January 07, 2013
By Bowhunting Online Staff
Like the much anticipated reveal of the new iPhone or iPad each year, bowhunters wait with sweaty palms to see the latest and greatest the industry has to offer at the Archery Trade Association (ATA) show in January. Just when you think you've seen it all, somebody drops the bombshell that revolutionizes bowhunting forever. What new toys and trends will this belated Christmas time spectacular bring for 2013?
One of the most highly anticipated categories for 2013 is new bow releases, which have exceeded expectations this year. With all the specs charted and the new models in hand, one thing is clear about this year's class — fast and smooth have gotten faster and smoother . From the biggest names to some newer faces on the market, Petersen's Bowhunting
BowTech Destroyer 350 BowTech has brought the Destroyer 350 — its groundbreaking flagship bow from 2010 — back as a limited edition series for 2013. The Destroyer 350 was one of the best-selling bows in BowTech history, thanks to a trio of industry-changing technologies; Hard Core Limbs that combine durability with maximum speeds, the FLX-Guard cable-containment system that dramatically reduces riser torque and the Over Drive Binary Cam system for symmetry, synchronization and stability at the shot.
Available in limited quantities, the Destroyer 350 LE weighs 4.1 pounds, has 80 percent let off, measures 32€‰3„8 inches between the axles, has a 6-inch brace height and an IBO speed rating of 350 fps. It has a draw-weight range of 60-70 pounds and can accommodate draw lengths from 25-30 inches. It is available only in Black Ops finish with custom, limited-edition limb graphics.
MSRP: $849
Prime Impact G5 Outdoors has turned plenty of heads with the exclusive Parallel Cam Technology on its Prime bows, and the 2013 Impact is sure to leave its mark on bowhunters. Like all Prime bows, the hallmark of the 35-inch Impact is its parallel cams, which distribute the load of the draw force equally on each side of the cable, virtually eliminating cam lean.
As a result, Prime bows enjoy reduced horizontal nock travel for better accuracy and reduced limb fatigue for enhanced durability. The Impact's new PCX cam produces an IBO speed rating of 340 fps with a 6€‰¼-inch brace height, and it's forged, 7000 series aluminum riser is among the stiffest in the business. Other highlights include C-1 Laminated Limbs, Gore Fiber string and cables, removable anti-torque grip and the TI-Glide flexible titanium cable guard system that reduces cam lean by 25 percent. The Impact weighs 4.5 pounds, offers draw lengths from 26-30 inches and peak draw weights of 50, 60 or 70 pounds.
MSRP: $949
PSE Prophecy PSE says its new Prophecy is the fastest single-cam rig ever created. The Prophecy's high-performance single-cam system provides a smooth draw while still producing an IBO speed rating of 340 fps. Other highlights include PSE's Planar Flex riser, past parallel split limbs, B.E.S.T Raptor Grip and Backstop 2 string dampener. The Prophecy has a 6-inch brace height, measures 32 inches between the axles, weighs 4.1 pounds and has 75 percent letoff. It can accommodate draw lengths from 25-30 inches and is available with peak draw weights of 50, 60 or 70 pounds.
MSRP: $699
Hoyt Spider 30 Hoyt's engineering team of die-hard bowhunters combined years of field experience with technological wizardry to create the all-new Spyder 30. To provide extreme stealth at the shot, Hoyt created patent-pending AirShox Technology. The AirShox dampeners are mounted to the limb pockets, allowing the limbs to pull away at full draw and then be cushioned by the AirShox as they spring back into place upon release.
To boost maneuverability, Hoyt trimmed the Spyder 30's axle-to-axle measurement to just 30 inches, making it the most compact Hoyt rig ever. And to generate the power needed to make a lethal strike, Hoyt included its RKT Cam and ½ that produces an IBO speed rating of 330 fps. The Spyder 30 also features Hoyt's TEC Lite Riser, XTS Pro ARC limbs, Fuse Custom Strings, In-Line Roller Guard, Pro-Fit Custom Grip, Silent Shelf Technology and more. The Spyder 30 weighs 3.8 pounds, has a 6€‰¾-inch brace height, can accommodate draw lengths from 24€‰1„2-30 inches and is available with peak draw weights of 40, 50, 60, 65, 70 and 80 pounds. Finish options include Realtree Xtra, Realtree MAX-1, Black Out and many others.
MSRP: $999
Elite Hunter With an all-new riser and cam system, smoother draw and wider range of draw lengths, the 2013 Hunter from
Elite Archery offers plenty of exciting upgrades from the original. Elite President Peter Crawford said the Hunter's new cams offer the company's smoothest-drawing bow to date, while a more parallel limb configuration creates a truly 'dead in hand ' feel at the shot.
