2007
Compound Bow Specification Database & Comparison Charts
HELP: READING THE CHARTS
& UNDERSTANDING BACKGROUND INFORMATION |
INTRODUCTION
If you are new to archery and need help with the
technical terms, we suggest you begin by reading
our
Compound Bow Selection Guide for a detailed
explanation of the technical jargon and some
common-sense bow shopping guidelines. In
addition, this page features a brief summary of
each of the important attributes as well as the
computation methods we used to obtain some of
data which appears in our comparison charts. If
you have questions not answered here, please
feel free to
email us or call us toll-free at
877-410-7811 for assistance. |
AXLE
TO AXLE LENGTHS
As the name suggests, bows are measured for
length from the center of one cam axle (a round
metal rod connecting the cam to the bow's limb)
to the other. Please note that a bow will
actually stand 3-5" taller than it's published
axle-to-axle length. This is because the cams
extend well beyond the axles. So if you are
buying a new bow and need the bow to fit into a
particular case, or storage space, you should
take this into account.
How Long Should You Go?
There is no right or wrong here. But the
traditional wisdom is that longer bows are more
forgiving, stable, and accurate. This isn't to
say that a short-axle bow cannot be shot
accurately. It just means that your technique
will need to be more exacting - particularly at
longer ranges.
Nonetheless, the most popular bowhunting bows
are 31-34" long. Bowhunters largely regard bows
under 31" as too short, and bows over 34" as too
long. There seems to be some magic in the
31-34" bow. The most popular units of the last
few years (Mathews Switchback, Bowtech
Allegiance, Hoyt Trykon, Browning Illusion,
Diamond Liberty, etc.) all fall into this
axle-to-axle length range. So it's no surprise
that nearly half the bows on the market for 2007
now have similar axle-to-axle lengths. |
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(Under 32")
Short Axle Bow
Short axle bows are very popular with
Eastern treestand hunters and those who want a
compact, lightweight, and maneuverable bow.
These bows are best shot with a mechanical
release and require a little more practice for
best long-range accuracy. |
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(32" to 38")
Mid Axle Length Bow
Mid axle length bows represent the majority
of the market and include most of today's most
popular units. The mid-axle length bow offers a
good blend of maneuverability and long-range
accuracy. Popular choice for recreational
shooters, bowhunting newcomers, 3D enthusiasts,
and those who hunt from both the ground and a
treestand. Mid-axle length bows are
sometimes referred to as "crossover" bows, as
many shooters buy this type of bow to serve
double-duty as both their primary hunting and
their 3D competition bow. |
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(Over 38") Long
Axle Bow
Longer axle bows are sometimes called
"finger-shooter" bows, as they offer a less
acute angle at full draw for a more comfortable
finger release. Long axle bows are usually the
choice of serious competition archers and/or
dedicated finger shooters, but they are often
considered "too long" for treestand hunting.
However, many shooters still prefer the added
stability of the longer axle bow. |
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BRACE
HEIGHT
A bow's brace height is simply the distance from
the string to the pivot point of the bow's grip
(when the bow is at rest). You can kind-of
think of brace height as how close the string
will be to your wrist. The closer the string is
to your wrist to start, the more work you have
to do to get the bow drawn all the way back.
But there's more to this puzzle. If you
compare brace heights and IBO speeds, you'll
find an obvious correlation. Bows with shorter
brace heights (5-6.5") will be faster but less
forgiving to shoot. Bows with longer brace
heights (7.5-9") will generally shoot slower but
will be more forgiving to your errors.
So
there is a balance to strike when choosing a
brace height.
If you
shoot with absolutely perfect form and
technique, a short brace height bow will be just
as accurate as it’s longer brace height cousins.
But if you have average skills and are prone to
occasional goof-ups, a bow with a little longer
brace height will yield better accuracy in most
shooting situations.
Brace
Height Market Trends
 Just
as 300 fps seems to be the accepted IBO
speed-minimum, 7 inches is the generally
accepted brace height minimum in today's
compound bow market. If you study the chart,
you'll surely notice that a disproportionate
number of bows are advertised with exactly a 7"
brace height. This isn't by accident.
