August 12, 2013
By Jon E. Silks
influence on the archery industry in recent years as BowTech . Driven by its "Refuse to Follow" motto, BowTech has built a strong following by taking bold design risks and developing a host of leading bow technologies.
For 2013, BowTech introduces the aptly named Experience , a bow designed to maximize the archer's overall shooting experience, with a strong focus on accuracy. This rig features the new CarbonCore Limbs and Extinguish Dampening System, along with a host of proven technologies such as the OverDrive Binary Cam System, Center Pivot Extreme Riser, Two-Piece Wood Grip, FLX Guard Cable-Containment System and Octane factory string and cables. Read more for my BowTech Experience review.
What's New?
BowTech introduces the all-new CarbonCore limbs on its new flagship bow. Each limb includes six proprietary layers of laminated material, including a layer of carbon and a layer of impact resistant skins on the top and bottom surfaces. The laminated, double taper limbs, coupled with the Center Pivot design, result in low dynamic mass and improved dynamic response, reducing energy loss and noise while making any limb vibration easier to dampen. Limbs measure 12 inches in length and are offered in draw-weight ranges of 40-50, 50-60 and 60-70 pounds.
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Also new on BowTech's Experience is the Extinguish Dampening System, which features The Clutch String Stop, Dura-FLX Cable Dampeners and a set of Revolver Dampeners. Unlike many other string stops, The Clutch actually has a receptacle to catch the string inside of its "jaws." BowTech's Revolver is named for its webbed rubber design that resembles a revolver's circular chamber. A Revolver is located near each end of the riser and on the string stop mounting rod. There are five weights suspended in rubber around the outside diameter of the web to reduce vibration.
What's Proven?
Along with the new technologies and features on the Experience, there are many proven features carried over from previous models. Kick it into Overdrive: The OverDrive Binary Cam System is a symmetrical cam system, which means the top and bottom cams are mirror images of each other.
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Further, the two cams are forced to turn in synchronization by the cam synchronizing axles. Together they result in straight and level nock travel, even at high speeds. The cam synchronizing axles allow the attachment of a split bus cable to both the top and bottom cams, which does two things.
First, it provides a rigid platform that reduces the possibility of limb twist/cam lean, and second, it allows for simple adjustments to the split bus cable for systematic tuning without moving the arrow rest side to side. With this system, you set the arrow rest at dead center and tune to perfect arrow flight by adjusting the split cables.
Draw lengths from 26€‰1„2-31 inches, in half-inch increments, can be selected via a rotating module and adjustable draw stop. The OverDrive Binary Cam System produces an advertised IBO speed of 335 feet per second with a 7-inch brace height and 80 percent effective letoff.
Center of Operations: BowTech's signature Center Pivot Extreme (CPX) riser is configured in such a way to allow the limbs to be attached to the riser over a longer span than is typical. This moves the limb pivot toward the shooter and results in a riser with minimal reflex for enhanced torque resistance, which equates to improved forgiveness.
On Guard: BowTech's FLX-Guard cable-containment system has an attachment arm that acts much like a bow limb, flexing during the draw cycle. When the bow is drawn the arm gives way to system tension and bends toward the centerline of the rig, reducing accuracy-stealing torque. When the shot is fired, the FLX-Guard automatically springs back to position and out of the way of passing vanes.
Experience the Extras: The Experience has a two-piece wood grip that is designed to force the shooter's hand into the throat and against the upper stop consistently and comfortably. Also at home on the riser is a stainless steel stabilizer bushing and a flared riser shelf to keep broadheads away from the shooter's hand.
Impressions
BowTech's 2013 Experience is designed to enhance your shooting enjoyment and make you a better shot. During testing, I was able to do exactly what is advertised — place the arrow rest dead center and tune with the split bus cables. I like that feature. The grip was comfortable and the draw cycle was fairly smooth. Minimal shock and vibration are further reduced with a
quality stabilizer.
Hoyt Charger Hoyt is well-known for producing some of the world's top bows year after year. Recent hits include the innovative Carbon line, Spyder Series, Vector, CRX, Maxxis and the one you still hear bowhunters talk about today, the AlphaMax.
What you may not know is that the same company with this impressive string of top-end stars also offers one of the best 'bang for your buck ' bows on the market — the Charger. Check out the full review .
Elite Hunter On the equipment side,
Elite introduces the 2013 Hunter bow. The Hunter Cam is the centerpiece in Elite's drive for shootability, while the modules guarantee optimal performance at every draw length. Other highlights include Barnsdale limbs, Limbsaver damping accessories, Winner's Choice strings/cables, Kolorfusion camo finishes, Cerakote performance coating and one of the best grips in the industry.
