New Bow Question

archeryelk · Jun 4, 2007

I am shooting an old Mathews Feathermax. I love the bow but have been looking at new bows. Bowtech, Mathews and Hoyt. I know they are all great. I like the Bowtech feel the best. I have shot single cam bows since they were 1st introduced but love the grip on the Bowtech and Hoyt.

I had MAJOR shoulder surgery 2 years ago but can still shoot light lbs. The Maxcam on my current bow is pretty harsh, but again I am used to it.

Hard/impossible to find a local shop with bows that go down to 50lbs. Everything is 60-70. So, I have not shot any of the new ones. I do plan to shoot the Vetrex this week. The guy ordered a 50-60.

My question is:
I expect ANY of the newer bows will be an upgrade but will it be that significant? Speed, recoil...etc. My bow is 10-12 years old. Again, I shoot my old bow well and have killed a trailer full of stuff with it. I would expect some speed but I don't really care that much about that. Not that it is not important as I am shooting light lbs and need the energy.

Any suggestions appreciated,

Archer

pushin_30 · Jun 4, 2007

I am a hoyt fan. But that new bowtech commander looks tempting. I don't believe that you have to have a high poundage to get the performace your after. Any of those three bows will probably due fine, in my experience with the lighter poundage bows you just need a bit heavier arrow to carry the energy. However I am not a expert by any meens. I have killed just as many animals with the 40lb bow I shot as a youngster as I have with my new 70lb bow that I shoot today.

archeryelk · Jun 4, 2007

I wonder more about the smooth draw cycle and how that will HELP my shoulder. My current bow is pretty rough but not terrible.

Again, speed is only gravy

Archer

cpugsie · Jun 5, 2007

Any of the new bows you mentioned will be a definate upgrade from the bow you currently shoot. The draw cycle, recoil and speed will all be very noticable with the new bow. Your shoulder will thank you!!! My newest favorite is the Bowtech Guardian. Go buy yourself a new bow, you deserve it!!

archeryelk · Jun 5, 2007

I have been looking. I would have purchased one by now if they had ones I could shoot. Would love to have all 3 setup and have 30 minutes to mess with them.

I would come home with something.

Archer

junior · Jun 7, 2007

I have a shoulder injury too...I dislocated my left, but I shoot right. My problem was my groups opened up, big time.
I would take a good look at bows with more brace height and longer A to A. They are alot more forgiving. Bow weight helps me a ton also, because my injured shoulder is the one holding the weight. May not be a concern to you if its your pulling arm.
What ever you decide, don't over do it while practicing, limit your practice to 30 to 50 shots and take a break. I reinjured mine twice.

archeryelk · Jun 11, 2007

Well, I have shot the Vetctrex and Bowtech allegiance.

They both have good/bad.

The Hoyt is VERY smooth but is heavy as hell.
The Bowtech is MUCH lighter and about as smooth.

I was able to check the weight on the Hoyt and could pretty much compare it with my older Mathews. It was almost 20fps faster with the same setup.

This was NOT an exact test but my takeaway was:

The Hoyt is a little smoother to draw and just as fast if not faster than the Bowtech.
The Hoyt appears to be a little quieter and even though both had close to zero shock/vibration I would say this Hoyt won there as well.

The only real negative for the Hoyt is weight. Man, it will weight a TON as a hunting bow.

Again, I am not saying one bow is better than the other but the Hoyt did leave me with the best impression.

I would love to have Hoyt, Mathews and Bowtech setup exactly the same and be able to shoot them all side by side but you can't do that where I live.

I had to shoot the Bowtech and then drive 40 miles and shoot the Hoyt.

Not sure I will buy either one but at least I got to try them. Bows sure have changed a bunch in 10 years.

Archer

junior · Jun 13, 2007

I shot the new mathews drenlin for the first time the other day. I think it is to light, I was shooting in some wind and was drifting all over. We all know thats an easy fix, to add weight. But even indoors it was not as forgiving as the xt, I liked it alot. but I had a mathews once and had problems with limbs breaking. Mathews replaced them but it never has shot right since. I took it back and they give me the run around...so I am kinda shy with them now!

I shot a Bowtech Oldglory, its heavier and has a little more vibration, but man it is forgiving. I am worried about a report someone said about cam lean? other than that I would buy one!

Its a toss up between it and the xt, but am afraid of the lemon!

archeryelk · Jun 16, 2007

Well, I own a Vectrix. Just shot it a few times.

I ordered a winner choice string setup. I brought the bow home to mess around with it until the new string comes in.

Things sure have changed in 10 years.

Archer

archeryelk · Jun 16, 2007

LAST EDITED ON Jun-16-07 AT 10:20PM (MST)[p]In less than an hour I have the bow setup and sighted in to 40 yards and it is shooting very well.

I would feel comfortable sitting in a treestand tomorrow morning.

I still have a bunch of messing around I want to do but the bow is VERY, VERY impressive.

Archer

archeryelk · Jun 21, 2007

Well, after a few days of shooting this bow and then going back to my old Mathews I am not feeling too great.

I wish I was able to shoot the Mathews Drenalin before I purchased this bow. May have made no difference. Now worries as my old bow still shoots great and I can always trade or sell this one.

Like I posted earlier. Unless you have the "Big 3" setup and are able to shoot them all it is REALLY hard to decided on a new bow.

All of the bows made now are great but everyone has different wants/needs.

Archer

nocal · Jun 22, 2007

Hi a/e;

Back in April I went "buying" for a new bow. I've used an Alpine Sidewinder since they came out. I liked the feel of the split limbs.... Anyway I took the day off of work and shot bows that day, (Bow Techs, Switchbacks, Drens, Hoyts, other stuff the shop guys had me shoot for grins). I ended with a Hoyt Vectrix (60-70)...why, it felt good, who knows, all of the good bows have far more capability than I do.

My read on the Vectrix: the weight my be there but it will provide some stability in the wind, just alittle tougher to pack. The bow is REALLY smooth. The string dampeners lasted about 200 arrows and blew up, I contacted Hoyt....they sent me more free, 200 more arrows and the others went. I switched to String Leaches and they're holding up far better. I found when any vibration noise started, it would dissappear as soon as I waxed up the string. Arrows; right now I'm using Carbon Express in the 300 with blazer vanes and they work rather well (drop away with ##### up). Last Friday night Bowguy stopped by with a box of broadheads (and a 12er on ice). We shot Montecs, Strikers, Thunderheads, Wasps, Rocky Mountain Tis. The smoker in the bunch was the Strikers. I noticed out to 40 yds they (100 grnrs) were really accurate but would start to shoot high at 50 and beyond. Went to the 125 gr heads and throughout the 30 to 70 range I was really impressed and there was no difference between field points and the Strikers.

Hope that helps.....

Yeh, like you I was not 100% of my decision at first, but the more I shot the Vectrix and found what worked......I'm REALLY looking forward to August AND BEYOND!

Good Luck