Experienced shooters - particularly bowhunters -
tend to avoid short brace height bows, regarding
any brace height under 7 inches as "radical" or
"unforgiving". So a bow with a 6 7/8" brace
height is often a lame duck - at least regarding
bow sales. As such, most manufacturers try to
aim to hit the market-pleasing 7+ inch brace
heights on most of their new bow designs. As a
matter of selecting a new bow, we submit there's
probably no justification for such an exacting
prejudice, as there's nothing particularly lucky
about a 7" brace height. But that does seem to
be the commonly accepted line-in-the-sand
between performance and shootability. |
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FORGIVENESS
RATINGS COMPUTATION
The forgiveness ratings listed on our comparison charts
are NOT part of the manufacturer's specs. This is an
Ease-of-Shooting index that we have created, based upon
the bow's listed specs, in an attempt to help buyers
predict how subdued or unruly a particular bow design
might be to shoot. Our forgiveness rating is NOT a
subjective score. But rather we have written a simple
formula based on the following premises: 1) Bows with
larger brace heights will generally be more forgiving
(to flaws in shooting technique) than bows with shorter
brace heights. 2) Bows with longer axle-to-axle
lengths will be more stable and have greater
shootability than bows with short axle-lengths. 3)
Bows with mild to moderate cams will be more forgiving,
as the shooter generally benefits from a more generous
valley and smoother drawstroke.
Computation: Our rating was originally designed
on a 100 point scale, but several designs the last few
years have broken our ceiling (100+). For our
rating......Brace height is the biggest consideration -
followed by axle-to-axle length - and finally IBO speed
(minor consideration). The math is fairly simple
Forgiveness= (1.5a + 7.8b) - (s/10)
where a=Axle Length, b=Brace Height, and s=IBO Speed.
Larger brace heights, longer axle-to-axle lengths, and
moderate IBO speed bows score higher. For 2005, scores
range from 64 to 112, with 64 being the least-forgiving
design. Bows without a legitimate IBO Speed (youth
bows, short-draw bows, bows not capable of 70# peak
weight, etc.) are not rated.
Parallel Limb Bonus Points
NEW:
As parallel limb bows have become more and more popular,
we often hear the argument that parallel limb bows are
somewhat more forgiving. First, because they tend
to be heavier and more stable at full draw. But
also because they tend to have much less forward limb
thrust, noise, and recoil, so shooters tend to settle
into a more relaxed shot sequence with less anticipation
of a violent release. While most experts aren't
convinced this is true (at least not yet), we think
there is some merit to the argument. As such, for
2007 we have amended our formula and have awarded true
parallel limb bows with 3 forgiveness bonus points.
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Admittedly, the
formula isn't perfect, but it yields a fair estimate.
It is our hope that the forgiveness ratings can help
to provide an objective reference for buyers who
are concerned about forgiveness and shootability.
We certainly appreciate the debates, the emails, and the
countless suggestions we get for tweaking our formula.
However, we suspect that further complicating the
formula may not necessarily yield better results. Fact
is, the term "forgiving" really means "forgiving to
human errors", which is something that isn't easily
quantified mathematically. If we were to test a variety
of properly-functioning bows in a mechanical shooting
machine, the varying axle-to-axle lengths, brace
heights, and cam characteristics would have no
significant effect on the accuracy and repeatability of
the bows. The shooting machine would shoot each bow
exactly the same, each and every time.
Unfortunately, humans cannot shoot with such
mechanical consistency. We bobble; we flinch. We
punch our triggers, or torque our grips. Even for the
world's most talented shooters, accuracy is limited to
the occurrence of human error. And what makes a
particular bow more of less "forgiving" is the bow's
tendency to accentuate or attenuate these unavoidable
human errors.
Of course, we should keep the "forgiveness" issue in
some perspective. Good technique and a solid
practice regimen are critical to success in the field,
regardless of which bow you ultimately choose. But the
less forgiving your bow is, the more exacting your
technique will need to be. But don't make more of this
issue than need be. Within a typical 30 yard bowhunting
range, virtually any properly-tuned compound bow can be
shot with acceptable accuracy. And with a little
practice, even a novice shooter can easily bring down
big game within this range. So if you hunt in dense
woods where 20 and 30 yards shots are common, your bow's
"forgiveness" just isn't such a critical consideration.
