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RE: New to bows
YES first and formost DONT BUY ANYTHING if you are serious about taking up archery you really should do a beginners course via your local club, the cost is normally only about £30. They will teach you how to use a bow correctly and they will measure you up so you know what your draw length and ideal beginners draw weight should be.
They usually will let you try out different types of bow which will save you boat loads of dosh, as I did. Indeed many good archery shops will decline your business rather than sell you stuff you may not be suited too.
Compound Bow Buyer's Guide
written by Tracy Breen
With so many different types of bows on the market today, choosing the "right" one can be a difficult undertaking. This compound bow buyer's guide will help you wade through the options and simplify the process of buying a new bow.
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Consider buying a ready-to-shoot bow package like this one from RedHead. Packages that include a sight, rest and quiver are much less expensive than buying each item individually.
Compound bow manufacturer's make significant technological strides every year, and a bow that was viewed as top-of-the-line only a few years ago is most likely viewed as a dinosaur today. Modern bows are lighter, faster and quieter than anyone would have thought possible only 5 years ago, and engineers at bow companies continue to push the engineering envelope each year with two goals in mind: producing bows that blow the socks off last years models and "wowing" bow buyers. As a result, consumers end up with amazing bows that increase accuracy. And as most experienced bowhunters will tell you, setting up a bow used to be an all-day project. Today's bows can be set up and throwing darts that are fast, accurate and deadly within a few short hours.
The first thing to consider with new bows is accuracy. Most mid-priced bows have as many bells and whistles as their high-end cousins; they just cost less. In today's highly competitive bow market, poorly made bows don't survive. As you head to your favorite archery retailer to check out the latest and greatest archery gear, realize that the probability of finding a bow with everything you need in the price range you can afford is good.
Accuracy is vital because -- regardless of how fast your bow is -- if you can't hit the broadside of a barn, you won't harvest anything. An accurate bow is one with a long brace height. Extremely fast bows usually have a brace height in the 6-inch range. If you are an accomplished archer, a 6-inch brace height may be all you need. If you are an average shooter, a longer brace height in the 7-inch range is a good choice. The longer the brace height, the more accurate and forgiving a bow will be. If you aren't as steady as you used to be or not as accurate as you would like to be, a long brace height is a must. Most competitive archers shoot bows with at least a 7-inch brace height. Some professional archers shoot bows with a brace height that is 8-inches or more.
When choosing a bow, you need to know which features you need and which ones you can live without. Most hunters want a bow that is as quiet and shock-free as possible. A quiet bow makes harvesting game easier. Deer are notorious for jumping the string. Since bows are quieter and faster than they used to be, not as many deer know an arrow is coming until it is too late. A quiet, shock-free bow is a smooth-shooting bow. The smoother your bow shoots, the more accurate you will be.
If you hunt out West, where packing a bow in on your back for miles each day makes every ounce count, having an extremely lightweight bow is very important.
When shopping for a bow, consider purchasing a ready-to-shoot bow package with vibration-destroying contraptions already on it. Most bow companies offer bows that come complete with limb and string noise and vibration devices already installed. However, if you are on a tight budget, you can always purchase a less expensive bow and add aftermarket anti-vibration devices when you get extra cash. Companies like Limbsaver produce a wide variety of aftermarket products that can quiet a bow and reduce hand shock. These products can be purchased one at a time.
The weight of the bow is another thing to consider. If you hunt out West, where packing a bow in on your back for miles each day makes every ounce count, having an extremely lightweight bow is very important. If most of your hunting is done in a treestand within a mile of your car, it isn't as important. Most bows weigh between 3.5 and 5.5 pounds. If you fall into the first category, it may be worth paying a few extra dollars for a lighter bow. If you fall into the second category, a heavier, less-expensive bow may be more of what you are looking for.
Pay close attention to the type of cam system a bow has and consider what type of system you want to shoot. (This means you'll need to shoot a few for comparison.) A few years ago, the favorite among most bowhunters was the single-cam bow. Single-cam bows are usually easier to tune than other cam configurations and are just as fast too. In the last few years, cam-and-a-1/2 systems and binary cam systems have become very popular. All three options are fast and fairly easy to tune. Often the deciding factor will be which one feels best to you.
The last thing to consider is speed. Speed is important, but unless I'm shooting at mule deer and antelope at long distances, where an extremely fast arrow can make the difference if I misjudge the distance to an animal, I don't pay much attention to the IBO speed of a bow. In a hunting situation, almost any bow with an arrow that isn't too heavy will put most big game animals down at forty yards or less. If you enjoy taking long shots, faster bows are available to accommodate your need for speed. Some bows can send arrows sailing at over 340 fps. If you like speed and have the money, you have plenty of options.
Bow limbs have changed considerably in recent years. Some companies continue to make their limbs out of aluminum. Recently, though, more companies started making their limbs out of composite material or carbon. All three options are excellent. Limbs rarely crack or break unless the bow is dry-fired or shot incorrectly. Split-limb bows are often lighter, but some solid bows are just as light, depending on what the limbs are made of.
Another option is choosing a bow package. Some bow companies sell their bows with a sight, rest and quiver all ready to shoot at a price that is less expensive than if you bought each item individually. If you want to save a dollar or two, this is a great option.
Compound Bow Selection Guide
Introduction
Like many products, compound bows come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and levels of sophistication. If you’re new to the sport of archery, we’ll guide you through all the jargon and technical hoopla and help you to make a better-informed choice on your new bow.
If you're not already familiar with the components of the compound bows, please take a moment to examine the illustration at right. Note the red lines denoting brace height and axle to axle length, as these attributes are mentioned frequently in this guide.
There are many pages of information here, you may wish to print this section for your reference (16-20 pages).
Help Article Index:
1. Perspective on Technology
13. Cam Valley
2. Name Brands
14. Brace Height
3. Statistical Deception
15. Speed vs Forgiveness
4. Understanding Trade Offs
16. Kinetic Energy
5. Limits to Performance
17. Let-Off
6. Energy Storage
18. Cam Types
7. IBO Speeds
19. Solid vs. Split Limbs
8. Force Draw Curve
20. Bow Recoil
9. Draw Weights
21. Parallel Limbs
10. Draw Weight Ranges
22. Bow Mass
11. Draw Lengths
23. Axle to Axle Length
12. Cam Aggression
24. Noise and Vibration
Keeping Things in Perspective
Undoubtedly, the modern compound bow is a fantastic hunting weapon. But let's try to keep things in some reasonable perspective. Before you're swayed by an advertising campaign promising exclusive-technology and predatory bliss, try to keep in mind that the compound bow is still a relatively simple device. The compound bow is constructed from readily available materials, it has only a handful of moving parts, and it isn't yet micro-processor controlled. So there's only so much technology which can realistically be applicable to the design and production of a compound bow. However, most bows are specifically marketed as a "high-technology" product. Why? Because bow companies know what modern bowhunters want the most - an edge - particularly a "technological edge". Bowhunting has a historically low success rate, so it is no surprise that compound bow advertising campaigns focus on offering bowhunters a "technological" advantage - even if it's a little stretch of the truth. They also know that outdoor product consumers love big scientific words and impressive acronyms. So beware. Your new compound bow could be packaged with a few Ultra-Lite Hyperpolyresin fibers of CBT (cock-n-bull technology).
