New Compound Bow needed- any recommendations?

Lee M · Jun 21, 2016

My old but reliable and accurate shooting 2007 diamond black ice has a cracked limb. I noticed it developed a buzz and it needed a string due to the many shots over the past year. Took it in to the pro shop and the found the top limb was cracked. Glad this didn't happen a few weeks from now as Africa is only 35 days out. I have another bow but that is being set up with a heavy arrow for Giraffe. I think I'll retire the diamond although it has done well for me in both Pennsylvania and in South Africa!

I need a main bow that I will use for regular plains game this year, whitetails and some targets and fun 3D shoots. I'm going to start shooting new ones tomorrow and will decide within a week as I want a month to get comfortable. I promised myself that I would shoot 4-6 bows and pick the one that fits me best. Forget about the brand name and marketing. I'll be trying the new Elites, Hoyt, Bowtech, Prime, Mathews and whatever else they have at the local pro shop. Most of my bow friends are brand loyal, but I'm coming in with a clean slate. Looking for a good balance of performance and shootability. Doesn't have to be a flamethrower but I don't want a dog either. I plan on keeping for a decade, so I want to choose wisely.

Let me know what you shoot/like.

Deleted member 15212 · Jun 21, 2016

for a long time I shot an 05 Kodiak titan. it was also very reliable and accurate. I have only ever taken a handful of animals with it. but that was stolen and I recently purchased a Mathews monster chill. from the very first arrow I released, I was digging it! its smooth, quiet and oh so very light!! granted ive only had it about a month now... im liking it a lot.

Brent in Az · Jun 21, 2016

I've been a PSE shooter for over 30 years.PSE is located right here in Tucson, so I may be slightly biased, but I have never had any problems. My current bow is a PSE Brute X in 70lb draw. I really like it.

Deleted member 15212 · Jun 21, 2016

Brent in Az said:
I've been a PSE shooter for over 30 years.PSE is located right here in Tucson, so I may be slightly biased, but I have never had any problems. My current bow is a PSE Brute X in 70lb draw. I really like it.

I do have a friend that shoots the PSE drive R and really likes it!

G Skinner · Jun 21, 2016

Just get a new limb for the Black ice ....?
Glen

PHOENIX PHIL · Jun 22, 2016

Tried out a new Hoyt in March. If I wasn't happy with my 6 year old Turbohawk, I'd have to have it. It would throw much higher speed at the same poundage, or the same speed at much reduced draw weight. But they're not cheap to be certain.

Ryan · Jun 22, 2016

My current bow is a 2014 Athens Afflixtion. The selling point for me is it's smooth draw, but it's also pretty dern fast too. Lots of good bows out there, if you can give an Athens a look.

billc · Jun 22, 2016

Just stick to your plan and go try a few then buy the hoyt. LOL

The brand has nothing to do with what you may like if you try them all. Finding the bow that shoots best for you will be what counts. I shoot a hoyt as you know but not one of the bows they carry will be a bad choice if it fits you well. Just think you can take another nyala now since you will have a new bow the old one will not count anymore.

firehuntfish · Jun 22, 2016

Lee M said:
I promised myself that I would shoot 4-6 bows and pick the one that fits me best. Forget about the brand name and marketing. I'll be trying the new Elites, Hoyt, Bowtech, Prime, Mathews and whatever else they have at the local pro shop.

Lee,

Brand loyalty is huge in the hunting industry. Every established manufacturer depends on it. The engineering technology with compound bows today is light years ahead of what it was 20 years ago. Actually, there are too many really good shooting bows available these days. I also believe that we tend to give the bow more credit than it often deserves for any success or failures we have as hunters. Most any bow hunter with good form and practice can get comfortable, or at least competent with any brand of bow, even though it is not the best fit for them. Too many hunters buy a bow because of the name and then force themselves to get used to it... That's a terrible way to make a buying decision in my opinion.

I know folks that bought a particular brand because that is what the guy at the archery shop said they should be shooting. Still, others will buy a bow because they see a buddy shoot his bow and assume they will get the same results. It's likely that if we all bought the bows that were actually the smoothest drawing, the most forgiving, and comfortable to shoot, many of us would be drawing 10-15 pounds less and shooting completely different bows.

The plan you have sounds like the way to go... I think you've already given yourself the best advice..... BTW, I have a 2008 Diamond Black Ice and it is still the smoothest and most comfortable bow I have ever owned. I still have it as my back up bow/turkey bow.