But if you hunt in more open country, where you must be
able to reach out to 50, 60, even 70+ yards, where the
smallest glitch means a wound or a miss, you should be
more selective with the bow design you choose. We hope
our forgiveness ratings are helpful to you in selecting
a new bow. |
IBO SPEEDS
 A
bow's IBO Speed tells you how fast the bow will
shoot....or it least how fast the manufacturer
advertises it will shoot. The average adult bow has an
IBO Speed of about 305 fps. But IBO Speeds are
established under specific test conditions where the bow
is set for 70# peak weight, 30" draw weight, shooting a
350 grain arrow, and with nothing on the bow's string
except a tied on serving nock; not very realistic
shooting conditions. And we find that manufacturers are
often a little too optimistic when rating their bows for
IBO Speed. Consider each bow's IBO Speed as a
"high-estimate", not a performance guarantee. Unless
you have an unusually long draw length (31"+) or
unwisely plan to shoot underweight arrows (<5 g/p/p)
from your new bow, your actual speed will be well shy of
the advertised IBO Speed. For even more on this topic,
please visit our help section on
Understanding the IBO Speed Phenomenon.
The fact is, speed sells. And manufacturers are acutely
aware that most buyers prefer their bows to be faster,
rather than slower. And for some reason, the 300
fps mark seems to be the proverbial line in the
sand. Bows that shoot 300 fps or more are
generally considered fast. Bows that shoot 299 fps
or less are considered slow. And since IBO Speeds
surely have a direct effect on a manufacturer's total
bow sales, we are especially suspicious of published IBO
speeds of exactly 300 fps. If you study the chart
above, you'll find a disproportionately large group of
the bows in our listing with published IBO Speeds of
exactly 300 fps. Could this just be a coincidence? You
be the judge.
Please note that some bows, which aren't capable of 70#
peak weight and 30" draw (such as youth or ladies bows).
As such, these bows will not be listed here as they do
not have a true IBO speed - since IBO testing conditions
cannot be met to establish a score. Oddly, some
manufacturers make a stab at an underweight/underdrawn
IBO speed anyway - although their testing parameters
will differ from the IBO Standard, resulting in "IBO"
scores which may be exaggerated. As such, underweight/underdrawn
IBO scores don't offer a reliable apples-to-apples
comparison. So with the exception of the few bows
with 29" max draw lengths, we have edited-out all IBO
scores which we believe are NOT based on the IBO
Standard. |
MAXIMUM KINETIC
ENERGY OUTPUT RATING
Starting in 2006, we added a new column to our charts,
Max KE Output. How much penetration, or knock-down power,
your arrows will have is a matter of kinetic energy (read
more).
Arrows which impact the target with more kinetic energy
will penetrate the target more deeply than arrows with
less kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the energy of
motion. Any object which has motion has kinetic energy.
Total kinetic energy depends upon two variables: the
mass of the object and the speed of the object. And
since IBO speed ratings offer both these variables,
computing KE Output is pretty simple.
Computation: If a bow has an accurate IBO
Speed of 310 fps, that means it can push a 350 grain
arrow to a speed of 310 fps when the bow is set for 70#
peak draw weight and 30" draw length. So in order to
compute KE, we just figure how much energy is in a 350
grain arrow traveling at 310 fps.
For this, we use the archer's KE formula [ KE=mv²/450240
where m=mass and v=velocity ], a variation of the
standard KE=1/2mv² formula you surely remember from
high-school. The standard formula would work fine, but
not without some work to get the units straightened out.
The standard equation uses kilograms and
meters-per-second and yields Joules of KE. But shooters
weigh arrows and other projectiles in grains (an old
British unit based on a grain or barley) and we measure
projectile speeds in feet-per-second. The shooting
sports also tend to like KE expressed in ft-lbs, rather
than Joules. So the 450240 is used as a nice clean
conversion factor to get all the units to jive, so we
can easily plug in grains and fps into the KE=mv²/450240
formula and get KE in ft-lbs.
Back to our example. How much KE does a 350 grain arrow
have when flying 310 fps?
KE = mv²/450240
KE = (350)(310²)/450240
KE = 74.7046 ft-lbs.
Heavy Draw Weight Bows: A few bows are
offered with a choice of peak weights that exceed the
standard 70 lbs. In this case, our maximum KE output
rating will reflect the bow set for it's highest peak
weight. So if a bow has an IBO speed of 300 fps, but is
available in an 80# version, we compute the KE using a
400 grain arrow (5 grains per pound) rather than the
usual 350 grain arrow. You will note that 80, 90, and
100# bows are rated to generate significantly more KE,
although their IBO speed numbers may not be particularly
high.
For example, the new 2007 PSE Big Five (an African
Hunting Setup) has an IBO Speed of 308 fps, but the bow
is available up to 100# of draw weight. So if we
assume the bow can shoot a 500 grain arrow (again....5
grains per pound) at 308 fps, then the Max KE
computation looks more like this.....
