bow tests thus far

[bow-n-head]

I have 2 friends that started shooting bowtech. They were ribbing me about my pricey Mathews bows, but mid way through the season when their bows had to go to the shop and wait for new limbs and cams I got my revenge Just had to join in the fun.

[Hoytstaffshooter83]

Lol IM not saying anything, I did shoot a guardian today.. nice bow, draws smooth, very quiet, a little hand shock/vibration.... overall pretty nice bow

[trailtreker]

You can pick the guardian up at xxx archery in Rainer, Or for $400 sportsmans show deal till the end of feb i think. ( Blank Bow ) I thought it was a good shooting bow

[BaseballStud20]

So how does the Mathews Drenalin compare to the Alphamax 35?

[Hoytstaffshooter83]

well the the drenalin draws about the same, is about the same speed, but I think it has just a little more hand shock, and its very quiet. I think the DXT is the best bow from matthews

[coonhound]

I did a few tests of my own and ended up with and AM35...

I would agree with all of your statements.

A bow that doesn't get much attention is the APA line up:

the APA Viper is one smooth shooter, by far the smoothest single cam I've ever shot, it had a nice crisp stop, comfortable grip, very quiet and smooth on the shot.  I only know of one dealer in Washington, I almost pulled the trigger on one but Hoyt's reputation for durability pushed me that direction.

Here's my review on the AM35 now that I've got it setup with a few hundred shots through it.

Here's my review:
- the fit and finish is spectacular, I've got the black/camo model
- My draw length of 28.5" which required the use of the #2 cam, it drops into a very short valley a little sharper than I prefer but I'm already getting used to it. My Mathews Outback was smoother on the draw. Wish I could use the #3 cam.
- It tuned unbelievably fast, I only had to make a couple small adjustments and I was shooting bullet holes.
- The speed is right where I wanted it, with it maxed at 62lbs, I'm shooting a 418 grn arrow at 265 fps.
- Very forgiving compared to my Mathews Outback, I don't know why but I see the arrow fly way better with this bow and it doesn't throw them way off when I jerk on the shot.
- The stock grip is decent, maybe a little big but it finds center nicely and I don't fight left and right hits. I may try some side plates just for fun.
- It's a little quieter than my Outback, probably average to slightly better than average for a new bow.
- Now that it's loaded with accessories it's very dead in my hand, I don't like wrist slings and this bow doesn't give me the urge to GRAB the bow at the shot, it just lays in my hand.
- I also shot broadheads, Muzzy 3 bld 100 grn, and they hit exactly where my field points hit at 20, 30, 40 & 50.
- The balance is nice while carrying it, it's not so top heavy like my Mathews, should be nice to pack all day.

Overall I don't think it's going to be a miracle, but it most definitely will improve my shooting with it's forgiveness. I am thrilled with the ease of broadhead flight and fact that it's not so sensitive to poor form. I can't wait until the next 3D shoot.

I'm pumped,
Coon

[Hoytstaffshooter83]

Good on you.. I also love my am35 with the black/camo combo.. I shot the reezen 6.5 today after we put the new dampner on it, good god it is the biggest POS I have ever shot.. the thing had so much hand shock it almost fell out of my hand.. I was blown away......

[coonhound]

Good on you.. I also love my am35 with the black/camo combo.. I shot the reezen 6.5 today after we put the new dampner on it, good god it is the biggest POS I have ever shot.. the thing had so much hand shock it almost fell out of my hand.. I was blown away......

I used to be a Mathews fan but they haven't done anything this year that gets me even interested.  I shot the Reezen 7.0 and 6.5 and they were both a big step backwards in my opinion.

I also shot most of the Elite lineup, in fact before I shot them I was pretty sure I was going to join that crowd.  They were decent, the Z28 interested me with that 8" BH but it just didn't get me all that excited after I shot it.  I've shot a dozen different bows in my quest to quench my "gotta have a new bow sickness" before settling on the AM.

[Jason]

I shot the reezen 6.5 today after we put the new dampner on it, good god it is the biggest POS I have ever shot.. the thing had so much hand shock it almost fell out of my hand.. I was blown away......

 LOL.. have you shot the Martin firecat yet?, that thing has some good hand shock to it.

[funkster]

Can anyone that has a new alphamax totally setup give me a weight measurement please? This is one thing that I love about the new Hoyt line, shaved weight makes me

[Hoytstaffshooter83]

weight measurement meaning? the 32 weighs 3.9 and the 35 4.1

[Hoytstaffshooter83]

I shot the reezen 6.5 today after we put the new dampner on it, good god it is the biggest POS I have ever shot.. the thing had so much hand shock it almost fell out of my hand.. I was blown away......

 LOL.. have you shot the Martin firecat yet?, that thing has some good hand shock to it.

I have that was one of the bows in the test, it also has plenty of hand shock and is loud, but no where near the shock of the reezen... martin has not impressed me at all, the only decent bow is the warthog, I shot about 30 arrows through my buddys, its very fast, but as with all bows to get that the cams are crazy, and the backwall is not that great.......

[funkster]

weight measurement meaning? the 32 weighs 3.9 and the 35 4.1

Yes, what it weighs. Thanks but I was not talking about the catalog weight. I was talking about a bow setup with sight,quiver and stabilizer!

[Hoytstaffshooter83]

OK mine with everything weighs just over 6. and its the 35

[funkster]

Hoyt,thanks! I currently shoot with a stabilizer and I am thinking of not using one next season to shave weight, can you give me some pro's and con's if that would be a good idea or not. I have always used some type of stabilizer, I think that is how my dad setup my first bow and I just always went with one.