THE AVERAGE BOW

So what does the "typical bow" look like?  If we examine the trends and averages, we can get a pretty good picture.  The majority of compound bows in 2007 feature solid limbs, single cams, and parallel limbs.  The average bow generates 75.5 ft-lbs of KE and scores an 82 on our forgiveness scale.  Of course, there are plenty of extremes.  But the average middle-of-the-road bow looks something like this......     

THE MOST

So what bow is the fastest?  The shortest?  The lightest?  We examined the data (less the youth and short-draw bows) to bring you the highlights.  Who are the record-holders in 2007?  Just take a look.....

IBO SPEEDS

Here is some information you may find interesting.  As a straight statistical average, compound bows got 2.24 fps faster this year compared to bows in 2006.  The average compound bow now has an IBO speed of 306.94 fps.  But how does IBO speed change with price, cam choice, and brand?  Take at look at the IBO speed graphs below for more IBO speed fun.

4-YEAR TRENDS

As you can see, compound bows are making slow but steady performance gains.  While cam technology may be reaching a storage plateau, several companies are focusing their R&D efforts on improving overall bow efficiencies.  And as efficiencies continue to improve, so will bow speeds.

At this rate, we may see an average 320 fps IBO speed sometime around 2013.  

SPEED VS PRICE

If we analyze bow performance as a matter of price, it would seem that spending more gets you a faster bow.  As you can see, there is an obvious performance difference between the average entry-level bow vs. the average high-end bow. 

But this is kind-of a chicken and the egg issue.  Are fast bows expensive?  Or are expensive bows fast?  Ah-ha!  If you're wondering if faster bows are more expensive because they utilize more sophisticated technological developments and laborious production techniques, we assure you they do not.

So what the deal?  Basic business 101.  Something is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it.  So if buyers are willing to pay more money for faster bows, and they do, then faster bows will always be priced higher than other bows (all other things being equal of course). 

So fast bows tend to be more expensive......or expensive bows tend to be fast.  Take your pick.  But either way, extra speed is probably going to cost you some extra green.     

SPEED VS CAM DESIGN

There is an obvious performance difference among the 4 major types of cam systems.  As you can see, Binary Cams yield the quickest average IBO speeds by far.  Surprisingly, Twin Cams take second place with Hybrids and Single following last.

So does this mean there are no screaming-fast Single or Hybrid Cam bows?  Absolutely not.  The real difference here isn't maximum performance, but rather the choice of geometry in the cam construction. 

For example, Single Cams can be ground to produce a very aggressive powerstroke and big 320+ IBO speeds.  But many shooters prefer cams to have a more moderate feel, to achieve a reasonable blend of performance and shootability.  So the Single Cam category includes some smokin' hot aggressive grinds and some very soft & lazy buttery-smooth grinds.  So just seeing the average is a little deceptive.

In contrast, the new Binary Cams are not yet offered in "softer" versions.  The current Binary cams are all made to be HOT!  So all of their performance numbers are high....for now anyway.

IBO SPEED DISTRIBUTION IN NEW BOWS

If people like smooth bows, then it would make sense to design all bows with soft rounded cam cycles.  Conversely, since people like fast bows too, maybe it would be better to give every bow an ultra-aggressive powerstroke in order to yield maximum performance.  Well, unfortunately, you can't have this cake and shoot it too. 

Like most things, archery is often about trade-offs.  In spite of what you have read in the magazine ads, you just can't have a round buttery-smooth cycle and get blazing hot arrow speeds too.  This is why the vast majority of the bows made today feature moderate cam grinds which yield brisk, but not insane, IBO speeds.

As you can see on the graph, about 7 out of 10 new bows offered today feature a blended cycle and reasonably fast 300-319 fps IBO speeds.  Incidentally, this configuration has the most popular appeal to bow buyers.  Since manufacturers want to reach the widest audience possible, they often don't wander far from this performance model.  As such, very aggressive and very soft cam grinds only represent a relatively small portion of the bows offered in today's market.  All things in moderation - even bows.

IBO SPEED AND BRAND NAME

Every bow company has a different "angle".  Some focus on top performance, some focus on stability and feel, others focus on noise and vibration control, some focus on target competition use, etc.

For example, Hoyt has an extensive line-up of target competition models.  Since NFAA shooters aren't really concerned about speed and penetration, they prefer bows to be VERY forgiving and easy to shoot.  As such, much of the Hoyt line-up features soft-cycles and high-brace heights conducive to competition use.  So their average IBO speed is lower than most.  However, Hoyt does have a few screamers in their line-up as well. 

On the other hand, a maker like Bowtech tends to focus on developing really fast and powerful units for bowhunting big game.  So their bows tend to be more aggressive and yield faster average IBO speeds.

Other manufacturers, like Ross, Parker, Browning, and Fred Bear (just to name a few) tend to stay more in the middle of the road by offering line-ups with moderate blends.     

 

RETAIL PRICING

So what does a new bow cost?  If you consider every bow offered for 2007, the average new bow costs $637.89.  Seem a little pricey?  We agree.  Fortunately, the statistical average doesn't really tell the whole story.

While well over 50% of the bows offered in 2007 are priced in the $500-700 range, this will not represent actual bows sold at year's end.  As as matter of unit sales, bows in the lower price ranges will easily outsell higher priced units.  Budget-priced bows continue to be the best-selling units on the market, in spite of what the ads and forum-chat may suggest.

The fact is, only a handful of high-end bows ever make it to celebrity status.  The vast majority of high-priced units are only made in small quantities and represent a small percentage of most bow manufacturer's sales. 

However, this isn't true for all bow companies.  For a few "en vogue" brands, high-priced bows are the proverbial Golden Goose. 

BRAND NAME PRICE TRENDS

Every bow manufacturer wants to sell those $700+ bows, and a few actually do.  Trendy brands like Hoyt, Bowtech, and Mathews largely dominate the high-end bow market.

Unfortunately for everyone else, the reality is there's only so much room in the market for high-end Superstars.  So some really good bow brands ultimately fetch less than others, even if their products are fantastic too.

So the smart shopper can often use this to their advantage.  Case and point, Fred Bear.  If you've been following trends in the market, you know that the Fred Bear brand had been revitalized in dramatic fashion over the last two years.  Fred Bear now has some of the sharpest new bows on the market, but they're still maintaining the lowest average cost of any major bow manufacturer.  Bravo!

So keep your eye out for buyers' markets.  If you're looking to make the most of your equipment budget, you're sure to find that some brands give you more for your money than others. 

CAM SYSTEMS

The single cam (AKA "Solocam") is still the most widely offered cam system on adult compound bows, representing nearly half of the bows offered for sale again in 2007.  While the single cam had been in steady decline up until 2006, it appears the overall distribution of cam systems is holding pretty steady for this year.