Category: inexpensive bows

Bear Apprentice 3 Review

Post author By olooo682@gmail.com
Post date February 19, 2014

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)

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:

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.
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:

Tags pivoting limb pockets, Zero Tolerance Limb Pockets

compound bow reviews inexpensive bows PSE single cam bow

PSE Sinister Review

Post author By olooo682@gmail.com
Post date February 17, 2014

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)

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<

Tags AMP cam, pivoting limb pockets

compound bow reviews Diamond compound bow dual cam bow inexpensive bows

Diamond Infinite Edge Review

Post author By olooo682@gmail.com
Post date February 6, 2014

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 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:

BlackOps;
Mossy Oak Infinity;
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
eccentrics	modular, double cam
let off (%)	75
finish	BlackOps; Mossy Oak Infinity; Pink Blaze

compound bow reviews inexpensive bows PSE single cam bow

PSE Stinger 3G review

Post author By olooo682@gmail.com
Post date September 23, 2013

PSE Stinger compound bow image — PSE Stinger 3G

PSE (Precision Shooting Equipment) Archery is one of the leading compound bow manufacturers in the world. The company was set up in Illinois in 1971 and since then secured a number of patents for compound bow’s innovations. Among other manufacturers PSE Archery boast the longest tradition in compound bow production.
Stinger is by far the most popular bow ever made by PSE. Due to its low price tag combined with quality of build this model is often recommended for beginners. More experienced users talk about it with undisguised affection. Recently PSE decided to redesigned and modernize its famous bow. The works on Stinger began many years ago, every couple of months some slight change was introduced making it better and better. The latest version of PSE Stinger 3G is the product of all that effort and time spent on finding and eliminating even the slightest imperfections. All the knowledge and experience that PSE gained developing its high-end models was focused on producing this affordable bow. It has been also substantially upgraded. In fact the upgrades are so extensive that if you compare the parameters of Stinger with bows from much higher price-range you will find no differences. Introduction of such model into the market had a tremendous effect – most archery shops admit that PSE Stinger 3G is their top seller and scores highest reviews.

>Check discounted price of PSE Stinger on Amazon<

Changes in the New PSE Stinger 3G

So many things were changed in this design that it could easily be sold as a different model, a much higher price-range model. The most important changes introduced by PSE to its latest Stinger include:

thinline grip reducing vibration;
The thinline grip of PSE Stinger 3G
metal pivoting limb pockets for additional noise reduction;
integrated string stop;
new cam system;
riser based on PSE X-Force model.

Our review of PSE Stinger 3G

The fist impression is always important and with Stinger it was nothing but positive. All the parts are made of quality materials which not only makes this bow to be a top performer but also look aesthetically. It comes in three different finish versions: Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinty (greenish camouflage), Skullworks Camo (black and white camouflage) and Black (black riser with Skullworks Camo limbs). The Skullworks Camo version is a default one and also the most popular one. All finishes are of high quality, do not fade over time and are durable even in harsh conditions during hunting sessions.

The setup is very intuitive and user friendly, even if you have no experience with compound bows (the manual is very comprehensive). You will be able to make all the necessary adjustments yourself to perfectly tune the bow to your needs.

Riser and limbs

Latest version of Stinger 3G features completely redesigned riser made of machined 6061 T6 aluminum, which provides exceptional structural stability. By being very light it also enables to keep the overall weight of the rig to minimum. As it was mentioned before Stinger was developed on the basis of best concepts that have been tested and proved to be successful. The design of the riser that after few tweaks is used in new Stinger 3G can be found in one of the previous models of PSE bows, namely X-Force.

The riser also features a new grip called Vibracheck which is made of special rubber. The shape is ergonomic and nicely fit in the hand. Additionally the material used in the grip was designed to dampen vibrations.

At its ends the riser features firm and durable aluminium limb pockets. They hold the limbs in such a way that keeps them almost parallel to each other. Thanks to parallel limb design vibrations and after-shot kick are eliminated. The limbs are kept pre-stressed at rest which gives optimal performance. The limbs bolts in this bow are exceptionally long which gives a huge room for adjustment if needed. unlike most bows that offer 10 pounds adjustments range, this model offers 30 pounds! If you wish you can instantly reduce the draw weight of the bow by 30 pounds using adjustment screws. No special equipment or knowledge is needed.

Eccentrics

Stinger 3G is a single cam bow featuring a HP cam system. It produces a smooth draw and is easily adjustable. The draw length can be easily adjusted using Allen key. Adjustment is available in a range between 25 and 30 inches in half inch increments.

Image of the HP cam used in Stinger 3G — HP cam used in Stinger

The smooth draw cycle of Stinger is nothing but amazing. This is probably the single feature of this rig that most archers and bow hunters keep in their memory even after many years and many other bows.

Summary of Our PSE Stinger review

Stinger 3G is already a legend. There is no archer or bow hunter that have not heard of this bow and this is probably the best recommendation to get this bow.

Best bow for beginners

In numerous surveys PSE Stinger 3G was voted the best compound bow for beginners. The forgiveness that comes with the 7 ¾ brace height and an exceptionally smooth draw cycle provided my the single cam makes it very accurate even in untrained hands.

You do not have to worry to outgrow Stinger in the near future. The quality of the design, its performance, extras coming with the bow and unmatched price make this bow also a very popular choice among more advanced users that are short on cash.

New Stinger 3G has been notably praised by numerous users for the minimal level of vibrations and noise. As all the previous generations of this great compound bow the overall quality is comparable only with much higher priced bows. Similarly as its predecessors Stinger 3G scores very high in numerous customer and professional reviews. With its renowned accuracy and forgiveness the PSE Stinger is definitely the best dollar-for-dollar deal you can find on the market.

Pros:

Price,
High quality,
Easily adjustable draw length
Modern design
Forgiveness
Low level of noise and vibration.

Cons:

String. Some users noticed peep sight rotation and decided to upgrade the bowstring after some time.

>Check discounted price of PSE Stinger on Amazon<

PSE Stinger 3G specyfications

IBO speed (fps)	314
A2A length (inches)	33
draw weights available (lbs)	50, 60, 70
draw length range (inches)	25.5 - 30.5
brace height (inches)	7.75
bow weight (lbs)	4.7
eccentrics	HP cam with posi-lock inner cam
let off (%)	75
finish	Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinty, Skullworks Camo

Tags integrated string stop, pivoting limb pockets, thinline grip