Maneuverability is excellent thanks to the Hunter's 31€‰½-inch axle-to-axle length, and archers will enjoy plenty of forgiveness via the rig's generous, 7€‰¾-inch brace height. Despite all those features designed to enhance shootability, the Hunter still powers arrows at more than respectable IBO speeds of 323-326 fps. Another highlight is Elite's exclusive 'dwell zone, ' a wide spot in the valley that makes taking aim at trophy game extremely comfortable.
The 4.3-pound Hunter comes with Winner's Choice Custom Bowstrings and is available in draw lengths from 25-31 inches and with peak draw weights of 40, 50, 60, 65, 70 and 80 pounds.
MSRP: $899
Mathews Creed Hardcore bowhunters can put their faith in the all-new, split-limb
Mathews Creed , featuring the company's legendary Solocam technology. Powered by the new SimPlex Cam, Mathews says the Creed is the smoothest-drawing single-cam bow ever created, yet it still produces IBO speeds up to 328 fps.
It's also balanced, lightweight at just 3.85 pounds, quiet and accurate. Other highlights include the Geo Grid Lock Riser, Reverse Assist Roller Guard, Rich Walnut SlimFit Inline Grip, Dead End String Stop Lite and Mathews Harmonic Stabilizer Lite.
The Creed measures 30 inches between the axles and has a 7-inch brace height with 80 percent letoff. It can accommodate draw lengths from 26-30 inches and is available with peak draw weights of 50-70 pounds. Finish options include Lost Camo, Black and Tactical.
MSRP: $999
Martin Alien Weighing a feathery 3.5 pounds and boasting an IBO speed rating of up to 335 fps,
Martin Archery's 2013 split-limb Alien is the company's sleekest, most advanced bow ever, making it easy to tune and shoot thanks to a forgiving, 7-inch brace height.
Other highlights include a CNC machined solid aluminum riser, Nitro 3 Hybrid Cams, X4 Twin Limbs, three VEM Vibration Vortex Modules, Carbon Stealth STS string stop, Martin Cable Containment System, Saddleback Thermal Grip and Silent Hunter Arrow Shelf. The 32-inch axle-to-axle Alien offers draw lengths from 25€‰½-30€‰½ inches and peak draw weights of 50, 60 or 70 pounds, with 15 pounds of downward adjustment.
MSRP: $799.99
APA Viper Nano The new Viper Nano from
APA Innovations measures just 30 inches between the axles but boasts a blistering 330 fps IBO speed rating and a forgiving, 7€‰¼-inch brace height. The Viper Nano is APA's smoothest, most efficient, single-cam bow ever, thanks to the new Venom V2 Cam, which offers eight inches of draw-length adjustment in half-inch increments.
The cam also features a positive draw stop for a rock-solid back wall. The Viper Nano comes standard with Scorpion Strings . The riser has a built-in, balanced carrying handle, and APA's Fang Riser features an incorporated limb hook that allows you to easily store your bow while on stand. Also standard on APA bows is the multi-function tool center that features a nock wrench, broadhead wrench, carbide sharpener and cam lock built into the riser. The cam lock allows you to lock the cams and replace the string or cable in the field without a bow press. Shown in optional Snakeskin Stealth finish.
MSRP: $899
Hoyt Carbon Element G3 Hoyt's renowned carbon riser technology is back and better than ever for 2013. The new Carbon Element G3 features the same short and sweet 31€‰1„2-inch axle-to-axle length that has made this bow a favorite among bowhunters along with the all-new, patent-pending AirShox limb dampeners for deadly silence at the shot. The Carbon Element G3 is powered by Hoyt's fast and smooth RKT Cam and ½ system and boasts an IBO speed rating of 332 fps.
The carbon riser helps hold the rig's mass weight to just 3.6 pounds yet offers the strength to stand up to severe abuse in the field. The Carbon Element G3 has a 6€‰¾-inch brace height, can accommodate draw lengths from 24€‰1„2-30 inches and is available with peak draw weights of 40, 50, 60, 65, 70 and 80 pounds. Other highlights include Hoyt's XTS Pro ARC limbs, Fuse Custom Strings , In-Line Roller Guard, Pro-Fit Custom Grip, Silent Shelf Technology and more. Finish options include Realtree Xtra, Realtree MAX-1, black and more.
MSRP: [imo-slideshow gallery= 24],499
Ross XD At 30€‰1„2 inches between the axles and just 3.16 pounds, the
Ross XD (Xtreme Devastation) proves you can pack a lot of performance into a small package. In addition to being one of the lightest hunting bows on the market, the XD features an IBO speed rating of 320 fps with a silky smooth draw and solid back wall, ensuring you will be able to execute a perfect shot during the moment of truth.
The Ross XD has a 7€‰½-inch brace height, 80 percent letoff and can accommodate draw lengths from 26-31 inches. It's available with peak draw weights of 50, 60 or 70 pounds. Finish options include Realtree AP camo or Stealth Black.
MSRP: $524.99
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