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Welcome to Ask Jake, our officially unofficial Bowtech Insider Blog page.  Who is Jake?  Jake works the front-lines at the Bowtech Factory in Eugene, Oregon.  Jake serves as our account executive for all Bowtech products.  So when we have a question or need to order-up some new bows, Jake is the guy we call.  When it comes to Bowtech, Diamond, Stryker, and Airow Gun products, Jake always has the "scoop".  So we asked Jake to join us for a little blogging and Q&A fun with our customers.  Have a question or curiosity for Jake?  Please feel free to join-in, keep it light, and remember to check back often for updates.  We hope you enjoy.
 

  The Big Introduction!
Hello, my name is Jake and I have the great pleasure to represent Bowtech products to 4 of the greatest states in the nation: Oregon, West Virginia, Ohio, and of course Kentucky...yet to see actual Blue Grass though.  I take that back, the Boise State's Football field is a brilliant blue.  Seriously it is... Google it right now... I'll wait.  See?  With that said, Bowtech manufactures the finest compound bows in the world and for those of you unaware of this, we are nestled quite nicely in the Willamette Valley - Eugene, Oregon. 

Being from Wisconsin (Go Packers) myself, the Pacific Northwest was a bit of a shocker to me.  For starters, it rains a good majority of the winter.  Now I'm not talking about a nice slow rain on a Sunday that warrants a hot cup of cocoa and a book. I'm talking about monsoon like precip for weeks on end.  So I went from feet of snow to buckets of rain - But hey, I get to work at the coolest bow company in the world! 

OK... I just was told that I will not get any sort of monetary raise for that last comment.  This weekly (or bi-weekly) snippet will be a look into the inner workings of Bowtech Archery, the people who work here, and any other cool info to pass along.  Bowtech has grown by leaps and bounds in the last 7 years and look to continue that trend for the next 7 and more!  These articles are to let folks in on not only Bowtech, but the Hunting, Fishing, Events and projects associated with the Pacific Northwest.  I will try to keep your short attention span here with pic's and maybe even some short clips of what's happenin'.....

JAKE  12/11/07

QUESTION:

 Hi, I'm 13 and currently shoot a Diamond Edge set at 50 pounds with a 25 inch draw length. I'm kinda wanting a to get new bow (60 pounds) for hunting (deer, maybe elk) but I'm not sure which one to get. I was thinking of the Bowtech Equalizer but I'm growing right now and need to change my draw length every couple months so I might just want to wait until I have a 26 inch draw and get a Black Ice. Also, I would like to have as much speed as possible, but still be able to shoot comfortably.  What do you think? Price doesn't really matter......Jared, Chilliwack BC Canada
Hi Jared,

Great question as I'm sure there are a lot of young bowhunters in your particular situation... heck I was there at one point. You have maxed out the limbs at this point on the Edge, but you still have 3" of draw length left. I know it will be tough, but I would maybe try to stick with Edge for another year until you have reached that 26" range. If that money is really burning a hole in your pocket and you need a new bow this year, I would definitely consider the Equalizer, but keep in mind the restriction in draw length. I would suggest the Diamond Rock. This is a brand new bow to the Diamond line this year and has a ton of adjustability. This bow reaches down to 23" in draw length and jumps up as far as 30"... That's more range than Kobe Bryant! The poundage on the Rock is also very versatile as it is available in 40, 50, 60, and 70 pound peaks. Maybe the best feature on this bow is the price tag. Here we have a light weight, parallel limb, single cam that retail for $399 bare bow and $499 package. With a price like that, you will be able to shoot this for a few years and then jump into whatever is new that year from Bowtech and Diamond!

Whatever you choose, make sure that you feel comfortable shooting it. Good luck this year.

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  04/22/08

QUESTION:

 Jake, I'm really interested in what you think I should do as I may have painted myself into a corner.  I just last week purchased a 101st Airborne and started shooting at 65 pounds as the draw cycle is so different than my older (twin cam) bow. I have toughed it through for several shooting sessions (about 60 shots total) I decided to reduce the draw weight to 62-63 pounds so I could better get use to the  different draw characteristic.  My question is would I have been better off to have chosen 50-60 pound limbs since I am now shooting at the bottom (weight) of the 60-70 pound limbs and overall efficiency may be giving me less speed than 50-60 pound limbs maxed out. I'm not sure if this is correct.....Bob, Chuluota FL
Hey Bob,

I have painted myself into many similar corners... I carry a lot of white-out. You are definitely not alone on this subject. Many consumers are finding that the Airborne series at 60# (and other extremely fast bows on the market) are out performing other bows set up at 70#'s. The tremendous speed and KE of these bows allow you to shoot the bow comfortably at 60 pounds and still maintain great speeds. I checked the map and you have a dealer by the way of Shoot Straight in Apopka just a few miles to the west. Stop in and see Jeff about getting some 60# limbs for you. If you bought the bow from him he may do a limb swap for you.

Thanks for the question. Have a good one.

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  04/22/08

QUESTION:

 Hey Jake, I just bought a 101 and it is an amazing bow. I also own a Guardian and it too is really something. I guess you know that already though. My question in on my 101. I have heard different stories on the the shortstop settings. Are they really set from the factory? I hear one model the string should hit the shortstop on the left and other models on the right and some in the center. What's the real story? My string hits almost 1/4 inch from center on the left side.....Doug, Erie PA
Hi Doug,

Another great query. You are correct in stating that the short stop location is different from model to model. On the Airborne series, the center of the short stop should be about 1/8" to the right of the string. We found that with the string oscillation, this location works best on the Airborne. The General on the other hand works best when the string hits dead center with the Short-Stop. This goes to show that each bow has different characteristics and each behaves a bit differently.

Your string sounds about right. We do set those here at the factory and test fire each bow. You may be a smidge out too far of center at 1/4". You could probably stand to bring that in to 1/8".

I hope you enjoy your two bows this year. Good Luck!

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  04/22/08

QUESTION:

 I Just bought a 82nd and was wondering what arrow shafts shoot the best. 29in draw 70lbs.....Dustan Sebasty, Galien MI
Hi Dustan,

Those specs are pretty close to what I am shooting so this should be a little easier for me to figure out for you. There are a ton of arrows out there - that we know. Gold Tip, Carbon Express, Easton.... and the list goes on. I like to whittle my own out of pieces of pine. The key is to get the wet Pine so your home made arrow has the ability to flex. A lot of guys here shoot Gold Tip 7595 series or the 300 Ultra Light series. The Axis arrows seem to be very popular these days as well. One of the great things about the Binary system is the ability to shoot an array of different arrows effectively.

I wouldn't say that there is one "best" shaft out there... so many of them perform really well. Most dealers don't carry every shaft out there, so see what your local dealer carries and narrow down your options. Good Luck!

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  04/22/08

QUESTION:

 I want to buy a Commander but I really like the General's configuration.  Can I get the roller guard and ShortStop string suppressor on a Commander?  I read there are issues with the ShortStop string suppressor and kisser buttons is that true?.....Al Sulzer, Barrington IL
Hi Al,

The Commander comes in one configuration, and that's with the cable rod. The Commander seems to come together a little better with a cable slide rather than the roller guard set up. Our R&D Department has done a lot of testing with the Commander (along with all the other bows) and the roller guard on that bow was creating a draw cycle that was a little more harsh.

