TIME OUT:
Round 7 marks the end of our objective categories, and the beginning
of our subjective categories. Rather than judge these categories
with just our own staff, we decided to get more shooters in on the action.
In the short time we had to finish our shoot-out test, we solicited the
help of 12 guest-judges from our local archery and 3D club,
East Kentucky
Archery. Since we certainly don't expect everyone to agree,
we do hope to find a clear majority consensus in each of the
subjective categories. Our guest judges vary in age, shooting
class, equipment preference and experience. Once we had the test materials setup, we
invited them to stop-by our shop at their own convenience.
CONTROLS: In our attempt to keep the process as scientific
as possible, each guest judge was given EXACTLY the same instructions
before being asked to make a judgment in each of the subjective
categories. Each judge was also asked to provide a comment or
reason to support their decisions. Guest judges were NOT made
aware of previous round results or any prior opinions recorded in the
subjective tests. We also asked each judge to be fair and
impartial, and to set aside any brand loyalty or preconceived notions
they might have about Bowtech or Champion products. We asked them to
ONLY evaluate the attributes we specifically asked for. And we
asked them to be as objective as possible, evaluating each bow based
ONLY on the merits they
could observe during the test. |
AESTHETICS & CRAFTSMANSHIP: This category is about good
looks - curb appeal. Since first impressions are very important,
we decided to see how shooters would react to our new bows based upon
their appearances and overall craftsmanship. With both bows laying on our
work-table, we read each guest judge the following instructions:
"Carefully examine
each bow to determine a winner in the Aesthetics and Craftsmanship
category. The winner of this category should be the
bow that appears to be most attractive and well made. Do not consider
bow performance, draw cycle, grip comfort, or any other attribute in this category.
Only judge what you can see. Carefully inspect all
surfaces, giving special consideration to: 1) crisp and uniform
machining of the riser, eccentrics, and limb pockets, 2) proper
fit of the grip to the riser, 3) good definition and even application of
the camo coating, 4) crisp and attractive graphics on the limbs, and 4)
the overall design, shape, and look of the bow. Choose a winner
between the Diablo and the Liberty."
Judges were given as
much time as they needed to make a fair decision, and they were
permitted to handle and examine the bow as much as they needed. Results are as
follows:
|
AESTHETICS AND CRAFTSMANSHIP TEST
- |
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Eric Adkins (24) |
Judge's
Choice: |
 |
|
Occupation: |
Plumber/AC Installer |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter/3D Shooter |
Comment/Reason:
"Liberty riser and
limbs are much more attractive. Parallel limbs
design looks great. Riser machining looks better." |
|
Current Bow: |
Mathews Q2XL |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Josh Allen (20) |
Judge's
Choice: |
|
|
Occupation: |
Student |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter/3D Shooter |
Comment/Reason:
"Liberty camo
more realistic. Cam and idler machined more
cleanly on the Liberty." |
|
Current Bow: |
Bowtech Patriot |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Steven Allen (16) |
Judge's
Choice: |
|
|
Occupation: |
Student |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter |
Comment/Reason:
"The Liberty
has a lot better camo and looks more modern and
up-to-date." |
|
Current Bow: |
Golden Eagle Spitfire |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Bud Blanton (59) |
Judge's
Choice: |
|
|
Occupation: |
Ergonomic Coordinator (Ret.) |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter/3D Shooter |
Comment/Reason:
"No contest!
The Liberty camo job
has better detail and definition." |
|
Current Bow: |
Bowtech Stalker |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Tim Fannin (27) |
Judge's
Choice: |
|
|
Occupation: |
Plumber/AC Installer |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter/Recreational |
Comment/Reason:
"Riser has
better appearance. Liberty camo is in better focus
and doesn't seem 'stretched-out' like on the Diablo." |
|
Current Bow: |
Mathews FX |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Billy Fitch (25) |
Judge's
Choice: |
|
|
Occupation: |
Student |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter/3D Shooter |
Comment/Reason:
"Liberty is more
attractive, looks more expensive and detailed top to
bottom." |
|
Current Bow: |
Mathews Q2 |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Nathan Frisby (48) |
Judge's
Choice: |
|
|
Occupation: |
Elec. Service Engineer |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter/3D Shooter |
Comment/Reason:
"The Diablo
looks cheap. There's no comparison on the quality
of the finish or craftsmanship of the cams & riser." |
|
Current Bow: |
Bowtech Extreme Solo |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Loy Fyffe (42) |
Judge's
Choice: |
|
|
Occupation: |
Diesel Mechanic |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter |
Comment/Reason:
"Very close. But I
thought the Diablo's ISO Bars looked awkward and out of
place." |
|
Current Bow: |
Hoyt Havoc |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Jeremy Greene (24) |
Judge's
Choice: |
|
|
Occupation: |
Diesel Mechanic |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter/3D Shooter |
Comment/Reason:
"The Liberty's
limb pockets are camo. The Diablo's are not and it
makes the bow look cheap." |
|
Current Bow: |
Mathews Q2 |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Darrel Parks (53) |
Judge's
Choice: |
 |
|
Occupation: |
Securities Broker |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter/3D Shooter |
Comment/Reason:
"I do not think
parallel limb designs are at all attractive. The
Champion is definitely the better looking bow." |
|
Current Bow: |
Mathews Ultra Lite |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Rick Picklesimer (42) |
Judge's
Choice: |
|
|
Occupation: |
Coal Plant Operator |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter/3D Shooter |
Comment/Reason:
"Machine work
is more detailed on the Liberty riser." |
|
Current Bow: |
Forge PF34 |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Chris Wright (27) |
Judge's
Choice: |
|
|
Occupation: |
Student |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter/3D Shooter |
Comment/Reason:
"Better
design. I like the riser cut-outs and camo job on
the Liberty. Also like the parallel limbs better." |
|
Current Bow: |
Hoyt Defiant |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
RESULTS: |
| |
|
|
1 Vote |
| |
WINNER
|
|
11 Votes |
ROUND RESULTS: Bowtech
sweeps the Aesthetics & Craftsmanship Round with a decisive 11 to 1 vote
majority. Shooters overwhelmingly preferred the appearance of the
Liberty. The Liberty wins the efficiency
round 10/8.
- - - - - - - - - - END OF ROUND - - - - - - - -
- -
SCORECARD: |
