Bow Test: 2023 Elite Omnia

What is the first word that comes to mind when you think about Elite Archery? For me, and many other bowhunters across the country, the word is “shootability.” That is no accident; Elite has a laser focus on building bows that deliver a great shooting experience, and the company believes that if it can just get one of its rigs in your hands, you will feel the difference!

Elite’s 2023 flagship Omnia is a bow designed to deliver great shootability with impressive speed! The Omnia’s all-new SP Cam provides tremendous customization, thanks to the ability to adjust draw length in quarter-inch increments and V2 Micro Mods that allow letoff adjustment from 70-90 percent, in 1 percent increments. Other highlights include a dual-cage riser, LTR Cable Guard, wide-stance limbs for great stability, S.E.T. Tuning Technology that allows you to adjust nock travel without a bow press and a full complement of vibration- and noise-dampening accessories.

Customization Meets Speed

The machined aluminum SP Cam brings added adjustability and customization to Elite’s popular series of tri-track cam systems. The string is positioned in the center track, while cables are equally anchored on either side of the string track to produce a laterally balanced load and stable draw. Anchoring the cables directly to both cams, rather than having a split yoke and attaching to the limb tips, forces the cams to work together.

The SP Cam shape was also designed to be more aggressive than previous models, store more energy and produce greater arrow speed, while the overall rig maintains all the qualities of Elite shootability. The Omnia is advertised to produce IBO arrow speeds up to 347 fps on a 6-inch brace height.

As mentioned earlier, the V2 Micro Mods offer the ability to fine-tune holding weight, in 1-percent increments, throughout the overall 70-90 percent letoff range. Further, a rotating draw-length module allows fine-tuning, in quarter-inch increments, throughout the entire 24.5-30-inch range. Shooters can further customize the Omnia by changing the feel of the bow at full draw. Those who like a bit of give in the back wall can use the integrated cable stops alone, while those who prefer a rock-solid back wall can add the included limb stops to the cams.

As if all that weren’t enough, Elite offers even more options for the SP Cam through the optional purchase of “Smooth” (338 fps IBO) and “75 Percent” letoff (336 fps IBO) modules. Regardless of the module you choose, no bow press is needed to make SP Cam draw-length, letoff or back wall adjustments.

S.E.T. for Success

Elite’s StabiLock Limb Pockets are precision designed and built with exacting tolerances to maintain perfect alignment between limbs and riser. Simplified Exact Tuning (S.E.T.) Technology built into the pocket’s mounting post closest to the cams allows you to micro-adjust that alignment by changing the cam angle to match an archer’s shooting form. Elite designed S.E.T. to provide an easier, simpler cam-tuning method than using shims or adding/removing string twists from yoke harnesses. With S.E.T., you simply loosen a lock screw and adjust the drive screw left or right depending on the orientation of the tear your arrow vanes make when shot through paper — clockwise for a right tear and counterclockwise for a left tear. Don’t worry; if you forget, there is a small decal at the point of adjustment that instructs which way to turn the drive screw. Once cam tuning is complete and you have achieved a perfect bullet hole through paper, simply re-tighten the S.E.T. lock screw on each cam and your tune is set!

The Omnia’s split limbs are 11 inches long and are machined from Gordon Composites materials. Limbs are matched into sets, based on deflection values, and set at an angle that has them reach a past-parallel position at full draw, reducing overall shock, vibration and noise.

Rock-Solid Platform

A shooting machine performs best on a rigid platform, and to that end Elite builds the Omnia riser with dual riser cages for enhanced strength. This means that riser flex is reduced at the shot, resulting in more shooting consistency and better accuracy.

Elite grips have been fan favorites for many years, thanks to a pleasing combination of size, shape and angle that is both comfortable and functional. The Omnia’s grip is machined directly into the riser handle and outfitted with wooden side plates. Elite designed this grip with a flat back and narrowed throat to produce a neutral wrist position.

Elite’s Linear Tunable Roller (LTR) cable-management system offers tension adjustment, allowing archers to correct for small left/right paper tears or vane-clearance issues. The aluminum fixture is black anodized and engraved with tuning marks.

Taming the Shot

Elite wages war against shock, vibration and noise on the Omnia with an army of accessories and technologies. The new Delta VRT mini stabilizer not only brings vibration reduction but lowers the center of gravity for better stability. Positioned at the very bottom of the riser, between the limb-pocket attachment points, the VRT Riser Dampener (a small, circular, rubber-like module) is inserted into a pocket and protrudes out both sides, allowing it to flex and absorb vibration. A string suppressor quickly stops string oscillation after the shot, while a LimbSaver Rod Saver keeps any vibration from moving into the riser. VibeX Blocks situated between both sets of split limbs provide vibration dampening, while the past-parallel position of the limbs at full draw brings inherent reduction in shock, vibration and noise.

At the Range

The test bow proved fast and — as you would expect — the draw is sufficiently aggressive to pack energy into the limbs and produce those arrow speeds. It is, however, a consistent, smooth draw, meaning there are no jarring transitions to, through or after peak. Also, you can customize the valley and back wall — if you don’t like it, change it!

At the shot, I detected only a small jump in the handle and virtually no vibration; the Delta VRT mini stabilizer does its job! Considering that, it should come as no surprise the Omnia is also one of the quietest bows we have tested all year.

The physical weight of the bow, with the Delta VRT installed, tested at 4.55 pounds. So, once you get the Omnia fully outfitted with all your other bow accessories, it is a little on the heavy side. Then again, a heavier a bow is a more stable bow, and I certainly found the Omnia worthy of shooting in your local target league in terms of how the bow works for you, rather than against you, while settling your sight pin at full draw and aiming at the bull’s-eye.

Last but certainly not least is the Omnia grip. I have been a fan of Elite grips for many years, and the Omnia is no exception. The size, shape and angle fit my hand like a glove. Elite has a winner in the Omnia!

The Specs

• Manufacturer: Elite Archery, 877-503-5483; elitearchery.com
• Model: Omnia
• Riser: Machined aluminum, reflex, Dual Riser Cages
• Grip: Machined, with wood side plates
• Limbs: Split, wide-stance, Gordon Composites
• Draw Weights: 40, 50, 60, 65 and 70 pounds peak
• Cam System: SP Cam
• Letoff: 70-90 percent, adjustable; 85.7 percent as tested
• Draw Lengths: 24.5-30 inches, in quarter-inch increments; rotating module
• String: Winner’s Choice, BCY 452X, 60.8125 inches
• Cables (x2): Winner’s Choice, BCY 452X, 36.1875 inches
• Brace Height: 6 inches
• Axle-to-Axle Length: 32 inches
• Mass Weight: 4.5 pounds (advertised); 4.55 pounds (tested)
• Finish: Realtree Edge, OD Green and many other camouflage and solid color options
• Advertised IBO Speed: Up to 347 fps
• MSRP: $1,199
• Comments: A smooth operator with a nasty bite!

Speed, Energy & Noise

• Arrow Speed: 308 fps (375-grain arrow), 291 fps (425-grain arrow)
• Kinetic Energy: 79.01 foot-pounds (375-grain arrow), 79.93 foot-pounds (425-grain arrow)
• Dynamic Efficiency: 84.31% (375-grain arrow), 85.29% (425-grain arrow)
• Average Shot Noise: 89.6 dbA (375-grain arrow), 88.2 dbA (425-grain arrow)