Which bows will/would you guys be test shooting this year?

[Hunterscamera]

Looking to get into a new bow, i know its pretty late in the year but better late then never. Was wondering which models you guys think I should be checking out.

Pretty new archer, had my bow a couple of years, only been shooting it consistently the last year and a half.

I know I want to test the Mathews lift x, Hoyt Ax 2 and the PSE mach

Anything else in your opinion I should definitely put my hands on? Maybe something that you think gets overlook or underated from this year's models

 

[NXTZ]

Prime, Darton, elite and bowtech would be worth considering too. What does your local/preferred shop have?

Anything specific you want/need in your bow? Press free tuning features have been popular the last few years-darton, Mathews, elite and bowtech offer variations of this.

You’re gonna get either guys telling you what THEY like, or guys telling you to shoot everything you can and make an informed decision based on how you feel about the bows.

That’s why I was asking about features/specific aspects you may want-that could narrow the field if you wanted tuning features, or a carbon bow or something. Fwiw, I have an ax-2 (not getting along with it), and just picked up a lift x (shot it against a darton and the Mach 33-kinda surprised by how much I preferred it to those two).

 

[Marble]

I got the Alpha X2 and it my most favorite bow I've ever had...I think i shoot it better than my target bow. Haven't found anything about it yet that I don't like.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

 

[Wheels]

Several good options, a good pro shop is almost as important as brand of bow unless you have the equipment to work on your own bow.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Test them all so you don't end up wondering or taking a loss on one you don't really love.

 

[bojangles808]

You’re gonna get either guys telling you what THEY like, or guys telling you to shoot everything you can and make an informed decision based on how you feel about the bows.

this

If you are a newer archer and reliant on a pro shop then I'd suggest going and trying out the major brands and pick what feels best from what that shop offers. major brands hold value better so Id stick with something like hoyt Mathews bowtech pse

 

[OR Archer]

The 3 bows I’d buy in order this year are the Hoyt RX9 ultra, Hoyt AX2 32, and Lift X 33. I would like to put my hands on a Darton Sequel 33 as it looks like a great bow.

 

[PSDBowhunter]

If you have a Darton dealer near you I would definitely take their Sequel series (31, 33, or 35) for a test drive.

 

[rye_a]

I have been debating whether to get a new bow, and if I do I’ll either get a used Mathews Lift 33, a new Lift X 33, or a Darton Sequel 33 ST2. I shot a pile of bows at my local shop recently, and those are what came out on top.

 

[Hunterscamera]

Anything specific you want/need in your bow? Press free tuning features have been popular the last few years-darton, Mathews, elite and bowtech offer variations of this.

Have noticed that tuning features seem to be the stand out differences in recent models. Not in desperate need of that right now as I have a pro shop nearby and don't fiddle with my own bow much right now, but I do want to shoot this bow for a good few years and in that time it would be nice to get into a bit of tuning.

 

[Hunterscamera]

Darton has definitely made it onto the list

 

[blackveltbowhunter]

Darton is a great bow. Was number 3 for me this year, would happily have hunted it. Great tuning features, the 33 points very well, the 35 points amazing. Adjustable let off to get a great hold. Loved the cycle, and backwall on both the models. I Wish it was a tad lighter and the integration was a little more seamless, that would have likely moved it to number one spot for me.

 

[Wilderlife]

I've had a Z1S since May 2022. Great bow.
I watch the releases for the new bows each year and think they look good but assume they wouldn't be THAT much better than my Z1S.
Had a mate in rut camp a month ago with an AX2 and I shot it briefly and it was fantastic. I know the Z1S isn't an apples-to-apples comparison but the AX2 was nice enough that I think I'll seriously consider whatever the new Hoyt is at the end of this year.
Lots of the other bows look good too but I've had a great run with this Z1S so I feel confident in Hoyt at the moment.

Yes, I'm sure I could get any new bow and kill just as much stuff with it just as well.

 

[Johnson27]

Going to shoot a RX9 Ultra and Lift X 33. I've been shooting Hoyts for the last 9 years, but the Mathews tuning capabilities looks very appealing.

 

[AlwaysChasinTailNHorns]

I shoot a Darton spectra E32, before that I ran a PSE DNA SP (one of their flagship bows from back in the 2014 days) for a longgg time. The PSE was a great shooter, super light, and was a speed bow for sure but draw cycle was rough but the Dartons are phenomenal my local shop has Mathews, Bowtech, and Dartons and I landed on the Darton mainly because I like to tune and work on all my equipment myself and these bows are just simply easy to tune and the draw cycle was smooth while still pushing solid speeds for the heavier arrows I’m pushing out. Lastly I just love the way they look and feel in the hands they’re a very dead bow, at the end of the day the choice is yours and there’s a lot of great bows out there but you should be shooting a Darton before deciding. Best of luck! Ps: one of the very few cons of the Darton is they are a touch heavy I don’t mind it at all mines been out west with me a few times with no issues and it helps quiet the bow a bit in my opinion but something to think about if you’re planning on serious western big game hunting and carrying it a long ways it may bother some guys.