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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Edit to add: the old 80 lb bow was rated at an IBO speed of 321 fps. (70lb, 350 gr, 30” DL). The bare bow weighs 3.9 lbs. The 70 lb new bow is rated at an IBO speed of 342 fps. (70lbs, 350 gr, 30” DL). The bare bow weighs 4.0 lbs.

 

[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

 

[Eastonsgrandpa]

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

That is real interesting. I know one of my early bows was a Mathews Halon X. That bow was phenomenal! I remember it drawing so well and holding on target clean. I was pretty early and had not found myself down the obsessive rabbit holes. No idea what speed I was getting or what overall weight my arrow was or definitely had never even heard of FOC and the likes. I just shot it well and was content.

It was heavy and huge. And I kind of went for the shiny new things hitting the shelves. I might try to track one down. I'd love to see what I missed selling that bow.

I know I have shot some real rough bows since then. Had a Carbon Spyder Turbo that was the most horrendous bow for me. Wanted to yank my shoulder from the target if I ever dared to let it creep a millimeter off the back wall. But, it was hyped as FAST! Anymore, all I want is a smooth drawing shooter that feels good. I've gone the heavy/light extremes and wallowed in the FOC game. Now I just want a well built middle of the road arrow that flies well and carries a sharp head to the target.

Maybe we do really fall for the hype and advertising more that we think. But I still do gravitate to the new shiny thing like a crow to a ball of tin foil.

 

[Eastonsgrandpa]

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.

View attachment 848163

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.
View attachment 848164

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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That is great information. Thank you.

I might look around for a couple older bows to just tinker with and compare. Would be interesting to blindfold and shoot them side by side into a blank bale just to feel the differences. Might be my winter duldrums activity this next winter. Always trying to find something to keep my mind off hunting Mother Nature down and going postal.

 

[BKM]

You have to go back more than 10 years but overall it’s true. I’m thinking closer to 20 years at this point.

 

[jmez]

Bowtech Black Knight 2 came out 2000-2001 ish. 350 ibo. Speeds haven't changed that much.

 

[syoungs]

Im still shooting a bear anarchy hc from 2014, theres a few bows slightly faster, but not by much. I shoot this one really well, and the 3 or 4 times I've went into the shop thinking I needed a new bow I didn't like anything enough to spend the money. Think I paid like 250$ on ebay for it brand new when it got discontinued, ill probably just shoot it until it breaks.

 

[manitou1]

I did not read all the posts, so forgive me if similar has been stated.
I have a Darton Sequel 33 ST2 that I cranked down to 57 lbs due to a shouldrr problem and it is shooting my 441 g arrow at 280 fps. over my Garmin chrono.

That's pretty impressive in my book.
I have shot archery, traditional and compound for over four decades and I don't think I have had any bow with that kind of performance, and I am running the highest letoff and softest modules on the Darton right now.

The margins may be small as far as top end speed over the past15 years, but the draw force curve vs speeds with lower draw weights sure seem to be a bit better.