KE = mv²/450240
KE = (500)(308²)/450240
KE = 105.35 ft-lbs. |
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A Final Note:
Although heavy draw weight bows will generate more KE,
shooting more draw weight doesn't necessarily yield more
speed. The heavier the draw weight, the heavier the
bow's arrow requirements. So for many bows, a 70#/350gr
setup will shoot roughly the same speed as a 60#/300gr
setup, or even an 80#/400gr setup. The ratio of draw
weight to arrow mass is critical to actual arrow
velocity. The lighter the arrow, the faster is goes. But
you shouldn't cheat the standards to gain a little more
speed. Shooting underweight arrows is not only
dangerous, but it also voids the factory warranty on
your bow. Always shoot at LEAST 5 grains of arrow weight
for every pound of draw weight on your bow. |
PHYSICAL
WEIGHT (BOW MASS)
A bow's physical weight is simply the measured weight of
the bow, without any accessories. The average compound
bow weighs about 4.0 lbs. A bow that's under 3.6 lbs. is
considered very light, and bow over 4.4 lbs. is
considered very heavy, although less than 1 pound
separates the two. However, most bows fall into the
3.8-4.2 lb. range. Short axle, carbon riser, and
youth model bows are a little lighter. Long axle,
magnesium riser, and parallel limb (long riser) bows are
a little heavier. While some would argue that
lightweight bows are better for hunters who walk great
distances, others would argue that heavier bows are more
stable and accurate with less recoil. So there
probably isn't a right or wrong. This is a matter
of personal preference. However, please note that
most manufacturers tend to under-rate their bows for
physical weight, sometimes by a significant margin.
Consider the manufacturer's rating as a low-estimate. |
TYPICAL
RETAIL PRICING
We have listed each bow with a typical retail price. We
have compiled this data from our own pricing sheets,
manufacturer MAP pricing lists, dealer reference
manuals, and advertised pricing of other retailers. We
believe these typical retail prices represent an average
or fair-market-value of each of the listed compound
bows, and should give you a reasonable estimate of how
much you should expect to pay for each bow. However, the
actual price of the bow is up to each individual
retailer. Some may charge more, some may charge less. We
cannot guarantee how any retailer may choose to price
their products - nor would any retailer be obligated to
honor any price listed on this comparison chart. Also,
be advised that manufacturers and dealers reserve the
right to change pricing at any time (and sometimes do).
So consider our pricing to be an estimate as well.
To view current pricing on all bows sold at Hunter's
Friend, please
click here. |
CAM
SYSTEM TYPE |
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Binary
Cams
Introduced by Bowtech Archery as a new
concept for 2005, the binary cam is a
modified 3-groove twin-cam system that
slaves the top and bottom cams to each
other, rather than to the bow's limbs.
Unlike single and hybrid systems, there
is no split-harness on a binary system -
just two "cam-to-cam" control cables.
This creates a "free-floating" system
which allows the cams to automatically
equalize any imbalances in the limb
deflections or string and control cable
lengths. So technically, this
self-correcting cam system has no timing
or synchronization issues and should
achieve perfectly straight and level
nock travel at all times. While this
technology is still fairly new, the
binary cam concept is clearly turning
heads in the industry. Bowtech's Binary
cam models have been among the fastest
(and most popular) bows on the market
since their introduction. Only
time will tell, but we strongly suspect
that the binary cam will continue to
gain popularity and respect in the
market.
Hybrid
Cams
The Hybrid Cam system has gained considerable
popularity over the last 4 years. The hybrid cam system
features two asymmetrically elliptical cams: a control
cam on the top, and a power cam on the bottom. The
system is rigged with a single split-harness, a control
cable, and a main string. Though originally invented and
marketed by Darton Archery as the C/P/S Cam System,
Hoyt's introduction of the Cam & 1/2 (a variation of the
original C/P/S System) in 2003 has brought hybrid
systems into the limelight. Hybrid cams claim to offer
the benefits of straight and level nock travel, like a
properly-tuned twin-cam bow, but without the timing and
synchronization issues. Indeed, hybrid cams require less
maintenance than traditional twin cams, but it's
probably a technical stretch to say that hybrid cams are
maintenance free. They too need to be oriented (timed)
properly for best overall efficiency and performance.
