22 Must-See New Bows for 2012

Hoyt's head-turning, carbon-riser bows are back and better than ever for 2012. Leading the way is the Carbon Element RKT, named for the new, rocket-fast RKT Fuel Cam & 1/2 system, which produces an ATA speed rating of 330 fps -- 7 fps faster than the 2011 Element. The RKT cam features Hoyt's new ErgoDraw Technology for extreme smoothness throughout the draw cycle. The Carbon Element RKT also features the latest generation of Hoyt's hollow carbon tube riser, an extremely strong design that does a great job of dissipating noise and vibration while also providing a warm-to-the-touch feel on cold days. Other highlights include a new Inner Race Bearing In-Line Roller Guard, redesigned Pro Lock X-Lite limb pockets, five-layer laminated XTS PRO ARC limbs, Alpha Shok limb and string dampers, Silent Shelf Technology, Pro Fit Custom Grip and FUSE string and cables. The Carbon Element measures 32 inches between the axles, weighs 3.6 pounds and has a 6 3/4-inch brace height. Draw lengths from 24€‰1/2-30 inches, in half-inch increments, are available, and your choice of six limb options cover draw weights from 30-80 pounds.

MSRP: [imo-slideshow gallery=11],399

For 2012, PSE is unveiling the all-new X-Force Dream Season EVO 7 -- a hard-hitting rig with a smooth draw and forgiving 7-inch brace height. The EVO 7 measures 321/4 inches between the axles, weighs 4.4 pounds, has 75 percent letoff and an IBO speed rating of 335 fps. The EVO 7 is powered by PSE's EVO Hybrid Cam, which allows precise, half-inch, draw-length adjustments without modules via the Posi-Lock Inner Cam. Other highlights include PSE's Planar Flex riser, pre-loaded X-Technology split limbs, Centerlock Pockets, Vibracheck Backstop string suppressor, B.E.S.T. (Biomechanically Ergonomic Slim Throat) Raptor Grip and a full set of noise- and vibration-damping accessories. The EVO 7 offers draw lengths from 26-31 inches and peak draw weights of 50, 60 and 70 pounds.

MSRP: $849.99

BowTech's new Insanity CPX combines a blazing fast IBO speed rating of 355 fps with the forgiveness of a Center Pivot Extreme riser/limb interface. BowTech's OverDrive Binary cams generate considerable speed with a smooth draw, while the inherent stability of the Center Pivot Extreme platform enhances downrange accuracy. Other highlights include BowTech's seven-layer HardCore Limbs, FLX-Guard cable containment system for reduced torque, Octane string and cables, carbon rod string stop and two-piece wooden grip. The Insanity CPX has a 6-inch brace height, measures 31€‰7„8 inches between the axles and features 80 percent letoff. It offers draw lengths from 25€‰1„2-30 inches and is available with peak draw weights of 50, 60, 70 and 80 pounds. A longer CPXL model that measures 34€‰15„16 inches axle-to-axle and accommodates draw lengths up to 32 inches also is available.

MSRP: $999

Bear Archery's new Anarchy is powered by the all-new Flat Top Cam, which provides faster speeds, a smoother draw and a more solid back wall -- all in a lighter package. The result is a bow that boasts an IBO speed rating of 340 fps with a generous 7 1/4-inch brace height. Despite a stable, 35 1/4-inch axle-to-axle length, the Anarchy weighs just 3.8 pounds. Other highlights include a new, customizable grip, 4X4 Roller Guard with eight sealed ball bearings, Dual Arc Offset String Suppressors for a quiet shot, Max Pre-Load Quad Limbs for reduced hand shock and vibration at the shot, Zero-Tolerance Limb Pockets, stainless steel stabilizer insert and Bear Contra-Band HP string and cables. The Anarchy features 80 percent letoff and can accommodate draw lengths from 25-31€Š 1/2 inches. Peak draw weight options include 50, 60 and 70 pounds.

