Annual Which Bow Manufacturer is best thread?

[demontang]

I'm really liking the prime line of bows. Xpedition is making some great bows, most of the makers are doing a great job.

[ffbowhunter]

I love my Mathews however, I really want to get my hands on an elite bow.

[JODakota]

So I have not done any research on bows in the past couple years as my 2012 Alien X has been sufficient for me. Lately though I have been asked what bows I would recommend to people. Not really knowing the current market I threw out the old "I don't really think you could go wrong with Martin" line. So I would like to here from all the Archery guys, Strictly referring to hunting bows, What current Manufacturers are the best? Maybe give us your top 2 or 3 favorite bows and why you feel they are the best.

Maybes guy would let you know if you'd ever answer your phone.

[blackveltbowhunter]

Nice to see some Love for the Katera Xl

   Bows are like anything else, with new models coming out every year, some years are going to be better than others IMO. My first hunting bow was a Darton. Great Bow for what it was. It was in my budget. Not sure I even shot it prior to purchase, much less compared it to anything else. But I had several great seasons with that bow. My next was a mathews q2xl. I did compare several bows when upgrading this one, That bow literally shot itself. Quiet. Easy to shoot. And slow but deadly. I might still be shooting Mathews had I upgraded to a switchback or waited till the z series era. But I bought a slimline when they first came out a Drenaline and it ruined me. Shouldn't have bought it, didn't like how it shot, was concerned about the limb pockets and torque of the slimmer limbs. But after such good luck with the Q2 I figured I could get used to it. Negative. Sold it after one season. Shot all the bows I could that year ( 09 I think) and was left with the Bowtech ( can't remember if admiral or general ) and Hoyt Katera xl. I loved the way the bowtech shot but was skeptical of the pivot system in the riser and one shot with the katera and I was sold. It was like I had the Q2 back only faster and cooler!
   You would think I would learn, but I sold the katera and bought a Maxxis 35. Although this one shoots great, the cam lean messes with my head. It shouldn't but it does. It shoot so lights out, and I cant part with it, but I shopped until I located another katera xl with 80 limbs and set it up as my primary. It flat shoots. Yes its heavy but I have confidence in it.

  Of the new bows I have shot that are the new rage, I like the Elites alot and the Prime. Bowtech went through a few years where there dependability was so bad IMO it had no business in the hunting world where one shot might mean the whole season. But they have changed limb systems and are looking good now. I shot the BOSS last year and it was sweet!  The new Hoyt defiant 34 is awesome! If I was forced to buy a bow brand new the  Carbon Defiant 34 would be my choice. To be fair I Honestly felt after the Hoyt Alphamax that Hoyt went downhill a bit. Still a solid bow, but resting to much on their laurels. The last couple years they have had some significant improvement in designs and fit and finish

My point to all this rambling is if I had to pick the best Manufacturer I would say Hoyt. Based on the fact that they have a solid reputation and less dependability issues over a considerable period of time. My dealings with their service department has been great, but I hear differently from others. The upside is overall you wont need it much. So I would say their record and their latest products are testament to a quality company with a sound performance record.

After that would be Either Mathews or PSE. Both have a long history in the industry, and although they have had some rough patches IMO product wise they are solid companies. PSE has a great variety of bows as well, and some great shooters, although ugly as sin

Their was a period of time when you couldn't give me a Bowtech. I know, I won a raffle for one. But I  have actually looked hard a them the past few years. As far as performance goes they are near or at the top.

   But a manufacturer can go along ways with a great product and their have been a lot of those the past few years. So many manufacturers that have some truly awesome stuff. Elite, Prime, Darton, Bear to name a few. All of it benefits us as Archers.

[Wolfdog2314]

Today I shot the Elite Impulse 31, Hoyt Defiant 30, Mathews no Cam, and Mathews Halon. Placed an order for the Halon. Prior to this all I had ever shot is my Hoyt Spyder. The Halon, to me, blew all the bows listed out of the water. With a second being the no cam, then defiant, lastly the impulse.

Someone else may say the exact opposite. Best thing to do is shoot a bunch and see what u like best.

[RadSav]

I haven't gone as deep into the new bow offerings in 2016 as I have in previous years.  But got a good idea of what and who is making significant changes.  The PSE Decree HD remains pretty much the same as it was last year.  But because of it's grip and cam I remain quite positive about it.  The PSE service is usually first rate too! 

Hoyt service is always suspect and the 2016 bows are a bit hard to get in special colors this year.  But of all the bow manufactures I think Hoyt has done the most to improve their product since last year.  Both the Defiant and Carbon Defiant lines are a monumental improvement over what they have offered the past ten years or so.  If I felt like waiting 90 days for a black out or Harvest brown Defiant 34 I'd likely be shooting one this year!

Bear made some nice improvements and their service is first rate as always.  The Escape and BR33 are headliners worthy of consideration.  The grip is improved, the riser geometry is improved, the suppressor anchors are improved and the overall feel is much improved.  Cosmetics are WAY better too!!  I am really liking what I'm seeing from Bear this year.   The crossbow line is crazy...in the best possible way!

Pretty much everything else I stopped to look at this year left me with the, "Yep, saw that last year" feeling.  About the only other thing that left a lasting impression on me was the Sims target bow.  Will be interesting to see how the production product works out for them.

[JJB11B]

So I have not done any research on bows in the past couple years as my 2012 Alien X has been sufficient for me. Lately though I have been asked what bows I would recommend to people. Not really knowing the current market I threw out the old "I don't really think you could go wrong with Martin" line. So I would like to here from all the Archery guys, Strictly referring to hunting bows, What current Manufacturers are the best? Maybe give us your top 2 or 3 favorite bows and why you feel they are the best.

Maybes guy would let you know if you'd ever answer your phone.

If you would call my phone and leave a voicemail maybe Id return it. when did you call me?

[D-Rock425]

HOYT! 

[Wetwoodshunter]

I'd love to shoot a Hoyt Defiant but can't get past the price tag. My old "useless" (according to other threads here) Mathews drenalin shoots quite well for me. If I get to hunt archery this year it will go in the woods with me.

[RadSav]

Someone else may say the exact opposite. Best thing to do is shoot a bunch and see what u like best.

I thought the Halon was the worst bow of the year!  And I generally like the Monster style cam.  I guess if everyone liked the same things there wouldn't be much need for a dozen bow manufactures.

Mathews service is usually rated one of the best in the industry.  That's worth quite a bit!

[Jellymon]

Ive owned 11 flagships from pretty much every company in the last few years, and ive been really liking elite this past year, but when i reach for the bow i know im going to hit what im aiming at and wont let me down on an elk hunt, it will be my Hoyt.

[duckmen1]

Oh boy here we go. Still liked my original 35$ pse bow package. It had the recoil of a 45-70 but it took that elk down.
In all seriousness, No complaints with my diamond icemen that I've been using for the past few years.

[Jellymon]

Oh boy here we go. Still liked my 35$ pse bow package. It had the recoil of a 45-70 but it took that elk down.

Yeah because you have a 54" draw length. With that draw length you might even be able to kill an elk with a mathews.

[dreamunelk]

Pacific Yew Bows!

[RadSav]

No complaints with my diamond icemen that I've been using for the past few years.

What a fantastic bow that is/was!  I traded one and have regretted it ever since.  By far the best Diamond ever made, IMO!