As for the kisser button related question, it's really a matter of set-up. Most shooters have done away with the kisser button over the years with the intro of the peep sight. For those who still like that contact in the corner of their mouth, the kisser can still be present, but in some cases the Short-Stop needs to be rotated to a different point on the string. If that doesn't feel quite right, you can always remove the Short-Stop all together and replace it with an after market stop. Either way you go, it will work.

Good luck this year.

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  04/22/08

QUESTION:

 G'day Jake.  First I'd like to say what a great job ur doing and how much u r benefiting the archery community not just in America but world wide so keep it up mate. Can u do me a pros and cons of the Bowtech Independence 05 and the Diamond Triumph 07 because I have to choose between them and in the end tell me which bow u think is better all rounder.  Thanks cheers......Ahmed, Sydney Australia
Hi Ahmed,

I tell you what... if I could make one trip - it would be to Australia. What an interesting place. Maybe someday I will be able to make the trip.

As to the bows you are looking at - VERY different animals. The Independence is a long axle to axle bow intended for finger shooters and primarily target shooting. The bow's long stature and big brace height highlight the areas that it would be best suited for. The Triumph on the other hand is a compact, lightweight, quick little bow that is well suited in the tree stand or blind.  If you are a finger shooter then there is no question which bow would be easier to shoot, and that is the Independence. If you are a release shooter and planning on doing a lot of hunting, then the Triumph would be more to your liking.

Now, if you (like so many) are planning to shoot target and hunt with your next bow, you may want to look at something that can tackle both of those elements. The Diamond Marquis is a great 'Do-it-all" type of bow with plenty of KE and lots of forgiveness. The Bowtech Allegiance is also another "best of both worlds" type of bows.

Whatever you go with make sure you feel comfortable shooting it!

G'day,
Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  04/11/08

QUESTION:

 I just got a new Bowtech Equalizer.  The bow's finish is in Mossy Oak Obsession.  Is there any way to change the finish on my bow?......Justin Smith, Kennett MO
Hi Justin,

Hey - do what we used to do:

1. Go find some leaves of varying size and shape
2. Get yourself a few rattle cans of green, brown, and black.
3. Place the leaves on the bow in alternating positions
4. Spray the paint over leaves leaving you with a perfect outline of said leaf on the exterior of you bow
5. Bam! New paint job

Ok. So don't do that. Unfortunately we don't do custom or reworked finishes here. The process to strip the old finish and apply a new one is a bit involved. Also, if we did that for everyone, we would never have time to produce new bows (and we kinda like to do that too).

Good luck hunting this year and have fun with the Equalizer - it rocks!

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  04/11/08

QUESTION:

 I have a question, I have switch from right handed to left handed, for 2 reasons, shoulder problems, and left eye dominance. I have picked up the last left hand 60lb Bowtech Mission OBS, and have shot it for the last 2 weeks in a 300 league, averaging 270. Any hints on what I can do to improve my accuracy? (I shot 289avg with a Bowtech Liberty)  BTW, whenever I bring the bow out, I get a ton of comments like "what is that bow?" "boy, is that bow quiet". (FYI: I have a 26.5" draw, 54lbs draw weight, shoot a 330 grain arrow at 232fps with the Mission)......John Lundholm, Coon Rapids MN
Hi John,

You truly have a very limited edition bow! The Mission was a great run for us with lot's of compliments. I can't imagine having to switch from right to left handed after all those years... like learning to walk all over again. Advice in this area might be a little tough for me to provide seeing that I have no experience with a switch like that. I would want to make sure above and beyond that I am feeling comfortable shooting lefty before I worry about the accuracy end of it. So concentrate of getting your mechanics right first before you really hone your accuracy skillz.

Remember, it took many years to become a good shot as a right hander.... Lefty won't come over night! I do find however that most people that switch to their dominant eye become better shots in the long run. Good luck on achieving the 300!

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  04/11/08

QUESTION:

 Jake, I'm writing from Costa Rica, Central America.  A couple of days ago, I bought a Diamond Rapture from Huntersfriend (I hope they post my testimonial soon).  Just fell in love with your bows, since my brother is attending OSU, in Corvallis, I went and hung around your shop last December ...impressive.  I have three questions:  1. What's the main difference between this one (Rapture) and The Rock?  2. Do you practice traditional archery? (longbows, recurves...)  3. and most important. A friend of mine dry fired his bow, unintentionally. His stabilizer exploded! We took a look at the rest of the bow and it seems fine. What can we do? He also lives in Costa Rica, so sending it is quite a hassle. What can really happen? He's afraid to draw the bow again, since he doesn't know what to check for first. what should we look for?......Daniel Cifuentes-Jara, Costa Rica
Hi Daniel,

It has been a real treat seeing the posts from all the different parts of the globe. Archery truly is a world wide culture! I'm glad you made it to the shop last year.... you should see it now! we have added a lot more retail space and have put up a new building that is home to our new 40 yard indoor range, Techno hunt and large conference room. Hopefully you will be able to make it back for a tour of the new place.

The differences in the Rock and the Rapture are subtle, but there- none the less. While the two bows have similar looks, the Rock is a completely new bow from the ground up. With a new Riser, new Cam, different pocket angles, the Rock is a little more efficient, and also has the capabilities to accommodate shooters of only 23" of draw length. The limbs are a little more parallel, and speeds are very similar. All in all they are both great bows. The Rapture has been a very strong bow for us for the past few years. Very few issues and a lot of praise to the Rapture.

Traditional archery has always been intriguing to me and I really want to go down that road someday. My day is filled with conversations about angles, geometry, power cables, limb deflections, speed and Kinetic energy. Some days I just want to put it all down and pick up the stick and string and enjoy the sport at it's most simplest state. So to answer your question, no, I don't actively partake in traditional archery, but I would definitely like to.

Now on to the dreaded 'Dry Fire'. Dry fires are kinda' funny in a way. You can take two identical bows and dry fire both of them and one comes out just fine and the other looks like it was hit by a train. In any case you want to go over the bow with a fine tooth comb. Look at at the limbs very carefully to see if there are any hairline splinters. Also inspect the cams very carefully. Identify any spots that may be warped or stressed. It's always best to have a pro-shop look at it. In your case, you may have to bite the bullet and send it in. If you decide not to, make sure everything is intact before drawing the bow again. Pull it back slowly and work your way up to full draw. Draw it back 1/4, then 1/2 then 3/4 and then all the way if it feels good. Try to get it in to be looked at though if you can.

Good luck this year and thanks for the post.

