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Bear compound bow reviews dual cam bow inexpensive bows

Bear Apprentice 3 Review

Image of Bear Apprentice 3 bow
Bear Apprentice 3 in Realtree APG camo.

Bear Apprentice 3 is the newest version of the famous Apprentice series. It’s light and overwhelmingly adjustable. With a huge range of draw length and draw weight it can perfectly serve 5 year old and a 15 year old. It will definitely not be outgrown quickly and high quality finish will make it last for years. The bow is also a high performer being able to shoot at 265 fps IBO speed. Comfortable wide valley and smooth draw cycle makes it a perfect bow for beginners. Apprentice 3 scores high in most customer reviews for the new, modular cam that enables quick and easy adjustments of the draw length. Thanks to the above features and a very affordable price Apprentice 3 has become one of the most popular bows among youth archers and beginners.

>Check discounted price of Bear Apprentice 3 on Amazon<

Riser

To keep the weight down without compromising on the strength the riser is made of machined aluminium alloy. It has a modern shape with large cutouts to further reduce the weight. A string suppression system is mounted on the front of the riser, below the grip. There is also a cable guard on the front of the riser.

The grip is slim to eliminate hand torque and enable comfortable operation for users with small palms. Its shape promotes proper hand position thus enhancing accuracy. It features black plates with white Bear logo on its sides.

Limbs of the Apprentice 3

Bear Apprentice 3 comes with famous Flared Quad Limbs. They are optimised for efficient energy storing. The construction and position of the limbs reduces vibration and their positioning eliminates hand shock.
The limbs are secured in place with Bear’s renowned Zero Tolerance Limb Pocket system. It ensures consistency and precision thus promoting accuracy. The pivoting pockets also help minimizing vibrations after the shot.

Eccentric System (Cams)

Image of Bear's G3 cam
G3 cam

Bear Apprentice 3 features the G3 cams. A third generation of a high quality, lightweight and and durable cams that makes this bow extremely smooth and provide enormous power if needed. This optimized rotating module design allows for draw length adjustments in the range of 15″ to 27″ in 1″ increments and draw weight adjustments ranging from 15lbs. up to 60 lbs. The let-off of this bow is 70% which enables comfortable aiming.

Finish

This compound bow comes in two finish options:

  1. Realtree APG camo pattern which melts into many different environments such as hardwoods, pine thickets, prairies, river bottoms and others. It’s an ideal turkey hunting camo.
  2. Realtree AP Snow PINK.

The camo pattern covers the riser whereas limbs, cams and accessories are black.

Vibration and Noise Reduction

The string suppression system mounted below the grip captures any string oscillations and prevent noise. Vibrations are also minimized by the structure of the Zero Tolerance Limb Pockets.

Content of the Package

The Apprentice 3 is sold as a complete ready-to-hunt bow package. It contains:

  • Compound bow;
  • Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit (black with brown whiskers);
  • Trophy Ridge 3 pin fibre optic bow sight (black);
  • Trophy Ridge quiver for four arrows (black);
  • Wheel Peep Sight;
  • Nock loop;
  • Printed manual;
  • Warranty card.

Summary of the review

Pros:

  • great adjustment range of both draw length and draw weight;
  • low price for the complete package;
  • plenty of accessories included in the package;
  • smooth draw cycle with wide valley.

Cons:

  • only two finish options available.

>Check discounted price of Bear Apprentice 3 on Amazon<

Video review of the Apprentice 3 bow:

Categories
compound bow reviews inexpensive bows PSE single cam bow

PSE Sinister Review

An image of PSE Sinister
PSE Sinister

PSE Sinister is a unique design combining high performance, great maneuverability, forgiveness and great price. An almost impossible mix. Almost. The IBO speeds of 327 ftp would satisfy any bow hunter. In dense woods an ultra-compact 28” axle to axle brace height will be a bless. The forgiving 7-1/4″ brace height can be helpful after hours spent on a tree stand. Due to its single cam eccentric system tuning of this compound is very easy and maintenance is minimal. The icing on the cake is the affordable price tag on the bow. This rig was made with bow hunting in mind and scores high in all customer reviews. PSE Sinister is specially praised for its excellent value to price ratio.

>Check discounted price of PSE Sinister on Amazon<

Riser

The riser of Sinister is made of strong and very light aluminium. It is exceptionally short and has large cutouts which bring its weight down. The riser has a classical for PSE bows shape and features a vibration dampener on the front.

An image of the Raptor grip on PSE Sinister
Raptor grip

There is also a new cable guard system mounted on the front of the riser. The cable guard slides smoothly along the slider ensuring quiet and reliable operation. It has rounded edges to prevent damage to the string.

PSE Sinister features a slim Raptor Grip that promotes proper hand placement. Its width is is enough to enable grip relaxation and at the same time narrow enough to minimize grip torque. The rubber plates on the side of the grip can be either red or black.

Limbs of the PSE Sinister

The heavily preloaded composite limbs are in past parallel position. They have a high percentage of fully stressed working area on the limb which makes them highly efficient in storing and releasing the kinetic energy. Sinister is equipped with Brute X limb pockets that hold the limbs in place. Because they are longer than usual pockets there is more contact between the limb and the pocket which greatly promote proper limb alignment. The limb support is made of composite materials and features delrin bushings which guarantee perfect limb position during the shooting cycle. This system also allows for quick and simple draw length adjustment in the range between 50 and 70 pounds.

