vBCms Comments

Welcome To Hunting Country

    Site News & Announcements (34)
    New Member Introductions (142)

General Hunting Forums

    After the Hunt - Recipes / Cooking (59)
    Waterfowl, and Small Birds (15)
    Big Game General (47)
    Turkey Hunting (60)
    Small Game (11)
    Whitetail / Mule Deer Forum (149)
    Pigs & Exotics (11)
    General Gear and Hunting Accessories (59)

Archery & Bowhunting

    Archery Gear Talk - Compounds (80)
    Archery Gear Talk - Accessories (28)
    Bowhunting (153)
    Archery Gear Talk - Crossbows (7)

Shooting Sports

    Gun / Rifle Target Shooting (17)
    Archery Target/Tournament Shooting (5)

Manufacturers' Corner

    Product Announcements (2)
    Promotions and News (6)

Firearms

    Black Powder (1)
    AR Talk (15)
    Guns & Rifles (88)
    Reloading (12)

Classifieds

    Fishing Gear (1)
    General & Misc (3)
    Archery Equipment (17)
    Guns & Firearms (11)
    Camping & Hiking (0)

Not Hunting / General Chit Chat

    Podunk Corner (1588)
    Photography (118)
    Fishing Chat (46)
1.) Swamp Fox - 12/27/2016
I'm not in the market for a new bow, but I like looking around every year or so. Post your thoughts and info you find on the new offerings so we can all gawk.

I don't have the patience to look for a decent review among all the youtube reports of how "awesome" various axes are, along with a run-down of what colors they come in and how awesome THOSE are--LOL--but your mileage may vary. If you come across something good, post it up.

I'm just going to start us off with a a couple of bows from Mathews, and then you boys are on your own.


I think I shot the Halon when it first came out. Now they have a 32 in. ATA version for the new year. Plus lots of awesome technology...LOL

[QUOTE]

The new HALON 32 is a longer version of the award-winning HALON, providing an enhanced string angle and superior stability, while delivering speeds up to 350 fps. Like its predecessor, the HALON 32 is powered by the highly efficient CROSSCENTRIC cam, which employs a partially concentric string payout and AVSŪ technology to produce a stealthy draw and consistent accuracy. Its true-center nocking point ensures straight and level nock travel, enhancing shot-to-shot consistency. Outfitted with the FlatBack Grip™ and industry-leading Harmonic DamperŪ and Harmonic StabilizerŪ, the HALON 32 is rock solid and deadly quiet.

[/QUOTE]


It comes in 5-, 6- and 7-inch versions.

The other bow I'd be interested in shooting is the 7-inch brace Halon X at up to 330 fps and 35 inches ATA. I guess it's been around for a year or more, so you'd better buy it this year if it gives you a tingle, because the fact that I'm even remotely interested in it means they will stop making it soon since I missed plunking my money down in Year One.. Seven inches is the only option, at least this year, but who doesn't like seven inches? I mean in brace height.


Also, different-but-still-awesome technology:


[QUOTE]

MINI-CROSSCENTRIC™ CAM

The new perimeter-weighted Mini Crosscentric Cam™ is designed to incorporate the accuracy of NO CAM™ ST Technology, and the power of AVS Technology – the Mini Crosscentric Cam™ employs a partially concentric string payout to produce precision and speeds up to 330 fps.

[/QUOTE]




Halon 32 ----6 (up to 343 fps.)






Halon X (trusting this is a 2017 picture)


2.) Swamp Fox - 12/27/2016
Can't edit this into the last post. Here's the Halon 32 in its 3 versions:


3.) DParker - 12/27/2016
Nice. Does it come in any versions that don't include 4 digits between the "$" and the "."?
4.) Swamp Fox - 12/27/2016
Yes.

I heard there is a version they'll call the USED model, but it won't be out for a couple of years. I believe it stands for [B]U[/B]nder-appreciated [B]S[/B]erviceable [B]E[/B]quipment [B]D[/B]iscarded, and will come with everything you see here.

Last time I was paying any attention, I think Mathews was still requiring all dealers to sell at MSRP, at least. If that's changed, somebody clue me in.
5.) Jon - 12/28/2016
Take a peek at the Obsession lineup, they really took off here. I love mine although I don't shoot it as much as I'd like
6.) Swamp Fox - 12/28/2016
I just checked their dealer list again and there's still no one close by to any of my travels. I have a better chance of finding an Elite to try, LOL. Which is an improvement. Several years ago there was no hope for them, either, but now there's a little.

Obsession is staying on my list, though. Especially if someone tells me one or two models to look for that won't rip my shoulder off.



Speaking of which: I think we ---or somebody---should offer a prize if someone can find a bow ad or marketing blurb that describes a bow's draw cycle as "aggressive," "harsh," "wrenching," "eye-popping," or anything close to those. If I read that a bow has "a smooth draw cycle" many more times, there's a chance that my eyes will never roll down from the top of my head back to where they're supposed to be.

