Need help making a decision

[69ChrisCraft01]

I'm in the market for a new bow and went to my local shop and shot several Elites and the Hoyt's and narrowed it down to the Energy 35 or the Defiant 34.... I shot each dozens of times and still can't make up my mind.

I prefer the draw and feeling at the shot of the Hoyt. I hate the Elite draw cycle and how it rolls over so hard prior to the valley....but once at full draw it holds like a dream.

I can also buy a previous year Energy 35 for a big discount not that it's a huge deal. I won't buy a bow I can't shoot first and there isn't many options around here.

Any help?

 

[280twoeighty]

Not an expert, but have a Hoyt charger from a couple of years ago. Hard to go wrong with a Hoyt imho.

 

[69ChrisCraft01]

My current bow is a Hoyt Spyder 30 so maybe that's why I prefer the draw of the Hoyt. The bow had taken a beating and I finally bent the cam during a pretty gnarly fall so I'm waiting on a replacement cam.

I shoot the Spyder well enough but I'm far from perfect and I don't feel that it's as forgiving as I'd like.

 

[OR Archer]

The Defiant 34 is hard to beat. Super smooth. Quiet. Holds really well on target. Just an all around great bow. It would be my pick between the two.

 

[Beastmode]

You can't go wrong with either one. Both make a great bow. Pick which one feels best to YOU.

 

[xcutter]

Can't go wrong with a Hoyt.

I'm a big fan of the carbon series. I still have an original Carbon Matrix and love it. Best bow I've ever owned. Probably going to get the new Carbon Defiant 34 soon.

Still keeping the Carbon Matrix though. Can't let it go. LOL.

 

[KHNC]

Both bows are nice. If you are looking for another option, try the Bowtech Prodigy. It has 3 different draw cycle settings to accommodate most preferences. Very nice bow and fast. I think it will give you the feel you like of the Elite and smoothness into the valley you are looking for.

 

[kodiakfly]

Either is a great bow. But just my reading your post, you say you've got a "hate" for the Elite's draw cycle but don't mention any hates for the Hoyt. I'd not want a bow that I had any hate for, regardless of how it holds.

 

[BackcountryMT]

Any chance you can try a Prime? Shoot a Rize if you can and you will find your new bow

 

[matt1glenn]

2nd the prodigy . The draw is better then all above IMO .

 

[DWinVA]

I'm a Hoyt guy but if you already hate an aspect of the Elite you may as well get the Hoyt.

God Bless.

 

[69ChrisCraft01]

Bowtech is the one major brand not carried by either local shop. I haven't shot the Prime Rize yet but it is on my radar.

My concern with the Elite was my rather violent breakover into the valley. Ultimately my ability to hold the pin on target is what matters and that's the only thing I preferred about the Elite. The Hoyt didn't have the limb stops installed, perhaps that would give me a more solid back wall feel that I liked about the Elite.

You guys didn't help much! now I'm contemplating a day off work to make the drive to a bowtech dealer.

 

[razzledazzlejk]

Both bows are nice. If you are looking for another option, try the Bowtech Prodigy. It has 3 different draw cycle settings to accommodate most preferences. Very nice bow and fast. I think it will give you the feel you like of the Elite and smoothness into the valley you are looking for.

This

 

[Manosteel]

I'm a hoyt guy but bad shoulders have forced me to sell my CST ZT, loved that thing. I shot a bunch of bows this past month and by far and away the new G5 Prime Rize, was the smoothed, well manned bow I have every shot. I could hold that thing rock steady for as long as I wanted with little effort. I wanted to like the Elite but just didn't. And I shot 3 different elite bows. Coming from a Hoyt guy try the new Prime Rize, you will love it.

 

[69ChrisCraft01]

Just shot the Prime Rize and Rival.....wow. They were awesome. Didn't pull the trigger yet but I can't see why these aren't far more popular.

Pretty sure I found my bow....still haven't shot the prodigy though.

 

[Maxhunter]

I'm also a Hoyt guy and just ordered the 34. I have friend that has been shooting Prime for a few years and loves them. He was also a Hoyt guy. I don't think you can go wrong with either. I always tell people the bow will pick you once shoot it. Good luck!

 

[g5bowhunter]

I started with the Hoyt charger liked it a lot, saved up for a new bow and wanted the Hoyt nitrium turbo. I went to the shop to shoot it then buy but the bow tech had me try the Rival as well. Absolutely loved it. I've had it for 9 months now and i still love it. Primes free-string replacement every 2 years is hard to beat as well

 

[69ChrisCraft01]

I'm going to go with one of the Primes....now, they both have the same cam system but one has a 33" ATA and a 6 3/4" brace and the other has a 35" ATA and a 6 1/4". I ultimately want the more forgiving of the two but it seems to be 6 of one and half a dozen of the other.

Any insight from those more in the know would be welcome!

 

[69ChrisCraft01]

I'm a hoyt guy but bad shoulders have forced me to sell my CST ZT, loved that thing. I shot a bunch of bows this past month and by far and away the new G5 Prime Rize, was the smoothed, well manned bow I have every shot. I could hold that thing rock steady for as long as I wanted with little effort. I wanted to like the Elite but just didn't. And I shot 3 different elite bows. Coming from a Hoyt guy try the new Prime Rize, you will love it.

Did you compare it to the Rival?

 

[BackcountryMT]

Did you compare it to the Rival?

They use the same cam and draw nearly identical. The Rival will hold better at longer ranges with it having a 2" longer ATA, but not a lot. The Rize is definitely quieter on the shot with the 82xx aluminum, which says a lot as the Rival is one of the quietest bows on the market.