The Brand Name Cult
The archery industry is often plagued by a "better than your bow" mentality - as brand loyalty seems to often get out of hand. Some bow manufacturers even seem to develop a cult-like following of shooters - who'll openly malign any other brand of bows (just visit an online archery forum). This is unfortunate for beginning archers who could receive one-sided brand-x advice - which may or may not lead to a good bow purchasing decision. So beware of any advice declaring one type or brand of bow to be "the best". Imagine being told that a Subaru, for example, is "the best" kind of car - and that every other brand was totally inferior. Ridiculous right? The Subaru is certainly a fine automobile, but it's not appropriate or practical for everyone. There are many other high quality brands and models you could choose from. The same is true for compound bows. The Point: There is no "best" brand or "best" type of compound bow, so don't barricade yourself in too deeply on any particular bow manufacturer's ranch. The bow that is best for you is the bow that best fits your purpose, your size and strength, your shooting style, your skill level, and your budget.
Statistical Deception in Advertising
If the Nike shoe company paid the world’s 50 fastest sprinters to wear only Nike brand shoes during competitions, it would be no surprise that most of the big races would be won by athletes in Nike shoes. Would it be fair then to conclude that Nike shoes make runners go faster? Of course not! But the company could make it seem that way if they advertised the race statistics without mentioning the paid endorsements. Sadly, some archery manufacturers use this same little trick to entice buyers, and it usually works. Beware of advertising campaigns that lead you to believe their brand of bows are more accurate, and tempt you with "stacked" statistics on how many tournaments their bows win. The Point: Bows don’t win tournaments any more than shoes win races. The most talented runners win races and the most talented shooters win archery tournaments. Many factors are involved in accurate shooting (proper fit, careful tuning, good technique, etc.). A good high-quality bow is just one part of the equation.
Understanding Trade Offs
There are many characteristics that archers look for in a new bow. Most archers want a bow that has blazing fast performance, a silky smooth draw stroke, very low hand-shock, a generous valley, and high let-off. Most archers also want their bows to be very lightweight, compact, quiet, forgiving to any flaws in technique, easy to tune, easy to adjust, and affordable for any budget. Unfortunately, this perfect bow doesn’t exist. To get a bow with a certain set of characteristics, you’ll likely have to sacrifice some others. For example, very fast bows are generally less forgiving, low recoil parallel-limb bows are generally heavy, and so on. Ultimately you’ll have to decide which characteristics are most important to you and choose the bow that best fits your personal criteria.
POWER & PERFORMANCE
Limiting Factors of Compound Bow Performance
Since speed is often the #1 consideration for new bow buyers, let's begin with the issue power. First, we need to understand that bows don't make energy. They just convert energy from one form to another, so the chief performance-limiting factor is human power. So what makes a bow more "powerful" is quite unlike what makes a rifle more powerful. For a firearm, the "power" comes from the cartridge, not from the shooter. So providing you can withstand the recoil, you could shoot a gun for hours without ever breaking a sweat.
With a compound bow it is just the opposite. Don’t be fooled into thinking that a bow capable of shooting 340 fps is somehow "more powerful" than one that shoots 300 fps, and that the effort required to draw and shoot each bow will be the same. In general, if a bow shoots faster it is because it requires more total effort to draw the bow back. A compound bow is simply a machine that stores energy, supplied by the shooter, then releases that energy into an arrow. And sadly, you can’t get more energy out of the bow than you put in. No amount of high-tech engineering can change that. The Point: The compound bow gets its energy from YOU. So if you choose a bow that takes an eye-bulging amount of effort to draw back, you may find that the bow isn’t very enjoyable to shoot in spite of the gains in arrow velocity. Learn more about theoretical limits of compound bow performance.
Energy Storage and Release
When you pull the string of a compound bow, the limbs of the bow are squeezed inward. The energy you supplied to draw the bow is stored in the limbs, as potential energy, until you release the string. Upon release, the potential energy is transferred into the arrow as kinetic energy, as the limbs "spring" back into place returning the string to it’s original position. Seems simple enough! But careful examination of this process of storing and releasing energy is what gives a compound bow its performance characteristics, and it is something you should consider when selecting your new bow. The Point: In essence, there are only two factors that determine how much "power" your bow will have: 1) The amount of energy that can be stored in the limbs during the drawstroke. 2) The amount of that potential energy that can be successfully transferred into the arrow upon release (efficiency).
Understanding the IBO Speed Phenomenon
Before we break down the issue of energy storage, we should be clear on why it matters so much. Ultimately, manipulating and optimizing energy storage is about generating faster arrow speeds. And believe it or not, most archery enthusiasts are "speed junkies" to some extent. When most shooters evaluate a new bow, one of their first questions is likely to be "How fast does it shoot?". In the archery industry - speed sells. And like the coveted 300 yard drive in golf, and the 300 mph funny-car pass, the 300 fps mark seems to be the benchmark for high performance in the archery market. As a matter of consumer perception, a bow that shoots under 300 fps is generally considered slow, while a bow that shoots over 300 fps considered fast - in spite of the fact that there's no practical difference in a 298 fps bow and a 302 fps bow. Nonetheless, manufacturers are under tremendous pressure to produce bows that pump out big 300+ fps IBO speeds.
So what is an IBO Speed? Let's start at the top. On the most basic level, there are three main components of actual arrow speed: draw weight, draw length, and arrow mass. The higher the draw weight - the faster the arrow will shoot. The longer the draw length - the faster the arrow will shoot. And the lighter the arrow - the faster it will go. So for the purposes of testing, a slick manufacturer could setup a particular model bow and establish their bow's advertised speed using an unrealistic 100# draw weight, 32" draw length, and shoot an anorexic 250 grain arrow. Surely that combination would yield a blazing fast test speed and would help to sell more bows, right? Well, not so fast.
