Hoyt vs. Bowtech vs. PSE vs. Mathews

[WapitiWhack]

Getting into bow hunting, reading and YouTubing all the info I can on bows. I want to BOCO, so I'm looking at top-shelf models. My draw length is 31"/ 31.5", looking for a Hunting bow. Accuracy over speed. Busted up shoulders means I won't be chasing 80lb. draws... Again, accuracy over speed.
Yes, yes, I know; "shoot all the bows, let the bow choose you". I've shot all but the Hoyt, and I am not experienced enough to be making the decision entirely on my own opinion. Therefore, I am reaching out to you veteran shooters so I may gleen some wisdom from the Collective Mind.
I'm looking for factual opinions on the following bows, I'm sure everyone that has one of these loves it (at these prices, they should all be winners), I'm looking for constructive criticism's regarding them. For example, I've heard Mathews has not been so good lately with their customer service, and their strings don't last. Is the Bowtech cam adjustment reason enough to lean towards them? I have a big hand, so I like the fuller grips. But, I'm hearing the smaller/square grips are better for repeatability. How important is that? Bla, bla, blaaaa… 

Hoyt - Axis Ultra
Bowtech - Revolt X
PSE - EVO NXT 33
Mathews - Traverse

Thank you in advance,
WapitiWhack

[jstone]

Go to a place a shot them all. Pick whatever one fits you better.
I shoot a Mathews Z7
30” draw
70 pounds
430 gr. Arrow
I absolutely love my bow. Lights out. Hits hard and smooth. If I miss it is my fault not the bow. Before I shot mathews I started with a Martin bobcat. Still killed.
I am a Mathews guy cause it has never failed me. So why switch

Good luck
J stone

[Mfowl]

I say go with the Bowtech Revolt X. Dumb name but sweet bow with tons of adjustability and new technology. I have not shot any of the new bows or anything new for a few years now. I shoot a 2016 E35. Have fun in your search!

[Crunchy]

Hoyt guy here, although I still have a Mathews in the stable.  Of the list I would go Hoyt all the way.  PSE on the bottom of the list, I just dont like the finish of their bows.  Blowtech... I mean Bowtech is an ok bow usually faster compared to others.  History of limb splitting issues, and not easily tuned.  Mathews I like, but their cams are the size of dinner plates these days.  I wish they would have stayed with their old solo cam bows.  Hoyt bows I love their fit and finish.  Top notch, speed and weight equal to Mathews.  Ultimately whichever bow you buy you need a dealer that is close to home for the occasional check up. 

[hughjorgan]

I’ve been shooting hoyts for a while now. Great bow, accurate, dependable and will get the job done. The first compound I bought that was a flagship bowtech. Two years after owning it the cam failed at full draw, the company didn’t stand by their bow and the bow shop wouldn’t do anything for me. That bow shop went out of business, do your research and find a reputable shop to buy from no matter what brand you buy. They will be the ones to help you if your bow fails.

That being said I would rather have a static yoke to tune than a four track binary system with floating yokes. Hoyts are easy to tune in my experience. Youll have to shim those other bows for cam lean. Another plus for Hoyt is you are a long draw and have a longer ATA the string angle is going to be better on the longer ATA bow which Hoyt usually has a couple offerings in.

[highside74]

I'd add Prime to that mix. Shoot them all if you truly are set on buying just one and keeping it for a long time. With your draw length I'd stay above 33 inches ata and don't get to caught up in speed unless it's drastically different. Of your choices the Hoyt stands out. Great quality (You never hear of anything drastic like you do Blowtech) Almost 7 in brace height 34 ata and almost 340fps. With your draw length your arrow will be moving. I would shoot that and a New Prime Black 3 33ata 6.5 brace height. As a new archer a longer brace height is going to be a lot easier to shoot. If you need to know why brace height is important let me know.

[Russ McDonald]

I shoot Bowtech and live near an awesome pro shop.  Rock Creek Archery in Enumclaw.  He is now carrying PSE to.  I like the adjustability of a bow tech, I have owned Hoyt to.  Love both of those brands wouldn't own anything else other than those 2.

Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk

[Dhoey07]

I'd add Prime to that mix. Shoot them all if you truly are set on buying just one and keeping it for a long time. With your draw length I'd stay above 33 inches ata and don't get to caught up in speed unless it's drastically different. Of your choices the Hoyt stands out. Great quality (You never hear of anything drastic like you do Blowtech) Almost 7 in brace height 34 ata and almost 340fps. With your draw length your arrow will be moving. I would shoot that and a New Prime Black 3 33ata 6.5 brace height. As a new archer a longer brace height is going to be a lot easier to shoot. If you need to know why brace height is important let me know.