That, and all the "technology" is about to kill me, LOL.


Here's the Obsession press release about their 2017 bows:



[url]http://www.obsessionbows.com/assets/ob_bowlaunch_pressrelease_sent.pdf[/url]
7.) Swamp Fox - 12/28/2016
This is about the middle of the pack for their 2017 hunting bows speed-wise, for those who are curious. Their "longer ata bow" is 33 +, and I haven't gone looking at any of their older or target bows.


8.) Swamp Fox - 12/28/2016
More:

[url]http://www.obsessionbows.com/[/url]
9.) bluecat - 12/29/2016
It looks to me like the center point of the Obsession and Mathews bows is the berger button holes where the center point on the Hoyt is the deepest part of the grip.

And if that is correct, doesn't the bow feel like it wants to rock back on you when you shoot an Obsession or Mathews?
10.) Bob Peck - 12/29/2016
I am currently testing this little beauty in the real world and so far loving it. I've been shooting this almost daily and so far no real complaints.
 photo Reign6_Specifications_zps1n052c9o.jpg


Then there's this back to the future 37" ATA which is more my style as I'm not caring too much lately about speed and more into comfort and silence both of which this bow has. I never really bought into the "Hey if you shoot from a treestand or ground blind you need a short ATA bow." Never had much of a problem navigating either with bow like this. From a pure technology standpoint there's not much blinding innovation going on with the Victory 37 but the cam design and the longer ATA create a very noticeable and pleasurable "dead-in-the-hand" feel and she's whisper quiet.

 photo Elite-Victory37-ninja_zpskyygmnwc.png
11.) Swamp Fox - 12/29/2016
[QUOTE=bluecat;46228]It looks to me like the center point of the Obsession and Mathews bows is the berger button holes where the center point on the Hoyt is the deepest part of the grip.

And if that is correct, doesn't the bow feel like it wants to rock back on you when you shoot an Obsession or Mathews?[/QUOTE]


I haven't rigged a Mathews in several years nor shot a bare one in probably two. So my memory is unreliable. But with a few exceptions I never came across a bare Mathews that was completely and outrageously unacceptable at the shot. If anything, the ones I didn't like jumped forward.

With bows I wound up buying, once I added a heavy sight or something, I felt the need to backweight a few, so maybe that says something. But probably not...LOL
12.) Swamp Fox - 12/29/2016
[QUOTE=Bob Peck;46241]I am currently testing this little beauty in the real world and so far loving it. I've been shooting this almost daily and so far no real complaints.
 photo Reign6_Specifications_zps1n052c9o.jpg


[/QUOTE]


I remember (I think, LOL) when you bought a Bowtech in the old days, you used to get a hat. Don't know if they still do that.

But I'd like to see Bowtech start thinking outside the box.

I'd suggest that if you buy a Reign bow, you also get a unicorn.
13.) Swamp Fox - 12/29/2016
Also, what's the draw cycle like? I know they say "it's smooth for a bow this fast"...LOL...No idea what that means without further comment and a graph.

Maybe bow manufacturers could shave off a couple of coins from their website photography budgets to pay some poor drone to insert some draw curve graphics somewhere, instead of trying to tell us everything they make is "smooth." ---LOL
14.) Swamp Fox - 12/29/2016
[QUOTE=Bob Peck;46241]....[B]Then there's this back to the future 37" ATA which is more my style as I'm not caring too much lately about speed and more into comfort and silence both of which this bow has. I never really bought into the "Hey if you shoot from a treestand or ground blind you need a short ATA bow." Never had much of a problem navigating either with bow like this.[/B] From a pure technology standpoint there's not much blinding innovation going on with the Victory 37 but the cam design and the longer ATA create a very noticeable and pleasurable "dead-in-the-hand" feel and she's whisper quiet.

 photo Elite-Victory37-ninja_zpskyygmnwc.png[/QUOTE]


Same here, although I can see how guys who snuggle up in certain trees can get tangled. It's only happened to me a handful of times with 34s, though. I'm usually hanging off the side of something that resembles a telephone pole.

I will say a short bow is handier in a blind, especially if you're not or can't be picky about which blinds you use.
15.) bluecat - 12/29/2016
The short axle to axle bows were a fix to a problem that only existed in the minds of the manufacturer.
16.) Swamp Fox - 12/29/2016
It's the whole reason this idea never went anywhere, which is a shame.



17.) bluecat - 12/29/2016
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;46248]I remember (I think, LOL) when you bought a Bowtech in the old days, you used to get a hat. Don't know if they still do that.

But I'd like to see Bowtech start thinking outside the box.

I'd suggest that if you buy a Reign bow, you also get a unicorn.[/QUOTE]

+ 4.