To really compare two bows, the industry uses an "Apples-to-Apples" method of comparison. Manufacturers generally rate their bows using the same IBO (International Bowhunting Organization) Standard. To get an accurate IBO Speed rating, manufacturers must test their bows under the same preset conditions: setting the bow for exactly 70# Peak Draw Weight, exactly 30" Draw Length, and they must shoot a test arrow that weighs precisely 350 grains. This levels the playing field on basic settings, so the differences in IBO scores reflect other design attributes (brace height, cam aggressive, bow efficiency, etc.). OK, fair enough!
However, since most manufacturers rate their own bows - they'll usually give themselves a few added advantages by testing the bows with a bare arrow shaft (no fletchings), a naked string (no nocking point, peep sight, or silencers), the lowest possible let-off setting, and with a drop-away style rest. This helps to maximize storage and eliminate friction so it's possible to squeeze out a few extra fps, but it doesn't necessarily reflect realistic shooting conditions. Manufacturers can also squeeze a few more fps by shooting the bows from the hard-wall (forcibly drawing the bow back a little too far) rather than from the soft valley (more on wall and valley concepts later). And finally, the manufacturer's IBO speed is likely to reflect their "best" test, rather than their average test.
Since the industry has no independent testing authority to actually scientifically verify each of the manufacturers' claims, most bows end up with advertised IBO speeds that are optimistically high, and nearly impossible to duplicate. After all, most consumers don't have the benefit of a chronograph, and few people actually shoot 70# DW, 30" DL, and exactly a 350 gr arrow. And even if they did, there will always be some percentage of variance among scales and chronographs to help dismiss any claims of discrepancies. So there's really no way to hold manufacturers accountable for their exact IBO speed numbers. From our experience, they're all guilty of a little IBO speed padding. But in all fairness, most are careful not to get too carried away. A little padding and outright fabricating are different things.
As such, we recommend you consider the manufacturers' ratings as a high-estimate. In most cases, the IBO speed is still a reliable method of "Apples-to-Apples" comparison among different bow models. We just have to accept that manufacturers invariably doctor-up their apples to be a little sweeter than they actually are. It's just part of the game. So don't assume something is "wrong" with your new bow just because it doesn't shoot as fast as it's posted IBO Speed. Very few, if any at all, bows do.
In fact, we periodically IBO test new bows here at our facility. Over the course of several years and countless dozens of tests, we have NEVER found a single bow which will actually shoot at or above it's advertised IBO speed - from any manufacturer. Admittedly, some manufacturers come closer than others, but in the real world, most compound bows will actually shoot 10-20 fps less than their advertised IBO speeds. And once setup in a typical hunting rig with a loaded-string, most will shoot a measurable 30-50 fps less than the advertised IBO speed.
So while we understand that speed is a big selling point for compound bows and a major performance characteristic that merits concern, we strongly suggest you not get too caught-up in splitting hairs over IBO speed. Compared to the wheel bows we grew-up on, any modern compound bow is blazing fast. In the field, the 298 fps "Slow-Bow" will probably perform just as well as the 302 fps "Fast-Bow". Neither you or the deer will likely ever know the difference.
Force-Draw Curve
So how is one bow capable of a 330 fps IBO Speed, while another only shoots 290 or 300 fps? Again, it's all about energy storage. As noted above, the key ingredients to arrow speed are draw weight, draw length, and arrow mass. But there's more. The amount of energy a bow stores also depends upon the aggression (geometry) of the cam or wheel design, the bow's let-off percentage, and the bow's brace height. To better understand how each plays its role, you should familiarize yourself with the Force-Draw Curve. The Force-Draw Curve is simply a graph that shows how much energy is being stored in the limbs, inch-by-inch, until the bow reaches full draw. Draw weight (in pounds) is plotted against draw length (in inches). The green line represents the amount of pressure the shooter must supply as the bow is drawn back. Notice that draw weight varies throughout the drawstroke (an important point for later in our discussion). When finished, the graph shows the amount of energy stored during the drawstroke, and the shape of the graph also gives us a good preview of the bow’s performance characteristics and how smooth or radical the bow will feel to shoot. Take a look at the following example graph and familiarize yourself with it.
Area Under the Curve (no calculus required)
The Force Draw Curve (above) represents an average modern single-cam compound bow. The amount of energy the bow stores is represented by the darkened gray area under the curve. The more gray area you have, the faster the bow will shoot. So how do we get more gray area? Just change the shape of the curve. Of course, changing the shape of the curve requires changing the bow's major characteristics. This is where draw length, draw weight, cam design, let-off, brace height, and other attributes come into play.
The Bow’s Drawstroke
The curved line on the force draw curve represents the bow’s drawstroke, commonly known as the powerstroke. The powerstroke represents your effort. The powerstroke begins as you pull the string back from the resting position and is completed when the bow reaches full draw. Each bow will have a different powerstroke depending upon its settings and cam characteristics. Powerstrokes which are longer, higher, or wider will result in increased energy storage and arrow velocity.
Theoretical Limits
If speed were the only goal, a Force Draw Curve shaped like this one would yield the greatest possible amount of stored energy for any bow at 70# max draw weight and 30" draw length. Of course, a bow like this would be nearly impossible to aim and shoot. With a 0" brace height, the string would rest on the bow's handle, and would nearly chop off your hand with every shot. And the bow would have no let-off, leaving you to hold back the entire 70# until release. A bow like this would be far more dangerous to the archer than it would be to the game animals. And although this graph is only a theoretical example, it can help us to understand how today's super-cam bows are yielding faster arrow speeds than ever before. But beware! The closer a bow's Force Draw Curve comes to the theoretical limit graph, the more difficult it is to draw, shoot, and control.
Draw Weight - Height of the Powerstroke
The primary method for increasing the amount of stored energy during the powerstroke is to shoot a bow with a higher maximum draw weight. All other things being equal, a 70# bow will store more energy and shoot faster than a 60# bow. However, this is a complicated issue you should consider carefully when selecting your new compound bow. The maximum draw weight of the bow is typically determined by the stiffness of the bow’s limbs. Compound bows come in a variety of maximum draw weights, but the most common are the 50-60# and 60-70# versions. Although you may purchase a bow with 70# limbs, you can generally adjust the draw weight 1-10# down from the maximum weight. So a 70# bow could actually be adjusted for 61#, 64#, 67#, or any draw weight within the allowable range. However, it should be noted that a 70# bow, turned down to 60#, will not perform as well as the same bow in a 60# version operating at it’s maximum draw weight. Bows are generally more efficient at or near their maximum draw weight.
Recommended Draw Weight Ranges (Modern Compound Bows)
Here are some general guidelines for choosing an appropriate draw weight. Of course, each individual is different. You should apply your common sense here and interpret this chart with due respect to your own age, general physical condition, and Body Mass Index (BMI). If you are new to the sport, please read additional discussion article on choosing an appropriate draw length and weight.
Very Small Child (55-70 lbs.) 10-15 lbs.
