Bowtech Tribute

coonhound40 · Dec 22, 2005

Well I've got the bug, my Mathews Outback is 1 1/2 years old now and god only knows why I think its time to upgrade but I feel the itch in a bad way.

I've been reading a lot of stuff about the new Bowtech Tribute and was wondering if anyone here has any feedback for me.

No-one in my circle of friends shoot Bowtech, we all shoot Mathews. I shot the Liberty just before I bought the Outback. The only reason I bought the Outback over the Liberty was the absence of a local pro shop. I now have 2 shops under 50 miles that deal in Bowtechs.

What I'm most concerned about, is there any inherent problems that I would expect to experience and if so, how is customer service.

I look at the draw stop and wonder if that ever loosens up after time?

OK I'm rambling, please fill me in with your experiences.

HunterHarry · Dec 22, 2005

I'm kind of new at the sport, but have had great success with my 2004 Bowtech Pro-40.
I am probably going to upgrade to the 2006 Allegiance in 70lb.
A friend just shot one and LOVED it.It helps to have a local dealer.
Some of the more experienced bowhunters will certainly give some advice.

COLO3D · Dec 22, 2005

You might want to read a thread that was just posted on Archery Talk about a guy whos friend dry fired his brand new (4 days old) Tribute. It basically exploded, but that in my mind was not the problem, the problem is that Bowtech told him it would cost him $600 plus shipping for repairs, (Cams, axles, limbs, and a string).

On the other hand Mathews repairs accidently dry fired bows for the original owner. It seems to me that customer retention is very important to Mathews. That is part of the reason that I have owned 6 of their bows and 2 more for my wife.

Moral to the story, buy a Switchback, or wait until after the ATA show. They are rumored to have something else up their sleeve.

NMHUNTNUTT1 · Dec 23, 2005

I change every couple years too , and now I'm shooting a Liberty VFT , and gotta say , I love this bow . My buddys both shoot the outback and switchback and they both say my bowtech is just as sweet . I like mathews , heck they are the ones who inovated solo cams , and alomst every company has purchased patents from them , but bowtech is every bit as good as mathews . Bowtech , Mathews , Hoyt and PSE all produce excellant bows , its kinda like the ford , chevy , dodge deal . I believe you'd find bow tech great too....JUST MY .02 NMHUNTNUTT

Bullcanyon · Dec 26, 2005

What do you mean no one in your circle of friends shoots bowtech? I've got a bowtech allegiance. Absolutely love it. I thought about going and shooting the tribute, but think I better not. Wife is not exactly on the new bow every year band wagon yet. Instead I think I'm going to send it to Carter's Archery for a set of new strings and a super tune. Less than $100 and it will be as good as new.

As far as the tribute being a good bow. From all that I've read on archerytalk about it. It's a heck of a bow. Just as smooth as the new xt and fast. You get the option of smooth vs fast mods. Sounds like the fast mod is smoother than my 05 allegiance. Can't imagine that. Hence the reason I shouldn't go shoot one.

I think you can shoot one at the bow shop in Olympia. If not there go to Sportsmans Warehouse in Silverdale. You really should check that store out anyways if you haven't already. I seen one at Sportco the other day. It looks sweeter than my 05.

Darn it Jeff. Now you got me thinking about a new bow. I don't need a new bow. I don't need a new bow. I don't need a new bow. There I'm better.

Kris

Bullcanyon · Dec 26, 2005

Forgot to respond to the tribute blow up. Don't believe everything that you read. No way bowtech would charge $600 to fix a bow. Heck they sell them to a dealer for less than that. My guess is that the dealer is raping that guy or he made it up.

Kris

coonhound40 · Dec 26, 2005

Chris,

I am sitting in Boise right now, I stopped in at the sportsmans warehouse here and fondled the Tribute. I didn't get the chance to shoot it, they had the day after Christmas rush going on.

I heard that Rainier archery is carrying them now, I would like to shoot it next to the Switchback xd and xt. I am also a little intrigued with the XD's 9" brace hieght, should be forgiving.

The grip on the Bowtech's are so much better feeling in my small hands.

When I get back the Outback is going to be listed on E-Bay, I can't stand the cam on the Outback. I tried to convince myself that it was great but after 1 1/2 years I'm still not convinced. The absence of a valley when set at 65% is the pits for my shooting style.

If I'm not sold on the Tribute or Switchback I will pickup a Liberty.

Are you going to the shoot at Skookum the second weekend of the year?

Bullcanyon · Dec 27, 2005

LAST EDITED ON Dec-27-05 AT 07:21AM (MST)[p]I'm hoping that I don't have to work that weekend. Not looking good for me though.

I know what you mean about the grip on the mathews. Never did feel right. That outback cam leaves a lot to be desired. I shot a guys at work a few times and man if you let up just a little bit it tried jerking out of your hands. I got to have a valley on my bow.

From what I'm hearing the tribute is just as smooth as the liberty, but faster. 31.5" ata and holds like a much longer bow. Sounds pretty good to me.

