Getting a new compound? Check out some bow tests...

[NormGunston]

Which of the following bows tested do you think was favoured by the judges? Bowtech, P.S.E., Fred Bear, Mathews, Parker, Hoyt, Pearson and Ross High Country. Look here for the answer:
http://www.bowsite.com/BOWSITE/features/articles/equipment/2006headtohead/
Surprised?? :wink:

[ado250]

Pfft, go figure, they didn't test any Darton :roll: s

[Shano]

yup, magic bow, and I only shoot the standard switchback :lol:

Going hunting 3 weekends in a row starting in two weeks...heheheh, guess I'll have to put my sweet little switchback into "game on" mode :P

Interesting poll.

Cheers

Shano

[LongReach]

Interesting test.

Thought the hoyt would have been rated higher. Although the trykon is hoyts firt prototype in paralel limb design. I believe other bows in hoyts range would have done better than the trykon, ie: Ultratec/supertec. jmho. I feel these are far superior to the trykon.

Mathews was no surprise............they are are well designed.

[Jacob Goodwin]

Interesting results.

I'm glad to see Bowtech performed quite well across the categories, particularly noise level (not the decibel test) and speed.

Jake

[NormGunston]

I would have thought the Trykon to have done a bit better as well. The bows tested must sell well in the States... we don't often see (e.g.) Parker here. Would be interesting to read a review of the top selling bows in Oz compared head-to-head- including Reflex, which seem to sell well here. I'm wondering why Browning, Jennings, Merlin, Darton, etc. were not included in the U.S. test. A matter of too many bows, or another reason such as promotion of certain brands? Also, how much of a role does marketing and availability play in the make of bows purchased in Australia? Why don't we see manufacturers such as CSS Richwood, Kodiak Outdoors and Storm Archery in our country?

[jpbon]

Surely the Fred Bear should've come first.............. :oops: :wink:

[Bazza]

Pfft, go figure, they didn't test any Darton :roll: s

No martin's either.

[Puk]

I had never seen the Fred Bear before. The price looks alright, at $400 in the states. I have seen contrasting reports though, on whether the draw length goes up to 30 or 31 inches.

At Least Matthews have wised up to the "larger demographic" with the Switchback LD or whatever it is (the one with the long draw).

Now i would just have to sell one of my children to be able to afford it. :roll:

Puk

[Jacob Goodwin]

I'm wondering why Browning, Jennings, Merlin, Darton, etc. were not included in the U.S. test. A matter of too many bows, or another reason such as promotion of certain brands? [quote]

Norm,

I suspect these bows/brands weren't included in the test because they're not really major players in the US bowhunting scene (which is who this test is catering to).

From my perspective, many US bowhunters consider them either "second tier" in the US when compared to larger, well known brands like Matthews, Hoyt, Bowtech OR not "boutique" enough when compared to smaller, niche brands like Ross, Parker etc. Also, there seems to be an issue with some of these brands around a perceived lack of quality or seriousness (perhaps unfairly). I know a lot of US bowhunters who would never touch a Darton or take a Browning bow seriously.

In respect of Merlin, I think being a UK based business is a significant disadvantage. As there is no bowhunting in the UK, the company just doesn't understand the needs of its customer base. I'm sure they make a fine target bow, but just miss the mark when it comes to hunting. I've read some of their promotional material and its clear they're out of their depth.

[quote]Also, how much of a role does marketing and availability play in the make of bows purchased in Australia? Why don't we see manufacturers such as CSS Richwood, Kodiak Outdoors and Storm Archery in our country?[/

Actually, I think Rob Donnelly (Casino Archery) imports/sells CSS. As for the others, I think it's an issue of volume. Australia is such a small, remote market that smaller outfits can't justify the expense and energy of trying to build a market here. It's unfortunate,but a sad fact of commercial life.

Jake

[LongReach]

I would have thought the Trykon to have done a bit better as well. The bows tested must sell well in the States... we don't often see (e.g.) Parker here. Would be interesting to read a review of the top selling bows in Oz compared head-to-head- including Reflex, which seem to sell well here.


Reflex? They are pretty much discontinued hoyt models, produced in the hoyt factory, and overseen by the the legendary Chuck Adams. all tried and tested hoyts that sold well end up being rebadged as a reflex when they are discontinued.

ie: The Reflex game getter is/was a hoyt raptor/Raider/intruder. However the new reflex gamegetter has the 'slam and a half cams' where the hoyt raptor/raider/intruder were only manufactured with the comand cam and master cams.

Reflex are hoyt quality at a reduced price.........nothing wrong with them!

You may already know this.

[interceptor]

That is a good test,

Mathews won last year as well.

The bows were all picked by the Bowsite members, well sort of anyway.

The Mods at Bowsite put up a poll at the start of the year and ask everyone to nominate the bow they would like to see tested. The top 8 brands are then contacted and given a copy of the test criteria and the Manufactures themselves decide which bow they believe will do best overall.

