1.) Swamp Fox - 11/23/2015

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye!


Two new M bows ditch the butt-ugly waffle risers (finally!) for some super-duper new-fangled but decent-looking concept I haven't grasped yet, plus brace height choices ( 5, 6, 7) on the Halon and let-off choices and a new grip on both.


Stone finish looks great in pictures, and you can get black or go tactical with "black tactical" if you will be planning any military-style assaults. Also, two fun varieties of Lost Camo.


You can have either bow in your choice of ATA length as long as it's 30 inches.

2.) bluecat - 11/23/2015

So what kind of bow is it really? It's not a solocam, so what is it?

3.) Swamp Fox - 11/23/2015

Apparently some type of a take-off on the No Cam, which I didn't pay a lot of attention to and still don't. Maybe that's my loss. They mention the tweak briefly here, without getting into it.

And now I get the riser technology, LOL, after seeing this.


Don't say I never did anything for you people.

4.) bluecat - 11/23/2015

Are we just regurgitating the same old designs and giving them fancy tech names? "CrossCentric Cam Technology"?

Not a slam on M necessarily cause everybody is guilty somewhat.

5.) Swamp Fox - 11/23/2015

If I had to guess, Cross-Centric Technology (CCT) is intended to be an improvement on the old Transphobic Inertia System (TIS), and should reverse the effects of Cis-Normative Distortion (CND), which some people feel can cause your arrow to fly straight instead of zig-zagging all over the place the way it's supposed to.

6.) bluecat - 11/24/2015

I thought the electron-transport redundant airflow mechanism (ERAM) was genius a few years back but it soon fell out of favor. I'm an old fuddy duddy, I know.

7.) bluecat - 11/24/2015

Besides, it went to 11. How many bows can do that even today?

8.) bluecat - 11/24/2015

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;36485]Apparently some type of a take-off on the No Cam, which I didn't pay a lot of attention to. They mention it briefly here.

And now I get the riser technology, LOL, after seeing this.


Don't say I never did anything for you people.



[/QUOTE]

Deep in the bowels of Mathews Labs...

Scientist 1: "Hey, people hate that waffle crap. We've got to come up something new."
Scientist 2: "How bout just normal cutouts with a few odd cutouts thrown in for good measure."
Scientist 1: "Cool."
Scientist 2: "I'll get out my high school physics book to come up with a credible name. I will also get a new Hoyt bow and take a picture of it after I've shortened the control cable, jacked with the yoke and unrealistically put it out of time for our ad campaign."
Scientist 1: "Sweet."
Boss 1: (Sidling up with a cup of coffee and a sweet roll) "You come up with anything yet?"
Scientest 1: "Oh you'll like this, we are just compiling the data now." (quick glance at Scientist 2 and the half played hand of crazy eights on the break table)
Boss 1: "Good work! Just make sure it gets out before the new year. I'll be in my office all day browsing 'Hunting Country' if you need me. (laughing) Those idiots will buy the latest anything."

9.) Swamp Fox - 11/24/2015

:-)


I'm not in the market for a bow for a while, so that just about does it for my interest in new models. Hopefully someone else out there in cyberspace will post about a bow that catches his eye. Maybe even two or three people will do it, LOL

I like to hear about new bows even if I'm not shopping for one---within reason, anyway. :-)

10.) luv2bowhunt - 11/24/2015

He said the CrossCentric Cam Technology is an evolution of the No Cam system.

So they evolved their bows to No Cam and are now evolving back to a Cam system. Pretty soon they'll be back where they started.

11.) Triton Rich - 11/24/2015

[B] Maybe they'll come up with a bow that only uses ONE cam. Wouldn't that be cool![/B]

12.) Swamp Fox - 11/24/2015

LOL...Good point...



Kinda "reinventing the wheel," you could say...:groan:

13.) bluecat - 11/24/2015

[QUOTE=luv2bowhunt;36502]He said the CrossCentric Cam Technology is an evolution of the No Cam system.

So they evolved their bows to No Cam and are now evolving back to a Cam system. Pretty soon they'll be back where they started.[/QUOTE]

It's all a part of transitioning. Today, I identify as a solocam.

Quit hatin

14.) bluecat - 11/24/2015

Swampy what's with the mascot on mascot crime?:ach:

15.) Swamp Fox - 11/24/2015

Gamecocks (3-8) are playing Clemson (11-0) Saturday, so it's Rivalry Week. It's the football equivalent of the Tar Heels playing the Dookies in roundball.