MSRP: $899.99

Weighing a feathery 3.5 pounds, Mathews says its new Heli-M is the smoothest, quietest, most technologically advanced lightweight bow ever. Measuring 30 inches between the axles and featuring a forgiving, 7-inch brace height, the bow is powered by the new Heli-M cam, which delivers IBO speeds up to 332 fps. Highlights include a new GeoGrid riser, Harmonic Stabilizer Lite, Dead End String Stop Lite and a redesigned, slimmed down Reverse Assist Roller Guard that provides a super smooth draw while keeping mass weight to a minimum. Other notable features include 80 percent letoff, SE5 Composite Limbs, Rich Walnut SlimFit Inline Grip, SphereLock Pivoting Limb Cup System and a full set of noise- and vibration-damping accessories. The Heli-M offers draw lengths from 26-30 inches and peak draw weights from 40-70 pounds.

MSRP: $959

For 2012, the Prime Centroid LR boasts a new design that is 9 percent lighter and 15 percent stiffer than the original. The hallmark of the Centroid is its Parallel Cam Technology, which virtually eliminates cam lean by placing the load equally on each side of the cable. The result is reduced horizontal nock travel and limb fatigue, which equals tighter groups and improved accuracy. Another highlight is a machined 7000 Series T6 aluminum riser -- twice as strong as traditional aluminum risers. Other notable features include C-2 laminated limbs, Gore Fiber string and cables, TI-Glide Titanium Flexing Cable Guard System and water- and odor-resistant Shield Grip. The Centroid is 34 inches axle-to-axle, has a 7-inch brace height, weighs 3.9 pounds and has an IBO speed rating of 330 fps. It accommodates draw lengths from 27-31 inches and draw weights from 40-70 pounds.

MSRP: $999

Elite Archery specializes in designing high-quality hunting rigs for hardcore bowhunters, and the company's new Answer is Elite's response to customer demand for a bow that can be customized to their shooting preferences. The Answer features a redesigned two-track cam system with two module options -- smooth and speed. Shipped standard with the "smooth" module, the Answer has an IBO speed rating of 330 fps, and customers who purchase the optional "speed" module will gain up to an extra 10 fps. The Answer measures 33€‰1/2 inches between the axles and has a 7-inch brace height. It offers draw lengths from 27-30 inches and peak draw weights of 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 pounds. The Answer comes standard with LimbSaver limb and string dampers.

MSRP: $869.99

Martin Archery's 2012 Bengal Pro is a real bowhunting tiger, thanks to extreme stability offered by a longer riser design and a more extreme parallel limb angle. In addition, the all-new Fury XT single cam allows you to easily change the draw length anywhere from 24-30€‰1/2 inches, in half-inch increments, while the integrated, adjustable draw stop allows you to further tune your draw length for a perfect feel. The Fury XT cam also allows amazing draw-weight adjustability. For example, a 70-pound peak draw-weight bow can be adjusted downward all the way to 35 pounds. Despite its versatility, the Fury XT cam sacrifices nothing in the speed department, as the Bengal Pro boasts an IBO speed rating of 330 fps. Martin ensures the Bengal Pro remains quiet and shock-free with four Vibration Vortex VEMs (Vibration Escape Modules). Other highlights include a Silent Hunter arrow shelf, machined aluminum riser, Carbon Fiber STS string suppressor, Hammer Head Strings, Power Tough Limbs, Roto Cup Pivoting Limb System and Quick-Lock Stabilizer Mount. The Bengal Pro measures 31 inches between the axles, weighs 3.8 pounds, has a 7-inch brace height and features adjustable letoff up to 80 percent. It's available in peak draw weights of 50, 60 and 70 pounds.

MSRP: $449

Mission Archery has carved a solid niche in the bowhunting world by offering feature-packed rigs at budget-friendly prices. For 2012, Mission continues that tradition with the Riot, a super adjustable bow that produces IBO arrow speeds up to 310 fps at a cost of just $399. Mission (a division of Mathews) says the Riot is the perfect choice for cost-conscious archers, thanks to specifications such as an axle-to-axle length of 31 inches, 80 percent letoff, 7-inch brace height, Dead End String Stop, D-Amplifier string silencers and Zebra Hybrid string and cables. The Riot also features the same amazing adjustability as last year's Craze, covering a draw-length range of 19-30 inches and draw weights from 15-70 pounds. The Riot has an extruded aluminum riser and weighs 4.3 pounds.

MSRP: $399

The all-new Torrent from Quest Bowhunting was designed to offer the perfect combination of forgiveness, smoothness and speed. Quest's new Fluid Cam gives hunters the speed they are looking for without sacrificing smoothness and accuracy, and the addition of Quest's patented I-Glide cable containment system reduces torque and improves smoothness throughout the draw cycle. The Torrent boasts an IBO speed rating of 322 fps with a 7-inch brace height and axle-to-axle length of 31 inches. It weighs 4.2 pounds, can accommodate draw lengths of 25€‰1/2-30 inches in half-inch increments and is available in peak draw weights of 50, 60 and 70 pounds. Other highlights include Bowjax limb dampeners, an adjustable string stop, machined aluminum limb pockets and a machined aluminum riser. Finishes include Realtree AP and Quest's exclusive GFade Durafuse that fades a black riser into camo limbs.

MSRP: $529

The new Mamba M6 from APA Innovations is a blistering fast, hard-hitting bow that offers extremely flat arrow trajectory for making critical shots in tight spots. One of seven new bows from APA, the Mamba M6 measures 321/4 inches between the axles, has a 6€‰1„8-inch brace height and produces IBO speeds up to 355 fps. The bow weighs 3.8 pounds and comes standard with APA's high-performance, dual-cam system that provides a solid back wall and letoff of 75 percent. APA says the system is not only fast but quiet, shock-free and enjoyable to shoot. The Mamba M6 also includes a balanced carrying handle built into the riser for easy transport, the Fang Riser that allows you to hang the bow on any available tree limb and multi-function tool center with nock tool, broadhead wrench, carbide sharpener and cam lock.

MSRP: $899

Darton President and lead engineer Rex Darlington has been an icon of cam design for decades, and his breakthrough refinements continue on the company's 2012 DS-3800. The new bow features the latest advancements to the company's Dual Sync cam system, which makes it one of the smoothest-drawing, flattest-shooting rigs on the market. The 2012 DS-3800 has deeper string grooves in both the cams and modules to cradle the string during the shot. This minimizes string oscillation for added efficiency. Darton has also added a groove machined in the arrow shelf to aid in arrow tuning. Add the proven PTR (Progressive Torque Reduction) cable guard rod that minimizes limb torque during the shot and you have a bow you can't put down.

MSRP: $949.99

Hoyt's all-new Vector family of hunting bows -- which includes 32-inch (pictured above), 35-inch, 35-inch long draw and 35-inch turbo versions -- offers plenty of options for bowhunters looking to get their hands on all the latest archery technologies. The Vector 32 features an ATA speed rating of 330 fps with a 63/4-inch brace height and 4-pound weight. The Vector 35 features a speed rating of 325 fps with a 63/4-inch brace height and a 4.2-pound weight. The Vector Long Draw features a speed rating of 337 fps (at 32 inches) with a 7€‰1/2-inch brace height and 4-pound weight. And the Vector Turbo features a speed rating of 340 fps with a 6-inch brace height and a 4.2-pound weight. All four Vector versions are powered by Hoyt's new RKT Cam & 1/2 system with ErgoDraw Technology. Other highlights include a TEC Lite machined aluminum riser, In-Line Roller Guard, XTS PRO ARC limbs, Alpha Shok limb and string dampers, new Pro Lock X-Lite limb pockets, Silent Shelf Technology, Pro Fit Custom Grip and FUSE string and cables. Vector bows cover a draw-length range from 24€‰1„2-32 inches and a draw-weight range from 30-80 pounds.