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  04/11/08

QUESTION:

 I have just bought a 60# Bowtech Allegiance specifically for target shooting and I have two questions. 1)How do I tell if I have the speed or smooth mod? 2)The birth certificate shows 60lbs, 29", 300grain and 317fps, I thought only the Equalizer was tested with a 300 grain arrow.  Is this correct and is the 317fps as expected?......Stuart, Sydney Australia
G'day Stuart,

Congarats' on the Allegiance. Still probably my favorite all around bow. All of our Allegiances are built with the smooth mods on it. You can verify this by looking at the engraved letters on the modual itself. The Fast mods are engraved with the letters 'EFA' and the smooth mods are engraved with 'ESM'. IBO arrow weights change with the different poundage of the bow. 70# bows use a 350 grain arrow while the 60# bows use a 300 grain arrow - this way we are comparing apples to apples. The only reason why we have that disclaimer on the Equalizer is because it is only available up 60#. By the way - that's a screamer of an Allegiance! At 30" that should be shooting around 327fps. Throw the fast mods on there and it should be pushing the mid 330's!

Good luck this year!

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  04/11/08

QUESTION:

 I am in the market for a new bow.  I have pretty much narrowed it down to the Diamond Black Ice and the Diamond Liberty.  I am looking at a 50-60 lbs bow because as I am aging (64 yrs.old), my strength on those cold November days makes it tuff to pull back my 63 lbs bow easily.  I've read a number of bow comparison reviews and have drawn each bow back.  Very similar in feel.  I have also shot the Marquis but it's draw seemed a little more harsh.  No one locally had a Black Ice or Liberty to shoot.  Your opinion would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!......John, Dubuque IA
Hey John,

You are in in Whitetail heaven over there! The two bows you are looking at will surely find their mark this fall. I can only imagine that you are hunting from a tree stand and the shorter Black Ice has the advantage there. Personally I like the Ice because the physical weight. Both bows seem to appeal to the avid hunter. The Liberty has been around since 04' and has consistently been a solid performer. The Black Ice was the new kid on the block last year and really turned out some good numbers. The grip is different on both bows and to me is an important part of the bow. Seeing that you have drawn both bows, try to pick the one that felt the best. Personally I would lean toward the Black Ice.

Good luck this year. Send a pic of your Iowa Giant this fall.

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  04/11/08

QUESTION:

 Hi Jake.  Looking at my first Bow.  I'm A 49 year old woman who loves the outdoors and my husband has had a bow for years and I would like to join him now that our kids have moved on we have more time together.  I will be using the Bow for target shooting, what bow do you think I
should start with.....Robin, St. Charles MO
Hi Robin,

Really great to have you in the Archery world. I will warn you though... this is a very addicting sport. Enter at your own risk!  Without knowing your draw length and desired weight, it might be hard to place you in a specific class of bows. I can tell you that the Equalizer is a far and away our most popular Women's bow. The physical weight of the bow is great and it cuts no corners in the performance area. The Black Ice works well too for many of the same reasons. If you are looking to save a buck without sacrificing performance, the new 2008 Diamond rock is a great bow. The draw length versatility is great on this bow and it will definitely perform with the higher end bows on the market.

Like I tell so many other though, go out and shoot a few of them. Find the one that is most comfortable to you. I would definitely try the bows I mentioned to start with.

Good luck with your venture and let us know how your progress is going.

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  04/11/08

QUESTION:

 Hey there Jake, I just got a Diamond Black Ice. Love the bow. I have 70# limbs and shoot a 28" draw length. My question is, does my short draw length effect draw weight? I am asking because with limbs tightened to the riser I only get 66 lbs on the scale. Thanks...... Peter Eland, Leadville CO
Hi Peter,

Glad to hear you are liking the Black Ice - fantastic bow. To get right to it, no, draw length does not effect the poundage of your bow. The lower poundage of you bow could be due to a few things. First thing to do is to make sure your bow is in spec to it's original numbers. The axle to axle length should be 32" on the dot. The brace height should be 7 1/2" within 1/8" either way. You may have to take the bow into your pro-shop to have the strings and cables tweaked a little to bring the bow back to spec. After shooting the bow for a while, the strings and cables will slowly stretch a slight amount. When this happens, you will gradually lose a couple pounds of draw weight. One the bow has settled though, you should not experience this again. Bowtech produces a very high grade string and cable and shooters should not experience much stretch at all. If this continues to happen, you may have to have your tech take a closer look at the bow. My feeling is that it should be just fine though.

Thanks for the question.

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  04/11/08

QUESTION:

 Aloha Jake took your advise and shoot the 82nd bow and WOW shoots awesome shoot groups of 3arrows in 2in at 15yds to 40yds using fmj arrows (500) with 2in.blazer vanes love the hostage arrow rest that the guys at huntersfriend put on and I use a spot hogg right on sight (5pin) also much mahalo to adam from huntersfriend he's been a big help with my bowtech 82nd bow and to you too and i hope this email mail brings some warm temp. and lots of sunshine ALOHA!....Darryl E. Cambia Sr.,  Waipahu HI
Hi Darryl,

Aloha! It looks like you will be shooting targets on other islands pretty soon! I'm so glad that everything worked out for you. The 82nd continues to be a really strong bow for us here.

As for the weather.... we had frost on the windows this morning, so you might need to send a few more e-mails (haha!)

Keep on shooting and continuing to get better. We appreciate the business and welcome to the Bowtech Family!

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  03/24/08

QUESTION:

 I've been impressed with the efficiency and shock-free quietness of the center pivot designs as well as the speed and KE of the airborne series.  Does Bowtech have planned for 2009 a 340-350 fps center pivot bow?  If so, I'll gladly wait till fall.  If not, I'm probably going to buy  an airborne soon.  (I know, I know, "Industry Secrets", but I promise I won't tell!) Is a smoking fast center pivot coming out soon?  Thanks..... Steve McDaniel, Indianapolis IN
Hi Steve,

So, by me answering this question on a worldwide platform I'm glad to know that I can still count on you to not tell anyone! That's a good one.... I'm just kiddin' Steve.  I have been asked this question many times, on and off this blog....and the answer remains - I WISH I KNEW!!! Our design team keeps things under wraps very tightly for the next few months. I do know that folks who have been purchasing the new bows have been very happy. The numbers (sales) that we are experiencing this year have been staggering.

2009 will be no exception to the rule. As always we will be presenting new technology, looks and performance. Like I mentioned in an earlier post... you may or may not see a 2009 model with a flip out flat screen and super turbo charged rocket boosters (in-velvet of course).

Thanks for the question Steve and I'll let you know what we have as soon as I find out - next November.

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  03/24/08

QUESTION:

 Hi Jake, My name is Jaimin and I shoot for Kenya Archery. Its really nice to see the info available here and its extremely informative. My question is I currently shoot the Mathews Apex7 since I am short draw length of 27", I have speed issues with all bows. Nothing shoots over 300 for me. I talked to a couple of friends when I was at Indiana and they advised me to buy the Apex7. I did but I still can't get the speed I need for 3D. I now think I have to make a choice between the prestige and the Equalizer. I shoot 60# and 300grain Gold tip Ultra lite pros and hunter pros. I will move to GT 22 pros this year. Which of the above bows is better for my draw length and poundage and are there any other options for people like me.  PS greetings from Kenya.  Thanks..... Jaimin Vyas, Nairobi, Kenya
Hi Jaimin,

Great to see the support over seas. I would love to make the trip over some time to some hunting.... always has been a dream of mine to make friends with a Baboon. Anyway, the Apex you are shooting now is a great bow and I'm sure is shooting great for you. I do however understand the need for speed! Shooters with that seem to run into problems with speed also share experiences like sleeves being too long on their jackets, struggling to touch the rim on a basketball hoop, but seem to excel in forming massive forearms. The bows you have narrowed down are really great choices. Obviously I know a smidge more about one bow over the other, so I'll go over the finer points of the Equalizer for you.