Small Child (70-100 lbs.) 15-25 lbs.
Larger Child (100-130 lbs.) 25-35 lbs.
Small Frame Women (100-130 lbs.) 25-35 lbs.
Medium Frame Women (130-160 lbs) 30-40 lbs.
Athletic Older Child (Boys 130-150 lbs.) 40-50 lbs.
Small Frame Men (120-150 lbs.) 45-55 lbs.
Large Frame Women (160+ lbs.) 45-55 lbs.
Medium Frame Men (150-180 lbs.) 55-65 lbs.
Large Frame Men (180+ lbs.) 65-75 lbs.
Draw Weight - Effect on Arrow Velocity
High poundage bows require heavier, stiffer arrow shafts. So while they will certainly generate more energy at the target, they may not necessarily generate much faster arrow speeds at IBO standards. Lower poundage bows can use lighter, more limber arrow shafts. IBO standards allow 5 grains of arrow weight per pound of draw weight. So a 70# bow can shoot an arrow (safely) as light as 350 grains. A bow set for 60#, no less than 300 grains and so on. So surprisingly, when set for IBO minimum standards, many bows are only fractionally faster in the 70# version vs. the 60# version. Since a 70# bow must shoot the heavier arrow, the savings in arrow weight offsets the loss of energy storage during the powerstroke. So properly set-up for best speed, a 60# version of most bows will perform within 10 fps of the heavier 70# version.
Draw Weight - How Much is Necessary
Some states require a compound bow to meet certain draw weight minimums in order to hunt large game like Whitetail Deer. Always observe the rules and regulations for legally harvesting game in your state. However, it should be noted that some of these rules have been in effect for many years, and do not necessarily consider the recent technological advances in archery manufacturing. The average bow of 15 years ago was struggling to shoot 230 fps, and even at those speeds many bowhunters got clean pass-thru’s on large game like Whitetail Deer. Today the average bow is shooting over 300 fps at 70# draw weight and 30" draw length. This means that even bows in shorter draw lengths and lower draw weights will still provide plenty of velocity to penetrate the ribcage of a Whitetail Deer and other large game. A modern single cam bow with a 50# peak draw weight and just a 26" draw length will still zip arrows well over 220 fps. Of course, if you plan to hunt larger game like Elk or Moose, or if you plan to take shots from longer distances, you will need additional kinetic energy for complete penetration and best chance of a humane harvest. As a general rule, a 40-50# draw weight will provide sufficient energy to harvest deer and a 50-60# bow will provide sufficient energy to harvest larger elk-size species. Unless you're planning to hunt huge animals like Cape Buffalo or Musk Ox, a 70+ pound bow really isn't necessary. You can often be just as effective with a more moderate draw weight.
Draw Length Basics
Unlike a traditional recurve bow that can be drawn back to virtually any length, a compound bow will draw back only a specific distance before it stops (the wall). Compound bows are designed to be shot from the full-draw position. If a compound bow is set for a 29" draw length, it should always be shot from the full 29" draw position. But the bow cannot be over-drawn, say to 30" or 31", without modifying the setup on the bow. So the draw length on your compound bow must be set to match your particular size.
Fortunately, most compound bows use a series of interchangeable or "sliding" cam modules, which allows the bow to be adjusted to fit a given range of draw lengths. If you don't know your draw length, you should determine that before shopping for a new bow. Most men's bows adjust within a typical 26-30" draw length range, which fits shooters from roughly 5'5" to 6'3". But that's not true for every bow. Some bows have a narrow range of adjustment, or in some cases, no adjustment at all. So step #1 in selecting your new bow is finding a model will adjust to suit your particular draw length. Of course, if you have an unusually short or long draw length, your choices may be limited. So you'll need to take particular notice of the bow's advertised draw length range.
Draw Length Affects Power
The longer your draw length, the longer your bow's powerstroke will be - and the faster your bow will shoot. As a general rule, 1" of draw length is worth about 10 fps of arrow velocity. So if your particular bow has an IBO speed of 300 fps, and you intend to shoot the bow at 27" draw length - you should expect an approximate 30 fps loss in speed right off the top. But this is one area where speed should be a secondary concern.
If you're 5'9", it would seem ridiculous to buy a #13 shoe for your #10 foot. Similarly, it's not such a good idea to buy a 30" draw length bow, when a 27" or 28" draw length would fit you much better. Shooting a excessively long draw length will indeed earn you more speed, but to get the extra speed you're likely to give-up a considerable amount of control and comfort. It's a bad trade-off. As such, we strongly recommend you NOT shoot a draw length that's too long for your particular body size. Accuracy should never be sacrificed for a little more speed. After all, a fast miss is no more impressive than a slow miss.
Nonetheless, the majority of compound bow owners set their bows for too much draw length, which results in poor shooting form - inaccuracy - and painful string slap on the forearm. You will better enjoy and be more successful with your new bow when it is fitted properly to your body. And REMEMBER! If in doubt, choose a little LESS draw length rather than a little more. If you are still unsure, or plan to shoot with a string loop, you may benefit from reading our Additional Discussion on Draw Length.
Cam Aggression
Of course, choosing a good bow isn't just about finding one that fits. You'll also want to choose a bow that offers the right blend of performance and shootability. This is where cam design comes into play. Modern cams come in a variety of feels and levels of aggression. Some cams are specifically engineered to produce a smooth feel. Others are made for best possible performance. The actual geometry of the cam system determines how soft or aggressive the powerstroke will be. Take a look at the additional sample graphs below, taken from bows with different types of popular cam systems.
• ROUND WHEEL/LESS AGGRESSIVE: As you can see, a Round Wheel style bow has a very smooth bell-shaped curve which rises to peak weight for only a moment then gradually descends to full let-off. This cam style will feel very smooth and easy to draw, but will store the least amount of energy and shoot the slowest. Although this type of cam has been around for decades, some shooters still prefer the soft feel of this style cam - particularly instinctive-shooters and finger-shooters. So a number of manufacturers still offer bows with traditional round wheels or cam geometry ground to replicate the round wheel powercurve.
• MEDIUM CAM/MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE: The Medium Cam graph is typical of today's basic single and hybrid cams. These cams are more aggressive, ramping to peak weight more quickly and then coming to full let-off more abruptly. So they tend to store up more energy than a Round Wheel bow, and shoot notably faster. However, a Medium Cam is sure to "feel" a little heavier than a Round Wheel bow of equal peak weight. This type of cam geometry suits most shooters well, offering a reasonable blend of feel and performance. Medium cam bows will usually have moderate IBO speeds in the 295-310 range.
