Annual Which Bow Manufacturer is best thread?

[MLBowhunting]

I shot the BR33 from Bear and that was a fantastic shooting bow, not my bow but a darn nice one.

[Eric M]

Radsav between the advice you gave me on my Martin Pantera noise issues and what you wrote on here I think you should write a book. I'll buy it!

[RadSav]

Radsav between the advice you gave me on my Martin Pantera noise issues and what you wrote on here I think you should write a book. I'll buy it! 

How did things work out on the Pantera?

[Eric M]

Thanks for asking. I am taking it in tomorrow. There is a guy at the Sportsman's warehouse near me that actually seems to know his stuff. I'm getting a new string also. It'll probably be ready by November haha

[RadSav]

Be sure to let us know how it turns out and what you think.

[X-Force]

I'm loving this thread. I'm thinking this is the year for a new bow.
6'1" 30.5" draw and have been shooting a pse for 9 years. (Same bow)
I'm looking forward to shooting bowtech, Matthews, hoyt, pse in that order.
Looking for a fairly tall axle to axle and 6" brace height. Speed seems built in now days.
I'm just waiting something comfortable and fun to shoot.

[Eric M]

 

Be sure to let us know how it turns out and what you think.

Will do. I'm going back to work Saturday though so I won't be able to shoot it until mid March

[RadSav]

I'm loving this thread. I'm thinking this is the year for a new bow.
6'1" 29.5" draw and have been shooting a pse for 9 years. (Same bow)
I'm looking forward to shooting bowtech, Matthews, hoyt, pse in that order.
Looking for a fairly tall axle to axle and 6" brace height. Speed seems built in now days.
I'm just waiting something comfortable and fun to shoot.

At that draw length I really encourage you to try some 7" brace bows as well as the PSE Decree HD.

Decree HD and the BR33 have a lot of the same features/characteristics.  Both companies have first rate service.  Both weigh about the same.  PSE has the superior grip and cam.  BR33 has a better balance, finish and cable guard.  Both have proven track records of great limb durability.  Both are very quiet.  Both draw extremely smooth and shoot smoothly as well. 

My own decision basically came down to company relationship, cable guard and least amount of interference with various shirts/jackets.  It was so close that if my draw length had been 1" longer it may have made the difference that had me shooting the PSE.  My hunting partner took three months to decide between the Bear and the PSE with his 28" draw length.  He chose the PSE.

[theleo]

I'm loving this thread. I'm thinking this is the year for a new bow.
6'1" 29.5" draw and have been shooting a pse for 9 years. (Same bow)
I'm looking forward to shooting bowtech, Matthews, hoyt, pse in that order.
Looking for a fairly tall axle to axle and 6" brace height. Speed seems built in now days.
I'm just waiting something comfortable and fun to shoot.

Like RadSav said, with that draw length you should look at 7" brace height bows. You'll get plenty of speed with your draw length from most of today's bows. If you're dead set on the brace height issue than I'd encourage you to look at a Prime Rival. 35" ATA 6.25" brace height and 340 IBO in about the most forgiving sub 7" brace height package you can get.   

[carpsniperg2]

I went looking for a new bow this year and shot a pretty good amount of bows with a open mind. Other then bowtech of course

I ended up with a hoyt defiant 34 blackout. I almost bought the turbo but the smooth draw on the standard sold me.

Here is the order that I ended up with for me.
hoyt defiant 34
hoyt defiant turbo
pse air
br33
prime rival
Rounding out the top 5

I shot about 8 other bows like the new Matthews and new elite and I sure was not impressed with those bows. It has been a long time since I have had my primary bow as a hoyt but love this defiant. I have probably 400 arrows down range and with the 7" brace smooth draw I am very happy and hope to let the air out of many critters in the next couple years with it.

I also got the chance to shoot the carbon defiant by freak chance. I thought I would love it. NOPE if you are holding out to buy the carbon save yourself 450.00 and buy the aluminum. The lighter carbon had way more shock and vibration.

[D-Rock425]

Hoyt won the Vegas shoot this year.   Just putting it out there.

[Casey]

I like my prime rival a lot and it's a great bow

[buglebrush]

Hoyt won the Vegas shoot this year.   Just putting it out there.

I am curious whether this has any impact on any of you?  I have never understood the apparent connection between someone wearing nikes, shooting matthews, etc... and winning an event.  Are you going to tell me Michael Jordan wouldn't of won without his Air Jordans?  Just honestly curious if a pro wearing Sitka or shooting Hoyt has any impact for others? 

[RadSav]

It has zero effect on me personally.  But marketing studies do show there is a correlation.  Same as with auto racing.  Anyone who knows auto racing knows those are not the cars you and I can drive.  But there is a lot of brand loyalty created by cheering for winners.  You can see this by watching the national sales of NFL jerseys also.  Four years ago Seahawk jersey sales east of the Misssissippi were next to nothing.  Now Sherman and Wilson jerseys are always ranked at or near the top of NFL apparel sales.  It does make a difference in herding money from sheep!

Top target shooters almost always follow the money.  And why not?  Just as with any professional sport the longevity of an athlete is limited when compared to other careers.  Grab the money where and while you can.  You think Reo felt the Elite was superior bow to the Hoyt?  That it would lead to more championships?  I seriously doubt it!  But hey, if they want to pay him more...good for Reo.  He worked hard for it and deserves as much as they are willing to pay.

The recent Mathews push may have an even greater appeal toward those paying attention.  This new bow is so close to the hunting model it's easy to make the connection.  Mathews was smart to keep the names and cosmetics in such a way to confuse average archers.  I know this recent success is driving a lot of sales at our local shop.  Possibly one of the best moves Mathews has made in over ten years.

[Fullabull]

I have to say I have only shot a PSE for quite a few years.then last year thought I would try the Bear. I got to shoot the Arena34 and Decree HD and ended up going with the smoother shooting PSE anyway. I am always impressed with how easy PSE's are to set up and they always hold their tune well. Every time I go to the range I get compliments on the bow and how quiet it is. The Bear was nice but had a short valley and hard draw and at my age the smoother Decree fit the bill.