Which bow do you like.....2008 models

MortgageMan · Dec 6, 2007

I know this thread could get ugly but I don't want it to. I shoot Hoyts and have always shot Hoyts. They always feel the best for me but that is my preference. This year I am looking at gettting a new bow and my mind is completely open. I am looking at all the 2008 models of ll manufacturers and I am just wondering. Those of you that have bought new bows this year, what did you buy and why? Money is not an option to me because I will shoot it for the next couple years and I don't want to be cheap about it. I am not looking for this bow sucks or that bow sucks. Just simply, why you bought the bow you bought and how you like it. Thanks in advance!!

30inchbuck · Dec 6, 2007

I just ordered the Mathews Drenalin DXT - short - fast - light - smooth.

Always kinda been a Mathews guy was considering a PSE X-force but after shooting both of them went with the DXT.

fugitive · Dec 6, 2007

Thats about the best way to do it. Go to the local shots and shoot every bow you can find. Go with whichever one feels more comfortable to you. I shoot the Matthews switchback myself. After I put a custom grip on it I have liked it more than any other bow i've shot.

If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?

timberline_shedfreak24 · Dec 6, 2007

X-Force!!!!!

Timberline

ForkWest · Dec 7, 2007

I too want to upgrade. And I'm sure most of the big names are putting out great bows.

This floored me, I've got a buddy that works at Hoyt, that told me this first hand.

Hoyt will dry fire their R&D bows 1500 times before the desing is approved for production. If the design can't meet this durabitliy test it is not produced and not sent to market.

Mathews tests at 350 dry fires

and PSE I believe was at 8!

When you buy Hoyt you are not only getting a great bow, but durability as well.

grizzlyplumber · Dec 9, 2007

I just bought the Drenalin LD and love it, great bow. I have shot exclusively Mathews for the last 8 years but then bought a Trykon XL last year, nice bow but it took a little getting used to, so now Im back to Mathews.

redrabbit · Dec 9, 2007

I am still shooting the Mathews LX. Recently, I shot the new BowTech General. The General was very quiet and almost shock free, more so than the Drenalin. It is not a fast bow, though. There was a little dip in the force draw that I noticed. The valley is wide enough, and the back wall solid. If one is not a speed-monger, the General should be a consideration.

RR

SneaknPeek4 · Dec 10, 2007

I have the Bowtech Guardian and i love it. It is the quietest and smoothest bow i have seen and very easy to tune. It also looks really cool!

Boskee · Dec 11, 2007

Well I think we all benefit from the innovation out this year. Bows that I would consider are as follows, Diamond liberty, black ice and marquis in single cams. PSE x force and dream team which is an x force with a 7" brace. I have a friend that bought the x and shoots it better than any bow he's ever had! I really like the new Mathews Drenalin LD. The Bowtech 101 and general are nice bows too! The hoyt 737 is a smooth bow and the Katera is really nice. There are some other companies making some good stuff too but given you've shot hoyt these are some of the best! Have fun, shoot them, and I think you'll agree the bows today are better than ever!

a3dhunter · Dec 11, 2007

LAST EDITED ON Dec-11-07 AT 04:01PM (MST)[p]The only bow that has really caught my eye this year is the Hoyt Katera XL, the speed is great for a bow that is 36" long with parralel limbs and a smoother cam than last year, but I haven't had a chance to shoot one yet.

I felt the General had a better draw than the Guardian or Commander and would like to see the Guardian with those cams.

The Mathews Drenalin LD looks to be a good option, but the local dealer has not had one in yet.
My short list would be:
around 33" ATA:
Bowtech Guardian
Mathews Drenalin
Hoyt Vectrix Plus

Around 36-37" ATA:
Mathews Drenalin LD
Hoyt Katera XL
Bowtech Commander

Lien2 · Dec 13, 2007

I "needed" a new 3D bow so I ordered the Drenalin LD, if I was looking for a new hunting bow, it would by the DXT. I shot the new Bowtechs as well and was not all that impressed, expecially with the 101st........wow that thing has a harsh draw cyle. I have not shot any of the new Hoyt's yet, but will soon.

Lien2

Magnus100 · Dec 15, 2007

I shot a Diamond Marquis at Cabelas last week and it is amazing!
I currently hunt with a Bowtech Patriot II single cam and it is a great bow... I'm just dreamin of a good christmas...
Mike

Airborne · Dec 26, 2007

I am going with the Elite Synergy XT. Smooth, Fast, Barnsdale Limbs, Short but no hand Torque.