• HARD CAM/VERY AGGRESSIVE: The last example is a Hard Cam system, optimized for maximum energy storage and speed. Notice how quickly the bow ramps up to peak weight and how quickly it transitions to let-off. Also notice the distinct high-plateau on the graph where the shooter must draw the bow over several inches at peak weight. This type of cam geometry will store dramatically more energy, and will usually have an IBO Speed of 320 fps or more. The downside is that Hard Cams feel harsh and heavy compared to other bows of equal peak weight. So they certainly aren't for everyone. But for shooters who want the hottest possible arrow speeds, the Hard Cam is the way to go.
The Valley
The "V" shape formed between the two halves of the graph is commonly referred to as the "valley", which represents how quickly the bow transitions to and from full let-off. A bow with a narrow valley is quick to "jerk forward" if you relax too much at full draw. On the other hand, a wide valley bow allows a little more leeway for shooters who tend to creep (a common shooting-form flaw). Aggressive hard-cams tend to have the most narrow valleys since delaying the let-off allows additional energy can be stored during the powerstroke. But be advised, managing a narrow valley bow takes a little getting use to.
If you're accustom to an older soft cycle bow, an aggressive narrow valley cycle may be a little nerve-racking at first. Very aggressive cams can have valleys that are effectively less than 1/2" wide at full draw. This can cause creepers to jerk and flail awkwardly at full draw, since the holding weight abruptly changes if the bow isn't held firmly against the stops. So to avoid being sucked thru your Whisker Biscuit, be prepared to make some moderate changes in your shooting form if you elect to go with an aggressive cam bow.
CAUTION: If you draw a high let-off bow without an arrow on the string, make sure you have a firm grip. High let-off bows are easily dry-fired. Once you draw the bow back and begin to relax, you're likely to forget that the full 70 lbs is waiting for you, just an inch or two away. When you begin to let the bow down, your grip is too relaxed, and WHACK! DRY-FIRE! Dry firing a bow is not only dangerous to the shooter, but it is an ideal way to seriously damage your expensive compound bow and generally voids most manufacturer warranties.
Brace Height
Brace height is yet another important factor in the energy storage equation. A bow's brace height is simply the distance from the string to the pivot point of the bow's grip. You can kind-of think of brace height as how close the string will be to your wrist when the bow is at rest. The closer the string is to your wrist, the more work you have to do to get the bow drawn back. If you're drawing a 6" brace height bow back to a 30" AMO draw length, you'll have to pull the string back a total distance of 22.25" before you reach full draw*. But if the string rests farther back from your wrist to start, say the bow's brace height is 8", then you'll only have to pull the string back for 20.25". So the bow's brace height also figures into how LONG the bow's powerstroke will be. And as you know, a longer powerstroke generates more energy.
As a matter of energy storage, brace heights are analogous to the length of the rubber-band on a slingshot. If you hold a slingshot at arms-length and pull it back to your cheek, a shorter rubber-band would be stretched for a longer distance (and shoot faster) than the same slingshot with a longer rubber-band. In much the same way, a short brace height bow stores more energy and shoots faster than a tall brace height bow (all other things being equal). So brace height has the same affect on total powerstroke length as does the bow's draw length setting. The only difference is that the brace height determines where you start and the draw length determines where you stop. But unlike draw lengths, brace heights aren't adjustable. So you have to get this one right the first time. You can't change your bow's brace height later, should you change your mind.
If you compare brace heights and IBO speeds, you'll find an obvious correlation. Shorter brace heights tend to make for faster bows. Easy enough. Then it would seem that in order to get better performance from a compound bow, all you have to do is look for a model with a short brace height, right? Well, not so fast! Short brace height bows may be hot-performers, but they will come with a few drawbacks you should think about
*A bow's AMO draw length is measured 1.75" beyond the grip pivot point. So a bow's powerstroke distance is found by subtracting the brace height and 1.75" from the AMO draw length.
Brace Height - Speed vs. Forgiveness
If you’ve been shopping for a new compound bow, you’ve certainly noticed a variety of advertised brace heights, generally ranging from 5-9". But if shorter brace heights result in faster bows, then why aren’t all bows designed with short brace heights? Trade-offs! That's why. Short brace heights aren't automatically favored because a bow's brace height has a profound effect on the bow’s forgiveness and shootability. Short brace height bows are generally less forgiving and require more skill to shoot accurately. Since the arrow is in contact with the string for a longer distance and period, there is more opportunity for any glitches in your shooting form (hand-torque, trigger punching, etc.) to have a detrimental effect on the arrow’s flight. Longer brace heights have the opposite effect, limiting the effects of form glitches. In addition, very short (sub-6") brace height bows tend to yield more string-slap on the shooter's forearm (ouch!). So there are some trade-offs to consider here.
If you shoot with absolutely perfect form and technique, a short brace height bow will be just as accurate as it’s longer brace height cousins. But if you have average skills and are prone to occasional goof-ups, a bow with a little longer brace height will yield better accuracy in most shooting situations. The average new compound bow has a brace height of approximately 7". Bows with shorter brace heights (5-6.5") will be faster but less forgiving to shoot. Bows with longer brace heights (7.5-9") will generally shoot slower but will be more forgiving to your errors. Consider this carefully when choosing your new hunting or 3D bow. Unless you have a specific need for a blazing fast bow, you may find that a more moderate brace height will increase your enjoyment of archery and your success in the field. SPECIAL NOTE: Tall guys with draw lengths 30" and above should be especially conscious of brace height - as a long draw length and a short brace height are a particularly bad combination, especially for new shooters.
Brace Height Market Trends
Just as 300 fps seems to be the accepted IBO speed-minimum, 7 inches is the generally accepted brace height minimum in today's compound bow market. If you visit our compound bow specification charts, you'll surely notice that a disproportionate number of bows are advertised with exactly a 7" brace height. This isn't by accident. Experienced shooters - particularly bowhunters - tend to avoid short brace height bows, regarding any brace height under 7 inches as "radical" or "unforgiving". So a bow with a 6 7/8" brace height is often a lame duck - at least regarding bow sales. As such, most manufacturers try to aim to hit the market-pleasing 7+ inch brace heights on most of their new bow designs. As a matter of selecting a new bow, we submit there's probably no justification for such an exacting prejudice, as there's nothing particularly lucky about a 7" brace height. But that does seem to be the commonly accepted line-in-the-sand between performance and shootability.