MPN · Jun 22, 2016

I had this same question 2 years ago. I did what many have recommended and tried every bow I could get me hands on...from Hoyt to Matthews to PSE to your name it. Friends recommended PSE and Matthews...but as has been said you will know it when you shoot the bow. It came down to Elite and Prime for me. I like a longer bow, is much more stable(a bit heavier though) and you cannot find smoother drawing/accurate bows than Elite and Prime...in my opinion. I settled on Prime, smooth, plenty of speed, solid back wall and accurate. Feels like an extension of my arm. Don't think you can go wrong with Prime or Elite.

CJones12 · Jun 22, 2016

I would take a look at the obsessions. I have a Phoenix and it is the smoothest bow I've shot. Many of great bows out there!

Ryan · Jun 23, 2016

I have to agree with the thought here that you need to shoot or at least draw bows to see what feels good to you. As a left-hander this is slim pickings at times, so I hope you're a righty. I'm a rangemaster at a 170+ member club, trust me everything under the sun is shot here with positive reviews. And don't worry about speed, it's all blazing fast compared to 10-20 years ago, when people killed everything just as dead as now. Athens and Elites tend to be a smoother draw and broader valley preferred by a lot of target archers here. Obsession and PSE are short valleys and harder walls at full draw. Hoyt in between, though they have a wide variety of cams so it's a tough call. Matthews varies, I've heard good things of the various version of the Chill and my personal opinion plus others of the Creed models is so-so at best. It was accurate, but the draw was poor, which is critical when drawing quietly in a blind. Plenty of others like Prime and Bowtech with one or two shooters liking them.
Draw it, shoot it and walk away for a day to objectively review it and decide.
Good luck.

kathy · Jun 23, 2016

Lee, I would say you are on the wright track, shoot as may different makes of bows you can, what fits me might not fit you.
I shoot an Elite Answer ( 2012 model ) smooth draw solid back wall & quiet .
Has already been said you could put a new set of limbs on your old bow, warranty should cover them. Forrest

jeff · Jun 24, 2016

The bow market is so competitive that just about every company is making great stuff. Your on the right track not being stuck on a brand. By the time you get in the mid price range there are great bows that won't break the bank.

sheephunterab · Jun 24, 2016

I just picked up the new BT-X from Bowtech and am extremely impressed.

Lee M · Jun 24, 2016

I did go shoot 5 new bows - Mathews Halon 6, Elite 31 impulse, Hoyt Defiant, Prime Rize and the Bowtech BT-X. All were quite impressive! They were all set to approx 62-63 lbs at my 29" draw. I cycled thru all of them a few times trying to really get a good overall feel by drawing slowly, trying to let each down and focusing on the bow shot/sound/vibe. A lot of fun. For me the Bowtech BTX came out on top. The draw was nice for a faster bow and the overall feel and smaller handle just seemed right. I actually had the weight checked as it felt lighter then some other bows, but it checked in at 63.4 lbs. I tried all 3 settings as it can be adjusted. l am going to take a few days and chill on this decision. I can do this as I just got some potential good news on my Diamond black ice goes. We called Bowtech and they have said they will expedite new limbs to my pro shop under warranty. If they come in next week I may hold off buying new. I am so comfortable with Black Ice after almost a decade that I would feel very confident using it next month in SA. New limbs and a new string is like a new bow. Not quite like what I just shot but experienced in my hand and already proven on plains game in 2014.

The problem is I now have the itch for a new bow! LOL

But in the end it's not the arrow that matters, it is the Indian.

jeff · Jun 24, 2016

I would have a hard time justifying a new bow when yours fixed is a great bow. I also love my Bowtech!

kathy · Jun 24, 2016

Good decision,
I have not shot the new Elite impulse, I no it has a short brace height and herd it is not as forgiving as the Answer. Forrest

billc · Jun 25, 2016

Don't be cheap and buy a new one. LOL Though if you get a new one you could use that as the reason you miss something so get the old one fixed. After all you have the memory with that bow of launching your first arrow to the moon in Africa. LOL

Lee M · Jun 25, 2016

It was a really tall Zebra I was shooting at

New Compound Bow needed- any recommendations?

Lee M

Deleted member 15212

Brent in Az

Deleted member 15212

G Skinner

PHOENIX PHIL

Ryan

billc

firehuntfish

MPN

CJones12

Ryan

kathy

jeff

sheephunterab

Lee M

jeff

kathy

billc

Lee M

Members online

Forum statistics

Proudly sponsored by

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

Buffalo Hunt with Henry Griffiths Safaris $10000

Share this page