First of all let me tell you that I wish I had a shorter draw length because the Equalizer performs JUST THAT GOOD at shorter draw lengths. With a very parallel design, the bow shoots incredibly smooth and dissipates any unwanted shock up and down rather than a less parallel bow that will throw that unused energy forward. That brings me to my next point.... the efficiency of this bow is phenomenal, pushing most of the stored energy into the arrow. This energy translates to speed and KE. I can tell you with much confidence that the Equalizer at 27 1/2" will get out at least 300fps! The bow itself is light and balanced very well. In all the cases I have heard of, no one I know that shoots the Equalizer has been disappointed... it flat out gets it done!

Another option you would be the 82nd Airborne. This bow (as I'm sure you know) is extremely fast and surprisingly easy to shoot. One of our other Salesman here has some similar physical dimensions as you. He as well shoots around a 27" draw and is getting over 300fps with his 82nd at 60# IBO. This bow does have a little shorter brace height than the Equalizer, so keep that in mind as well. I will admit though, the 82nd shoots better than any other short brace height bow I have ever shot!

Thanks for the question and good luck with the 3-D season. I really appreciate the time everyone spends on the site!

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  03/24/08

QUESTION:

 I wanted to get a heavy pound bow, like 100lbs, to get a lot of kinetic energy for bigger game, I was interested in the Bowtech Tribute that was offered at 100lbs, but noticed they didn't make a 2008 model, I was wondering if it was still possible to get the bow, and where I could get one from? I only want a bare bow, I have everything I need, thanks for your help......Brian, Burton OH
Hi Brian,

100lbs? That's just ridiculous. I have been doing my 'Sweatin' to Oldies' workouts, and I can just get back 60lbs! HA! So the Tribute was a great bow for us and there are still a lot of folks out there shooting that bow. I know we don't have anymore here and I don't think Hunter's Friend has any left either. Your best bet would be to call some local shops in the area. Geauga Bow is right in your wheel house and I know they have a couple left overs from last year. I did just call and ask if they had any Tributes', but no luck. This year we don't offer anything in 100lbs, but the Guardian is there for you at 80lbs. Your other option is to check some auction sites to see if you can buy one that way. If you do go that route, keep in mind the warranty does not hold if you buy used.

Hopefully this helps. Good luck this year going after Godzilla, King Kong, or Chewbacca.... I can only assume you are going after one of these monsters with 100lbs!

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  03/24/08

QUESTION:

 Jake I recently purchased a General I have a Whisker Bis. on it but the Blazer vanes on my arrows seem to be hitting my cable when I release the arrow.  What should I do.  Thanks......Mark, Greenville NC
Hi Mark,

Congrats on the General. I'm thinking that the issue you are having isn't so much the type of rest you are using, rather how it is set-up. There are many factors to take into consideration when you are setting up your bow. If you are experiencing vane contact, you may have your rest set up a too far inside the shelf. If you have paper tuned the bow and are grouping well down range, your answer may be as simple as twisting the nocks so the 'cock' vane is straight out, rather than up or down. By doing this, you will be giving yourself the maximum clearance possible.

Now, if you are having some issues through paper and your groups aren't as tight as you would like, I would suggest taking it in to an authorized dealer to get some help tuning it. Very fine tuning maybe kind of hard to achieve with the Whisker Biscuit. It's a great rest, but sometimes can be hard to fine tune out to longer distances.

Give these options a shot and let me know if there is anything further I can do to help you out.


Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  03/24/08

QUESTION:
Hey Jake,  First let me say I think this a great forum and appreciate your responses to questions.  Now my query with a little background first. I used to shoot a Tomkat with a whisker biscuit, but recently purchased a Black Ice and decided to try the new Hostage rest from Bowtech/Catawba. I'm shooting a Gold Tip XT Hunter, but there seems to be a great deal of play between the brush contacts - much more than with my previous whisker biscuit. I wonder if this doesn't allow for too much variance at release and therefore, a less accurate/consistent shot. I thought I read that there would be a shim set available for this rest to tighten up tolerance. Any info regarding this issue would be helpful. Thanks in advance and keep up the good work.....Chris Robbins,  Muskegon MI
Hi Chris,

Glad to have you shooting the Black Ice. We all here really love that bow. I think my last post explained that in a little more detail! There is always a great debate (like most things in this industry) about which rest is the best. Like most of my other responses, I would have to say there really is no "best" arrow rest on the market. There is however, a bunch of great rests in many different styles and prices.

The biscuit has been a staple in the archery community for many, many years. Its' surge on to the market provided hunters with a easy to use, no hassle rest that assured arrow containment no matter how bad they had 'Buck Fever'. The Biscuit has went through a few mutations over the years and we have seen many knock off's and imitators. Tried and true though, the Whisker Biscuit always seemed to be the rest people chose that wanted an affordable rest.

The Catawba (as it was originally named) was introduced by a gentleman out of North Carolina. Bowtech saw this rest and realized a good thing in it's early stages. Bowtech now owns and produces the Catawba... or as we renamed it, the Hostage.

Now more to your question. What makes the Biscuit great, can be some of it's draw back. Now don't get me wrong, I think the biscuit is a great way to go, but I will try to dissect the two and present a case for the Hostage. The biscuit (as you know) sandwich's the arrow 360 degrees with bristles. Now, when you touch that trigger and release the arrow, your Gold Tip Hunter flexes very severely. If you have ever seen a slow motion video of an arrow being shot, you would be amazed at how much it "porpoises". When this happens, the arrow shaft is now forcing itself against those brushes. As we all know, friction slows down the object that's moving. So we now have a loss in speed. The restriction also doesn't allow the arrow to fly and move as it wants. If we think about all the high end drop-aways on the market, they are designed to eliminate all contact with the rest. The less interference the better. Lets keep in mind though that a little help from the rest is OK. The Hostage rest is designed to contain the arrow without restricting the natural flex of the shaft.

Bowtech has released a new High end accessories line called Octane. Product is scheduled to hit the shelf's mid to late March. Included in this new line is a new version of the Hostage. The Hostage Pro is machined aluminum with more adjustability, and moveable brushes that allow the shooter to create a desired circumference to their specific arrow. There are many other products launching in the Octane line as well.... lets just say everyone will be very, very pleased. You can view the new Octane line at www.fuelthehunt.com and coming soon to Hunter's Friend.