Cheers Noel

[jpbon]

I had never seen the Fred Bear before. The price looks alright, at $400 in the states. I have seen contrasting reports though, on whether the draw length goes up to 30 or 31 inches.


Puk

The Fred Bear is a good bow. Mine was made in 2005 and goes up to 31". It's a pretty quiet little bow and i'm pretty happy with it.

I still believe Fred Bear should've won :P :P !!!

[johnno]

Now if only they had tested the Allegiance instead of the Tribute...mmmm 8) 8)

[Wareagle]

Obvious they must have missed the Elite range, certainly a cut above the number of Bowtech, that I have owned, and smoking fast :D

[NormGunston]

What is your "Dream Compound Bow"?
Going off on a bit of a tangent here (instead of creating another thread)... What is it that you want to see in a compound bow? If you could create your ideal Frankenstein bow from different parts or characteristics of bows that you like, what would it consist of? Or would you just change something about the bow that you currently own?

RE: Bowsite.com test: Do you think that the bowsite.com test criteria were thorough, balanced and objective? Would you like to have seen more 'technical testing' of the bows? For example, I'd be interested to know whether there is any differences in accuracy as tested by a Hooter Shooter (with bows shot bare and with various accessories installed).
And, where are the devoted Oneida fanatics? Love to test-shoot an Eagle some day..

Lets deal with recurves, longbows, horsebows, etc. later, ay.

[interceptor]

I read somewhere a little while ago that they put a Switchback, a Trykon and a Bowtech (not sure of the model) through a Hooter Shooter and all three bows shot 1/2" groups out to 60 mtrs :shock: yes 60 mtrs.

I really think that all the top line bows now are good rigs.

My ideal bow would be a switchback with maybe a little more speed and 80#, as long as the feel and the sweet silent nature of the Switchback stays the same, I would be so happy I would probably buy two of them.

Cheers Noel

[Puk]

pardon my ignorance but what is a hooter shooter?
I doubt it is what i think it is, i mean, that's one rack you can't put on your wall. (sorry kids)

Puk

[LongReach]

I really think that all the top line bows now are good rigs.


So true! These days many manufacturers are pretty much equal in producing bows that shoot incredibly accurate groups from a machine.

I am a Hoyt-man to the core..........but not naive in thinking they are 'the best' manufacturer of compound bows. I know many manufacturers are equal in quality and performance, maybe even better? But i stick with hoyts because in 15 odd years they have never let me down.

Lately I have been thinking of trying out a mathews or bowtech as i feel now(in the last 3 years) they are on par with hoyt.

[interceptor]

Puk,

A Hooter Shooter is a shooting machine much like a bench rest it takes out all human error and only the bows ability are shown in the groups.

Cheers Noel

[NormGunston]

Pastor Pakallus,
I think these are the technicians that came up with the name, 'Hooter Shooter'
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e105/NormGunston/hooters.jpg
Have a squiz of the Spot Hogg (manufacturer's website) for the lowdown:
http://www.spot-hogg.com/product_hooter_shooter.shtml
And here is Mr James Park using the Hooter Shooter at 90, yes, that's right, 90metres to see what level of accuracy must be met to make records:
http://www.archery-forum.com/showthread.php?t=13140&highlight=hooter+shooter

[Warlocke]

Before I bought my Outback, I read as many comments on the Switchback and Outback as I could and those that owned both couldn't discern any real difference between the two.

That's why I bought an Outback over a Switchback, same performance lower price.

[johnno]

Pastor Pakallus,
I think these are the technicians that came up with the name, 'Hooter Shooter'

And such a shame to shoot those hooters !!! 8) 8)

[Clive]

Puk,

Need a long draw length and want some real speed - have a look at the Energy by Elite. 31 inch draw length and over 330 feet per second (well that is what the test card that came with the bow said). Beautifully finished, layered limbs, light and oh so nice to shoot. Brace height is a shade under 7 inches.

Be interesting to see whether they turn up in future tests - I really think they have taken the binary cam a step further and probably have it over Bowtech (well that is my opinion when I compare it to my Old Glory - which is still a great bow.)

Clive

[Wareagle]

I have the Elite Energy in 70lb-31in. its a great bow, it does 330fps. with the ez module through my crono. the only thing I found wrong with the 31in. modules, the sliding draw stop,
didn't let it have a valley, so I turned up a slimmer peg. I can now hold it on the back wall for as long as I want.
A friend of mine , has the identical bow, but with the fast module, it does 335fps.
These bows are pure class, and for $888 from Canga Archery, a real steal.

[Hoyt_Trykon]

Cummon guys, everyon knows the trykon performs better then what they said!! lol. Not being bias or anything. lol. :lol: Cummon steely, back me up here mate. :wink:

[wazza_X force]

i recon they should have put the powertec in it.... it would have out performed em all... like ht, not being biased or anything... lol :lol: :lol: :lol: