Bow Review: Bowtech Carbon One

Bowtech is an aptly named company that has long been at the forefront of archery innovation.

For 2023, the company continues to build on this legacy with the Carbon One, a rig that takes a fresh approach to creating what Bowtech calls “the ultimate hunting bow.”

The Carbon One is built on a carbon riser crafted with a specialized lay-up process that results in flowing lines and an extremely rigid platform that brings both good looks and excellent shooting performance. A set of Orbit Dampeners on the riser join the past-parallel limbs and String Stop to reduce vibration and noise. Dual Lock Pockets align the carbon split limbs to the riser, while the DeadLock Cams offer a unique tuning feature, rotating modules for easy draw-length adjustments and FlipDisc Technology for two distinct shooting experiences.

Carbon Creation

While the Carbon One is not Bowtech’s first carbon bow, it is by far the most advanced carbon bow in company history. The premium, carbon construction consists of a custom lay-up procedure that allows complete control in design. Structural bridging, component assimilation, angles, contours and more were at the disposal of Bowtech engineers, and they took full advantage to create a riser that serves as the core of this flagship while offering a rigid platform and great looks. As a riser material, carbon fiber is proven to dampen vibration more effectively than aluminum, all while weighing considerably less and providing more comfort in cold temperatures.

With a laser focus on reducing vibration, Bowtech designed the Carbon One riser to accept a set of Orbit Dampeners, one near each end. A center mounting axle is surrounded by an elastomer material that supports an outside weighted ring. This design quickly deadens vibration from the shot. Additional Orbit Dampeners can be purchased and strategically stacked and/or placed to further reduce vibration and offset the weight of bow accessories for enhanced balance. Mounting blocks at both ends of the riser offer three separate mounting positions each. Orbit Dampeners are available in multiple colors that can be matched with the color selected for the Clutch Grip. Bowtech’s popular molded polymer grip is modular, with the low-profile version shipping standard and a higher wrist model sold separately.

Bowtech delivers versatility in the riser by adding a rear dovetail rest mount compatible with popular Integrate rests, in addition to two threaded and tapped holes for standard arrow rests. Additionally, the Carbon One riser features two sight-mounting positions and triangle-shaped receivers for a Bowtech two-piece quiver. A String Stop is mounted opposite the stainless-steel stabilizer-mounting insert.

Last, but certainly not least, is the company’s FLX-Guard cable-containment system that employs a miniature, limb-like arm and rollers that flex toward the centerline of the bow during the draw cycle to reduce torque and increase consistency and accuracy. At the shot, this arm springs away from the string’s path to ensure full vane clearance. A small plate traps the cables in the rollers to avoid accidental dislodging.

Tunability and Power

Bowtech’s unique Dual Lock Pocket System serves to position and align the limbs and riser at this critical interface. The Pocket System was beefed up to create a receiver for an elongated tab that protrudes down from the limb cap, since this feature could not be machined directly into the carbon. The precision of that receiver, along with the extended surface contact and precision tolerance of the tab, ensure a positive lock and exact alignment. Additionally, limbs are locked to the pockets and the pockets locked to the riser for even more support.

The Carbon One is outfitted with a set of wide-stance split limbs machined from carbon material and matched into sets based on deflection values. The limbs are designed to team with the Center Pivot Technology (CPT) built into the riser ends. CPT moves the pivot point of the limbs closer to the throat of the grip, creating a more stable configuration that improves shooting consistency while reducing bow torque, vibration and shot noise.

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Bowtech’s DeadLock Cam System features the DeadLock Adjustment Block, situated on the end of the axle assembly on each cam. This block engages the axle assembly as the user loosens the lock screw and turns the adjustment screw to move the cam left and right. Once proper tuning is achieved, it can be locked down for hassle-free shooting. Meanwhile, Bowtech’s rotating FlipDisc module moves the cam through its 25.5-30.5-inch draw-length range, in half-inch increments, and offers two modes — Comfort and Performance. The Comfort setting produces a smoother draw cycle and 87 percent letoff, while the Performance mode comes with a more aggressive draw cycle, 85 percent letoff and faster arrow speeds. As the name FlipDisc implies, to switch between shooting modes, all you have to do is loosen two screws, flip the discs over to the other side and retighten the screws. It’s that easy!

Range Notes

FlipDisc Technology is not just marketing hype — there is a very distinct difference between the Comfort and Performance settings, both in terms of the way the draw cycle feels and the Carbon One’s performance. A super-smooth draw cycle in the Comfort mode turned into an aggressive one in Performance setting, while arrow speeds varied by 8-9 fps.

Hand shock while shooting the Carbon One was noticeable but minor. Vibration was almost non-existent, and shot noise was very low. In fact, to me the bow seemed even quieter than our sound meter reading would suggest.

Although this is a carbon bow, it is not particularly lightweight. However, I don’t believe just building a light bow was Bowtech’s focus for the Carbon One. Rather, they wanted to build a stable, well-balanced, quiet and accurate hunting rig, and carbon was just one of the tools used to get there.

The Specs

• Manufacturer: Bowtech Archery, 888-689-1289; bowtecharchery.com
• Model: Carbon One
• Riser: Carbon Lay-Up, Center Pivot, Reflex
• Grip: Clutch Grip, molded polymer, modular wrist position
• Limbs: Machined carbon, wide-stance, past parallel
• Draw Weights: 50, 60 and 70 pounds peak
• Draw Lengths: 25.5-30.5 inches, in half-inch increments; rotating module
• Cam System: Deadlock, Binary
• Letoff: 85 percent in Performance mode/87 percent in Comfort mode (advertised); 83.6 percent in Performance mode/86.2 percent in Comfort mode (as tested)
• String: BCY 452X, 60.235 inches
• Cables (x2): BCY 452X, 35.375 inches
• Brace Height: 6.63 inches
• Axle-to-Axle Length: 30 inches
• Weight: 4.5 pounds (advertised); 4.7 pounds (as tested)
• Finish: Smoke Grey (pictured), Flat Dark Earth, OD Green and Black
• Advertised IBO Speed: 335 fps
• MSRP: $1,799
• Comments: A versatile bow that earned high marks across the board.

Speed & Energy: Comfort

• Arrow Speed: 296 fps (375-grain arrow), 279 fps (425-grain arrow)
• Kinetic Energy: 72.97 ft./lbs. (375-grain arrow), 73.5 ft./lbs. (425-grain arrow)
• Dynamic Efficiency: 84.1% (375-grain arrow), 84.6% (425-grain arrow)
• Shot Noise: 89.8 dBA (375-grain arrow), 89.7 dBA (425-grain arrow)

Speed & Energy: Performance

• Arrow Speed: 305 fps (375-grain arrow), 287 fps (425-grain arrow)
• Kinetic Energy: 77.48 ft./lbs. (375-grain arrow), 77.75 ft./lbs. (425-grain arrow)
• Dynamic Efficiency: 84.9% (375-grain arrow), 85.2% (425-grain arrow)
• Shot Noise: 90.8 dBA (375-grain arrow), 90.0 dBA (425-grain arrow)

Editor's Note: All of our Bow Tests are conducted using the same standardized procedures and professionally calibrated testing equipment. Bows are tested with a draw length of 29 inches and a draw weight of 65 pounds, unless otherwise noted.