MSRP: $949-$999

BowTech has taken its popular Assassin and added a short-draw Assassin SD model for 2012. The Assassin SD is designed for draw lengths from 22€‰1/2-27 inches. Despite the shorter draw, BowTech's Binary Cam still produces an IBO arrow speed of 305 fps at 27 inches. Add in a forgiving 7-inch brace height, a compact 301/4-inch axle-to-axle length and a mass weight of just 3.7 pounds and you have a high-performance rig that stacks up favorably against full-sized bows. Just as impressive is $649 price, which includes BowTech's R.A.K. (Ready. Aim. Kill.) accessory package -- an alloy peep sight, 4-pin TruGlo sight, wrist sling, BCY string loop, 5-arrow quiver, Hostage XL rest, 4-inch stabilizer and Dura-Flx dampening components.

MSRP: $649

Bear's short axle-to-axle Strike has been redesigned for 2012 as the Legion -- a faster, smoother version with a new cam, upgraded grip for reduced hand torque and Bear's trademark Dual Offset String Suppressors for a quiet, shock-free shot. Bear's new E2-Cam is faster and smoother than the original E-Cam but still allows half-inch draw-length adjustments without a bow press. The Legion measures 30€‰ 1/2 inches between the axles, has a 7-inch brace height, 80 percent letoff and an IBO speed rating up to 318 fps. The bow weighs 4 pounds, accommodates draw lengths from 26-31 inches and is available in peak draw weights of 50, 60 and 70 pounds. An optional ready-to-hunt package includes a Whisker Biscuit rest, Trophy Ridge 5-pin sight, Trophy Ridge stabilizer and sling, Trophy Ridge quiver, peep sight and nocking loop.

MSRP: $399.99-$499.99

Powered by the all-new Drive Cam, PSE's 2012 X-Force Vendetta DC is setting new standards for smoothness, speed and forgiveness. With a stable, 34-inch axle-to-axle length and generous 7-inch brace height, the Vendetta DC still manages to produce IBO arrow speeds up to 330 fps. Adjusting the draw length from 26€‰1/2-32 inches, in half-inch increments, is a breeze and requires no modules thanks to the Posi-Lock Inner Cam. Other highlights include PSE's Planar Flex Riser, pre-loaded X-Technology split limbs, Centerlock Pockets, Vibracheck Backstop string suppressor and a full set of noise- and vibration-damping accessories. The Vendetta DC weighs 4.3 pounds, features 75 percent letoff and is offered with peak draw weights of 50, 60 and 70 pounds.

MSRP: $699.99

Featuring IBO speeds up to 330 fps and a forgiving, 8-inch brace height, the Monster MR8 is the latest addition to Mathews McPherson Series. The Monster MR8 is powered by Advanced Vectoring System (AVS) cam technology and Quad V-Lock Limbs that reach a radical, past parallel position at full draw. Other highlights include Mathews' super strong Grid Lock Riser, Harmonic Stabilizer, Dead End String Stop, Double Damper Roller Guard and Walnut SlimFit Grip. The Monster MR8 measures 33 inches axle-to-axle, weighs 4.45 pounds and has a letoff of 80 percent. It accommodates draw lengths from 27€‰1/2-33 inches and draw weights from 50-80 pounds.

MSRP: $999

The 2012 Prime Shift LR is 12 percent lighter and 8 percent stiffer than last year's original version, making it easy to carry in the field and more accurate than ever. In addition, the Shift features Prime's exclusive Parallel Cam Technology, which virtually eliminates came lean by placing the load equally on each side of the cable. The result is reduced horizontal nock travel and limb fatigue, which equals tighter groups and improved accuracy. Another highlight of the Shift is a machined 7000 Series T6 aluminum riser, which is twice as strong as traditional aluminum risers. Other notable features include C-2 laminated limbs, Gore Fiber string and cables, TI-Glide Titanium Flexing Cable Guard System and water- and odor-resistant Shield Grip. The Shift is 30 inches axle-to-axle, has a 7-inch brace height, weighs 3.52 pounds and has an IBO speed rating of 333 fps. It accommodates draw lengths from 26-30 inches and draw weights from 40-70 pounds.