Eccentric System (cam)

An image of the AMP cam
AMP cam

PSE Sinister is a single cam compound which makes is a perfect choice for anyone that appreciate simplicity and reliability of such designs. At the same time due to the unique design of the famous AMP Cam it can deliver generous 327 ftp which by all means is a great result and something you wouldn’t expect from a single cam bow with such forgiving brace height. In fact Sinister comes with the exact same cam as Prophecy, the fastest single cam bow ever produced. The increased strength and reduced weight of this eccentric system was achieved by application of 7075 aircraft grade aluminum.

Thanks to second generation posi-lock inner cam the draw length adjustment is quick and easy without a need of a bow press or additional cam modules. The adjustment range of the draw length is 25.5 ” – 30.5 ” in half inch increments. On the outer ring of the cam is a set of draw stops which can be easily changed with a hex key. The engagements on outer ring, inner ring and the posi-lock cam help making the adjustments and prevent from incorrect positioning of the screws.
This cam system offers 75% let-off and due to the shape of AMP cam and reliable sealed bearings provide smooth draw cycle.

Finish Options

PSE Sinister comes with the following finish options:

  • BREAK-UP INFINITY – both limbs and riser come in a great camo pattern by Mossy Oak that provide unmatched realism and contrast in order to break up a hunter’s silhouette.
  • BLACK CAMO – limbs are in BREAK-UP INFINITY camo and riser is black,
  • ALL BLACK – both limbs and riser are black,
  • SKULLWORKS BLACK – a black and white camo pattern on both limbs and riser.

The default finish option for most packages (including Ready-To-Shoot and Field-Ready packages) is BREAK-UP INFINITY. For each of the finish options there is a matching set of accessories available.

Vibration and noise reduction

Thanks to the new VibraCheck Limb Dampener band system eliminates after shot vibrations. They are made from specifically formulated elastomer for maximal absorption. The band is shaped in such a way that can either be installed on separate quad limbs or lock with a second band to work in tandem. VaibraCheck dampeners are available in several different color options.
After shot string oscillations in PSE Sinister were virtually eliminated by VibraCheck Backstop 2 system. It prevents the string from producing any noise. The Backstop 2 dampener is highly adjustable and needs to be tuned if you change the draw weight of the bow. It’s made from lightweight aluminium and allows for ¼ inch lateral adjustments. The bumper can be optimally positioned thanks to pivoting mount. It also has additional lateral micro adjustment for fine tuning.

Summary of the review

Pros:

  • ultra-compact 28” A2A length;
  • generous IBO speed of 327 fps;
  • forgiving brace height of 7.25”;
  • low price tag.

Cons:

  • narrow valley.

>Check discounted price of PSE Sinister on Amazon<

Categories
Bear compound bow reviews single cam bow

Bear Legion Review

Image of the Bear Archery Legion with ready to hunt package
Bear Archery Legion with ready to hunt package.

Bear Legion would be an excellent choice for someone seeking a compact, high quality and fast rig. The surprisingly low price tag has made this bow very popular among advanced users who are on the budget but don’t want to compromise on performance. It has been highly praised by users that shot it in variety of situations. Legion is proven to perform well both in the hunting scenarios and while you practice target shooting. Bear’s quality noise and vibration reduction mechanisms have made this bow virtually silent and eliminated any hank shock. Over 60 years of experience enabled Bear to produce a bow that impresses even the pros with it smoothness and reliability. At the same time Bear Legion is so forgiving and easy to adjust that even beginners can use it. This compound scores high in customer reviews for its performance, smoothness and lack of after shot vibrations. The weak point according to some users and their personal preference is the string which is by no means inferior quality.

>Check discounted price of Bear Legion on Amazon<

Riser

Legion’s riser has a classic for Bear archery bows shape with large cutouts. It features integrated dual string suppressors and a stainless steel stabilizer mounting. The aircraft grade aluminum riser despite its low weight stands out in terms of rigidity resulting in high torsional stability.

An image of the grip used in Bear Legion
Grip used in Bear Legion

Bear Legion comes with thin grip with side plates known from other Bear’s rigs. It has ergonomic shape and enforces proper hand placement. Most users appreciate the stability and lack of torque it offers, however its ascetic construction offers no thermal insulation hence if you’re planning to use in the winter gloves will be necessary.
The grip has a screwed in plates with white Bear logo on a black background.

Limbs

Bear_Archery_LogoBear Legion comes with split limbs positioned parallelly to nullify hand kick. They are made of extensible composite materials which makes them powerful, lightweight and durable. The shape and materials of Legions pre-loaded limbs enable uniform force distribution during the draw cycle and eliminates deflection.

Legion’s limbs are locked in place by Bear’s renowned Zero Tolerance Limb Pockets. This system not only provide ideal consistency and precision but also absorbs after shot vibrations.

