2022 Head To Head Bow Test

[Zach Herold]

11/9/22 update:
Zach’s review is live! This is part I with all the eight head to head bow tests. Part II will take all the bows on some actual hunts. Zach worked hard on this as
usual:

Head to Head Bow Test: Part I

In this Head to Head Bow Test, Zach Herold of the the Rokstaff puts Hoyt, Mathews, PSE, Prime, and Gearhead through eight definitive tests

www.rokslide.com

2/15/23 update: Part II is live!

Head To Head Bow Test: Part 2

I am doing a Head to Head Bow Test. I reach out to a lot of companies and the companies that decided to participate in the test are:

• Gear Head Archery
• Mathews
• PSE
• Prime
• Hoyt

Thanks to vapor trail for sending rests for each one of the bows, stokerized for sending a stabilizer, and black gold for sending brackets so that I can just swap the dual trac sight in between bows.

This test will have a part 1 and a part 2.

Consistency Insurance:

• This will be a 100% non-bias review.
• Each bow will be shot approximately 100 times for break in, string and cable stretch prior to being evaluated.
• All bows set at same draw length and weight within .5lbs
• The same sight, rest, stabilizer, and sling will be used during each test.
• The same arrow will be used in each test.
• All bows will be shot without a quiver.

Test Part 1: Evaluate, test, and compare: This will allow me to compare the bows as closely as possible and to insure consistency.

• Tuning ease
• Draw cycle
• Back wall
• Hold at full draw
• True arrow speeds at my draw length.
• Bow noise measured in decibels conducted in the same area to help with consistency.
• Ease of shooting positions: Standing, kneeling, sitting.
• Shooting from ground blind.
• Shooting from tree stand.
• Shooting field points (grouping recorded every 20 yards 0-80 yards)
• Shooting mechanical broadheads (grouping recorded every 20 yards 0-80 yards)
• Shooting fixed blade broadheads (grouping recorded every 20 yards 0-80 yards)
  • Ease of tuning bows to shoot broadheads will be evaluated during the broadhead shooting process.

Test Part 2: Field test. Each bow will be taken on a hunt. The goal is to shoot at least one animal, with each bow. During this time, I will evaluate, test, and compare:

• Durability
• Packability
• Performance in current weather conditions
• Ease of use in the field (stalking with bow, tree stand, blind etc.)

While I am conducting the test, compiling footage, and editing the final review please feel free to chime in with any other ideas or things you would specifically like to see tested. I will do what I can to accommodate and or answer questions.

@robby denning @mathewsinc @prime @gearheadarchery @PSE @Hoyt @vaportrail @stokerized @blackgold

 

[Mighty Mouse]

A draw force curve for each bow would be interesting as a way to objectively evaluate draw cycles and (if you really want to get nerdy) to calculate how efficient each bow is at converting the work done by the archer (potential energy) into kinetic energy. Looking forward to the results of your testing!

 

[robby denning]

Another awesome review Zach. Thanks for working so hard on this stuff. Subscribed!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Zach Herold]

A draw force curve for each bow would be interesting as a way to objectively evaluate draw cycles and (if you really want to get nerdy) to calculate how efficient each bow is at converting the work done by the archer (potential energy) into kinetic energy. Looking forward to the results of your testing!

I like this idea. I'm not exactly sure how to do that without certain machines, but I do really like the idea. I'll see what I can do.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

You can probably get close enough using a draw board, recording the draw weight at 1/2" increments, and plotting that in excel.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

I like this idea. I'm not exactly sure how to do that without certain machines, but I do really like the idea. I'll see what I can do.

All you need for a draw force curve is a draw board and draw weight scale. Hook the scale to the d-loop, slowly draw the bow on the draw board, and record the scale reading and distance you've drawn the bow at regular increments from brace to full draw. A pre-measured arrow with hash marks on the shaft every 1/4" makes it easy to measure distance drawn as you go. If you record the data points, I would be happy to graph them and calculate potential energy for you.