MSRP: $999

AMS Bowfishing's Fish Hawk family of bows has gotten an exciting new look for 2012 with the all-new Koi Carp Camo. The new pattern features scales, water and fish, and it will definitely make you stand out on the water. The Fish Hawk's custom-engineered cam allows for "snap-shooting" by enabling maximum arrow speed at minimum draw lengths. Measuring 35€‰1/2 inches between the axles, the Fish Hawk offers great maneuverability with minimal finger pinch. And because there is no set draw stop, anyone can shoot the same bow for years of action-packed bowfishing excitement! The Fish Hawk has an adjustable draw weight from 30-40 pounds and can accommodate draw lengths from 15-30 inches. The bow has a 7 3/4-inch brace height, weighs 3.4 pounds and features 20 percent letoff. It's also available in a kit that includes an AMS Retriever Pro reel with 200-pound line, an AMS Wave Rest and a nocking point.

MSRP: $299.99 (bow only) and $414.99 (kit)

Martin says its new Pantera Magnum is the most technologically advanced single-cam on the market today, boasting a smooth draw cycle and dead-on accuracy in combination with an impressive IBO speed rating of 330 fps. The Pantera Magnum has a longer riser and 34-inch axle-to-axle length for added forgiveness, plus an extreme parallel limb configuration for a dead-in-the hand feel at the shot. The rig is powered by Martin's new Fury XT cam, which not only produces great speeds but offers tons of draw-length and draw-weight adjustability. Other highlights include Power Tough Limbs, Carbon Fiber STS string suppressor, Hammer Head String, machined aluminum riser, Saddleback Thermal Grip, built-in VEM Vibration Vortex dampers, Roto Cup Pivoting Limb System, Silent Hunter Arrow Shelf and Quick-Lock Stabilizer Mount. The Pantera Magnum weighs 4.1 pounds, has a 7-inch brace height, features adjustable letoff up to 80 percent and can accommodate draw lengths from 25-31 1/4 inches. It's available in peak draw weights of 50, 60 and 70 pounds.

MSRP: $549

PSE's single-cam Bow Madness has long been a top choice of America's bowhunters, and for 2012, the company has redesigned the flagship of its mainline series as the Bow Madness 3G. This third-generation Bow Madness features an all-new, low-flex riser for consistent accuracy and a new Madness Pro Cam with a smoother, optimized draw cycle. Plus, the cam easily allows for draw-length adjustments from 25-30 inches, in half-increments, without modules thanks to the Posi-Lock Inner Cam. PSE says the Bow Madness 3G, which generates IBO arrow speeds up to 330 fps, is among the fastest, most efficient single-cam bows the company has ever offered. The bow measures 33€‰1„8 inches between the axles, has a 7-inch brace height, 75 percent letoff and weighs 4.3 pounds. It's available in peak draw weights of 50, 60 and 70 pounds.

MSRP: $599.99

The new Wrath from Strother Archery is a hunter's bow through and through. Highlights of this rig include a comfortable, two-piece wooden grip, a unique cable guard, two-track cam system and sturdy split limbs that produce IBO speeds up to 327 fps. The Wrath's Dual Sync cams are locked together to eliminate any problems related to cam timing, string stretch or seating of the string and cables. And by using two tracks -- one to harness the string and another to handle takeup and letout of the cables -- Strother can place the majority of the load very close to the center of the axles, which minimizes accuracy-robbing limb twist and cam lean. Noise and vibration on the Wrath are kept to a minimum thanks to limbs that reach a past parallel position at full draw, plus a riser-mounted string suppressor, a set of No-Gloves on the string and a low-friction cable guard designed to enhance efficiency. The Wrath measures 32 inches between the axles, has an 8-inch brace height, weighs 4 pounds and can accommodate draw lengths from 27-31 inches, in half-inch increments. Letoff is adjustable from 70-80 percent, and it's available in peak draw weights of 50, 60, 65, 70 and 80 pounds.

MSRP: $829