I have my second one on order. Made as you order. Not mass produced. Good things are worth waiting for!

Lots of good choices out there. It's only getting better.

Boskee · Dec 26, 2007

It really amazes me how quickly a new shooter or even an old one can progress given the bows we have today. Those of you that haven't taken up archery really are missing something! Those of you shooting older bows really need to go have a look. I have a friend that had a 10 year old bow and took him looking. He shot quite a few but bought a Diamond Liberty for the price and the features he liked and the way it shot for him. He killed his first archery deer with it this year. He shoots that bow like he owns it and I must admit better than any bow I've ever seen him shoot! The new bow he says is much more enjoyable to shoot and has rekindled his desire to bowhunt!

pschultheis · Dec 26, 2007

Great post Boskee,

You are right, the new equiptment is AMAZING!! I am a Hoyt guy but beleive that all companies are producing a fantastic product even compared to 3 or 4 years ago. What I have always loved about archery is that it is not like my deer rifle that gets cleaned and put away 10 months out of the year. I shoot everyday and find it to be very rewarding.

Paul

ruthunter · Dec 26, 2007

I HAVE HAD VERY GOOD SUCCESS WITH MATHEWS BOWS FOR HUNTING AND 3D TOURNAMENTS.THE DRENALIN LD,DXT,AND THE S2 WOULD BE VERY GOOD CHOICES I PERSONALLY LIKE THE ORIGINAL SWITCHBACK.

hookncook · Dec 27, 2007

I have always been a matthews guy but this year when i went to buy a drenalin, my dealer introduced me to the darton PRO3000. LOVE IT. It shoots like a dream. I can shoot it at 61# and it shoots at the same speed of my switchback at 70#. It doesn't take so much for me to hold the bow for a long time waiting for the perfect shot. I still get 338 fps. I highly recommend you at least try it.

ELKOHUNTER · Jan 14, 2008

I went with a Diamond Liberty.

creamofthecrop · Jan 19, 2008

338ft per second at 61# not saying impossible but id love to see it

c3 · Jan 19, 2008

I owed a buddy this year and decided to buy him a new bow. I personally shoot a 2003 Hoyt Ultratec. I looked at all the bows out this year, shot most of them and compared all the features. You're going to have a very tough time picking one hands down over the others.

If you have a short draw in the 27 or lower range the PSE X-Force is nearly untouchable for performance and feel.

The quietest bows out there these days are the new Bowtech General, Guardian and Commander.

If you want to do target archery with it as well as hunt, the new Hoyt X7 is incredible.

For my buddy who's 6'4" I found the Drenalin to be the ticket, but only because it was easy to get in a hurry in his super long draw length.

Cheers,
Pete

sixgunn · Jan 20, 2008

C3, I want to be your buddy.....nice of you to buy him a bow. Has anyone shot the new Parker bows?

COLO3D · Jan 22, 2008

Hey Pete,

You probably don't remember me, but I'm that guy who helped you with that thing a few years ago. I think we can call it even if you buy me a Mathews Drenalin LD 28.5" 60 lbs. I am not really particular about color, so camo would be just fine.

For now I will continue to shoot my LX, in fact, I just bought another one last week. That bow just shoots great for me and holds on the target better than any bow I have ever shot.

littlebuck · Jan 22, 2008

The only new bows that I have shot this year are the bowtech 101 and the Diamond marquise. I would get the Diamond if I had the cash. It was the shop owner?s personal bow and it was tuned to perfection. I was amazed at the smoothness on the shot.

c3 · Jan 22, 2008

I have some pretty cool friends too and that was the best pay back I could think of for them building me this!

I did a few machining favors for my buddies and this thing just showed up for me at a BBQ one evening. Then it got refinished by one of them over another 3 months or so. Needless to say I got sick of seeing him shoot an old piece of crap Browning.

The Drenalin is a great bow, but still can't compare

Cheers,
Pete

SLIVER · Jan 28, 2008

I will be trading up my 06 Illusion for the new 08 Parker Blackhawk. You guys should do yourselves a favor and look at the new parker line of bows. They are awesome shooting and MUCH cheaper than the Matthews or Hoyt.

}}-SLIVER-->