Short-Draw Archers - Built in Forgiveness
If you are a short-draw archer (27" draw length or less), you'll be pleased to know you have a nice advantage regarding forgiveness and shootability on your compound bow. As we noted earlier, a bow which has a 6" brace height and is set for long 30" draw length will have 22.25" powerstroke. This means the during the shot, the arrow will remain in-contact with the string for approximately 23-24" (including string follow-thru) until the arrow finally releases. This would generally make for a rather unforgiving setup. But that same bow in the hands of the short-draw archer will be considerably MORE forgiving to shoot. If a short-draw archer shoots the same bow at - say - 26" draw length, his/her powerstroke will only be 18.25" long. So the short-draw archer's arrow gets off the string in a shorter distance - thus the short-draw archer has some "built-in" benefits of forgiveness. If you are a short-draw archer, don't spend too much time fretting over brace height. Instead, consider shooting a bow that's a little more aggressive. The same bow that might give your 6'4" hunting buddy fits, will be quite manageable when set for your short draw length. And choosing a more aggressive bow will help you to recover some of the speed and power lost in a short-draw setup.
Kinetic Energy: Arrow Mass & Arrow Velocity
So how does energy storage and arrow speed translate into actual hunting penetration? In the shooting sports, penetration is most often expressed as a function of kinetic energy (KE). This topic is covered in great detail in our Arrow Selection Guide, but we'll mention the highlights here in the bow guide as our final thought on bow "power".
In the end, the measurable "power" of your new bow - it's total kinetic energy output - ultimately depends upon just two variables: the mass of the arrow and the speed of the arrow. Kinetic energy of an arrow can be found by using the formula KE=(mv²)/450,240 where m is the mass of the arrow in grains and v is the velocity of the arrow in fps. So if your new bow setup ultimately shoots a 400 grain arrow at a respectable 250 fps (a typical field-output for a modern rig), your actual kinetic energy or "power" will be:
KE=(mv²)/450240
KE=[(400)(250²)]/450240
KE=25000000/450240
KE=55.53 ft-lbs
So, will that be enough? Take a look at Easton's Kinetic Energy Recommendation Chart.
Kinetic Energy Hunting Usage
< 25 ft. lbs. Small Game (rabbit, groundhog, etc.)
25-41 ft. lbs. Medium Game (deer, antelope, etc.)
42-65 ft. lbs. Large Game (elk, black bear, wild boar, etc.)
> 65 ft. lbs. Toughest Game (cape buffalo, grizzly, musk ox, etc.)
According to Easton's recommendations, 55 ft-lbs of KE would be plenty for most popular North American game species. But is that a guarantee of success? Absolutely not!
Remember, bowhunting is a traditional and difficult sport. And regardless of how you crunch your numbers during pre-season, you can't avoid the elements of chance during the actual hunt. Shooting a live animal in the woods is quite different than shooting a block of ballistics gel in a laboratory. In the field you'll encounter unpredictable and complex variables that limit any mathematical model to just a "best guess". If you consider that your arrow must arrive on target then pass through layers of hair, hide, muscles, bones (perhaps), and a host of other tissues.....AND that all of this is happening in an uncontrolled outdoor environment, it's pretty clear that the issue of hunting penetration cannot truly be distilled into a mathematical puzzle.
As many experienced bowhunters can attest, just as it's possible to make mistakes and get lucky, it's also possible to do everything right and come-up empty handed. That's just part of the sport. However, with good equipment, good technique, smart planning, and some common sense, you can surely tip the scales in your favor and maximize your chances of success in the field.
CAM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Let-Off Basics
If you've ever shot a heavy recurve or longbow, you've certainly noticed that you're holding back the maximum draw weight just when you come to full draw, so you must aim and release the arrow quickly before you run out of steam or begin to shake. The original compound bow was designed to eliminate this problem, offering the shooter more time to aim and release the arrow. In contrast with the traditional bow, the draw weight of the compound bow decreases (sometimes dramatically) just as you come to full-draw. This is known as LET-OFF, which is controlled by the geometry of the cam system.
Early compound bows featured a 35-50% let-off, a welcome relief. But today it is common for bows to have let-off in excess of 75%. A bow with a 70# draw weight and 80% let-off will require the shooter to hold back only 14 lbs. once the bow reaches full draw. Holding back such a small amount of weight, the shooter has the luxury to take more time aiming and releasing the arrow. Of course, some argue that you can have too much of a good thing. There is some concern that a bow can have too much let-off, making the bow feel "sloppy" at full draw. Maintaining some level of resistance at full draw is perhaps necessary to keep things in good natural alignment. However, the average archer will find the mid to high let-off bow to be more comfortable to shoot. Advanced archers and back-tension shooters often prefer a little less let-off.
The only other disadvantage to a high (over 75%) let-off cam is a small reduction in arrow velocity vs. a lower let-off cam system. All other things being equal, a bow with 65% let-off will shoot faster than a bow with 80% let-off. However, the difference in speed is usually only a few fps. Fortunately, many cams use interchangeable modules which give you the option to easily switch between different available let-offs. Some cam systems even offer adjustable let-off right on the cam without the need for additional modules. If you would like the option to experiment with different let-offs, look for this feature on your new bow.
While you're bow shopping, you may notice some bows are advertised with 2 different let-off percentages. There's a bit of a technical snafu here, so bear with us, this takes a little time to explain. Depending upon how you compute the let-off percentage, you can get two clearly different let-offs for the same bow, the "Effective" and "Actual" let-off. While you're drawing the bow back, friction in the bow's cables, cam bushings, cable slide, etc. adds a little draw weight to the cycle. Unfortunately, the extra energy you used to overcome that friction gets lost when you let the bow back down (or fire the bow). So basically, the bow doesn't put-out as much energy as you put-in. Some of the energy is stolen by friction (hysterisis). Bummer!
Actual vs. Effective Let-Off Computation
Due to hysteresis, it would take more energy to draw the bow all the way back than it would to hold it while slowly letting it back down from full draw. It's kind of an abstract concept, so imagine if we put a bow in a vice and then drew it back using a rope and winch. Now imagine we also had a spring scale hooked to our winch, so we would know exactly how much pressure was on the rope at all times. If we started drawing back the bow by cranking the winch, and watched the reading on the scale the whole time, the weight would go up and up until the bow reached it's peak weight about 1/2 of the way back. If we kept cranking on back to full draw, the weight would drop-off as we arrived at the draw cycle's point of let-off (full draw). NOW! If we reverse our winch and slowly let the bow back down, we should expect the scale to read the same, just with the cycle in reverse, right? Nope! As soon as we begin letting the bow back down, all the readings will be slightly less than they were when we drew the bow back. This degradation or loss of effective draw weight due to friction forces is called hysterisis.
SO....to compute our percent let-off, all we need to know is the bow's peak weight and it's minimum weight at full draw. In the example above (blue line), the bow's peak weight is roughly 67# and the minimum weight is about 20#, which computes to a 70% actual let-off. But when you measure the peak and minimum weight on the return stroke (red line), you'll get slightly different numbers. The minimum holding weight is clearly less on the return stroke (about 16#). So if you compute the 16# on the red line as a percentage of the original 67# on the blue line, you get 76% let-off. This is the bow's "effective" let-off.