There are several hybrid cam models available which are
impressively fast and quiet, rivaling the best of the
single cam bows.
Single
Cams
Often described as a Solocam or One Cam, the single cam
system features a round idler wheel on the top of the
bow and an elliptical shaped power-cam on the bottom.
The single cam is generally quieter and easier to
maintain than traditional twin cam systems, since there
is no need for cam synchronization. However, single cam
systems generally do not offer straight and level nock
travel (though the technical debate continues), which
can make some single-cam bows troublesome to tune. Of
course, all single cams aren't created equal. There are
good ones and bad ones. Some are very fast and
aggressive, others are quite smooth and silky. Some
offer easy adjustability and convenient let-off choices,
others don't. However, most single cams do offer
reasonable accuracy and a good solid stop at full draw.
Overall, the smoothness and reliability of the single
cam is well respected. And the single cam is today's
popular choice on compound bows, representing the bulk
of compound bows offered for sale again in 2007.
Twin
Cams
A twin cam system is sometimes described as a Two Cam or
a Dual Cam. The twin cam system features two perfectly
symmetrical round wheels or elliptical cams on each end
of the bow. When properly synchronized, twin cam systems
offer excellent nock travel, accuracy, and overall
speed. However, twin cams do require more maintenance
and service to stay in top shooting condition. But
thanks to today's crop of advanced no-creep string
fibers, they are becoming increasingly easier to
maintain. Many hardcore competition shooters are quite
loyal to the twin cam concept. And it's probably worth
noting that the twin cam bow is dramatically more
popular outside of the US and Canada, where there is
less advertising to bolster the single and hybrid
systems. Aside from maintenance issues, the only true
disadvantages to twin cams are increased noise (compared
to typical single and hybrid cams) and a tendency to
have a "soft-wall" feel at full draw. However, this
isn't true of all twin cam models. And in fact, some
shooters actually prefer a soft-wall feel, rather than a
hard stop at full draw. So to each his own. For some
shooters, the twin cam is still the cam system of
choice. |
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 SOLID
VS. SPLIT LIMBS
 Solid limb proponents claim that
solid limbs offer better torsional stiffness and more
accurate than split limbs. Split limb proponents claim
that split limbs are more durable and produce less
hand-shock than solid limbs. While we don't see much
evidence to support these positions, it does seem clear
that solid limbs are leading the way - at least by
popular vote. BTW, this wasn't always so. Just 7 years
ago, the market was rather evenly divided. Today, only
a handful of manufacturers use split limbs (Hoyt, Fred
Bear, Alpine, etc.). Surprisingly, some bow companies
do both, and seem willing to switch back and forth as
situations warrant. For example, Bowtech has always
exclusively used solid limbs. However, for 2007 they
introduced 2 new bows utilizing split limbs to
accommodate a new riser design. So perhaps the choice
of solid limbs vs. split limbs isn't really such a
critical black or white choice for enthusiasts. In the
field, solid and split limb bows perform similarly.
Nonetheless, some enthusiasts tend to prefer one design
over the other. |
BRAND
NAMES
We actively represent 12 major brands of compound bows.
It is our goal to offer the best variety of compound
bows possible. We are very proud of the new
compound bow line-up we have for you this season - our
best ever! Unfortunately, there are still some
brands we can't bring to you. A few of the bow
manufacturers still reserve their bows to be sold only
in local walk-in shops, specifically excluding all open
market retailers. While this nobly allows local
dealers the luxury of not having to compete with larger
open-market stores (mail-order catalog, e-commerce
specialty stores, national chain stores, etc.), it
unfortunately means that your choices are limited to a
few local dealers - assuming reputable dealers exist in
your area at all. And without broad-market
competition to keep everyone honest, walk-in archery
equipment prices continue to rise as service quality
declines.
Fortunately, our industry is changing (albeit slowly).
As the success of the "walk-in only" concept continues to
erode -
season after season, the emerging "Hybrid Pro-Shops" are
steadily gaining market share by offering competent
professional services, quality archery products, and an
overall better value to consumers in the broader
open-market. As a proud pioneer of the hybrid
pro-shop concept, Hunter's Friend looks forward to
welcoming new brands as they each embrace the new
millennium and open their great product lines up for
everyone. To the millions of archery enthusiasts
who enjoy shopping from home using the safety and
convenience of e-commerce technology, we thank you for
your continued support. We will continue to bring
you the very best products we can get our hands on.
And the best is still to come!
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