BALANCE AND COMFORT: Round #8 is a truly subjective test.
We wanted to know which bow FEELS BETTER IN YOUR HAND. We find
that archery enthusiasts will often accept or reject a particular design
- based in large part on how the bow feels in their hand. And
although balance and comfort could easily have been separate competition
categories, one often affects another. So we asked our panel of
judges to choose one bow based upon it's overall balance and comfort
when held. Each judge was given the following instructions:
"Hold each bow
in your hand Decide which bow has the best overall balance and
comfort. Hold the bow out at arms length and even draw it back if you
wish. Check to see if the bow is bottom-heavy, top-heavy, or well
balanced in your hand. See if the grip feels comfortable in your
hand when holding the bow and/or when at full draw. Do not
consider draw cycle, performance, or any other attribute here.
ONLY consider which bow has the best balance and comfort when you hold
it in your hand and/or have it at full draw."
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:
|
BALANCE AND COMFORT TEST
- |
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Eric Adkins (24) |
Judge's
Choice: |
 |
|
Occupation: |
Plumber/AC Installer |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter/3D Shooter |
Comment/Reason:
"I really like
the small 2-piece grip on the Diablo. It feels
really comfortable." |
|
Current Bow: |
Mathews Q2XL |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Josh Allen (20) |
Judge's
Choice: |
 |
|
Occupation: |
Student |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter/3D Shooter |
Comment/Reason:
"Diablo felt
top-heavy. I can definitely hold the Liberty more
still at full draw. I like the Liberty grip
better." |
|
Current Bow: |
Bowtech Patriot |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Steven Allen (16) |
Judge's
Choice: |
|
|
Occupation: |
Student |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter |
Comment/Reason:
"It's close.
The Liberty is better balanced. The Diablo seems
top-heavy. But the Diablo grip was nice!" |
|
Current Bow: |
Golden Eagle Spitfire |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Bud Blanton (59) |
Judge's
Choice: |
|
|
Occupation: |
Ergonomic Coordinator (Ret.) |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter/3D Shooter |
Comment/Reason:
"I have big
hands, and the Diablo's grip is just too small.
The Liberty's grip is longer and feels better in my
hand." |
|
Current Bow: |
Bowtech Stalker |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Tim Fannin (27) |
Judge's
Choice: |
|
|
Occupation: |
Plumber/AC Installer |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter/Recreational |
Comment/Reason:
"Diablo feels
more stable. Seems to have a 'weighted' bottom
feel and it's more comfortable." |
|
Current Bow: |
Mathews FX |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Billy Fitch (25) |
Judge's
Choice: |
|
|
Occupation: |
Student |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter/3D Shooter |
Comment/Reason:
"Liberty's
balance is perfect and the grip feels good." |
|
Current Bow: |
Mathews Q2 |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Nathan Frisby (48) |
Judge's
Choice: |
|
|
Occupation: |
Elec. Service Engineer |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter/3D Shooter |
Comment/Reason:
"Grip on the
Diablo is too short and small for my hand. Doesn't
feel good at all." |
|
Current Bow: |
Bowtech Extreme Solo |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Loy Fyffe (42) |
Judge's
Choice: |
|
|
Occupation: |
Diesel Mechanic |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter |
Comment/Reason:
"Diablo grip
is more comfortable. The Bowtech grip is too
skinny in my palm." |
|
Current Bow: |
Hoyt Havoc |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Jeremy Greene (24) |
Judge's
Choice: |
|
|
Occupation: |
Diesel Mechanic |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter/3D Shooter |
Comment/Reason:
"The 2-piece
Diablo grip has a groove by the thumb and it's much more
form-fitting to your hand." |
|
Current Bow: |
Mathews Q2 |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Darrel Parks (53) |
Judge's
Choice: |
|
|
Occupation: |
Securities Broker |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter/3D Shooter |
Comment/Reason:
"The Liberty
is top heavy. The Champion is more comfortable
too. I like the grip better too." |
|
Current Bow: |
Mathews Ultra Lite |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Rick Picklesimer (42) |
Judge's
Choice: |
|
|
Occupation: |
Coal Plant Operator |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter/3D Shooter |
Comment/Reason:
"The Diablo
grip fits in my hand well and has a better shape.
It feels better than the Bowtech grip." |
|
Current Bow: |
Forge PF34 |
|
|
 |
Name/Age: |
Chris Wright (27) |
Judge's
Choice: |
|
|
Occupation: |
Student |
|
Experience: |
Bowhunter/3D Shooter |
Comment/Reason:
"Grip is more
comfortable. Feels better in your hand and is easy
to find a good spot to hold." |
|
Current Bow: |
Hoyt Defiant |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
RESULTS: |
| |
WINNER
|
|
7 Votes |
| |
|
|
5Votes |
ROUND RESULTS:
This was a very close round. Opinions varied considerably here.
And while shooters seemed split on the issue of balance, they did
repeatedly indicate that the Diablo had the more comfortable grip -
giving it an advantage in this category. The Diablo wins this
round 10/9.
- - - - - - - - - - END OF ROUND - - - - - - - -
- -
SCORECARD: |
