What Is The Best Bow On The Market?

13 June 2007

What Is The Best Bow On The Market?

Posted by Darrell under: Archery; Gear - Tips, Reviews, Wishlist .

If you asked 20 different serious archers what the best bow on the market it, you’d probably get at least 15 different answers. Every person has different criteria for determining what is most important for them. Is it price? Weight? Vibration Level? Noise Level? or if you’re anything like me - its a combination of all of the above with emphasis on price and comfort.

I’ve already told you that I use a Redhead XP-35 and I love it. I just took a huge black bear with it in Alaska and I’m thrilled with how it performs. It certainly isn’t the most expensive bow on the market. Arrow speed with the arrows I shoot is a modest 262, and that’s at the maximum draw of 70#.

I would never begin to suggest that I know enough about bows to make a recommendation. However, Mike, a friend of mine who knows a lot more about bows than I do, just sent me a link to an OBJECTIVE test of 2007 bows. Their tests were based on the following bow characteristics:

Adaptability/Adjustability
Efficiency
Noise Output
Mechanical Properties
Vibration

I’ve heard nothing but good about the top 3 bows on their Best Picks list. This should be the case, though, as they each run between $700 and $800. You might guess them (the first 2, at least, weren’t a suprise for me):

Bowtech Guardian
Diamond Black Ice
PSE X-Force

But, they also have a “Best Bang for the Buck” chart where they list some less expensive bows using a formula that includes price as part of the criteria.

Martin Bengal
Bear Instinct
Whisper Creek Stealth LX

These bows are considerably less expensive - all running in the $400 - $450 range. Interesting, a cousin to my Redhead (the Redhead XP-32) made the “Best Bang for the Buck” list at #4!

Anyone that is contemplating purchasing a new bow, from the most serious expert, to a novice beginner, should take a look at this bow comparison report. It is well done - although maybe a little too technical for my simple mind. It will either help you make a decision, or further confuse you.

So What Bow Should You Buy? There is no hard and fast answer to this question. Just remember, their is no substitute to actually shooting bows. A bow that is perfect for your neighbor, may not be the best choice for you. The best bow on the market is simply the bow that you can afford, shoot well, and is comfortable to YOU.

Thanks Mike for sending the link!

Related Posts & Pages

Recent Posts

6 Comments so far...

Paul Says:

15 July 2007 at 6:20 pm.

I just read the latest Outdoor Life magazine and it’s reviews of 2007.

Mathews Drenalin takes best bow overall with the Diamond Black ice in second. The Guardian and PSE weren’t to far behind but the Hoyt Vectrix was finishing around 8th.

I think after shooting the bows myself I tend to agree.

www.outdoorcritic.com

Darrell Says:

18 July 2007 at 10:51 am.

Paul, thanks for the update.

harry Says:

13 November 2007 at 3:32 am.

recurve bows are great!

www.recurvebow.org

keith Says:

27 November 2007 at 9:08 pm.

I have a redhead xp35 and its all around the best bow for the money. All my friends would reather have my bow than there high dollar ones. I would recondmend it to any one

Richard Que's Says:

13 March 2008 at 8:00 pm.

I have used every high dollars bow on the market today. All were used in hunting situations. I shoot 10+ arrows a day everyday.
Now I would say the Mathews is the smoothest, but you can’t keep them together. I have had two Mathews crap out on many with under 5 months use on both. They just don’t last.
Bowtech seems to be making very nice equipment and I think you will be happy with it.

The PSE X-Force, this thing rips at a 27” draw, 70#’s, beman ics 400 I’m getting 286 FPS. Very smooth, very light and manuverable. Takes a little while to get used to but once you practice a few times you will be very happy.

Hoyt, they are built to be bullet proof. It seems to me they are kind of behind the game a bit. Year after year they have a new name for their innovation but you don’t see many differences. They aren’t very fast for especially for the smaller draw people.