After losing to The Citadel this past weekend, of all things, and with me going stir crazy for lack of woods time, I felt like I needed a good gif to keep me going.

It was between this and Kate Upton dancing, and I just felt I could handle this better...

16.) bluecat - 11/24/2015

I thought it was possibly a Jayhawk (0-11) and once rival Missouri Tiger. Muck Fizzou.


I don't think your vertigo could handle the Kate Upton gig. Good choice.

17.) Swamp Fox - 11/24/2015

Muck Fizzou...LMAO...


I didn't even think about the Jayhawk and that tiger...Huh...:-)


Been reading about some of those crazy kids at KU lately, too. :re: I'd check the drinking water...

18.) Swamp Fox - 11/24/2015

Muck Fizzou...LMAO...


I didn't even think about the Jayhawk and that tiger...Huh...:-)


Been reading about some of those crazy kids at KU lately, too. :re: I'd check the drinking water...

19.) bluecat - 11/24/2015

Someone looked at me wrong. Here is a list of my demands.


What a bunch of pantywaists. It's good to know that when life gets tough these new breed of students will roll up their sleeves and work hard together...

20.) bluecat - 11/24/2015

No one should have to pay for their education anyway. :bang:

21.) Swamp Fox - 11/24/2015

.....

22.) bluecat - 11/24/2015

:applause:

You go gramma!

23.) bluecat - 11/24/2015

Do you think it's possible to create a bow without any wheels or eccentrics at all? Just thinking outside the box.

24.) Wild Bob - 11/24/2015

Blue - Why in the world would someone do that...for the love of archery???

25.) bluecat - 11/24/2015

Accuracy aside (or lack of) you wouldn't be able to generate enough power to actually push the arrow any distance. Fun to dream though.

26.) bluecat - 11/24/2015

Swampy, are you sad that the old ball coach hung up his cleats?

27.) Swamp Fox - 11/24/2015

Yeah, he was good for the program and he was entertaining. Made me scratch my head a few times, though, LOL. Not least over resigning like that.

I wish Lou Holtz had done better, but I guess he didn't have much to work with. It would have been a hoot to have him build a program.

28.) bluecat - 11/24/2015

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;36524]Yeah, he was good for the program and he was entertaining. Made me scratch my head a few times, though, LOL. Not least over resigning like that.

I wish Lou Holtz had done better, but I guess he didn't have much to work with. It would have been a hoot to have him build a program.[/QUOTE]

29.) Swamp Fox - 11/24/2015

:grin::grin::grin:









:laugh:----I still don't know what he's saying after "Everybody looks good in purple...".....LOL

30.) bluecat - 11/24/2015

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

31.) bluecat - 11/24/2015

[QUOTE=bluecat;36500]Deep in the bowels of Mathews Labs...

Scientist 1: "Hey, people hate that waffle crap. We've got to come up something new."
Scientist 2: "How bout just normal cutouts with a few odd cutouts thrown in for good measure."
Scientist 1: "Cool."
Scientist 2: "I'll get out my high school physics book to come up with a credible name. I will also get a new Hoyt bow and take a picture of it after I've shortened the control cable, jacked with the yoke and unrealistically put it out of time for our ad campaign."
Scientist 1: "Sweet."
Boss 1: (Sidling up with a cup of coffee and a sweet roll) "You come up with anything yet?"
Scientest 1: "Oh you'll like this, we are just compiling the data now." (quick glance at Scientist 2 and the half played hand of crazy eights on the break table)
Boss 1: "Good work! Just make sure it gets out before the new year. I'll be in my office all day browsing 'Hunting Country' if you need me. (laughing) Those idiots will buy the latest anything."[/QUOTE]

Just had to bring this up one more time as I wasn't feeling the love.

32.) bluecat - 11/24/2015

Sorry, just had to.

33.) Swamp Fox - 11/25/2015

LOL...


Speaking of buying the latest anything:


I think I figured out why we make fun of people buying into hype, especially with regard to new bows. It's because they do, LOL, but that's because it seems harder than it needs to be to shop for a bow independently from what you see the herd doing. Also, maybe people are okay doing that, because they're just not that discriminating with the bows they choose.