Why the mathematical trickery? Simply put, high let-off bows are better sellers. So it's pretty common for manufacturers to only list their effective let-offs, and make little mention of actual let-off. In fact, unless the manufacturer specifically notes the word "actual" in their let-off specifications, assume the let-off measurement is the effective variety.
Let-Off Compliance for State Regulations
While the 75-80% let-off bow has certainly become the "standard" in the industry, be advised that a few states still place restrictions on let-off. Several of the western states have restricted high let-off bows for big-game hunting, permitting only 65% maximum let-off. If in doubt, please check your current state hunting publications to be sure your your new equipment will be in compliance with your state's regulations.
Let-Off for Pope & Young Club
One final consideration for choice of let-off.....the Pope and Young Club is one of North America's leading bowhunting and conservation organizations. Founded in 1961 as a nonprofit scientific organization, the Club is patterned after the prestigious Boone and Crockett Club. The Club advocates and encourages responsible bowhunting by promoting quality, fair chase hunting, and sound conservation practices. Bowhunters who harvest record animals may qualify to have their trophy listed in this organization's record books. However, for a compound bow, Pope & Young has traditionally allowed a maximum of 65% let-off (actual) to qualify for listing in their record book. But in response to increased pressure by high let-off enthusiasts, the rule was changed in 2004. Record animals taken with higher let-off bows will now be listed, but an asterisk "*" will be placed beside the hunter's name, indicating the animal was taken with a high let-off bow.
Cam Type
Modern compound bows generally come with a choice of 4 different types - or styles - of cam systems. While they all accomplish a similar mechanical goal, they each have a unique set of attributes and respective advantages and disadvantages.
Single Cams
Often described as a Solocam or One Cam, the single cam system features a round idler wheel on the top of the bow and an elliptical shaped power-cam on the bottom. The single cam is generally quieter and easier to maintain than traditional twin cam systems, since there is no need for cam synchronization. However, single cam systems generally do not offer straight and level nock travel (though the technical debate continues), which can make some single-cam bows troublesome to tune. Of course, all single cams aren't created equal. There are good ones and bad ones. Some are very fast and aggressive, others are quite smooth and silky. Some offer easy adjustability and convenient let-off choices, others don't. But most single cams do offer reasonable accuracy and a good solid stop at full draw. Overall, the smoothness and reliability of the single cam is well respected. And the single cam is today's popular choice on compound bows.
Hybrid Cams
The Hybrid Cam system has gained considerable popularity over the last few years. The hybrid cam system features two asymmetrically elliptical cams: a control cam on the top, and a power cam on the bottom. The system is rigged with a single split-harness, a control cable, and a main string. Though originally invented and marketed by Darton Archery as the C/P/S Cam System, Hoyt's introduction of the Cam & 1/2 (a variation of the original C/P/S System) in 2003 brought hybrid systems into the limelight. Hybrid cams claim to offer the benefits of straight and level nock travel, like a properly-tuned twin-cam bow, but without the timing and synchronization issues. Indeed, hybrid cams require less maintenance than traditional twin cams, but it's probably a technical stretch to say that hybrid cams are maintenance free. They too need to be oriented (timed) properly for best overall efficiency and performance. There are several hybrid cam models available which are impressively fast and quiet, rivaling the best of the single cam bows.
Twin Cams
A twin cam system is sometimes described as a Two Cam or a Dual Cam. The twin cam system features two perfectly symmetrical round wheels or elliptical cams on each end of the bow. When properly synchronized, twin cam systems offer excellent nock travel, accuracy, and overall speed. However, twin cams do require more maintenance and service to stay in top shooting condition. But thanks to today's crop of advanced no-creep string fibers, they are becoming increasingly easier to maintain. Many hardcore competition shooters are quite loyal to the twin cam concept. And it's probably worth noting that the twin cam bow is dramatically more popular outside of the US and Canada, where there is less advertising to hype the single and hybrid systems. Aside from maintenance issues, the only true disadvantage to twin cams is the tendency for increased noise (compared to typical single and hybrid cams). Nonetheless, the twin cam is still the cam system of choice for many serious shooters. Twin cams are also very popular choice for youth bows.
Binary Cams
Introduced by Bowtech Archery as a new concept for 2005, the Binary cam is a modified 3-groove twin-cam system that slaves the top and bottom cams to each other, rather than to the bow's limbs. Unlike single and hybrid systems, there is no split-harness on a binary system - just two "cam-to-cam" control cables. This creates a "free-floating" system which allows the cams to automatically equalize any imbalances in the limb deflections or string and control cable lengths. So technically, this self-correcting cam system has no timing or synchronization issues and should achieve perfectly straight and level nock travel at all times. The only drawback is that without split harnesses to equalize the limb tips, slaved cams can be subject to cam lean - which realistically causes little to no shooting drama - but it stirs a lot of debate and complaint. Since 2005, many bow companies have licensed the slaved/binary concept through Darton, who has their own patented version of the slaved cam system. Only time will tell, but we strongly suspect that the binary cam and its variants will continue to gain popularity.
Cam Type Hype
Cam technology (and its licensing to other bow companies) is the financial bread-n-butter for some bow manufacturers. So it's no surprise that they focus much of their efforts on marketing and promoting their particular cam style(s). As a result, this is one area in particular where CBT often gets out of hand. For example, if a cam is designed to feature an unusually deep string groove, the consumer won't see an ad that says "Now with deeper grooves in the cams". You're more likely to see something like, "Now featuring the CoreTrackâ„¢ XS4 Cam with Accugroove Technology". So don't be too swayed by high-tech sounding cam advertisements. Manipulating the geometry of a small piece of machined aluminum isn't exactly a clean-room technology.
Cam Parity
While the technical subtleties and respective merits of the various cam systems could be debated in perpetuity, in the real world there is an obvious performance parity among them all. This isn't to say that they all perform exactly the same. But to say that one cam style really offers a crucial field-advantage over another would be something of a stretch. They all accomplish the same basic mechanical goals and there are great-shooting bows available in all of the cam style categories. As such, we recommend you not be too cam-monogamous when doing your bow shopping. The cam system you choose probably has more to do with who gets the check than who gets the deer.