Eccentric System (Cam)

Legion is a single cam bow and thus requires minimal maintenance and eliminates the necessity of cam synchronization. Bear Archery equipped it with a Modular E2-Cam. It allows for half inch increments in the rage of 26″ to 31″. The adjustment can be done with hex key (not included in the package) and a bow press is not required to do so. The idler wheel has a dual stainless steel sealed bearings which increase smoothness of operation and provide reliability. E2-Cam eccentrics provide generous 318 fps IBO speeds and thanks to their shape the draw cycle is smooth. This combined with 80% let-off and a solid back wall makes the bow very comfortable in use.

Finish

Image of RealTree APG camo pattern used in Bear Legion
RealTree APG camo pattern

Legion comes in a light and neutrally toned Realtree APG camo pattern. The coating is high quality and quite thick which ensures durability.

Vibration and noise reduction

Dual offset string suppressors mounted on the riser deaden string oscillations and eliminate noise. They were designed, optimized and meticulously tested using high-speed photography methods to ensure highest effectiveness in noise reduction with no compromise on the arrow speed. There is also an adjustment mechanism so you can tuned is according to your preferences.

The after shoot limb vibration and hand kick were eliminated by application of parallel positioned limbs and Zero Tolerance Two-Piece pockets.

If you buy Legion with Ready To Hunt Package you will also get a Shockstop stabilizer by Trophy Ridge that efficiently absorbs any residual vibrations.

Ready to hunt package
This package include a set of Trophy Ridge accessories, such as:

  • Whisker Biscuit – black in color with brown fibers;
  • 3-Pin Sight – can be easily adjusted for right or left hand use;
  • Stabilizer with Sling;
  • Wheel Peep Sight;
  • Quiver;
  • Nock Loop.

Review summary

Pros:

  • Good price to quality ratio;
  • High quality finish;
  • Easy to adjust.

Cons:

  • Ascetic grip;
  • String.

>Check discounted price of Bear Legion on Amazon<

Categories
compound bow reviews dual cam bow Hoyt Compound Bow hybrid cam bow

Hoyt Charger Review

Image of Hoyt Charger with FUSE accessory kit
Hoyt Charger with FUSE kit.

If you are looking for a dependable, fast, high quality bow that scores high in any customer review and is easy on the pocket look no further – Hoyt Charger is exactly what you need. This bow despite its high-end specs and performance has a very reasonable price tag of less than $500. The ultra rigid TEC LITE riser and Pro-Lock limb pockets ensure you won’t experience any vibrations or recoil. Behind the speed of this compound are uniformly preloaded split limbs that are in past parallel position. Charger has been praised in numerous customer reviews for its silky smooth draw cycle which can be attributed to the unique design of its hybrid cam system. The bow feels just right in the hand thanks to the ergonomically shaped rubber grip which can be easily replaced if you prefer so.

>Check discounted price of Hoyt Charger on Amazon<

Riser

Charger is equipped with a famous TEC (Total Engineering Concept) LITE riser. The extensive cutouts makes it incredibly light while unique geometry provide unparalleled strength of the structure. It’s construction similar to the architecture of a bridge with evenly distributed load eliminates the flex which means no recoil. Thanks to the patented technology TEC riser makes this compound exceptionally accurate. It’s shape guarantees not only high performance but also makes it stand out in terms of its aesthetics.
The riser has stabilizer mount made of stainless steel and on its back features Stealth Shot string suppression system.
Charger comes with Hoyt’s renowned Pro Fit grip system thanks to which you can easily change the grip to suit your needs. The default black, rubber grip is quite wide but feels just right in the hand. Due to it’s design, texture and materials used it dampenes any residual vibrations and offers exceptional thermal insulative properties which makes it very comfortable to use in cold winter days. There are four other grips to choose from that can be used with Pro Fit grip system, including wooden grips.

Limbs

The beyond-parallely positioned quad limbs are manufactured using Hoyt’s multilayer lamination technology which ensures high performance and great reliability. The lamination process enables contouring and preloading the limbs with Uniform Stress Distribution Technology (USD) which in turns facilitates even distribution of the energy over the entire limb during the draw. It eliminates the “hot spots” known in other limb systems and provide more speed with limited stress to the limbs. As the limbs are 2.5 inches wide they offer unmatched torsional and lateral stability.

Image of Pro-Lock pivoting limb pockets
Pro-Lock pivoting limb pockets

The limbs sit firmly in place thanks to Pro-Lock pivoting limb pockets. Their high quality and advanced technology ensures bow’s accuracy and consistency. Six hard locking points per limb guarantee precision and reliability of the design.

Hoyt’s Renowned Cams

Behind the speed and smoothness of the draw stays Hoyt’s hybrid cam system called Charger Cam & ½. This cam system was specifically designed for this bow. It comes in three different configurations covering a wide range of draw lengths from 24 inches to 31 inches. One cam covers draws lengths between 24 and 26.5 inches, second 27 to 30 and third is for 30.5 and 31 inches of draw length. Cam modules can be easily exchanged without a need for a bowpress.
A generous let-off and a forgiving valley which can be attributed to Charger Cam & ½ system make aiming very comfortable.

Strings and Cables

Charger comes with high quality Fuse strings and cables. They are produced using a special machine that provides constant tension during the process. The technology behind this process (Continuous Tension Technology™) enables Fuse to construct, twist and serve the strings while being preloaded of several hundred pounds. This unique manufacturing ensures highest level of performance which greatly exceeds traditional methods. After production inspection is done by experienced craftsmen to ensure flawless work.

