PSE Bow Madness

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PSE has made quite an impact over the past several years with bows that push the engineering envelope on many fronts. Last year, they teamed up with the Drury brothers and introduced a "Dream Season" version of their popular X-Force bow platform.

That relationship continues this year, with PSE and Drury Outdoors coming together on a single-cam bow series that carries the name of the Drurys' TV show, "Bow Madness." Three bows comprise the series, including the Bow Madness, Bow Madness XL and Bow Madness XS. Each offers a different axle-to-axle length, brace height and IBO speed. All are available in a field-ready package or as a bare bow.

In the middle of the pack, specification wise, is the new for 2009 Bow Madness. This bow features a slightly reflexed riser, high efficiency Madness single cam, pre-loaded X-Tech split limbs, B.E.S.T. grip with rubber side panels and Vibracheck Backstop string vibration dampener.

Sleek And Slim
The Bow Madness is built on a slightly reflexed riser machined from high-grade aluminum. A riser with little reflex offers more stability and forgiveness than a highly reflexed design. This riser, which plays a big part in the bow's extraordinarily low mass weight of 3.5 pounds, is also one of the sleekest I have seen out of PSE. It is thin throughout, flaring somewhat on the ends to meet the limb pockets.

During testing, I just couldn't get over how light this bow is and how good it felt in my hands. The fully machined B.E.S.T. (Biomechanically Ergonomic Slim Throat) grip with contoured rubber side panels contributes to the overall comfort while also enhancing performance through consistency. The rubber panels are well placed to provide comfort without getting in the way of proper hand positioning. I was pleased with how well it seated my hand for the shot during testing.

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An extended sight window is home to a Bow Madness logo, while the opposite side contains five threaded sight-mounting holes that offer multiple sight positions. Elevation and windage tuning marks machined directly into the shelf make for a quick and easy initial bow setup. An adjustable Vibracheck Backstop, designed to dampen string vibration, is mounted opposite the stabilizer insert.

The Madness Single Cam eccentric system offers draw lengths from 25-30 inches in one-inch increments (25-27 inches with Inner Cam Module and 28-30 inches with the Standard Cam Module). String posts on the cam allow for approximately half-inch intermediate adjustments. Letoff also is adjustable on the cam between 80 percent and 65 percent through draw stop positioning. Eccentrics ride on stainless steel axles and sealed ball bearings, contributing to the efficiency of the overall system. The black anodized cam has optimized string grooves, tuning marks and highly visible engraving.

One of the more notable features on the Bow Madness is the radical curl of the split limb sets. The limb sets are highly pre-stressed to achieve their shape and, more importantly, their performance. Capable of exceptional bend, the 10.5-inch split limbs move to past parallel angles but remain extremely stable thanks to the traditional upright limb pocket position. Past parallel limbs move in equal and opposite directions at the shot, thereby cancelling much of the vibration-causing energy leftover after propelling the arrow.

The result is a bow that has minimal shock or vibration, which generally translates into reduced noise. Each set of fiberglass limbs is attached to the riser with a limb pocket that pivots on a hardened steel rod. Limbs are separated and supported by a composite structure that rounds out the pocket system.

During testing, the Bow Madness produced minimal hand shock, vibration and shot noise. These testing results are made even more impressive by the fact this bow weighs in at just 3.5 pounds.

Testing was performed with the bow set up with a 29-inch draw and 65-pound pull. Speed rates were measured with two different arrow weights -- 375 and 425 grains.

Editor's Note: Petersen's Bowhunting standardized testing includes the use of the same equipment and test methods. For more detailed information on the testing parameters, go to www.bowhuntingmag.com and look for the "bow testing" link.