Not sure about Rainier carrying bowtech. I read about that on bowtech's website, but I don't know if he stocks them or not. I've heard good things about the guy in Olympia. I've been wanting to get out there just to see for myself.

coonhound40 · Dec 27, 2005

Is this the shop on the back side of Black Lake? I've drove by but never stopped in. Does he keep a good inventory of bows?

HunterHarry · Dec 27, 2005

I was going to get a new bowtech Allegiance and sell my 2004 Pro 40, Well, my local dealer swung me a great deal on a 2005 Allegiance.
I shot it at the shop today and was VERY impressed!
Can't wait to get sneaking around in the woods this fall.
Yeah, I'm a year behind, but the price was unreal.
HH

MikeLonsford · Dec 29, 2005

Yes Rainier has...or at least had, Bowtech's. I spent a lot of time there last year and they definitely had them. Not a huge selection to shoot from but a few and if you knew what you wanted then they could certainly get it for you quickly.

Coonhound, don't know where you are from around here (WA) but sounds like you were in Boise for Christmas. I was also, my wife is from there and the in laws are still there. I was even at Sportsman's the same day as you. It's only a few miles from their house. I went with my dad-in-law and a guy from his work. Afterward the guy let us go by his house and see the 36" wide rack he had on the wall. Looked closer to 30" to me but it was big in any case! Real nice guy that had lived his whole life there hunting the Owyhee's with lots of success. Anyhow, small world.

Mike

ARROWHNTR · Dec 30, 2005

I have a new tribute, and in my opinion it is the best from Bowtech yet. I was very reluctent to change from my allegiance because it is awsome, but after shooting the new tribute I have switched. Oh yea by the way I have two 2005 allegiance bows for sales one target one camo, both bows have a lot of custome extras, let me know if any of you are interested.

Arrowhntr

LEMONDOG · Jan 5, 2006

I bought a nearly new 2 year old Bow tech on e-bay for $280.00. Took it down to the guy in Olympia to have him help me set it up. He was really good and I took it home and dialed it right in. It shoots lights out.Good luck.

Arn't you the guy that shot the real nice mulie up in the sinlihiken last year?

coonhound40 · Jan 6, 2006

I guess I need to check this guys shop out, I've been hearing good things about him from other people also.

Yes I am the guy that got lucky and took a nice Muley near the Sinlihiken. Didn't have the same luck this year, I got within 75Yds of a 4 x 5 that would probably score higher than last years buck but that last 30 Yds is the toughest.

Thanks

Bullcanyon · Jan 6, 2006

I tried checking his shop out for ya, but he didn't open until 2 pm and it was noon when I went by. It's roughly a mile south of 101 on the left.

polarbear · Jan 8, 2006

Blacklake Archery has some pretty odd hours. They are not very consistent on when they are open, or at least that has been the case in the past. Your best bet is to call ahead before making the trip out there.

Eric

COLO3D · Jan 8, 2006

Arrowhnter,

Do you have any Old Glory's?

Henry

BuckGrunt · Jan 9, 2006

One word.MATHEWS!

ARROWHNTR · Jan 9, 2006

Henry,

Sorry for the delay in responding, been in Atlanta for a week doing the ATA thing.

No go on the Old glory's, I like the short faster bows. Love my new tribute, and I tell you what in that new MAX-4 camo pattern it is by far the best looking camo bow I have ever seen.

Kody

Bullcanyon · Jan 9, 2006

Look out. Buckgrunt has been drinking the mathews kool-aid. Always get one on every bowtech thread. Kinda humerous.

BuckGrunt · Jan 10, 2006

LAST EDITED ON Jan-10-06 AT 08:09AM (MST)[p]just got my first mathews thats all bullcanyon. It shoots way better than my old bow ( alpine )I did shoot the Bowtech and it felt just as good.Plus I know coonhound40 I have to give him some crap............

coonhound40 · Jan 10, 2006

Whats the big Idea highjacking my thread? We'll just have to wait and see, when or if Buck Grunt gets the courage to come to a 3D shoot, just how much better that new Switchback XT really is.....

COLO3D · Jan 10, 2006

Quite alright Kody. How was the show? Did you sell a ton of the new CAA's?

I like my bows long and forgiving to hide my poor form

Henry

Bullcanyon · Jan 10, 2006

No worries on my end.

I was going to hit the shoot this weekend, but I think I better go to a springer(salmon) allocation meeting in Olympia and help support the sportfishermen.

ARROWHNTR · Jan 11, 2006

Henry,

The show was great, we where very busy as always. There is deffinatly a lot of interest in the new CAA arrows, I think they are going to go over very well.

Stay in touch, I will talk to you later

Kody

COLO3D · Jan 11, 2006

Kody,

Will the new CAA's have the same smooth finish that you have on the rest of your fine line of arrows?

It is nice to see an arrow company have continued success up against the "Evil Empire".

Henry

ARROWHNTR · Jan 12, 2006

Yes the finish on that shaft is very clean and smooth

coonhound40 · Jan 12, 2006

About the CCA arrows, is there a web site I can go to to check them out, I heard they use A/C technology. I currently shoot the ACC's and would be interested.