Fuse string in black and white
Fuse string used in Hoyt Charger. This string is made with BCY X material.

Fuse strings used in this compound are made from BCY X material which is a mix of SK90 Dyneema and Vectran. A similar concept as 452X material, however, with less Vectran.
Strings made with BYC X offer:

  • Great Arrow Speed;
  • No Creep;
  • Minimal fuzziness;
  • High abrasion resistance.

It is composed of 83% SK90 Dyneema and 17% Vectran and therefore offers all the benefits of 8190 along with additional stability.

Issues with string premature wear on 2013 models

Some bows produced in the first half of 2013 had issues with string tearing. The premature wear is localized where the cable rolls over the cams. Some professionals suggested that it was caused by the shape of the cam. Hoyt has never admitted that there was a problem but the cams were redesigned and after mid-2013 they are more round in shape. Users of affected bows were usually offered a replacement string and new cams by the customer service. Several cases of string snapping under full load are described on various internet forums but none of them resulted in damage to other parts of the bow. This may suggest that Hoyt Charger is quite resistant to accidental dry fire.

Finish options for Hoyt Charger

Charger comes in several different finish options to suit everyone needs. The standard hunting finish options include:

  • Realtree Xtra (camo pattern on riser and limbs);
  • Realtree Max-1 (camo pattern on riser and limbs);
  • Black Out (black riser and limbs).

Custom hunting color options include:

  • Half and Half (Black Riser and Realtree Xtra Limbs);
  • Half and Half (Black Riser and Realtree Max-1 Limbs);
  • Bone Collector (Realtree Xtra riser with custom Bone Collector Limb Graphics);
  • Realtree AP Pink (pink camo pattern);
  • Realtree AP Snow (snow camo);
  • Vicxen.

There are also additional custom paints and powdercoats. Available options are:

  • Pearl white;
  • Red;
  • Blue;
  • Black;
  • Black Out;
  • Target Pink.

Vibration and noise reduction

Most of the vibration is reduced by the sheer construction of the riser. Additional noise and vibration cancelling devices in Hoyt Charger include:

  • Alpha Shox – mounted on limbs state of the art vibration dampeners. The five-fin shape was rigorously tested and proven to dampen any vibration more efficiently than any other design. It guarantees whisper-quiet shoots without compromising the performance.
  • cable dampeners,
  • Stealth Shot String Suppressor – newest Hoyt’s vibrations reduction and silencing tool that effectively kill noise and recoil. Promotes clean arrow launch and prevents arm slap. With its new elastomeric material that is softer and thus quieter Stealth Shot String Suppressor makes Charger more accurate and quiet than ever.

Thanks to the stabilizer mounting on the front of the riser a stabilizer can be attached if you find it necessary. According to most Hoyt Charger customer reviews if the bow is properly tuned the stabilizer is not needed.

FUSE high performance accessory kit

An image of the FUSE accessory package for Hoyt Charger
Accessory package for Charger

For additional $150 you can order Hoyt Charger with a complete accessory package including:

  • FUSE ProFire 3 Pin Sight with precision-built metal pins;
  • FUSE Vector 4 Arrow Quiver made with hyper-light machined aluminum;
  • FUSE FlexBlade Stabilizer;
  • Ultra Rest Hunter Arrow Rest;
  • Black wrist sling with Hoyt logo;
  • Peep Sight & Alignment Tubing.

>Check discounted price of Hoyt Charger on Amazon<

Categories
compound bow reviews Diamond compound bow dual cam bow inexpensive bows

Diamond Infinite Edge Review

Image of the Infinite Edge compound bow by Diamond in BlackOps finish
Infinite Edge compound bow by Diamond.

Diamond claims that their Infinite Edge bow is so awesome and versatile that you will never have to look for another bow and if you look at the specs it’s hard to disagree. The draw length range is of 13 to 30 inches is nothing by amazing. Similarly the the draw weight can be adjusted in an unseen in other bows range of 5 to 70 pounds. This bow is fast, light and has unparalleled adjustability. Customer reviews of Diamond Infinite Edge indicate that it has it’s fans among both advanced and novice archers. It’s often referred as “all in one package” as what you get is a bow that would suit any bow hunter or archer regardless of age, sex, strength or armspan. What is even more amazing all the adjustments can be done at home, without a bow press, by using just two wrenches and you wont need to order any additional modules. With Infinite Edge you can’t go wrong.

>Check discounted price of Infinite Edge bow on Amazon<

Riser

The riser of Infinite Edge is ultra light due to cut outs and lightweight aluminium used for its production. Modules can be easily replaced thanks to holes located in standardized locations.

image of the black rubber grip
Grip used in Infinite Edge

This bow comes with a black thin grip made from a durable, hard rubber. It enforces proper hand placement no matter how small or big your hand is. Thanks to its texture it does not twist and stays firmly in the hand and due to material used does not feel cold even in low temperatures. The thin shape of the grip and a hard material used prevent torque during the draw.
The riser is also equipped with string stop which is extremely efficient with reducing vibrations.