Thanks for the question Chris. I really enjoy following up on these questions. Good luck this year hunting the great state of Michigan.... even if you are a Lions fan. It's OK :)

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  02/20/08

QUESTION:

 I have a 60-70# Tomkat draw weight bow. I've done some reading that suggest that I should keep my draw weight between that 60-70# range and closer to 70# for peak performance. I'm currently set-up for deer at 67#. I'd like to back off the draw weight to 50-55# for turkey season - I think the reduced hold weight will help for the longer draw periods I'll face with turkey. Do you think that there are any major technical or practical issues with reducing the draw weight below the designed draw weight threshold?......Eric Papillion, Nebraska
Hey there Eric,

Hope all is well in the Husker state. Your Tomkat is really a great bow and consistently one of our best sellers. What you have heard about the poundage of your bow is correct. Bows usually will be most efficient and perform the best when they are maxed out in poundage. When all components (bolts ext..) are tightened down, your Tomkat will have the least amount of variance from top to bottom. Now, many people back off their limbs to make it a little easier to hold back the weight for longer periods of time; and that's OK. Taking a 70# Tommy down to 55# is getting pretty severe. Our engineers design our bows to be reduced in weight by 10# from peak weight and still operate safely. What I might suggest is that if you want to take it down, only take it to 60# at the most. The other option is to contact your local dealer and purchase 60# limbs for the bow.

I wish you the best this turkey season. If all else fails, crank it up to 70# and pin those Beards right to the ground! They'll never know what hit 'em.

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  02/20/08

QUESTION:

 Just ordered the Bowtech Mission.  They say its pretty close to a Liberty for a smooth draw?  What's your take on that?......David Comiskey, Chicago IL
Hi Dave,

How's the weather? I just talked with my folks in Wisconsin and they are getting record amounts of snow this year.... figure you're getting more of the same. You know it's bad when you don't need a ladder to get on the roof of your house... just walk right on from the from lawn!

The Mission is a really smooth bow that offers a little more axle to axle than the Liberty. We made the Mission exclusively for Hunter's Friend and the consumers really loved it. I believe when you start shooting the Mission, you will be amazed with the fact that you can shoot it for long periods of time with no fatigue.

So the Bears look to be in for another long season. You will be glad to hear that we do have one die hard Bears fan in the office. It was a tough few months for him here. Good luck this next year and send us some pic's of this years harvest...even if it's just cardboard!

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  02/20/08

QUESTION:

 Holy cow if this is the Jake I think it is I will go crazy!  I don't know if you remember me but my brother is Reggie Luedtke which should ring a bell and I live in your hometown.  A few questions here.  Which would be your choice if you had to pick a bow from the 2008 Bow tech lineup and why?  And what are you currently shooting now?  Also what is the biggest difference between the 82nd and the 101st airborne in your opinion?  Answer one or all - I don't care.  I am still amazed.  Hope to see (or talk) to you soon... shoot straight......Spencer Luedtke, Clintonville, WI
Hi Spencer,

Great to hear from you! Hope things are going well back home. I sure miss the Whitetail hunting and Walleye fishing back there. Sounds like you're taking after your old man and hitting the woods in the fall. Glad to have you in the sport and I'll be sure to stop in and hang out a while next time I'm home.

Well Spencer, it's hard to nail one down in the line up that's best for everyone. I do know what you are hunting and can tell you that the General would be great for the tree stand hunting that you do. Another option might be the Equalizer (depending on how big you got since the last time I seen you). The Equalizer is really great for Midwest tree stand hunting. It' light, fast and easy to shoot. Now, the only thing that might restrict you from shooting the Equalizer is the fact that it's only available up to 271/2" draw. So if you plan on being a little taller, (and knowing your mom and dad - you will be) the Equalizer might only fit you for a year or two. Heck, you might have out grown it already! Best thing to do would be to Head over to Butch's Archery and try a few out. Shoot what feels the best!

What am I heaving arrows with now? Currently I'm set up for indoor spots, so I have a Constitution set up with a Sword Scope, Octane 30" Stabilizer and a Vapor Trail Limb Driver. That set up really shoots well for me at the indoor venue. It performs so well that I might stick with it for the 3-D circuit this summer.

Addressing your last question, the only difference between the two Airborne bows is the length of the limbs. The 82nd uses 12" limbs which creates a shorter brace height and in turn generates more speed because the arrow is on the string a little longer. The 101st uses 13" limbs giving it an 1" longer brace. In the past shorter brace height bows were harder to shoot; but with the advancement in technology over the last few years, these bows have become much easier to handle. Personally I try to crank out as much speed as possible with my set-ups, but trust me, that's not always the best! The increase of speed with undoubtedly magnify any mistakes made upon the shot. Look to find a 'sweet spot' in your set-up that allows you to shoot good speeds while still being able to control it and allow for minor mistakes.

So in closing, I want to share a little story with the archery world. As Spencer mentioned, I did grow up near him and attended High School with his brother Reggie. Well Reggie and I were usually up to shenanigans. So one Saturday night, Reggie and I were looking for something to do because "cow tipping" was getting old and let's face it, Dad had locked the Liquor cabinet months earlier. Dang. So Reggie made it known to me that his little brother was staying at their house with some friends while his mom and dad were out to dinner. To put this into perspective, the Luedtke house sits out in the country.. on a lonely road... in the middle of a tree farm.... when it's dark, it's dark. So with that in mind, Reggie and I set out to pay Spencer and his buddies a little visit. (Also keep in mind Spencer is probably around 11 years or so... ya' know the age when you're tough as nails until you see a mouse run over your shoe in the barn) The setting is just right. We role up and park on the road to ensure total stealthiness. Dressed in black we make our way to the house and notice the boys playing vids in the living room. A few taps on the windows drew them off the TV and spurred their curiosity. Reggie and I split up and performed other such 'taps', 'scrapes', fogging of the glass, and 'thuds' that turned those boys inside out. As they grouped up and brainstormed a plan, the best thing they could come up with was to grab the paintball guns and proceed to come out on the porch and fire aimlessly into the surrounding trees. (I think we all know that things that go 'boo' in the night are deathly afraid of water based paint!) After a Rambo like stand on the porch, they proceeded to the old barn... another great idea! Of course we got there first and continued to instill fear with every creek of the barn board and thump of the bales of hay that 'Mysteriously' fell from the loft. So I think you see the pattern here. The boys moved to the basement of the house where they were so scared because we had now entered the house up stairs and rattled their cage to the point of tears. Finally we smashed our faces up against the windows to the basement, which tend to be small and hard to see through to begin with... the look on his face when noticing a leering prowler was epic... thanks for the chuckle Spencer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Say 'hi' to the family for me. Talk to you soon.

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  02/20/08

QUESTION:

 Hey Jake are the cams the same on 08 and 07 Bowtech allegiance cause I see that you can shoot the airborne mods in the 08 allegiance.....Buddy, Diana WV
Hi Buddy,

To be to the point.... Yes, the cams are the same between the 07' and 08' Allegiance. The color is different, but that's it. So if the follow up question would be; "Can I use the Airborne mods on my 07' Allegiance?" The answer is Yes! If more speed is what your craving then that upgrade to the Airborne mods will boost you up between 4 and 10 ft per second depending on draw length. The draw cycle will be a little more stout if you do want to make the switch though.

