candidate, then left for the other shop to try Mathews.

Shot the athews Z2. Absolutely horrible draw cycle. Gritty, pulled a ton of weight for a good distance, big hump, you name it. All the bad things in a draw cycle you can think of. No way on Gods green earth was i going to buy that bow.

Next was the new No Cam HTR. The draw cycle was smooth, but it felt like I was pulling the full 70 lbs for over 3/4 of the draw cycle, then hit a decent hump that was enough to torque the bow in my hand before hitting the back wall. The draw cycle wasn't bad, but just way too different for me and I didn't like it at all.

Next was the Chill R. I drew it back and thought " holy crap, where's the hump?" So I let the arrow fly and I knew right there that I found my bow. I have never in my life felt such a smooth draw cycle. You would have to shoot it to believe it. Its smooth as polished glass, the weight drops off quickly and there is No hump whatsoever before hitting a super solid back wall made with their new Rock Mods. while at full draw it is as solid as can be with perfect balance. When the arrow flies, there is hardly any torque at all and zero hand shock. Its whisper quiet and is still pumping out an Ibo speed of 342 fps. No stabilizer on it either. So after some more test firing, that bow went home with me in the back seat of the truck

Thanks to everyone for their help. Especially the fellas who talked me into trying Mathews once again. The Chill R impressed me more than any bow I've ever shot in the past and fits every personal preference I was looking for besides the ultra light weight. But it's still a fairly light bow and its smoothness alone is well worth the sacrifice of having a lighter bow IMO. Thanks again

 

[Raythemanroe]

Hoyt?