Cams

Image of the cam used in Infinity Edge bow
Cam used in Diamond Infinite Edge

The shape of the cams enables for a smooth draw cycle of this bow. It also stands behind a standard 75% let off. The rotating modules in the cams that enable instant tuning of the draw length and the range of this adjustment is what makes this compound stand out. All you need to do to change it is: remove the screws, rotate the modules and put the screws back. A great feature of this cams is an infinite draw length setting. This makes Infinite Edge a great choice for schools or other organizations where the bow is shot by multiple users without the need of changing settings. Thanks to this particular feature this bow can also be used for bow fishing as you can snap shot with it quite easily.

diamond logo

Diamond archery is a sister company to Bowtech. The first specialize in bows with binary cams whereas the latter produces single cam bows. Diamond archery specializes in production of highest quality compound bows and is a leader in terms of new technologies and popularity among archers and bow hunters around the world.

Limbs

Diamond Infinite Edge comes with solid style limbs which are parallel to each other. This positioning of the limbs eliminates hand-shock and in this model the efficiency of it is so high that apart from string stop no other vibration cancelling mechanisms were not applied. The limbs in all finish options are black in color with white DIAMOND logo on it.

Finish

There are three finish options available:

  1. BlackOps;
  2. Mossy Oak Infinity;
  3. Pink Blaze.

Vibration and noise reduction

Apart from string stop the bow has no other noise reductions mechanisms which are not needed in this bow. Hand shock is completely eliminated by the parallel positioning of the limbs and effectiveness of the string stop in cancelling the oscillations of the string prevent any noise.

Content of the package

  • Infinite Edge Bow
  • Octane DeadLock Lite Quiver – ultra light quiver with five arrows capacity, easy to use quick-detach mechanism and a tree hanger hook;
  • 3-Pin Apex Sight – a light and durable sight made of composite materials, contains a TruGlo fiber-optic steel pins;
  • Hostage XL Arrow Rest – a simple and durable design with no mechanical parts;
  • Tube Peep Sight
  • BCY String Loop

Applications of Diamond Infinite Edge

perfect choice for a youth archer as the it can be easily adjusted as they grow. Infinite Edge is also highly praised and recommended for archers that had a longer break as it is easier to come back to this sport with bow that has low draw weight and increase it as the muscular memory comes back.

Changing string in the field

Even for an advanced bow hunter it may sound unrealistic but thanks to enormous adjustability of this bow it can be tuned down so much that the string effectively goes limb. This allow for changing the string in the field by using just a hex wrench. Within minutes you can have the bow with a new string and set to 70 pounds draw weight which is plenty even for a big game animals.

pros:

  • huge adjustability;
  • price;
  • quality of finish;
  • infinite draw length setting;

cons:

  • In some customer reviews users indicated that the default sight does not meet their personal preferences and decided to replace it. The most common choice for an alternative sight for Infinite Edge was the TruGlo 5-pin sight.

>Check discounted price of Infinite Edge bow on Amazon<

Diamond Infinite Edge specyfications

IBO speed (fps)310
A2A length (inches)31
draw weights available (lbs)5 - 70
draw length range (inches)13 - 30
brace height (inches)7
bow weight (lbs)3,1
eccentricsmodular, double cam
let off (%)75
finishBlackOps; Mossy Oak Infinity; Pink Blaze
Categories
compound bow reviews Mathews

Mathews Monster Chill R review

Image of a Monster Chill R compound bow by Mathews in Blue Ice finish
Monster Chill R by Mathews in Blue Ice finish

Mathews Monster Chill R is a high end compound designed for those who need a reliable, light and very fast bow. It has been redesigned in comparison to its predecessor, Mathews Chill, in order to increase performance and reduce overall weight. The new design looks similar but a closer look reveals changes in brace height and AtA length. Due to these few tweaks the bow feels much more stable in the hand during the shot. Furthermore, Chill R scores great customer reviews for phenomenally smooth draw cycle and lack of noise or vibrations. If you are a speed freak you’ll notice that the IBO speed was increased to 342 fps. A solid wall complements the package.

>Check discounted price of Mathews Monster Chill R on Amazon<

Riser

Mathews Chill R features a Geo Grid Lock riser which is based on an advanced geometric pattern. This makes the bow extremely lightweight and makes it one of the lightest compound ever produced. It doesn’t however compromise the rigidity of the riser. This patented technology was applied in other Matchews bows and during the last few years was tested and tweaked bringing it to perfection.

Image of the Reverse Assist roller guard used in Mathews Chill R
Reverse Assist roller guard by Mathews

On the riser a Reverse Assist™ Roller Guard is mounted which helps to make the bow extremely smooth. Contrary to the traditional roller guard this device positions cables in front of the of the roller guard. This reduces the tension in a fully contained roller guard once the the cables roll during the draw.

The grip used in this bow is the famous, ascetic looking Focus grip. For those who’ve never held a bow with a Focus grip it may initially feel a little weird. You will, however, get used to it pretty quickly. This grip was designed and is highly praised for virtually eliminating the hand torque. Focus grip is made of a special hard rubber. The material and texture makes it warm to the touch.

Image of the Focus grip
Focus grip on Mathews Monster Chill R

Limbs of the Mathews Chill R

This rig was equipped with state of the art Quad V-Lock limbs that are positioned parallel to each other. The V-Lock system facilitates optimal positioning of the limb at each stage of the draw. The V-shaped end of the limbs are placed in a VLOCK area where they are always perfectly aligned. Additionally the limbs are securely locked in place by a reverse locking mechanism. This system also reduces the possibility of damaging the bow with a bow press which is quite high with parallel limb bows.