Out of curiosity, I looked for what three other companies were offering: Obsession, Bowtech and Elite. I looked at some forums and at each of the mfr. websites, spending an average of an hour on each company. After all that, I still don't have a great idea of how to pick one, two or three bows from each line-up that I'd be inclined to try, and I like to think I know what I like. :-)

I guess if you make your decisions first on rated speed or ATA measurement you might be okay, but if you want to get an idea of how a bow draws or feels, you're SOL. Mathews seems to be the only company that spends a lot of time describing that type of thing. Not saying they describe things in the most straightforward way, or the way I'd describe things, but at least they put something out there. Good luck getting that kind of info from Obsession's marketing, to name the worst of the three. To aggravate things, it's not easy to compare bow specs on some sites, and you never see a head-to-head on draw cycle, LOL.

I reckon that if I were really in the market for a new bow, I would have more patience doing a deep dive on one or two manufacturers' offerings, but maybe not. And I could go on and on about what I think could be done better from a shopper's standpoint, but there aren't that many people reading this thread to make it worthwhile, LOL.

Instead, maybe somebody else wants to pop off with their thoughts about bow shopping, or desires to post a bow or two that might be of interest to our small but merry band.


In the meantime :wink Happy Thanksgiving, y'all! :wave:

34.) bluecat - 11/25/2015

Credibility is a big issue for me. When Mathews was comparing their vibration dampeners by dropping a riser (with dampeners) on the floor and measuring the decibels and then doing the same with a riser (without dampeners) and measuring the decibels they injected one other variable they didn't bother to mention. The riser without dampeners was unpainted. The riser with dampeners was painted. The paint also acts as a vibration dampener. Otherwise you essentially have a tuning fork.

Then they think that if they make other bow companies look bad that translates to how great they are. They messed up a Hoyt bow pretty bad when the cam 1/2 came out to make it look like these things are always getting out of time.

It's dishonest advertising and condescending to me to just feed me this crap because I'm obviously too stupid to figure anything out. Beyond that, I don't look at other bow companies. I simply don't want a 30" ATA bow or any short axel bow. I'd rather a company just says, here is who we are, you sort out which one of us is better.

(climbing off soapbox now)

35.) DParker - 11/25/2015

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;36553]LOL...


Speaking of buying the latest anything:


I think I figured out why we make fun of people buying into hype, especially with regard to new bows. It's because they do, LOL, but that's because it seems harder than it needs to be to shop for a bow independently from what you see the herd doing.[/QUOTE]

Remember that you're talking about a market that still falls for stuff like the HECS suit, Ozonics, etc.

36.) Swamp Fox - 11/25/2015

LOL. True again.

37.) Swamp Fox - 11/25/2015

[QUOTE=bluecat;36557]

Then they think that if they make other bow companies look bad that translates to how great they are. They messed up a Hoyt bow pretty bad when the cam 1/2 came out to make it look like these things are always getting out of time.

It's dishonest advertising and condescending to me to just feed me this crap because I'm obviously too stupid to figure anything out. Beyond that, I don't look at other bow companies. I simply don't want a 30" ATA bow or any short axel bow. I'd rather a company just says, here is who we are, you sort out which one of us is better.

(climbing off soapbox now)[/QUOTE]


As far as Mathews goes, I never followed the bashing wars too closely, but I bet there was some pretty funny stuff flying back and forth as Mathews started getting away from the "solo cam's the best" marketing.

Call me a cynic, but I have an internal early warning system for marketing hype, especially of the "new technology" variety.

As for bow shopping, maybe it's just me, but I think companies would be well served to emphasize handling characteristics of their bows along with what you mostly see, which is specs (numbers), jargon and invented names for stuff. I know I'm the odd duck for not immediately looking at the speed ratings, and for a bias toward longer ATA's, but I wonder why a potential buyer has to wait for some outdoor gear "reviewer" or some anonymous knucklehead on a forum to learn stuff that, if you're a marketing guy, you know everyone wants to know right up front.

Here's an idea: When the new bows come out, the pro staff works with the marketing department to write a short narrative on each model and develop a comparative chart. References to bows that shoppers may have shot in previous years would be extra beneficial.

