New bow? What to gain?

[sndmn11]

That's great. Really.

Or he can simply use the bow he's got right now.

And tune it with a screwdriver, as shown in Coop's video, while standing on the line.

It doesn't sound like tuning for good arrow flight has been accessible or easy enough for him to accomplish it yet. In the original question of "what is there to gain?", sending poorly flying arrows off POA faster than before is stagnant results.

I agree he could tune what he has, but something(s) have been too hard about it to have been accomplished yet.

 

[Billy Goat]

Curious what you had, and what you just got.

I got the RX8 last season, an upgrade from RX1 and 5/6 years got me 53 FPS and much quieter. For me, any improvement of 40+ FPS is huge.

How exactly does that work?

Even an RX1 Ultra to an RX8 the difference is around 10 fps, and that's a long ATA bow with more string weight and a way less aggressive "soft" cam.


At 40+ FPS, that's not differences in bows, that difference in gr's/#.

 

[Predator_SD]

Any response you get here is only going to be justification for blowing $1500-2000.

The reality is, you don’t gain $1500-2000 worth of additional performance over what you’re already shooting. People buy new bows when they have a bow that already works because of marketing. That’s it plain and simple, pure consumerism.

Now, all that being said if you want a new bow by all means plenty do. The only one you have to justify blowing the money to is yourself (easy) and your wife (not so easy)

Have a good one

 

[Joshk358]

I shot an RX1. I would love to buy a new bow, but I shoot the RX1 well and my thoughts are ...with the $$ i'd drop on a new bow...i could put that $$ towards a hunt. That being said...buy last years model at a big discount over a brand new one. Good classified area here and archery talk as well for used bows.

 

[Joshk358]

Im sure if I actually shot one of the newer bows i'd HAVE to buy it......

 

[Team4LongGun]

How exactly does that work?

Even an RX1 Ultra to an RX8 the difference is around 10 fps, and that's a long ATA bow with more string weight and a way less aggressive "soft" cam.


At 40+ FPS, that's not differences in bows, that difference in gr's/#.

Half correct. I went from 65 to 80 pounds. Did not shoot a lighter arrow. In fairness I guess I should have mentioned that.

My point-in answering the OP's original question- was getting a new bow does have improvements. If I went to an 80 pd rx1, it would not have given me the speed or silence of the rx8. For me the velocity is important. I shoot 70-110yds daily.

 

[Eastonsgrandpa]

I've got the new bow itch. I've been shooting my Powermax for like 7 or 8 years, I think. Pre-covid for sure. I think I got it in 2017. Maybe 18.

Seeing all the cool, new bows coming through every year definitely gives me the itch for a new one but then I look at specs and ask myself "What do I gain?"

Looks like maybe a couple ounces less mass weight if I buy a carbon bow or a couple FPS and I ask if it's worth it. Maybe some things that are less quantifiable like feel and shootability.

1500-2000 is a lot of coin.

Why do you buy a new bow?

I gained 19 FPS with the RX9 Ultra over my one year old RX8 Ultra.

There’s been some great advancements in the last decade. If you have the itch, scratch it. Life is too short to wonder. But if that’s not your bag, definitely keep shooting what you have. I love new gear so that’s what I spend on. Totally understand that others have different focus.

 

[Mikido]

Btw….animals don’t care about the sound of the bow, they care about the sound of the arrow coming at them.

Flame on

 

[blackveltbowhunter]

Depends on your budget, shooting ability, shooting goals, and tuning interest. Speed is not the reason to upgrade your current equipment IMO. Accessory integration and tunability for sure are. These improvements COULD mean a higher ceiling for your shooting accuracy. Not just for you but for a shop if your not doing your own tuning.

Like anything in life the small improvements often come with the highest cost. Are swaro binos lightyears better than a minolta or sig? Is a 800 dollar exo or IA pack that much better than a MR or eberlestock. Losing 10 pounds of fat is relatively easy gaining 2 pounds of muscle not so much. Year ago i read that when trying to lighten your pack you could figure close to a hundred dollars an ounce in top end gear. Is that worth it? If that new bow gets you shooting an extra 1000 arrows and increases your confidence can you put a price on that?

I upgrade annually as I am in a position to shoot most anything I want and afford it without impacting my tag/hunt budget. If I could not, I am comfortable tuning nearly all the systems very well, building very high quality arrows, and proficient shooting ability's that allow me to confidently hit the field with quality equipment that is significantly less cost. So a new bow would not be a high priority at all if it meant tags or hunts.

 

[kcm2]

I bought a Mathews V3-X in part because my previous bow was made by a company that had some major problems with customer service. The new bow is very forgiving, shoots well and has been trouble free. Speed is a few FPS less but not enough to where I care. But Mathews takes care of their customers, and my bowshop has both good techs and plenty of parts. Worth it for me. My son has my old Bowtech Admiral and bought a new one last month. He's in good shape, too, on bows. Not any faster but he shoots it like it's laser guided.

 

[Jpsmith1]

It doesn't sound like tuning for good arrow flight has been accessible or easy enough for him to accomplish it yet. In the original question of "what is there to gain?", sending poorly flying arrows off POA faster than before is stagnant results.

I agree he could tune what he has, but something(s) have been too hard about it to have been accomplished yet.

Tune has been elusive for me. I hadn't considered before posting how many manufacturers are making tune so much easier.

As I had mentioned in a different comment, I have plans and tools to start work tuning this bow or any bow I have, actually. I have a little more work to do in building the space to do the work but it should be ready in a couple weeks and the season is months away still.

I don't think anything is "too hard" about it exactly. I tried once before, changing strings and cables on a different bow, and kind of gave up. I've revised my plans to move forward and to learn the processes and I'm going to give it another go.

 

[NMJM]

If buying a new bow gives you a warm fuzzy feeling go for it. Just understand you will get very little improvement in performance. Just look at what all the bow companies put in their ads. How a stabilizer, sight or quiver attaches to a bow does not make a difference. Pic rail, bridge lock or however it attaches will not improve performance but they promote these "innovations" like it will make everyone the greatest shooter ever. They also promote attributes like smoothness, forgivability and hand shock. These are all very subjective and cannot be measured. Advertising and influencers work to sell products. It works for everything from golf clubs to bows. Nothing wrong with buying a new bow or the latest greatest of anything. If you have the money and it makes you happy go for it. Just understand buying a new bow will not make you a better archer despite all the advertising.

 

[Elkhntr6]

Bought my lift for $200 off in November when the lift x came out. Super happy with it.