Cams

Behind the excellent speed and jaw dropping smoothness of this compound is a new Mathews invention – the DYAD AVS cams with Dual Perimeter-Weighted Technology. This feature is an obligatory point in any Mathews Chill review. Thanks to the Advanced Vectoring System utilized in these cams the process of storing the kinetic energy is extremely efficient yet still allow for a surprisingly smooth draw cycle. This is very unusual for a bows in this speed category. Another impressive feature of this cam system is the Perimeter Weighed technology designed to reduce vibrations and noise. This technology is based on a principle of inertia. There are special weights located inside the cams which after the shot are stabilizing the limbs. This results in reduction of the noise and recoil to levels close to non existing.

Finish

Matchews Monster Chill R comes in five different finish options namely:

  1. Black;
  2. Black tactical;
  3. Blue Ice;
  4. Lost Camo;
  5. Desert Tactical.

Black finish as a name suggests is predominantly black with some blue elements (on cables, cams and limbs). Black tactical finish is black except for limbs which are black and grey. Blue Ice is similar to Black finish but features blue limb pockets. In Lost Camo both riser and limbs are in brownish camouflage pattern. Desert Tactical finish features sandy color riser, limbs and string.

Vibration and noise reduction

Dead End String Stop Lite used in this bow eliminates any string oscillations after the shot and dampens the noise associated with them. This is a lighter, yet equally efficient, version of the famous Mathews Dead End String Stop.

Limb vibrations are cancelled by the above mentioned cams with Dual Perimeter-Weighted Technology.

The string is equipped with string grubs which reduce string vibrations after the shoot. This not only reduce noise but also facilitates faster arrow speeds.

Any riser vibrations are deadened by Harmonic Damper which consists of weights floating in an elastomer wheel and absorbing any recoil vibration of this part of the bow. This technology is so efficient that is currently applied in other mechanical devices across a wide range of industries.

Matchews Chill R is also equipped with a Harmonic Stabilizer Lite which can capture 75% of residual vibrations and weighs only 30% of the original Harmonic Stabilizer.

Mathews Monster Chill R specyfications

IBO speed (fps)342
A2A length (inches)33
draw weights available (lbs)50, 60, 70
draw length range (inches)23 - 30
brace height (inches)6.125
bow weight (lbs)3.95
eccentricsAVS DYAD cams
let off (%)80
finishBlack; Black tactical; Blue Ice; Lost Camo; Desert Tactical.

>Check discounted price of Mathews Monster Chill R on Amazon<

Categories
compound bow reviews

Browning Compound Bows Reviews

For over thirty years, beginning in the 1960s Browning compound bows were considered as one of the best due to their quality and often unmatched parameters. The company is behind many innovative technical solutions in this field and holds several patents. In 2001 Browning begun its cooperation with PSE. The latter took over the manufacturing of Browning compound under the licence. For over ten years the joint forces of these two companies developed and manufactured several excellent bows. In December 2010 PSE ceased manufacturing and selling Browning compound bows. However, it still provides service for the products they created that bear the mark of Browning.

>Check discounted price of Browning bows on Amazon<

Both the manufacturing and research of Browning products was always based in the US, initially in Browning’s own facilities in Morgan, Utah and subsequently in PSE base is Arizona. Browning best compounds include such legendary bows as: Rage, Myst, Barracuda, Verado, Mirage and Illusion. The reliability and great performance of this rigs have won them numerous devoted fans. Some of the most important features of Browning compound bows include:

  • Hyperlite™ Unibody Pocket System;
  • Trance Cam system facilitating smooth draw and enabling the adjustment of the draw length without the need of the bow press.

Trance Cam system

This system includes a patented inner cam that enables easy adjustments of bow’s draw length without a need of a bow press. Using it the draw length can be adjusted in one inch increments. Trance Cam system also enables easy switching bow’s let off from 80% to 65%.
Fine tuning of draw length can also be achieved by using either + or – post for the bow string. This can either increase or decrease the draw length by ¼”.

Selection of Browning Compound Bows

Browning Rage

Browning Rage Compound Bow image

Browning Range joins high quality design and performance with excellent value for money. The bow offers a generous 303 fps and 50 to 70 lbs draw weight. The draw length is adjustable in the range between 25 to 30 inches. The let off is also adjustable in the range between 65-80%. The bow scores high in customer reviews being praised mostly for the ease of use and set up. Bow hunters would be particularly happy with the low level of vibrations and noise Browning Rage produces. Many users complement this design also for mechanism thanks to which the quiver is very easily detachable, yet once mounted stays firmly in place.

Browning Mirage

Browning Mirage compound bow imageBrowning Mirage is a compound bow for those who need a fast and compact solutions. With IBO speeds of 315 fps and A2A length below 30 inches this rig is a perfect solutions for many bow hunters. The mobility provided by the compact design will undoubtedly appreciated in dense woods. Browning Mirage comes in with adjustable let off and draw length. Hyperlite pockets provides both accuracy and noise levels close to none. This compound comes in Mossy Oak Break-Up camo finish that is of a very high quality and durability.

Browning Illusion

Browning Illusion imageBrowning Illusion is a high quality design with parallel positioned quad limbs featuring Browning’s famous Hyperlite pockets and Trance cam. In contrast to the above model Illusion is a rather long bow with A2A length of 33.5 inches. The low brace height of 6.5″ helps generating IBO speeds up to 326 fps. Both the draw length and let off can be easily adjusted without a need for a bow press in the range of 25″ to 30″ and 65% to 80% respectively. This compound bow comes with a Vibracheck kit preinstalled to keep vibrations and noise to minimum.

Browning Micro Midas compound bow

Image of the Browning Micro Midas compound bow
Browning Micro Midas.

Browning Micro Midas is a series of compound bows developed with youth archer in mind. Micro Midas was redesigned and subsequently re-released in Micro Midas 2, 3 and eventually 4. Each version brought some innovations. This is a perfect choice for a first bow for both young users as well as female archers looking for narrow hand grip and low draw weight. Micro Midas comes in with either 40 lbs or 30 lbs draw weight versions and each of them can be down regulated by 10 lbs. Despite relatively low draw weight Micro Midas can produce surprising IBO speed of 379 fps.

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Browning Micro Adrenaline

Micro Midas Compound bow in Mossy Oak Break-Up finish
Micro Adrenaline by Browning

This 31-inch axle-to-axle compound comes in a great looking Mossy Oak Break-Up camo and features Browning’s renowned Hypermax 10 cams. It’s forgiving brace height of 7-1/8” makes it suitable even for novice archers. Younger adepts as well as their parent’s wallets will benefit from the huge range of adjustability in both draw weight and draw length that this bow offers. This means that it definitely won’t be outgrown in one season. Youth archers find this bow comfortable due to its small throat grip and low weight of only 3.4 lbs.

Despite being suitable for novice and youth archers Micro Adrenaline is not a toy bow by now means. It can produce IBO speeds of 269 fps and is meticulously designed and produced with quality and performance in mind. It features strong riser made from machined Aluminum and Hyperlite Unibody limb pockets which enable accurate and consistent shots.

Browning Barracuda

Barracuda compound bow in AquaFlage camouflage
Browning Barracuda in AquaFlage camouflage.

Barracuda is a compound bow that was specifically designed for bowfishing. It’s short, powerful and can be used as quickly as a recurve bow. From the first glance over the camo of this bow its purpose is quite obvious. The AquaFlage camouflage blends perfectly with water surface.

At 2.6 pounds it’s easy to hold and aim even for prolonged periods of time. It also features special adaptations that make it particularly useful for bowfishing. Most important being the Hypermax cams that can be adjusted in a way that there is no let off. This means that the bow can be fired at any stage of the draw cycle – even if it’s just half way drawn. In practice it means that once you see a fish close to the boat you can shoot an arrow in a split-second with a short pull and quick release.

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Categories
bow maintenance

How to wax a bowstring

Waxing your bowstring is one of the most important maintenance tasks ahead of any compound bow owner wanting to keep his/hers equipment in good shape. It’s really easy to do and with the few simple tips below you’ll be able to do it yourself. Waxing should be done frequently to extend the lifespan of the string. Some people do it every time after an outdoor session. A general rule of thumb is to wax the bowstring once every two weeks or whenever you see hairs on the string indicating separation of the fibers.

Before waxing you should clean the bowstring to remove dirt and prevent it from penetration inside the string with the wax. You can do this by applying a string cleaner onto the string and letting it do its job for about 5 minutes. Afterwards you wipe it off with a clean, soft cloth.

Once the bowstring if free from dust and dirt you can apply a bowstring wax. DO NOT USE CANDLE WAX or BEESWAX! Only a special, silicone based can be used for this. It does not have to be a high dollar wax, you will get one for $5-$15 (very popular are Allen’s Wax and Scorpion Venom).

Apply wax only on the naked string, not on the cables and serving areas of the string. Use your fingers to rub the wax into the string. It has to penetrate inside the bowstring.
See a video demonstration of bowstring waxing below:

Remember:

  • Waxing the bowstring extend the lifespan of the string and prevents damage of the bow caused by string snapping;
  • Never use candle wax on the bowstring as instead of protecting it, the chemicals from candle wax may digest the fibers of the bowstring;
  • Do not wax the serving area of the string as it is not needed and will cause dirt buildup on the cams.
Categories
bow maintenance

Maintenance of a Compound Bow

Modern compound bow if conserved properly can serve you for many years without even a minor failure. In fact if you treat it well it is much more likely it will become outdated before it wears out. Below are few simple tips and tricks you can do keep it in great shape and enjoy it for years to come.

Waxing the bowstring

Application of a special wax to your bowstring is going to greatly extend the lifespan of the strong as well as reduce the chance of its breakage (this may destroy the bow). The substances present in the wax are design to penetrate inside the string and lubricate it. When drawing a bow the individual fibers inside the string rub against each other which causes wear of the string. Lubrication can significantly reduce this process.
It’s very important to use only special waxes designed for bowstrings. Beeswax or candlewax have opposite effect and their application can damage your equipment so do not use them! A quality wax is only $5 – $15 and will last for long. Good examples of high quality waxes are Allen’s Wax and Scorpion Venom.
The wax should be applied every 2-4 weeks. In the period of heavy use this can be done even every week.

Change the bowstring regularly

Even if well maintained and regularly waxed the bowstring will eventually wear out. If it brake it may damage the bow and cause harm to the shooter. Therefore it should be replaced once every three years or, if in heavy use, once every 2500 shots.

When squeaks use designated lubricants

Sometimes, especially after your bow gets in contact with water, some elements start squeaking when moved. This usually happens with axes and is caused by lubricants being washed out by water or buildup of dirt. Applying special lubricants will help eliminate squeaking. Do not however use WD-40 or similar lubricants as this may destroy the axes.

Dampness will do no good

The place where you store your equipment has great impact on its future performance and longevity. Keeping a compound bow in a humid environment for a prolonged period of time will inevitably lead to its corrosion and make it inoperable. Therefore make sure that you store your bow in a dry place.

Inspect your bow regularly

As with all mechanical devices some parts of your bow will wear and some will become loose over time. It is crucial to perform a regular check on your bow and apply suitable adjustments or repairs. In most cases a simple tightening of loose elements can eliminate a problem and prevent costly damage.

Visit a professional service store if needed

If you don’t know how to fix something yourself or don’t have adequate tools visit a professional serviceman. This is especially important with using a bow press. If you are not sure which press to use and how to use it do not risk damaging your riser and limbs.

Keep the cams synchronized

If using a two cam bow make sure that the cams are synchronized. You can easily check if the cams are synchronized by watching them while drawing the bow. Both cams should reach the let-off position simultaneously. If they are not then you need to adjust the buss cables. Asynchronized cams affect bow draw length, poundage, lifespan of the bow and your comfort when using the bow.

Never dry fire a compound bow

Dry firing a compound bow is very likely to destroy your bow. Riser, bowstring, limbs and cams are often damaged after doing so. Therefore do not test the bow without an arrow. It is also not a good idea to let your mates that never held a bow in their hands to draw it without an arrow. They may be able to draw it but while letting down the string the increased force will surprise them and they will let go destroying the bow.

Check for ice buildups before shooting

In the US the deer hunting season is in the winter. Very often after hours in the woods ice will accumulate over your bow. Drawing a bow with frozen string may cause the bowstring to snap. The ice covering cams and around the cams may dislocate the bowstring from the groove of the cam/wheel as they roll causing damage to the bow. Therefore before firing in the winter make a visual inspection of your bow.

Categories
Bear compound bow reviews dual cam bow hybrid cam bow

Bear Motive 6 review

Bear Motive 6 - a hybrid cam compound bow
Bear Motive 6

The new killing machine from Bear in full of contradictions. It’s amazingly fast and still thanks to double string silencers extremely quiet. The new cam system helps to accumulate huge amounts of energy during the draw but also makes the draw surprisingly smooth. If you’re after a high end bow offering top speed and packed with state of the art technology Bear Motive 6 is the one to consider.

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Riser

The riser in Motive 6 is all about ergonomics and performance. Modern and expressive design was combined with stress resistant shape. It features integrated dual string suppressors positioned directly opposite accessories mountings which helps to keep the bow perfectly balanced.
Motive 6 comes with two grips. The default one is a very comfortable rubber grip with Bear logo overmolded on it. The second one can be uncovered by unscrewing the default grip. It is machined in the riser in the way that enables steady and dependable grip even in the most aggressive setup.
On the riser is also mounted a 4×4 roller guard with four rolls on two sealed bearings each. This aluminium guarded solution facilitates neutral position of the cables once the bow is fully drawn and thus reduces torque.

Limbs

The Max Pre-Load Quad limbs used in Motive 6 reach a past-parallel position once the bow is fully drawn. Being made from Gordon Composite material they are design to store enormous amounts of energy. For smooth and vibration free release of this energy Bear used Zero Tolerance Limb Pockets which keep the limbs tight in the pockets.

Cams

The new H13 Synchronized Hybrid cam system with two elliptical cams was designed to make the most of this rig. Thanks to rotating modules in the cams the draw length can be easily adjusted in the range between 25.5″ and 30″ (in half inch increments). To adjust the draw length no bow press or modules are needed.

Finish

Bear offers new Motive 6 owners plethora of finish options to choose from. Namely the finish options are:

  • Realtree APG,
  • Realtree APS,
  • Shadow,
  • Red/Black,
  • Green/Black.

Vibration and noise reduction

Dual Offset String Suppressors were used to eliminate any vibration and noise of the pre-stretched Contraband HP string after the shot. The suppressors are adjustable and it’s worth spending some time looking for your perfect settings.
For limb vibration reduction the new Zero Tolerance Two-Piece pockets were used. They prevent any movement of the limbs in the pocket which reduces vibrations.
Post-parallel position of the limbs is also a huge factor in overall vibration characteristic of this bow. The forces of upper and lower limb cancel out which prevents kicking effect and makes using Bear 6 even more pleasant.

Bear Motive 6 specyfications

IBO speed (fps)350
A2A length (inches)32
draw weights available (lbs)50, 60, 70
draw length range (inches)25.5 - 30
brace height (inches)6
bow weight (lbs)4
eccentricsH13 cam
let off (%)75
finishRealtree APG, Realtree APS, Shadow, Red/Black, Green/Black

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