For example:[I] The Barbarian offers great speed with a smooth/manageable/pro/circus freak draw [pick one] and no/low/minimal/atrocious [pick one] handshock or vibration. It sits dead in the hand/rolls forward/takes off like a rocketship [pick one] when you launch an arrow, and is dead quiet/twangs like a guitar/pops like Saturday night in Chicago [pick one]. The draw starts off easy/is like trying to get into clamshell packaging without a sharp knife [pick one] and the cycle is smooth as butter/smooth as long as you like dragging heavy weight all the way back/ smooth to anyone who has never drawn a smooth bow before [pick one] and the back wall is like a brick house/a bowl of mashed potatoes and gravy/real boobs on a 24 year-old model/fake boobs on your 36 year-old neighbor [pick one]. The valley is the Big Valley/the Valley of Death [pick one] and let-down is like a summer breeze/a lawn mower pull cord's revenge/losing your arm to a wood chipper [pick one]. If you are a fan of the Apocalypse/Rapture/Second Coming of years past [pick one], you'll really like this bow, while fans of the Instigator/Zombie/Skull Crusher [pick one] will probably prefer our Badass collection [hyperlink]. [/I]

38.) crookedeye - 11/28/2015

speaking of the hecs suit.. why would a deer stick its nose into a blind that's been put out in the wide open? you no its been out for months spread with peanut butter.. are that bobcat...you no that's someones pet bobcat..even the promo where phillips draws back on a trophy mule deer that looks like it was shot in the guts..but says to many points were broke and that's why he didn't shoot.

they need to start advertising stuff that work! like the cough suppressor..

39.) crookedeye - 11/28/2015

I still have my z7..i have a alphamax 32.. 28" DRAW 50 to 60lb that i'm looking to get rid of..good bow

40.) crookedeye - 11/28/2015

like I'm going to pay a hundred and some bucks for a nylon suit.. with a mock neck t-shirt...


granted I do look good in a mock t...

41.) billy b - 11/28/2015

I bet you looked good in prison stripes:wink

42.) crookedeye - 11/29/2015

I never got caught billy..back in my day, obh don't call me slick rick for nothin...

43.) crookedeye - 11/29/2015

bonnie and clyde.. lucky luciano.. crookedeye the greek.. we were all feared

44.) crookedeye - 11/29/2015

I was actually at the same motel where bonnie and clyde was at over in iowa.. I sat in the same tolit bonnie sat in..

45.) crookedeye - 11/29/2015

that was after I was at custers last stand with my metal detector looking for old bullets..

46.) Swamp Fox - 11/29/2015

One day, I'd like to go out there with a lead detector looking for belt buckles...:wink


Speaking of Bonnie and Clyde, any sign of Pretty Boy Floyd in your travels?

47.) crookedeye - 11/29/2015

that and gold teeth.. I havnt heard hind or hair from Floyd.. he must be hangin low..

48.) Swamp Fox - 11/29/2015

A long time ago, a friend of mine had a metal detector. I was told it wouldn't pick up lead. I don't know if that's true or not these days.


In a thousand years, space aliens will be combing the Midwest with their detectors. Imagine their excitement when an image of a Hoyt bow displays on the screen:

49.) bluecat - 11/30/2015

Tee Hee

50.) bluecat - 11/30/2015

[QUOTE=billy b;36584]I bet you looked good in prison stripes:wink[/QUOTE]

Good one billy.

51.) Swamp Fox - 11/30/2015

....

52.) bluecat - 11/30/2015

I've been looking real hard at the defiant all carbon. I might have to increase my paper route.

53.) Swamp Fox - 11/30/2015

A couple of the Defiants do look pretty good.

54.) bluecat - 12/01/2015

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;36636]A couple of the Defiants do look pretty good.[/QUOTE]

Be careful. First it's a compliment on a Hoyt Bow, then maybe a sticker or a beanie. Before you know it, you're on the streets trying to score a Defiant.

It's a gateway bow for sure.

55.) Swamp Fox - 12/01/2015

I was pleasantly surprised taking a few shots with a Hoyt a few years ago at Battle Mountain. There were two Matrices (:wink) there, I think, and I was shocked at how well I liked how they felt on the draw, hold and shot. I think the bows belonged to Hoyt'em and maybe OKY. (Somebody correct me if I have the bow model wrong.)


Mathews better watch out if they want to take over the boat anchor business...

56.) bluecat - 12/01/2015

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;36649]

Mathews better watch out if they want to take over the boat anchor business...[/QUOTE]

Always with the negative waves...

57.) Swamp Fox - 12/01/2015

Who has a reputation for "light" bows these days? Serious question....LOL


It's interesting that both Hoyt and Mathews market their ~ 30-inch bows as "shooting like 34's"....(Anyone else?)

