Hyot RX8, RX8 Ultra, or Alpha AX-2 32

[Bullchaser65]

Trying to decide which bow to get. My local dealer has one RX8 Ultra available brand new for $1250 and and RX8 for $1150. If the speeds were the same I would probably stick with the Ultra for the longer ATA, but it shot about 15-18 FPS slower than the RX8. 70lb draw weight and 28 to 28 1/4" draw length. 70 lb limbs as well.

The other option is buy an AX-2 32 that will shoot about 8-10fps faster than the RX8, but at roughly $300 more than the RX8. Will I be sacrificing quite a bit of forgivability and stability going to a 30" ATA or not much of a difference? This will only be used for hunting 60 yards and in (most likely 50 yards and in).

 

[Dylan Sluis]

Well first of all what style of hunting do you do mainly. And do you prefer longer ATA bows or shorter? That is the fist thing you need to decide. I work at a hoyt dealership so here's my input. First of all i'd throw the rx8 ultra out the window right away. The 2025 bows pull harder yes. To me it's no harder than a matthews and there is no humps or anything harsh in the draw. It is just a very nice consistent draw. If you want a shorter bow, the RX8 is great, though I will say the RX9 is a bunch better which is why I ordered one for myself. If you are hunting mainly 50 and in I wouldn't look past the AX2 29 either, that bow is super nice and shoots like it's a much longer ATA bow. Also do you hunt a bunch in freezing cold weather where the carbon "feel" is a benefit or no? There's a lot that goes into picking a new bow.

Edit. The speed gains from the 2024 to 2025 is one of the reasons I wanted a new one and should not be overlooked. And at your draw length a shorter ATA bow would fit you really well.

 

[Bullchaser65]

Basically just elk hunt with it at this point. Spot stalk or usually calling them in.

Ive only shot a 32.5" bowtech so I could not tell you which i prefer as i havent shot anything larger/smaller at distances. The only thing I've heard is the longer ATA is more stable and more forgiving. is it really that much more stable going from a 30" to a 32"?

Most of the hunts are 30-75 degrees to temp isn't that much of a deal.

Yeah I would for sure want the RX9 ultra for the speed upgrades but $2100 is a hard pill to swallow. Thats mainly why I was looking at the RX8 vs AX-2. Tried a mathews lift x33 and it shot fine, but i liked the grip far better on the Hoyt.

 

[Dylan Sluis]

Basically just elk hunt with it at this point. Spot stalk or usually calling them in.

Ive only shot a 32.5" bowtech so I could not tell you which i prefer as i havent shot anything larger/smaller at distances. The only thing I've heard is the longer ATA is more stable and more forgiving. is it really that much more stable going from a 30" to a 32"?

Most of the hunts are 30-75 degrees to temp isn't that much of a deal.

Yeah I would for sure want the RX9 ultra for the speed upgrades but $2100 is a hard pill to swallow. Thats mainly why I was looking at the RX8 vs AX-2. Tried a mathews lift x33 and it shot fine, but i liked the grip far better on the Hoyt.

If you are mainly elk hunting ya a longer ATA bow is going to just fit your style better. Short ATA bows still shoot really well but if you are hunting mainly open country there really isn't a downside to shooting a longer ATA bow. And since you aren't hunting in freezing cold weather you wouldn't really benefit from carbon really besides the weight. Personally if I were you I think the AX2 32 is the perfect bow for you. It's gonna be a little faster than the 2024 bows, a bunch lighter, and a good ATA length for what you need.

The only crappy part for you is those draw lengths are on 2 different mods. Mod 3 covers 28.25-29 and Mod 2 covers 27.25-28. So you'd go back and forth. The hoyt's are running a 1/4" long this year so I would bet if you used mod 2 at 28" would feel about perfect for you.

 

[Dylan Sluis]

Personally I am a whitetail hunter who hunt's in freezing temps and in the woods. So I like a shorter ATA bow just cause I like a compact bow for hauling through the woods. And then I also benefit from the carbon feel as it gets cold here in MN so thats why I went with an RX9

 

[Bullchaser65]

Yeah thats what i was assuming to but a lot of areas we hunt are thick as hell. I agree the 32ata is ideal hardest part is the rx8 price of $1150

 

[Dylan Sluis]

Yeah thats what i was assuming to but a lot of areas we hunt are thick as hell. I agree the 32ata is ideal hardest part is the rx8 price of $1150

I will agree with that. That's a hell of a price. You are going to get better performance out of the AX2 32 and it comes in at the ATA spec that fits your style. Basically it comes down to if you want better performance or the "cool" aspect of having the RX8. For me I'm choosing performance every day but that is your choice. I can tell you the RX8 is a great bow, personally I would say the AX2 32 is nicer though. My first thought when I picked up the AX2 32 for the very first time when I opened the box was. "now this is an elk killer"

 

[Bullchaser65]

Thanks man yeah im goimg to go shoot both again and see which one shoots better for me. Hopefully chrono it also but im definitely leaning more towards the ax2 now