LIMB DESIGN
Solid vs Split Limbs
This is a tough one. Solid limb proponents claim that solid limbs offer better torsional stiffness and more accurate than split limbs. Split limb proponents claim that split limbs are more durable and produce less hand-shock than solid limbs. While we don't see much evidence to support either of these positions, it does seem clear that there is an ebb and flow to solid vs. split limb thinking (and the way it's generally perceived by archery enthusiasts). Years ago, limb type -- regardless of which side -- was used as a selling feature. Makers of split limb bows would tell you how much better split limbs were than solid limbs, while their competitors did the exact opposite. But over the years, many of those manufacturers have crossed their own lines in the sand, and changed some, or all, of their bows to split from solid, or to solid from split. In spite of the seasonal marketing hype, many bow manufacturers are willing to switch back and forth as situations warrant. For example, Bowtech had always exclusively used solid limbs. However, for 2007 they introduced 2 new bows utilizing split limbs to accommodate a new riser design. The same flip is true for PSE and Mathews, traditionally solid-limb proponents, who have recently introduced split-limb bows in 2007 and 2009 respectively.
So perhaps the choice of solid limbs vs. split limbs isn't really such a critical black or white choice for enthusiasts. Of course, you're bound to hear some marketing jabber about how one limb outperforms another. But in the field, solid and split limb bows perform similarly. Whatever your preference, limb type should be a minor consideration compared to the other bow design characteristics we've discussed. Weigh this bow attribute lightly. Beyond the aesthetic appeal, it probably doesn't matter. The type of limb installed on any particular bow is probably the limb type that works best with that particular riser, limb pocket system, and cam system.
Bow Recoil - AKA, Hand-Shock
Some call it kick, or hand-shock, or refer to it as shot-vibration, but we're all usually referring to the same thing, recoil. Of course, a bow's recoil is rather backwards from that of a gun - pushing away instead of towards you. But the phenomenon is basically the same - an undesirable jolt at the point of the shot. Why does it happen? It's Sir Isaac Newton's fault of course. When a bow is drawn, the limbs compress back under tension. When the bow is fired, the unloading limbs jolt forward and return to their original positions. Since the cams are attached to the bow's riser, the inertia of the fast-moving limbs (Limb Thrust) causes the bow's riser to jump forward too. And since your hand is attached to the riser at the bow's grip, you feel the riser's abrupt movement as recoil. It's a natural byproduct of such an explosive energy release, and on some bow designs it's quite noticeable - perhaps even detrimental.
The Path to Recoil Abatement
Very little was said about bow recoil 20 years ago. Of course, there wasn't much that could be done about it at the time, and most enthusiasts went about their merry ways never knowing the difference. But as cam technology improved, and the compound bow began storing/releasing more and more energy, recoil became more of a center-stage issue. By the late 90's, the average bow literally leapt out of your hand at the shot. The industry's immediate response was to develop dampening technologies. By the turn of the millennium, archery consumers were spending millions on rubber stick-on's, jiggly stabilizers, hydraulic whatchamacalits, and harmonic doo-dads in an attempt to reduce bow recoil. The whole industry seemed almost obsessed with it. Unfortunately, these aftermarket wonder products did little, if anything, to counteract forward limb thrust. In all fairness, they did make bows quieter, but they could not defeat the inertia of the forward thrusting limbs.
Higher Limb Angles
So while the accessory manufacturers were busy making vibration analysis graphs and marketing dubious claims of oscillatory abatement, the bow manufacturers were digging into the root of the problem - limb thrust. The obvious solution was to reorient the limbs such that they didn't thrust forward upon release. But in order to do that, the limbs would have to be oriented almost horizontally - parallel with each other - such that they could load and unload vertically. That way the top limb would thrust upward, the bottom limb downward, and the opposing forces would cancel each other out. Of course, archery consumers needed a little time to warm up to the concept. After all, a bow with horizontally oriented limbs would hardly look like a bow at all. So over the next 5 years, bow manufacturers began to present bows with increasingly steep limb angles. And the steeper the limb angles got, the less recoil the bows seemed to have. As expected, archery consumers were skeptical at first. But by 2005, high limb angle parallel style bows were totally dominating the compound bow market. Learn more about the parallel limb craze. In fact, bows built today without parallel limb orientation are considered "classic" designs.
Parallel-Limb Bows are Born
Creating a parallel-limb bow has not been without some manufacturing headaches Among the fundamental challenges, a parallel limb bow is built using a riser that's twice as long, and limbs that are half as long (that's an exaggeration - but you get the point). As you might expect, this precipitated a number of problems that took a while to solve. So early parallel limb bows showed some ugly signs of the learning curve. But season by season, the parallel limb designs got better and better. Today the market abounds with smartly refined parallel limb models which are arguably some of the best compound bows ever produced. And can you guess what they're all missing? Exactly...RECOIL. Today's parallel limb bows generate little to no forward limb thrust and offer the smoothest releases of any bows ever produced.
Who's Your Daddy?
So who do we thank for birthing the parallel limb bow? As you might expect, the various bow companies can't help but squabble about who deserves the credit - each spinning their own versions of how the technology was "created". But the fact is, the parallel limb concept isn't really an invention in the traditional sense. It's more of a fundamental change in thinking, like making a car more aerodynamic so it gets better mileage. We submit that the trend to parallel limb bows is more of an inevitable evolution in the bigger scheme of compound bow manufacturing. But in all fairness, a handful of the key manufacturers, like Bowtech & Mathews, were brave enough to stick their necks-out first and prime the pump.
Parallel Limb Popularity Soars
Parallel limb bows have undoubtedly become the hottest-selling bows on the market. Even considering their once hefty price-tags, parallel limb bows have managed to become the new standard. And today, parallel limb bows are no longer just reserved for the $700+ elite buyers. By 2007, every bow manufacturer from Alpine to Reflex has adopted the parallel limb designs and the prices came back in-line. For 2009, here are some really nice parallel limb bows on the market for as little as $299. So it seems that the traditional D-shaped bows are destined for the bargain-bin and everyone can take advantage of the parallel limb innovation without paying the premiums of a few years ago.
Parallel Neurosis
Unfortunately, the parallel limb craze has precipitated an almost neurotic obsession with detecting and palm-analyzing recoil - so much that buyers are practically ignoring other attributes. We see bow shoppers every day who shoot a bow just one time, then make their judgment based solely on how much recoil they feel. Some enthusiasts are so focused on recoil, or enamored by the lack thereof, they almost forget to consider the bow's grip comfort, balance, and drawstroke feel. We suggest you not focus your attention beam so tightly on just how recoil-free a bow can get. If the bow has parallel limbs, the recoil is going to be low. So don't let all other characteristics get demoted to tertiary concerns. There's more to a good-shooting, good-feeling bow than just the absence of recoil.
Are Parallel Limb Bows More Accurate?
Probably not. While the parallel limb bow is notably smoother and quieter at the shot, there's no direct evidence to suggest a parallel limb bow is inherently more or less accurate than a standard D-shaped
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