As an example, below is a draw force curve and PE calculation I did a few years back:

Distance Drawn	Scale Reading
in	lb
0.750	8.0
1.125	11.6
1.500	15.2
1.750	19.0
2.125	22.8
2.500	26.8
3.000	31.1
3.375	35.4
3.625	39.1
4.125	43.1
4.625	46.6
5.125	49.9
5.625	52.8
6.000	54.8
6.375	56.5
6.875	57.8
7.375	58.5
7.875	59.0
8.250	59.2
8.750	59.3
9.125	59.4
9.750	59.2
10.250	59.4
10.750	59.7
11.250	59.9
11.750	60.1
12.250	60.1
12.750	59.8
13.375	59.2
14.000	58.6
14.500	57.4
15.000	55.7
15.625	53.7
16.125	51.2
16.625	48.0
17.250	43.3
17.750	38.0
18.375	31.4
19.000	23.7
19.750	16.2

 

[Zach Herold]

All you need for a draw force curve is a draw board and draw weight scale. Hook the scale to the d-loop, slowly draw the bow on the draw board, and record the scale reading and distance you've drawn the bow at regular increments from brace to full draw. A pre-measured arrow with hash marks on the shaft every 1/4" makes it easy to measure distance drawn as you go. If you record the data points, I would be happy to graph them and calculate potential energy for you.

ha ha yeah that is pretty simple duh on my part. I appreciate the help. I will see what I can do about that!

 

[Supranatural]

ha ha yeah that is pretty simple duh on my part. I appreciate the help. I will see what I can do about that!

Looking forward to your review, always enjoy the ones you do. But hurry up, I need to know if I should sell my Levitate for something else better before my elk hunt next month!

 

[CO-AJ]

Will be watching this. I chose the V3X over the Ventum pro and the Inline. Ventum was a close second, didn't care for the Inline, my 3rd place was Bowtech SR350. Will be keeping an eye on this one.

 

[raptor16]

Following for sure. All great how’s this year. I know which one I liked best but always fun to let someone else’s thoughts/observations get inside my head haha!!

 

[stan_wa]

Does anyone have an idea when this review will be posted, or has it already?

 

[NGK808]

^ Also interested in this

 

[Ashenwelt]

I would love to see this as well. Though I already ordered a Prime Inline 5.

 

[streetdoctor]

crickets... little late to the game at this point.

 

[anthnichols]

Interested in results as well.

 

[JMalmy]

Anything yet?

 

[Deanblitzer]

I'd be interested as well. I bought a Prime Inline 1 and love it but still would be cool to see results!

 

[High Voltage]

I am doing a Head to Head Bow Test. I reach out to a lot of companies and the companies that decided to participate in the test are:

• Gear Head Archery
• Mathews
• PSE
• Prime
• Hoyt

View attachment 431392


View attachment 431393View attachment 431394View attachment 431395

Thanks to vapor trail for sending rests for each one of the bows, stokerized for sending a stabilizer, and black gold for sending brackets so that I can just swap the dual trac sight in between bows.

This test will have a part 1 and a part 2.

Consistency Insurance:

• This will be a 100% non-bias review.
• Each bow will be shot approximately 100 times for break in, string and cable stretch prior to being evaluated.
• All bows set at same draw length and weight within .5lbs
• The same sight, rest, stabilizer, and sling will be used during each test.
• The same arrow will be used in each test.
• All bows will be shot without a quiver.

Test Part 1: Evaluate, test, and compare: This will allow me to compare the bows as closely as possible and to insure consistency.

• Tuning ease
• Draw cycle
• Back wall
• Hold at full draw
• True arrow speeds at my draw length.
• Bow noise measured in decibels conducted in the same area to help with consistency.
• Ease of shooting positions: Standing, kneeling, sitting.
• Shooting from ground blind.
• Shooting from tree stand.
• Shooting field points (grouping recorded every 20 yards 0-80 yards)
• Shooting mechanical broadheads (grouping recorded every 20 yards 0-80 yards)
• Shooting fixed blade broadheads (grouping recorded every 20 yards 0-80 yards)
  • Ease of tuning bows to shoot broadheads will be evaluated during the broadhead shooting process.

Test Part 2: Field test. Each bow will be taken on a hunt. The goal is to shoot at least one animal, with each bow. During this time, I will evaluate, test, and compare:

• Durability
• Packability
• Performance in current weather conditions
• Ease of use in the field (stalking with bow, tree stand, blind etc.)

While I am conducting the test, compiling footage, and editing the final review please feel free to chime in with any other ideas or things you would specifically like to see tested. I will do what I can to accommodate and or answer questions.

@robby denning @mathewsinc @prime @gearheadarchery @PSE @Hoyt @vaportrail @stokerized @blackgold

Following

 

[safeskies]

Interested!

 

[CHMD]

I’m interested as well!