2025 Hoyt’s

3forks

WKR
Joined
Oct 4, 2014
Messages
902
I’m a long draw guy, and I’ve owned the RX7 Ultra, RX8 Ultra, and may order a RX9 Ultra.

The cam on the RX9 Ultra that I shot was a little stiffer at the beginning of the draw than my RX8 Ultra - but i didn’t feel it was significant. There is no dump into the valley, and the draw cycle is still very smooth and linear.

Even though the new Ultra is shorter, I didn’t notice that the bow felt any shorter than my RX8 Ultra, and it holds extremely well. I shot it out to 40 yards with no stabilizers and it is very stable, points well, forgiving,
and provides a little feedback but is still very damp and comfortable. Overall, RX9 Ultra feels different enough from the RX8 Ultra that’s its noticeable, but not anything earth shattering.

My draw length is long enough that I’d need to order the long draw version which means the limbs are an inch longer than what comes on the standard bows. That irritates me because one of the reasons I switched to Hoyt was because they consistently produced the Ultras in draw lengths that would accommodate a 32” draw length without any mods. I don’t care about speed because my long draw length enables plenty of speed to shoot past 100 yards easily, but I can understand why the newest cam and the speeds it allows is a big gain for some. I will say even though the new cam is a little stiffer at the beginning, a bow at 72 pounds doesn’t feel like you’re pulling or holding that much. Overall, the changes to the cam make sense.

I’ve got a press and do my own work, and the gripes about Hoyts not being as easy to tune as other bows doesn’t mean much to me, but I think that complaint is valid. However, I’ve never had a Hoyt lose its tune even with factory strings and I shoot daily.

I could happily shoot any flagship bow from any manufacturer, and I think they’re all really good, but I do think Hoyt is very consistent with its quality, fit, and finish. $2k plus for a bow is a lot, but because I shoot a lot and archery is my primary interest, I can personally justify the cost. However, I’d shoot an aluminum bow if they came in longer draw and ATA lengths.

One thing I don’t like is the new spiral fluted stabilizers. I think they look cheesy. Hoyt contends that the new stabilizers are specifically designed to optimally dampen the new geometry of the bow, limbs, and carbon layup, but I don’t shoot well enough to believe that would be perceivable for me (even if I did believe what Hoyt contends, plus I shot the RX9 with no stabilizers and it felt great).
 
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Joined
Jul 20, 2014
Messages
1,315
Location
Kirtland, NM
I’m definitely not a speed guy so I don’t even consider that when looking at different bows. As of now, I’m leaning pretty heavily into Elite and Expedition. I’ll wait and see what Matthews has this year as well.
 
Joined
Oct 14, 2023
Messages
1,532
Location
Houston (adjacent) TX
My 2007 Hoyt is still killing deer with extreme prejudice. Makes it hard to fork over that kinda money for something marginally better. Better technology? Absolutely. Better outcome of the shot? Not really. But every year I go shoot a new one at a shop and torture myself.
 
Joined
Oct 28, 2021
Messages
875
Funny how people have such different feels for bows. I get it though and glad we have so many options.

I found the Hoyt offerings this year to be amazing. So much so that I paid today for two RX9 Ultras and an AX-2 32. All set up with an Epsilon and UV Slider.

I make sure I always have at least three bows set up exactly the same after a year when I had a couple stupid things happen right before season that gave me two days to get a new bow dialed.

This year my nephew and his best friend told me they want to bow hunt so they will be given my Lift and Alpha X. Sold my RX7 Ultra and replacing it all with these.

I love the draw cycle and the speed out of them is impressive.
 

wysongdog

WKR
Joined
May 8, 2016
Messages
414
I shot both the RX9 Ultra yesterday and the Alpha AX-2 32". The draw curve on the Ultra stacks but the speed is definitely there. My friend who has the Ultra coming will be picking up 20 FPS from the 8 Ultra at 28.5 draw length for a 425 grain arrow. I ended up ordering the AX-2 as I felt it was much smoother and quieter than the 9. I should be shooting my 445 grain arrow @ roughly 291 based on the speeds we were seeing with a 500 grain arrow through the chronograph. I shot the RX8 all season and it's still my primary until I get the AX-2 set up but it will be interesting. I am not a fan of the floating yokes and that just gives me less simplicity. 1 small burr and more serving to separate I am not a fan of so we shall see.
What speeds were you seeing with the 500 grain arrows?
 

Dylan Sluis

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 8, 2021
Messages
197
Location
Minnesota
For me this year really made me want to get a new bow from hoyt, Matthews not so much, if i'd go matthews id get the 2024 lift. I am not looking at the hoyt carbons thats way to much for a bow. But the Ax2 29.5 is what has my eye.

They made the bow over 1/4lb lighter which is probably the biggest thing. Made a faster cam, and shortened the bow to finally get under a 30" ATA bow. That's really got me interested and probably gonna end up in one for next season. It weighs 4.25 with their stubby stabilizer on. take that thing off and you have a 4lb aluminum bow. That's impressive and is probably the reason i'm so interested.
 

HbDane

WKR
Joined
Sep 17, 2017
Messages
464
I like the new Hoyt’s a lot. I loved my RX8 Ultra but it was lacking speed, so I sold it and bought a standard RX8. I really like it, but prefer the string angle to the longer ATA bows. The RX9 Ultra being faster has me really excited.
 
