How much more efficient?

[Eastonsgrandpa]

I started shooting a bow about eight years ago and have heard so much about how today’s bows are more efficient at 60 than a ten plus year old bow was at 70.

Since I don’t have the history to know, wondering if that’s the experience of folks who do.

If you remember details from back then, what kinds of speeds were you getting?

I know speed isn’t the end all, but it’s a pretty good indicator of the effectiveness of the tool.

 

[SloppyJ]

Bows have stalled out quite a bit. If you have a bow, shoot it well, and have confidence in it, it should take quite a bit to give it up. One of my favorite bows is about 10yrs old and I've ordered 3 since then.

 

[Taudisio]

Mirroring this and adding, I had a 14 year old bow that was fine. It was not a flagship model and when I bought new, I went for the flagship. Definitely a difference, but not so much that it would change any hunting outcomes except the fact that I’d be more sad if I drop the new one.

 

[Maverick1]

I started shooting a bow about eight years ago and have heard so much about how today’s bows are more efficient at 60 than a ten plus year old bow was at 70.

Since I don’t have the history to know, wondering if that’s the experience of folks who do.

If you remember details from back then, what kinds of speeds were you getting?

I know speed isn’t the end all, but it’s a pretty good indicator of the effectiveness of the tool.

Kind of depends on what you are comparing it to and the specs on the old bow vs. the new. (Draw weight, let-off percentage, etc.)

First data point: Compared a 15 year old 80 lb bow to a new 70 lb bow. Same arrows. Same draw length.



In summary: New 70 lb bow is easier to draw (12 lbs less draw weight), easier to hold at full draw (-10 lbs), and shoots faster (+20 fps).


Second data point: Compared a 15 year old 80 lb bow to a new 80 lb bow. Same arrows. Same draw length.


In summary: New bow is essentially the same amount of weight to draw (82 vs 80 lbs), easier to hold at full draw (-8.5 lbs), and shoots faster (40 fps.)

The above are all objective - measurable differences.

The "feel" of the draw cycle is somewhat personal preference and subjective.

Suppose it is up to each person to determine if the $ is worth the improvement in performance. Or, maybe people like to buy a new bow, and that's fine, too!

Good luck this season.
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[Bump79]

I'm still shooting my 2016 Prime Rize. It shoots lights out and still puts out the speeds of new bows. IMHO - the gap is right at 10 years as a 2015-2016 bow is still pretty comparable. A Mathews Halon is still legit as are other models. It's really up to you and what is important to you.

The primary gain in the last 10 years has been tunablity, weight, noise and vibe. Personally, my old bow still tunes perfect and I don't have any issues with weight or noise. So I sold my newer 21 bow and I'm rocking it for another year. I'll see what 2026 has to bring and if it's not much - I'll get a 2025 model leftover.

 

[roosiebull]

I started shooting a bow about eight years ago and have heard so much about how today’s bows are more efficient at 60 than a ten plus year old bow was at 70.

Since I don’t have the history to know, wondering if that’s the experience of folks who do.

If you remember details from back then, what kinds of speeds were you getting?

I know speed isn’t the end all, but it’s a pretty good indicator of the effectiveness of the tool.

It kinda depends, 15 years ago there were bows with the same speeds as most of today’s flagships (in 09 the alien x was marketed as 335-340fps) I wouldn’t say that much has changed in 15 years, but a lot has in the past 25 years.

Bows have gotten overall shorter and heavier and quieter in general, but in 15 years, speed hasn’t changed that much, but 25 years it’s changed a lot