I was actually in your area last year on a little tour of the state to see some of my dealers. The closest I came to Diana was Sutton, WV, but what great looking country. We have some great dealers around your area. The closest dealer is probably Glady Fork Archery in Weston. I stopped to see Charles up there last year. If you need anything, stop in and check his place out... top notch service and and plenty of goodies to choose from.

Thanks for the question Buddy and good luck this year!

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  02/20/08

QUESTION:

 Just wondering if you could give some insight on what Bowtech has planned for the 2009 line-up?  P.S. I love my new 101st, but it makes shooting my Old Glory (my backup bow) seem like i'm shooting a little kids bow...well, a little kids bow that you don't aim in the same spot twice! Tell everyone there to keep up the excellent work!.....Jim Zueger, Uniontown PA
Hey there Jim,

Ahh yes, always someone trying to get the inside scoop. I have heard that for 2009 no shooter will be required for the bow... it will actually shoot itself! Also, other models will include heat seeking arrows, flip out flat screen monitors for those boring hunts....WiFi connections... internal coffee maker.... OnStar....all of this packed in to a 13" Axle to Axle package! The coffee maker is a small up charge.

In all seriousness, I really don't know what is going on for next year. If did know, and I did tell you - this would be my last post on "Ask Jake". The only thing you could ask me after that would be;

"How is the job search going?"

All I know is that we will never sit on our hands and say "That's good enough". We will continue to develop new designs, test new material, and never will we take for granted the value of quality.

Thanks for all the support up there in PA!

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  02/20/08

QUESTION:

 What's going on Jake! My current set up is a 28 inch draw set at 78# with arrows that weigh 375 grains. I don't really get a whole lot of speed because of the short draw. I am not having any problems taking my share of game with my current set up but I would love to have a bow that can really send a arrow down range. I was thinking of either a Guardian or a 82nd. Which of the two would perform better, a Guardian set at 75-80# range or the 82nd set at 70? Also what do you think of the airow gun? (ease of use, installation that sort of stuff). I played paintball religiously for years so the airow gun looks really fun.  Thanks..... Kenny D,  Houston Texas
Hey Kenny,

78#!!! Dang! That's pushing some high KE numbers. It looks like you are getting the max speed out of your rig seeing that you are about at the limit for arrow weight. I would have to say that the 2 bows you are looking at are pretty different. If flat out speed is what you are looking for, then the 82nd is the clear choice. To be honest, the 82nd Airborne will shoot just as fast at 65# with the same arrows as the Guardian at 75#. The Guardian is a little smoother on the draw and is a little more quiet, but when the arrow get there as fast as they do with the Airborne... let's just say the little extra noise is NOT going to make a difference! It sounds like you are looking for raw speed, so I would lean toward the Airborne. HOWEVER.... the best this to do is to head to a pro shop and compare for yourself. Shoot them both through a chronograph at the correct draw lengths and preferred poundage. Either way you go I don't think you will have any regrets!

The Airow gun... probably the coolest thing no one has heard of! I have worked with this product since it's infancy and love it. We have wars all the time out here using nothing but Airow Guns. Having played paintball, I know how it goes. "Spray and Pray" I believe is the phrase they use. It is so rewarding when you take someone down with the Airow Gun because of the skill and concentration it takes. Trust me... get a few guys together and go out and have a blast. They are super accurate, super quite and super easy to use. We attended Oklahoma D-Day this year with the Airow gun and the response was off the hook! I actually played in the biggest scenario game they put on there and led the charge!!!! It was crazy to see the faces on the guys you take out.... Here's a link to the sight with some actual footage from D-Day on it. I was the one with the feathers in the mask.

http://airowgun.com/paint.php

Thanks again for the questions and good luck this year!

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  02/20/08

QUESTION:

 Greetings from God's Country, Jake! It's gotten to be light-jacket weather here in Wisconsin, the temp this morning was -8°F and it's a bit breezy, too.  I just picked up my new Diamond Marquis this weekend, and have been shooting it daily. I am beyond impressed, I'm overwhelmed with it. It's set at 30" and the full 70#, and I swear the arrows are finding their mark 25 yds away before my release is fully opened. I've never shot a bow this fast, ever. It turns heads in the league, for sure.  There are only two problems I've noticed so far: one, the rubber snubber in the string-stopper has to be glued in, and two - I cannot keep a kisser button on the string. They don't last for more than a few shots, and I'm guessing that it has to do with the string-stopper (and the shock it applies.) So pass that along to your friends at Bowtech, and see what their solution is. For those of us who really prefer kissers, it's a shame that such a nice bow seems to be designed to prevent their use.  Go Pack!......Bruce W, Milwaukee WI
Hi Bruce,

I must say, I haven't been much fun to be around since the Playoff game a few weeks back. After seeing the outcome of the Super Bowl, I can only imagine Brett will be back for another year to go 19-0, a mark that apparently the Patriots were kind enough NOT to hit this year.

So congrats on the Marquis! That really is a great bow. To me it seems to be a perfect balance of length, brace, speed and smoothness. It's really hard to find that in all bows now days. A few things you can do with your 'short stop' (that's the name we gave the string stop). First of all, the stop is fully adjustable. If you want, you are able to move that stop to a different location on the string (most likely in your case - further away from the kisser). By doing this, you may be able to shoot it while keeping you kisser from becoming a miniature flying saucer! Your second option is to take it off. I do know a few shooters that have kisser buttons that opted to take the short stop completely off. These shooters usually installed string dampeners and an after market stop to boot.

The Short Stop is glued in at the factory with the same adhesive that keeps a politician's face in that fake smile position. If you are having some issues keeping it in place though, you can take some sand paper or steel wool to 'rough' up the back side of the short stop rubber and then apply a small amount of super glue. This should do the trick!

Lastly, I would take your Marquis to Pro Shop if you have any other questions about the bow and it's workings.

So make sure you put on the sun screen this February as I know while sitting in an ice shanty, the sun can get pretty warm! Fire up the snow blower and try to blow most of it toward Chicago!!


Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  02/06/08

QUESTION:

 I have a new 101st and love it but the string loop keeps rotating forward after shot so I must move back each time . should I have the string loop tied in any suggestions?......Kurt Unger, Doniphan NE
Hi Kurt,

Got Corn? Hey man, I was having that same issue as well. No big deal, just take a drop of Super Glue and dab it on the knot. Let the glue work it's way into the material and on to the string itself. After about ten minutes you should be good to go! This will not damage the string and if you need to cut the loop off down the road, it won't be an issue.

Geez, looks like Super glue will solve any problem!

Thanks for the question.

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  02/06/08

QUESTION:

 Hi Jake.  I just picked up my new 82nd airborne with a draw 28.5" 60 lbs and a Easton Beman Hunter at 426 grains I shoot 285 fps ! I am thinking of getting cheetah 400's I shot a 350 grain arrow at 317fps. Do you have a recommendation on a hunting arrow that will be light but stable, or is the cheetah ok? By the way move a little east and you can have the snow and great hunting (we have 8" on the ground since Thanksgiving and more every day.  Two miles from Turkey, deer, elk hunting.)......Brent, LaGrande OR
Hey Brent,

Glad to have an Oregonian on the post! I have been through LaGrade a few times this year as I went Elk Hunting over in the Snake River Unit. LaGrande was a great looking town... lots to love there I could see. I have a great dealer there in the way of Alpine Archery in your neck of the woods.

