Hoyt’s Eclipse is built on the Tec-Lite riser that creates a stiff platform and brings instant brand recognition. Hybrid EXT limbs flex beyond parallel to take advantage of the reduced shock and vibration inherent to the design, while the Eclipse Cam&½ system can generate speeds up to 314 fps.
March 28, 2023
By Jon E. Silks
Hoyt Archery's slogan — “Get Serious. Get Hoyt.” — is one all archers, including those with shorter draw lengths, can believe in, as evidenced by the technology, quality and performance engineered into the company’s Eclipse .
This versatile bow is packed with features from top to bottom, starting with the Tec-Lite riser, Split Limb Technology, Cam&½ eccentric system and X-Act grip.
The Tec-Lite Tradition The saying that “good things come in small packages” holds true for the Eclipse, a full-blown flagship model designed for women, youth and short-draw archers. In true Hoyt tradition, a riser strut loops behind the grip to create the company’s Tec-Lite structure that offers instant brand recognition, adds strength and rigidity to the shooting platform and channels vibration away from the main body of the bow, bypassing the shooter’s grip hand. A narrower, more compact and thinned-out profile results in an advertised mass weight of only 3.7 pounds.
Standard sight-mounting holes are joined by two additional holes on the front of the riser to hold a piece of Picatinny rail, creating Hoyt’s inline sight mount. The company also outfits the bow with an Integrate Rest Mounting System that uses a machined dovetail on the back of the riser to attach a compatible rest. Anchoring the sight and rest directly to the centerline of the bow enhances balance and stability while streamlining the overall profile.
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Hoyt’s X-Act grip was designed from years of shooter input and engineering research. The one-piece, molded polymer grip is fine-tuned in width, shape and angle to produce a hybrid hunting/target design. Consistent and proper hand placement are joined with comfort and a neutral wrist position for enhanced performance. A set of Shock Pods, string stop and a camo or solid finish complete the riser package.
The Power Plant Hoyt designed this Cam&½ engine specifically for the Eclipse and its intended audience of women, youth and shorter-draw archers. The Eclipse Cam is advertised to produce speeds of 314 fps with the bow set at a 60-pound draw weight and 28-inch draw length and shooting a 300-grain arrow with 75 percent letoff. The hybrid system employs elliptical cams, control cable, split harness power cable and string. The control cable links the top and bottom cams together, forcing them to work in sync, while the power cable takes on the majority of the applied load.
Two base cams and replaceable modules span the draw-length range from 23.5-28 inches, in half-inch increments. Cam 1 covers 23.5-25.5 inches, and Cam 2 handles 26-28 inches. The machined aluminum cams rotate on stainless steel axles and sealed inner-race bearings. The bow comes with Fuse Custom BCY X99 string and cables.
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Limb Movement Controlled limb movement is critical for consistent, accurate shooting. Hoyt’s limb lamination process allows for full contour and uniform stress distribution in the fiberglass limb pieces, engaging more of the limb and stores more energy while eliminating failures. The base of each limb is locked down by Hoyt’s capped-end limb pockets machined to exacting tolerances, holding the .75-inch, Hybrid EXT split limbs in perfect alignment with the riser.
When the draw weight is adjusted, the limbs/limb pockets move as a single unit for added control and precision. Hoyt’s Split Limb Technology creates lateral and torsional stability, while the past-parallel position at full draw greatly reduces shock and vibration. The fiberglass limbs are layered, laminated, pressed and machined into final form before being matched into sets based on deflection values.
Impressions The Eclipse is the total package, sharing top-end features with Hoyt's standard flagship models along with all the quality and rugged dependability we've come to expect from the company. Hoyt brought its A-game to the riser, cams, limbs, pockets, grip and dampening accessories, leaving only the cable-management system as an area for improvement.
As you can see from the accompanying performance data, the Eclipse is the real deal: a comfortable grip, smooth draw, almost undetectable shock or vibration, and a super-quiet shot!
The Specs Manufacturer: Hoyt Archery, 801-363-2990; hoyt.com Model: EclipseRiser: Tec-Lite, machined aluminum, reflexGrip: X-Act, molded polymerLimbs: Hybrid EXT, past parallel, splitDraw Weights: 30, 40, 50 and 60 pounds peakDraw Lengths: 23.5-28 inches, in half-inch increments; modularCam System: Cam & ½Letoff: 75 percent (advertised); 76.7 percent (as tested)String: BCY X99, 52.45 inchesCables (x2): BCY X99, 35.23 and 31.23 inchesBrace Height: 6.75 inchesAxle-to-Axle Length: 28.875 inchesWeight: 3.7 pounds (advertised); 3.6 pounds (as tested)Finish: Realtree Edge and six other camo and solid optionsAdvertised IBO Speed: 314 fpsMSRP: $1,099Comments: A top-of-the-line bow for the shorter-draw archer.Speed & Energy Arrow Speed: 246 fps (300-grain arrow), 229 fps (350-grain arrow)Kinetic Energy: 40.3 ft./lbs. (300-grain arrow), 40.8 ft./lbs. (350-grain arrow)Dynamic Efficiency: 83.9% (300-grain arrow), 84.8% (350-grain arrow)Shot Noise: 87.6 dBA (300-grain arrow), 86.6 dBA (350-grain arrow)