Check out the full review .
PSE DNA PSE 's 2013 X-Force Dream Season DNA is loaded with features, including the all-new Flex Cable Slide, Core Hybrid Cam, 4th Generation X-Technology limbs, Centerlock 2 limb pockets, forged reflex riser, B.E.S.T. Raptor grip, new BackStop string silencer, America's Best string/cables and Detachable Limb Bands.
Check out the full review .
Bear Motive 6 Bear Archery enters 2013 with a laser-like focus on the success of your hunt. A statement on the Bear says it best: 'We have a saying at Bear Archery: It's not about the hype or high cost — it's about the hunt. This defines the essence of our company, which grew out of the life and work of legendary sportsman Fred Bear. '
The company's new Motive 6 bow is all about the hunt. The Motive 6 is loaded with many features, including the powerful H13 Synchronized Hybrid cams, Max Pre-Load Quad limbs, Dual Offset String Suppressors, 4×4 Roller Guard and Bear Logo Overmold grip. Check out the full review .
Mathews Chill The
Mathews McPherson Series line of bows is Matt McPherson's playground in the two-cam market. He loves to create and improve current designs and brings his considerable engineering expertise to the table as his company pulls it all together for an impressive package in the Monster Chill.
Check out the full review .
Hoyt Spyder Hoyt Archery , one of the industry's finest bow manufacturers, continues to push forward with new technologies and higher levels of performance. The new Spyder line was created by diehard bowhunters and designed with a clear purpose — getting the job done in the field. There are three bows in the line — Spyder 30, Spyder 34 and Spyder Turbo.
Check out the full review .
Hoyt Vector Hoyt has been in the bow making game for a very long time, and the company remains focused on its customers, technology and integrity. Hoyt makes top-notch bows that meet advertised performance specifications, and the company's people are some of the best in the industry. Hoyt came on strong again in 2012 with an impressive lineup, and the all-new Vector 32 is one of the shining stars.
The Hoyt Vector 32 features the popular TEC LITE riser design with the new Perfect Balance Stabilization System, RKT Cam & 1„2, XTS PRO ARC limbs, Pro-Lock X-Lite limb pockets, 180 Pro Fit grip, In-Line Roller Guard and more. Check out the full review .
Mathews Creed If you have never had the privilege of touring the
Mathews manufacturing facility in Sparta, Wisc., you can catch a glimpse of their world-class machinery and capabilities by watching the 'Introducing the Mathews Creed ' video found on the company website. Among other things, you will witness state-of-the-art CNC machining and futuristic robotics.
Mathews is focused on the enjoyment and overall experience an archer is afforded when shooting one of its bows. The flagship Creed was created with a synergistic approach, meaning they brought together all of the top technologies from previous models into mechanical and aesthetic harmony. The Creed is outfitted with the SimPlex Solocam, split parallel limbs, super lightweight GeoGrid Lock riser, and much more. Check out the full review.
BowTech Experience Few bow manufacturers have wielded as much influence on the archery industry in recent years as
BowTech . Driven by its 'Refuse to Follow ' motto, BowTech has built a strong following by taking bold design risks and developing a host of leading bow technologies.
For 2013, BowTech introduces the aptly named Experience, a bow designed to maximize the archer's overall shooting experience, with a strong focus on accuracy. This rig features the new CarbonCore Limbs and Extinguish Dampening System, along with a host of proven technologies such as the OverDrive Binary Cam System, Center Pivot Extreme Riser, Two-Piece Wood Grip, FLX Guard Cable-Containment System and Octane factory string and cables. Check out the full review.
Mathews Heli-M For 20 years,
Mathews Inc. has been wowing the archery community with fantastic technologies, features and performance. The company has long been considered one of the world's top bow makers and has served the entire bowhunting community by pushing the envelope. There is no denying that founder Matt McPherson and his hard-working team are a special bunch. The proof can be found at the end of the manufacturing line year after year.
The 2012 Heli-m, like all Mathews bows, is home to an array of technologies and features. It all starts with a super lightweight GeoGrid Lock riser, which is home to the Reverse Assist Roller Guard, Harmonic Stabilizer Lite, Dead End String Stop Lite and the Rich Walnut SlimFit Inline grip. Also featured on the new rig are the company's SphereLock Pivoting Limb Cup System with Limb Turret, SE5 Composite Limb System and the Heli-m Cam. Check out the full review .