Arrow selection is always up for debate. Personally I have shot a cornucopia of arrows through my years. Today's arrows all have great qualities. Good consistencies, performance, and looks. The first arrow that really impressed me was the Easton A/C/C. Its seemed that I had the original dozen for years with minimal damage. These arrows are not the lightest on the market, but for me they flew true every shot. Today I use Gold Tip Pro series for hunting and the very same Cheetahs you speak of for 3-D. One advantage you have is the fact that you are shooting an 82nd Airborne! This bow produces so much raw power, that you are able to sling heavier arrows - faster! This goes back to the whole Kinetic Energy topic we covered in a different post. A very popular hunting arrow across most of the country the last few years has been the Easton Axis. This arrow is really tough. The Axis is a little heavier, but packs a ton of punch. At the speeds you're producing, you will be shattering bones left and right!

Good luck hunting this year and feel free to stop by sometime if you are in the area.

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  02/06/08

QUESTION:

 Got a quick question for you. I am an avid hunter and would like your expertise and opinions on the Diamond Black Ice Bow. What do you think and is it worth the Price?......Kenny, Hudson WY
Hi Kenny,

Glad you asked. The Black Ice is really a great all around hunting bow. I was in our Pro Shop just the other day and someone had a Black Ice set up and I asked if I could shoot a few arrows. He actually looked at me and said,

"Ya know... Normally I would say yes, but I just shot a 300 5 spot score and don't want you to jinx the bow!"

I kindly obliged and walked away. Later that day I found out who it was and let the air out of his tires. Haaaa.

Anyway, yes, I do feel it is well worth the money. The physical weight is awesome for spot and stalk along with the compact size. What shocks me every time I shoot it is the lack of 'shock' and noise.

I would really recommend this bow for the avid hunter, it's sure to perform.

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  02/06/08

QUESTION:

 Howdy Jake. My name is Chad and I'm 29y/o and I am new to the Archery game.  A few of my friends keep telling me to try it out and you will never go back to your gun. I was wondering what is a good bow to start out with? They have told me to go with a Bowtech but have no clue what to look for. Any Suggestions would be grateful......Chad S., San Antonio, TX
Hi Chad,

Welcome to Archery, where a cool head always prevails! I would agree with your friends; bowhunting has really spoiled me. There is still something about taking down your mark at 300 yards with a rifle, but the skill, patience, and practice archery requires makes that reward feel even better.

It really is a great time to be a consumer in the archery world... there are so many great products out there, you just need to find what fits you best. The Bowtech Tomkat has been the front runner for many years in the category you fit. This bow comes packed up and ready to shoot right out of the box. All that's really needed outside the Tommy package are arrows and a release. This bow is easy on the pocketbook and heavy on performance. We sell a bunch of these out of our own Pro Shop to guys just like you.

Another good entry bow is the Diamond Justice or Liberty. Both of these bows are forgiving and fun to shoot. The main thing to remember is this: Try a few out before you decide. Folks have asked me about what bow to purchase in the past and I always give them a few to try, but I always remind them that what's best for me is not necessarily best for you. Take a few out for a spin, kick some tires and decide what puts you in your comfort zone.

Good Luck with the new endeavor and remember to keep a cool head. Archery is kind of like golf in the fact that it's just you and your mark out there. Everything gets a little more critical in the sticks and strings world. Dang it's fun though!!

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  02/06/08

QUESTION:

 Hey tell me the truth cuz I always get a different answer....should fieldpoints and broadheads group the same or should there be a difference...do yours group the same....by the way my wife loves her diamond bow...go Bowtech!......  Mike Walker, Vancouver W
Hi Mike (and Mike's wife),

Glad to hear your wife likes her Diamond. Girls usually do enjoy jewelry of any kind.

Super question Mike. This is something that all hunters can relate to. At one point or another, we have made the transition from field points to broadheads and discovered the broadheads like a different spot on the target. So, Yes - Ideally you would like your broadheads to find the same mark as your field points. Now, It's not uncommon that the broadheads group differently than the field points. There are many different ways to tune a bow and many different opinions about which is the best way. Now from my experience, and in listening to guys that have forgot more about bows than I know, I have learned that tuning your bow and broadheads can be done in many ways. Let's keep one thing in mind, the object of this sport is pretty darn simple: Hit what you are aiming at. Period. Nothing more. So when I talk to folks who are so upset because they have an 1/8" left tear through paper that they grow that big vein down the middle of the their forehead... it's usually for nothing! My response is usually something like;

" Are you grouping well down range?"

"Well yes, I'm slapping arrows together at 35 yards."

"Hmmmm.... well that's the idea right?"

"Well yes."

So Mike it's normal to have a different point of impact with your broadheads. You may have to tune your rest a bit to bring the point of impact to the same place as your field points. There are so many variables involved from the moment your brain decides to pull the trigger to the time the arrow has catapulted off the string that it's hard to pinpoint the issue that's giving you problems.

Next time you switch heads and are having different points of impact, head to your local Pro Shop to get a little advise. Most of those guys can explain what's happening and can give a tweak here or there to have those babies hitting where you need.

One more thing. Experiment with some different heads. I do have issues with certain kind, and that's usually because that particular head doesn't agree with something in my setup. There are all kinds out there... give a few a try.

Oh wait... I was just told the Diamond you were referring to was the bow and not the jewelry.... hmmm looks like it's time for a vacation!

Good luck this year!

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  02/06/08

QUESTION:

 Hello Jake, I am in the market for a new bow and i have a short draw. What do you recommend. I am also looking at the 82 Airborne and would like to know what the speed and KE is for a 82 Airborne with a 28" draw at 70 lbs shooting and 400 grain arrow. Also i see bowtech with the Army names when do we see a Falcon, Eagle, or Raptor from the Air Force, not trying to knock our brothers in arms but the Air Force does have some history with shooting arrows through the air if you know what i mean. thanks for the info......Artie, SAFB, TX
Hi Artie,

Don't worry about you guys in the Air Force. We appreciate the support from all the branches of our fine military! I will work on Marketing for some Air Force names for the up coming years. How about 'DBA' (Death by Air)? Sound good? I'll give it a shot.

So I went and tested an 82nd Airborne at 28" and 69.8# with a 400 grain arrow. I shot this off a TM style rest with a caliper style release. Time of day was about 3:00 PST. I was wearing a Diamond shirt and my left shoe was untied. The results are as follows. (shot 4 times)

Speed: 306 - 305 - 306 - 306
KE: 83.19 fpe

That's flat out gettin' it done!! Now, keep in consideration that anything you put on the string will slow the bow down some. Peep sights, loops, string silencers and kisser buttons all slow down the string. One suggestion I would give you would be to try to stick with the peep sights with out the rubber tube. That rubber tube really slows you down. I'm pretty sure each manufacturer makes peeps with and with out the rubber.