Haven't noticed this in the past, but maybe I missed it.

58.) bluecat - 12/01/2015

Why does Hoyt still get the anchor remarks when their carbon bows are among the lightest on the market if not [B]the[/B] lightest?

Not to mention probably the strongest. I'm seriously asking.

59.) bluecat - 12/01/2015

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;36659]Who has a reputation for "light" bows these days? Serious question....LOL


It's interesting that both Hoyt and Mathews market their ~ 30-inch bows as "shooting like 34's"....(Anyone else?)

Haven't noticed this in the past, but maybe I missed it.[/QUOTE]

I think the reason is that Hoyt did something with the cam position so it is in the same position as a longer bow at full draw. It was in the video you posted.

I can't speak for Mathews...they probably saw that Hoyt did that and so Mathews thought it would be okay to just say that too.

60.) Swamp Fox - 12/01/2015

I think it's like blonde jokes...They'll never go away. They're just too good, LOL.

But I don't think you even have to bring carbon into the conversation. If one wanted to point out some "heavy" bows from other brands, there are a few of them out there.

I think I've seen a bunch of negative comments on the Halon's weight, for instance. Certainly on other Mathews in the recent past.

Here's a bit of funny (I think) trivia: Mathews is listing a few of their bows' weights without the harmonic dampeners/stabilizer, LOL. This is like getting Kim Kardashian's stats without mentioning the huge ...Well, you know...:wink

61.) bluecat - 12/01/2015

:wink


There is something to weight though. A light shotgun kicks hard, same as a bow.

62.) Swamp Fox - 12/01/2015

[QUOTE=bluecat;36663]

I can't speak for Mathews...they probably saw that Hoyt did that and so Mathews thought it would be okay to just say that too.[/QUOTE]



[B][I]Rrrreaahr![/I][/B] [catfight noise]...LOL

63.) bluecat - 12/01/2015

LOL! I'll try to remember to move my arms a bit.

64.) Swamp Fox - 12/01/2015

That always helps in archery...:-)

65.) bluecat - 12/01/2015

:wave:

66.) Wild Bob - 12/01/2015

You two missed your calling...I could see both of you sitting together in the announcer box doing chessy commentary at a Green Bay / Detroit game. :-)

67.) bluecat - 12/01/2015

I love chess!

68.) Swamp Fox - 12/01/2015

"I'm playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers. That's why I always lose.”
― Josh Stern


:tap::wink

69.) DropzOfWild - 12/02/2015

No offense but what I got out of that Hoyt video was blah blah cam and a half blah blah boat anchor

70.) Swamp Fox - 12/02/2015

:-)


LOL

71.) Swamp Fox - 12/02/2015

I know I should probably go somewhere else to discuss Elite bows, LOL, but maybe we'll get lucky:

Anybody want to comment on how any of the current offerings handle, especially comparatively?

72.) Wild Bob - 12/02/2015

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;36725]I know I should probably go somewhere else to discuss Elite bows, LOL, but maybe we'll get lucky:

Anybody want to comment on how any of the current offerings handle, especially comparatively?[/QUOTE]

Well, I can't talk particulars regarding every nuance of a Mathews or Hoyt like some of you guys do...Which BTW, almost reminds me of talk on The Splendid Table with Lynn Rossetto Kasper and her cohorts. :lol::lol: (:-))

Anywho, all I can offer is that I really like the Nitrum and if the Defiant is really like the 'Nitrum on steroids' then I'd like to shoot one to see if that is true. On my next trip to the little bow shop that I have grown to like, I am going to pick the owner's brain and opinion on the new Definant. His opinion as of two months ago was that the Spyder models weren't even worth the extra cost over the Nitrum...One thing I am certain of however, is that the Defiant will be priced a bit too rich for a guy with a family, other interests and a kid heading to college soon!

73.) Swamp Fox - 12/02/2015

Have you seen what's going on at college lately? You might want to buy the bow instead...LOL

74.) Wild Bob - 12/02/2015

Hey, someone has to give you grief! You guys are going to be talking 'Shwetty Cams' before long...:nk:

Don't send him to college and then what...support [I]him[/I] the rest of his life???

75.) bluecat - 12/02/2015

[QUOTE=Wild Bob;36740]Hey, someone has to give you grief! You guys are going to be talking 'Shwetty Cams' before long...:nk:

Don't send him to college and then what...support [I]him[/I] the rest of his life???[/QUOTE]

That's the government's responsibility. Go get your bow!