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1jeds

FNG
Joined
Dec 21, 2021
Messages
82
I placed an order for an RX9 Ultra this week. It will be a big step up from my Ventum 33 (the first ventum) - my draw length of 29.5 was right at the bottom of the mod and I had a speed penalty because of it. I went and shot it along with the Lift X, and I liked the familiar feeling of the Hoyt. I also like the ability to choose the firm/extra firm back wall.

You can't really go wrong with bows these days, it's splitting hairs at this point. I plan to have this one for years and thought the jump up in speed was enough to warrant it.
 

Archerichards

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 25, 2019
Messages
145
Funny how people have such different feels for bows. I get it though and glad we have so many options.

I found the Hoyt offerings this year to be amazing. So much so that I paid today for two RX9 Ultras and an AX-2 32. All set up with an Epsilon and UV Slider.

I make sure I always have at least three bows set up exactly the same after a year when I had a couple stupid things happen right before season that gave me two days to get a new bow dialed.

This year my nephew and his best friend told me they want to bow hunt so they will be given my Lift and Alpha X. Sold my RX7 Ultra and replacing it all with these.

I love the draw cycle and the speed out of them is impressive.

Just wondering if you need an extra nephew or best friend? I am happy to take those hand-me-downs! LOL
 

Archerichards

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 25, 2019
Messages
145
BTW, the Bowjunky media podcast last week with Greg Poole interviewing the Hoyt Chief Engineer is excellent. It is a deep dive into the design decisions they made on the new bows. Poole does a great job listening to him and letting him tell the full story of the design tradeoffs and choices. (Dudley did an interview with the same guy two weeks ago but didn't let him talk very much-- you can learn a lot more from Bowjunky/Poole).
 

NXTZ

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 15, 2020
Messages
172
I’m pretty impressed with the new Hoyts, personally I love the changes to the platform vs the ventum/vtm series. The yokes and larger axle equals less cam lean and the limb tips don’t appear to lean or twist. That might all be aesthetic, but good lord did I hate looking at that on my vtm. The ax2 seems like it’ll tune closer to down the center, vs having the arrow pointing way left/right at brace (again, might only be a surface or cosmetic thing).

If you prefer hamskea over qad, you’ll be happy as the new riser (and maybe last years too) has way more room to fit AND get to the adjustments on your rest.

At 28” 70lbs the ax2 hit 269-270fps over the shop chronograph, 510 grain arrow. IMG_6617.jpeg
 

Article 4

WKR
Joined
Mar 4, 2019
Messages
718
Location
The Great Northwest
2k is alot for a bow, and my RX7 is a great bow. Had an RX3 before that, which was a great bow.
My belief is Hoyt is attracting anyone who has an older bow (5+ years old) and is in the market for a new one, more than they are getting someone like me to buy a new bow.

The ATA did a study called “Bowhunting in the United States: A Market Study.” ATA worked with the Responsive Management research firm to survey 2,632 bowhunters in 10 states. Responsive Management then analyzed the data using multiple variables, such as generational differences.

The vast majority (74%), bought a new bow if their current bow was damaged or beyond repair. Other “very important” buying factors include good sales offers, 37%; upgrading equipment, 26%; new innovation, 22%; and how much money they’ve spent on other equipment, 21%.

The generations mostly agreed on all buying factors except one: price. Millennials spend slightly more on a bow than do baby boomers and gen X-ers. Millennials’ median spending limit on a bow is $1,000, while gen X-ers’ and baby boomers’ median limit is $800.
 
Joined
Dec 2, 2024
Messages
11
To me it seemed like the Lift X had a few more “interesting” flagship features than Hoyt. I just feel like they all need to sloooww down and stop shoving “flagship” bows out the door just hoping to make some extra $$. I’ve been nothing but happy with my Ventum Pro and yes I do get excited when I see a flagship drop HOWEVER that excitement quickly fades away when I see the price and the very few changes.
 
Joined
Jul 20, 2014
Messages
1,315
Location
Kirtland, NM
I’m pretty impressed with the new Hoyts, personally I love the changes to the platform vs the ventum/vtm series. The yokes and larger axle equals less cam lean and the limb tips don’t appear to lean or twist. That might all be aesthetic, but good lord did I hate looking at that on my vtm. The ax2 seems like it’ll tune closer to down the center, vs having the arrow pointing way left/right at brace (again, might only be a surface or cosmetic thing).

If you prefer hamskea over qad, you’ll be happy as the new riser (and maybe last years too) has way more room to fit AND get to the adjustments on your rest.

At 28” 70lbs the ax2 hit 269-270fps over the shop chronograph, 510 grain arrow. View attachment 802098
I like that color! Is that the 32 or the 29? I’m starting to lean heavily on getting the 32. Upgrade from 2012 Hoyt.
 

NXTZ

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 15, 2020
Messages
172
I like that color! Is that the 32 or the 29? I’m starting to lean heavily on getting the 32. Upgrade from 2012 Hoyt.
Thanks man, it’s the 29. I’ve been a 33” ata guy for several years, but recently shortened my draw length and the 29 just fit/felt fantastic for me.
 
Joined
Aug 23, 2014
Messages
5,468
Location
oregon coast
I keep my bows 10 years- so it's "only" $200/year!
I’m working towards that level of self control, I’m at least aware that it’s dumb to buy new bows every year, that’s a step.

I know that you’re better off just gaining familiarity and confidence with what you have and use vs switching up your equipment constantly
 
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