My last Hoyt I scored a key chain, which is nice.
18.) Triton Rich - 12/29/2016
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;46182].......Speaking of which: I think we ---or somebody---should offer a prize if someone can find a bow ad or marketing blurb that describes a bow's draw cycle as "aggressive," "harsh," "wrenching," "eye-popping," or anything close to those. If I read that a bow has "a smooth draw cycle" many more times, there's a chance that my eyes will never roll down from the top of my head back to where they're supposed to be...... [/QUOTE]

[B]When you brought this topic up, I went straight to the Bowtech site to see what they had. I was chuckling as I read about the draw on the Reign being smooth smoother really smooth. [/B]:-)
19.) Swamp Fox - 12/29/2016
[B]4 ?!???......[I]4 ????[/I][/B]


LOL...


:poke: :p
20.) Swamp Fox - 12/29/2016
LOL, Rich.

Have you shot it by any chance or heard much about it?

It doesn't look too bad---LOL---but what do I know.

Back in the day, I could count the Bowtechs I liked the feel of on two fingers, but then again I haven't shot one in years, so I suppose some things may have changed.
21.) Swamp Fox - 12/29/2016
I just looked at three videos real quick to see if I could answer my own question...Which is what I love about the internet. :tap::-)



[QUOTE][I][B]Curious internet user[/B]: Hey, can somebody tell me X about Y?

[B]Jaded internet user, or teenager[/B]: You should google it. [/I][/QUOTE]


Of the three productions, two were from Bowtech itself and one was from Lancaster Archery, so that means no one's gonna give you all the dirt. The LA spot was at least thorough, though, and honest and hype-free about what it did cover.

I noticed the Bowtech productions edited cuts into shots of a shooter pulling the bow, and in other shots must have had guys pulling 50# bows using the Comfort setting. (The bow has a Performance setting for speed, or a Comfort setting for...comfort.) Also, lots of the usual hype and drama in the Bowtech spots. Did you know this bow uses SmartBow technology? Of course it does. I'm immediately suspicious...LOL

So, bottom line is don't count on Bowtech to show you how you're gonna fall out of your tree drawing their smooth bow back on a cold morning in Performance mode. You can get a little whiff of that from the Lancaster video, although you have to be paying attention.

Am I being too harsh? LOL

I like that the bow has a built-in back-weight. Lots of other stuff looks good, too.
22.) bluecat - 12/29/2016
Whisper quiet? Dead in the hand? Smooth draw? LOL!
23.) DParker - 12/29/2016
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;46266]I just looked at three videos real quick to see if I could answer my own question...Which is what I love about the internet.[/QUOTE]

I'd bet dollars against donuts that your browser history tells a different story.
24.) Swamp Fox - 12/29/2016
LOL...
25.) Triton Rich - 12/29/2016
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;46265]LOL, Rich.

Have you shot it by any chance or heard much about it?

It doesn't look too bad---LOL---but what do I know.

Back in the day, I could count the Bowtechs I liked the feel of on two fingers, but then again I haven't shot one in years, so I suppose some things may have changed.[/QUOTE]

[B]I haven't shot it or seen it yet, not in the market. I feel like the Destroyer was kind of a polarizing bow but I love mine. I don't worry about where the arrow is going and every deer I shot at with it was dead in seconds. [/B]
26.) Swamp Fox - 12/29/2016
That's what counts.

For me, though, the Destroyer destroyed my shoulder.

True story, LOL.
27.) Triton Rich - 12/29/2016
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;46273]That's what counts.

For me, though, the Destroyer destroyed my shoulder.

True story, LOL.[/QUOTE]

[B]I did a lot of reading about the bow before I bought it. I was used to shooting at 65# so I throttled down to a 60# bow to help mitigate the stiff draw. I shot the Mathews Z7 and the Destroyer while I was shopping. The Z7 had a beautiful draw and shot really quietly. The Destroyer took more effort but I didn't mind it. The difference was when you released the arrow it was already at the target with a resounding "whack". I couldn't turn down the speed :wink[/B]
28.) Swamp Fox - 12/30/2016
See, I wasn't that smart. I had no idea what I was getting into. I just had a friend who said, "Hey, wanna shoot my bow a little?" and so I said "Yeah, why the hell not?" and after that I couldn't lift anything over my head anymore...LOL
29.) bluecat - 12/30/2016
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;46273]That's what counts.

For me, though, the Destroyer destroyed my shoulder.

True story, LOL.[/QUOTE]

To be fair, the "Destroyer" name was easier to market than a bow called "Torn Labrum".
30.) Swamp Fox - 12/30/2016
Yeah, I didn't even know guys had labra, so it would have gone right over my head.

:wink
31.) bluecat - 12/30/2016
"That grinding sound you hear ain't coming from the bow, Chief."
32.) bluecat - 12/30/2016
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;46298]Yeah, I didn't even know guys had labra, so it would have gone right over my head.

:wink[/QUOTE]

LOL! There's all sorts of weird flaps and doodads in the human body. Who knew?
33.) bluecat - 12/30/2016
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;46298]Yeah, I didn't even know guys had labra, so it would have gone right over my head.

:wink[/QUOTE]

Woman have them too, but...that's a whole different deal there.