I just bought a Prime Impulse 34. I’ll hopefully be able to give ya a review next week

[Stein]

Get serious, get Hoyt.  That and I found a lefty used model I was looking for at a bargain price.

I think bows are like guns, tons of great options out there.  If you are buying new, get each one in your hand and you should be able to make a decision best for you.

[fowl smacker]

Used to shoot a Bowtech Old Glory, it was a great bow for me.  I now shoot a 2016 Elite Synergy.  I shot a lot of bows before I bought it.  It is by FAR the easiest and smoothest bow I've ever shot.  I shoot 70lbs and it literally feels like 55lbs and I can hold at full draw forever.  I highly recommend shooting an Elite before you make a purchase.

[OltHunter]

I currently own a Hoyt Helix Ultra, Mathews Traverse, Bowtech BtMagX, Prime CT9, and older PSE Beast 8 started with. It really comes down to feel.

They all have different grips, valleys, and draw cycles. Hand shock and thunck sound after shot. All shoot great.

I got a 32" draw. I made the decision to buy all the flagships used and settle on my top 2 and sell the rest, which I figure could get close to my money back or a small "rental" fee.

I wouldn't spend $1,200 on a new bow. Lots of bow shop sellers on forums and I've got all 4 for the price of a Hoyt RX3 Ultra after tax. I've got to run 100 or so arrows through all of them on my time, instead of hours in a shop, for a couple arrows. Plus, it's really hard to find something 32" in a shop.

Prime is easy to tune, and is more forgiving for me, but it's 39" so it's expected. This will be in my hunting kit going forward. I like narrow grips off the riser. I did have to play around with some added dampeners as it had a distinct sound, supposedly from the dual cam tracks. That's all gone now.

Mathews Traverse is going to be my other bow. Love the feel of it. But not as forgiving, I've found I pull it left more often than the Prime. Peopke complain about the top hats, but I've found them easy and hold the tune rock solid.

Hoyt, my favorite looking bow, but can't stand the grip. Cycle is great. I've found it the hardest to tune.

Bowtech super adjustable and easy to tune, shoots well. I'm on the fence whether I want a 3rd bow or to sell it too. I actually just got new limbs on warranty since they cracked. Felt tune wouldn't hold as well as others.

PSE Beast I may actually give away at some point to family or for a couple $. Fine bow, just older and clunky.

If you are interested in the Hoyt, let me know. 65# right hand, blackout with orange strings.

[WapitiWhack]

Wow, wow, WoW !
So many great responses, and so much good information. Thank you everyone. Many good points made that I will take to heart, my next step I think is to shoot the Hoyt, the only one I haven't shot yet. Then, try to narrow the field down some...
Tell me more about tuning, as I understand it, using a rest with micro-tuning is not as good as cam tuning.
Also, when do I tune; New/different arrows? String replacement? Over time?
I'm trying to figure out the value of Bowtech's easy tunability.
OltHunter, you say the Hoyt was the hardest to tune, I've not yet fondled one, so I'm not sure what makes it harder. As much as I will rely on a good shop to get me set-up and going, I would like to eventually be able to do my own work on the bow.

[fishngamereaper]

I haven't had any issues with my bowtech. Shots great and fits me good. As for tuning and such I stop by Rock Creek once a year on my way scouting and Denton spends 5 minutes with it and it's good to go.

[257wbymagkiller]

All of them are good options in reality and will get the job done with time and practice. I got a lot of insight and wisdom on here on what to get and tips and tricks. I went with what fit in my budget and waited till a flagship bow went on a huge sale cause it was last year’s model and got it at a steal of a price and couldn’t be happier. Get out and shot all that you have in mind and maybe wait a bit and see if that one goes on sale. If money wasn’t a issue for me I’d go with the Hoyt. My brother just got one and it is really nice and shoots like a dream. Very quiet to.

[sage rat]

Every few years i find myself in your shoes. It seems as tho everything advanced so much too. Ive owned all the manufactures bows you have mention and liked all at that time. Last year i bought a new bow and i was not personally fond of any of the new bows. I shot a Prime and Elite and fell in love with both of them. The draw cycle was awesome on my old worn out shoulder and i could hold them drawn for a longer time than the others. Not telling you to buy one of those but i would not discount them at all. Make sure to do some blind bale shooting before you buy and just concentrate on the draw cycle and the hand shock.  A lot of people dont notice the hand shock cause they are too busy watching the arrow.  Bows are a pain in the butt to pack through the woods so make sure it is comfy to hold while your taking your bow for a hike.  Enjoy the process and dont get in a hurry.