76.) Swamp Fox - 12/02/2015

I don't know. But if I were spending that kind of money on my own offspring's young skull full of mush, I'd be pissed if the adults at the school didn't have the common sense or intellectual backbone to tell the children to sit down and grow up. I guess you gotta hope some kids are smarter and stronger than their peers.


Lots of evidence out there for raising the voting age, though...LOL

77.) Wild Bob - 12/03/2015

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;36743]I don't know. But if I were spending that kind of money on my own offspring's young skull full of mush, I'd be pissed if the adults at the school didn't have the common sense or intellectual backbone to tell the children to sit down and grow up. I guess you gotta hope some kids are smarter and stronger than their peers.


Lots of evidence out there for raising the voting age, though...LOL[/QUOTE]

Well, my two kids are different than most. Not claiming perfection, just that they were raised on common sense and humility. I've always been a big believer in the idea that [I]young people are molded at home[/I]. I agree that there are ding-bats in the school system (both in primary and in higher education) but all kids' basis of learning, attitudes and intellect is instilled in them by how they are raised by their parents IMO.

Looking ahead, I feel that we as parents would be doing them a severe injustice by not forcing them to get a formal education; the world they inherit will not allow them to continue the standard of living that they have grown up with on a blue collar career. It pains me to say that, but that is the cold, harsh truth of what they are facing. If they can get through college as I did and find a decent career, they'll at least stand a chance of keeping their head above water...But if I send them into this world telling them, "It's OK if you don't feel like enduring some delayed gratification," and "go ahead feed your desire to hang out and enjoy life now, while you are young," - then I might as well be sending lambs out to the pasture with the wolves. 40 -30 years ago we could get away with that and still find a hands on career that could give you a decent living, but I don't see that occurring today let alone another in another 10 to 15 years down the road.

My wife and I are not planning on giving them a free ride to college. They will have to work and help out, but they are going to get what they need to help ensure (as best we can...obviously, there are no guarantees) that they do not become part of a disappearing portion of the middle class.

78.) Swamp Fox - 12/03/2015

When I get a second, I'll post something pretty funny I saw about college the other day on the Current Events thread.


In the meantime,, here's my contribution to this thread today:


Have read a lot of bitching and moaning about the weights, BTW...LOL


Haven't come across anything about how they shoot, but I haven't looked very hard. I'd test-shoot an Elite for S&G's if I came across one, but I don't see them much in this area.

79.) Wild Bob - 01/20/2016

After much deliberation, coffee and sweaty palms...I think I've got my choice narrowed down between Hoyt's Carbon Defiant 34 and the Nitrum 30. I've shot the Nitrum and love it. I have yet to shoot the Defiant...

I spent several days last week in Helena and perused all the models I could while there: I even looked at a couple Elite models Swampy. I was a bit disappointed when the owner of the shop was more interested in his Subway sandwich than setting me up to test shoot an Elite. Then, the bone-head spent more time between stuffing his face trying to sell me on one of his PSE's. (I think all he actually heard me say was that, "I shoot a PSE now," and then selectively didn't listen to the part where I followed up with, "but I'm not in the market to replace it; I'm more interested in your Elite line." Of course all this just reinforced my distrust and dislike for your average, run of the mill 'Pro' shop.

Looked at a Z3, briefly at another shop; it just didn't feel right in hand. You can't say I didn't try though, so then I stepped back out into the light.
:-) I man handled a Diamond. The Deploy felt pretty good to me...I really wanted to shoot one, but the only guy that could set it up for me wasn't in at the time.

I'm still leaning towards the Nitrum. It just has that natural feel to me; nothing about it, from handling to draw to release – feels forced or uncomfortable, it just feels right. In comparison, the Nitrum is actually a little faster than the Carbon Defiant (and only 0.1 of a pound difference in weight - like I'll really notice that) and although I haven't confirmed this yet; I'm pretty sure the Nitrum is a little less costly than the Carbon Defiant. Anyone know the going price of the Carbon Defiant 34?

Now all my wife has to do is bring on one more client and then I’ll be able to get a new bow. :-) Now get out there and get to work! :dh::laugh:

80.) bluecat - 01/21/2016

Bought the Defiant 34 on Sat.