Also check out the Allegiance and the Marquis in the Diamond line for comparison. Remember... always test drive a few before making a decision!

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  01/22/08

QUESTION:

 Howzit Jake? I was wondering about your thoughts about the 101st airborne bow AND PSE X-force bow.  Have my thoughts on purchasing on one of these bows for hunting and 3d shoots as well. Thanks.  Also my draw length is 29 and draw wt. is about 62-64 thanks......Darryl Cambia Sr.,  Waipahu HI
Hi Darryl,

How is Hawaii?? I will tell you that my pasty canvas really needs some sun!!! You have two really good choices here and what it will ultimately come down to is personal preference. I will go over some of the features of the 101st that I think lend themselves to your type of shooting.

First of all if you are going to be shooting 3-D as well as hunting, the length of the 101st is an attractive feature. Personally I like it for the 3-D side of shooting because the 101st is 36" Axle to Axle. The long sleek riser really bodes well on the target when you are down range and you are relying on a steady pin on the foam.

Next is the draw cycle. I appreciate a consistent draw cycle throughout the draw. Both the 82nd and the 101st have consistent draws throughout the cycle. This makes drawing on a deer during crunch time or drawing repetitively on a 3-D course easier.

The speed is probably the most obvious of the features of the 101st. Many 3-D shooters are loving the combination of speed and a 7" brace height.

As I mentioned earlier though, make sure to shoot them both to see what feels the best. I would also try to shoot the 82nd if you have a chance! Aloha!!

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  01/22/08

QUESTION:

 For years I have heard the term "BTU" Bowtech University and have heard of techs and dealers visiting Bowtech in Oregon to attend courses and sessions....I am from WA state originally, Are there ever any sessions or classes open to the public? BTW, Bowtech supporting the Troops is #1 in my book. I am on my 2nd Iraq tour and still get all in info and support I need from the great people there.....Mike Dewitt, Ft. Riley KS
Well I've said it before and I will say it again... Thank You. Thank You. A million times over for your effort and commitment to your fellow Americans.

Bowtech University (BTU) was created in response to so many dealers wanting more:  more technical help, more sales information, more merchandising help. The list goes on and on. BTU is on its third year now and is constantly changing and adapting just as the archery industry does. This service (as you stated) is offered to Bowtech, Diamond, Airow Gun and Stryker dealers all over the world. Last year we had many out of country dealers attend the University and the response was phenomenal. For two days we poured over the in's and out's of products, theories, plans, and obstacles in the archery world. Yes, one main facet of the BTU is to educate our dealers in the fine art of bow tuning and testing. However, we spent more time analyzing sales, marketing, merchandising, and overall product knowledge. We understand that most of our dealers have a good basic understanding of bow tuning, so we directed out focus on to helping the dealer become a more successful business, and reach their full potential. After all was said and done, everyone said they enjoyed it and came away with a fresh look at their business.

To answer your more direct question, we do not have a any public classes set up at this time, but the wheels are always turning here! Again, thank you for your support in the archery world, but more importantly for the support over seas.

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  01/16/08

QUESTION:

 I have been told by a pro shop (local) the mods from the 101st and 82nd can be placed on the 2008 Allegiance resulting a approximately a 10fps increase in speed, is this true?  Thanks, from a serious bow hunter......Chad Smith, Mt. Pleasant, MI
Hi Chad,

I like to feed my bow some Human Growth Hormones (HGH) to really pump up the performance. People started to get concerned though when the cams doubled in size in just 6 months.

Ok... the info that you received from your local hang out is correct. You can indeed put the QB mods on your Allegiance and it will pick up some speed. Now, I cannot promise 10fps with every bow, but you will experience a pick up. The draw force will change a bit and you may be able to notice (not that this is bad).

I hope this helps a bit Chad. Thanks for the question.

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  01/16/08

QUESTION:

 I have a TOMKAT 70lb and love it. But I see the Tribute at the same poundage has a lot more KE. Can you tell me the difference between the two bows? And why is the Tribute so much more expensive?.....Gary,  Austin TX
Hi Gary,

This is great question as many consumers look at the array of bows on the market and wonder why one cost more than the other when they seem to be so similar at first glance. As in most industries, technology and innovation are key drivers to moving forward and staying on top. Bowtech continually pushes the envelope in all aspects of the industry and tries to always give the consumers something new and fresh every year. With that said, technology is really the main difference between the Tribute and your Tomkat. When our engineers are creating new bows, the slightest change effects the whole bow.

To break down the two bows, let's start with the limbs. Your Tomkat uses 14" T2 capped limbs, whereas the Tribby uses 13" T2 Capped limbs. Generally with a shorter limb, you have less limb tip travel which directly translates into less vibration through the bow on the shot. Imagine a really long diving board. Now bounce a little on that board and jump off. What happens? That board with flutter up and down for a while before it returns to static position (at rest). Now imagine that board is a foot shorter. After you jump off, the board still flutters, but it takes less time to recover to static position. The same thing happens with bow limbs, it just happens so fast you don't see it.

Next lets take a look at the riser. The Tribby has a little more reflex to the riser than the Tomkat. This combined with the shorter limbs create a much shorter brace height (the distance from the throat of the grip to the string at static position). A shorter brace height will result in increased speeds as the arrow is on the string for a longer period of time therefore it is getting 'pushed' for a longer period of time. Now for a quick analogy: Remember when we were kids and we would push our friends on the swing set? Oh yeah... good ol' days. Well, when we got a good run and performed a dangerous "Under Duck" (where the pusher would run and push the swinger until he ran right under the swinger) the swinger would really fly (sometimes right off the swing which undoubtedly resulted in no TV or snack for the rest of the week). That's just like having a shorter brace height on a bow. If the pusher would only run and push half way, the swinger would not swing nearly as fast. Comprende?

So, with all that said, the shorter brace and more aggressive cam position results in more speed, which in turn creates more KE. Pheeewww!  Now we're not done quite yet. All of these things really do create a much different bow. The combination of all these things bring about some separation in the Bowtech line and thus is why the Tribute is more expensive. I will tell you that the Tomkat has been and still is one of our best selling bows we manufacture. In my opinion (again this is just me), I think the Tomkat is hard to beat at the price point it represents. To me, the Tommy, is one deer seeking machine!

Hope this helped Gary. Have fun and good luck!

Shoot for the thrill!!
JAKE  01/16/08

QUESTION:

 Hello Jake !!!! Well I stopped my choice on four bows ...the Mathews Drenalin...the Diamond Liberty....the Diamond Black ice and the Liberty one ....I'm hunting for moose and deer...I walk a lot ( lotsa stalking)....Don't be shy ...Tell me what you really think.....and a few tech tips on your choice...I want to make a move by the end of January...  Draw length at 28 inches and usually shoot 65 lbs...Waiting for some tips!!!!  Thanks a lot for your time.....Eric, New Richmond Quebec Canada
Hi Eric,

Happy New Year!! Any special traditions in Canada for bring in the new year??? Throwing snowballs at the Horse-riding Mounties? Shoveling? Either way, hope you have a great 2008. So you're in the market for a new bow. You have narrowed