81.) Dan-o - 01/21/2016

Swampy, for a hunting bow, the e35 is one of the best bows out there. The Synergy and the e32 are fine, but the 35 holds and shoot much better than the Synergy and 32. I've owned the 32, multiple 35's, and the Victory. Only thing I don't care for is that the E35 is getting a little long in the tooth now at 3 years old. Thew New Victory 37 is pretty badass too. You can get the more blocky victory grip on the e35, or you can stay with the banana grip that most hate, but I love.

That said, I'm on Prime's Pro staff, and for hunting, I choose the Prime Rize. Totally dead in hand with the new 82x riser material, and I love the Parallel cam technology on a Binary cam that all but eliminates the cam lean associated with Binaries. Also, the flex guard is another feature of the Prime that puts them over the Elite in my point of view. The Rize has a go pro camera attachment point in the riser, and with each prime bow you get a set of 452x strings and cables every two years. Prime also has the shorter ATA Ion, which is what I used to kill everything last year, and the Rival, which was my 3d bow. I shoot the STX 36 and 39's for target, with the shoot through risers.

Another winner this year is the Mathews Halon and the 35" model, the Halon X. They also have the HTR still and the new shorter HTX, but I prefer the dual cam line to the "no cam" line. But they don't make a bad one right now either.

Another strong year for the Hoyt's too. I don't really have anything bad to say about how they feel or shoot. The limb stops they new are offering a great addition.

Bowtech has a mother strong offering. The BT-X is a nice addition to the Prodigy, and the Fanatic 2.0 is a great shoot through target bow. I also like the Boss, for a longer ATA bow.

I've never been a big PSE fan, or really a PSE fan at all, but their new bows, the Decree and the Decree HD, are nice if you are in to PSE's. Not digging the Carbon Air thing.

If I were ranking hunting bows alone, I'd put them like this:

1. Prime Rize
2. Mathews Halon or Halon X if you like a longer bow
3. Elite Energy 35
4. Bowtech BT-X or Prodigy
5. Hoyt Defiant
6. PSE Decree

The beautiful thing is that of those 6, I'd be happy to hunt with any of them. No turds in that list as far as I'm concerned. If you like any of those over any of the others, it's a matter of opinion and what feels right to you, and I wouldn't criticize anyone's decision. All great bows from great companies.

I've left some manufacturers out because this is the list I feel good about. I've shot them all, sold most of them in the shop I staff for, serviced a bunch of them, and researched the crap out of them.

82.) Dan-o - 01/21/2016

[QUOTE=bluecat;38363]Bought the Defiant 34 on Sat.[/QUOTE]

Sweet bow. The 34 is a good choice!

83.) Swamp Fox - 01/21/2016

Thanks for the rundown.

Regarding the Mathews, what are your thoughts re. dual cams vs. no-cams. Why the preference?

84.) bluecat - 01/21/2016

[QUOTE=Dan-o;38365]Sweet bow. The 34 is a good choice![/QUOTE]

Thanks, I'll report on it later. Waiting on Last Chance Archery to develop some adapters that will press that bow so I can set it up.

I'm in the process of trying to get 50-60 limbs for my Hoyt Vector 35. Swapping them for the 60-70 pound limbs.

85.) Wild Bob - 01/21/2016

Dan-O, interesting and informative write up - thanks for sharing it.

Blue - nice, congrats on the new bow! I'll be waiting to hear your report on the 34...In the mean time, I should be over near my local Hoyt shop in February, so I'm going to call him in advance to set me up shooting one to see if it wins me over.

I better start saving my lunch money because I have a feeling that one way or another, it's going to be tough leaving the shop without a new bow in my truck. :grin:

86.) bluecat - 01/21/2016

I was pretty shocked that they had the bow with the specs I wanted for the Defiant, 50-60 pound limbs, 34" A to A. I didn't want to take the chance of having to order it later. Shot very similar to the Vector, no hand shock, quiet etc. I'll admit I didn't try any other bows. There are some great bows out there, but I found something I liked and I wasn't going to nit pick and put myself through all the torture of trying so many bows. At some point it just gets down to what you like to drive, Ford, Chevy...

87.) Jon - 01/21/2016

I'm so glad that companys are making 34" bows again instead of having to shop around just to find one, now you can shoot bunches of them and find the best one. Those "treestand" bows just don't shoot well for me, hate em actually.

88.) Wild Bob - 01/22/2016

Blue: clean out your Inbox. :-)

89.) bluecat - 01/22/2016

We are good Mr. WB.