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I do agree that a top archer is going to shoot well with sub-par equipment. But, to say that equipment doesn't matter is just a little over stating it.

To test out the hypothesis that the equipment doesn't make the archer, they needed to have two equally ranked archers, one with a top-notch bow and one with a basic bow, and see if they score the same. Even better -- a within subjects design, in which the same archer shoots both bows, so we can really see the effect of the equipment. To test the claim that the archer's skill is what matters, they needed to have the pro and the amateur both shoot the same exact bow. In other words, in a true experiment, you should only change one variable at time.
 
I do agree that a top archer is going to shoot well with sub-par equipment. But, to say that equipment doesn't matter is just a little over stating it.

To test out the hypothesis that the equipment doesn't make the archer, they needed to have two equally ranked archers, one with a top-notch bow and one with a basic bow, and see if they score the same. Even better -- a within subjects design, in which the same archer shoots both bows, so we can really see the effect of the equipment. To test the claim that the archer's skill is what matters, they needed to have the pro and the amateur both shoot the same exact bow. In other words, in a true experiment, you should only change one variable at time.
https://youtu.be/1T-DZuh4QQY

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I do agree that a top archer is going to shoot well with sub-par equipment. But, to say that equipment doesn't matter is just a little over stating it.

To test out the hypothesis that the equipment doesn't make the archer, they needed to have two equally ranked archers, one with a top-notch bow and one with a basic bow, and see if they score the same. Even better -- a within subjects design, in which the same archer shoots both bows, so we can really see the effect of the equipment. To test the claim that the archer's skill is what matters, they needed to have the pro and the amateur both shoot the same exact bow. In other words, in a true experiment, you should only change one variable at time.
Sjef dropped 0 points in three sets with a $200 bow. There is no bow ever made that would have beaten that score. Test over. LOL

Any objective person is able to conclude that equipment in fact, does not make the archer. If we're talking recurve, all you have to do is look at scores from the 1990's compared to today. Statistically insignificant improvement in 25 years.
 
The test would be "over" if top archers shot sub-par equipment against their main competition. So, Sjef vs Ellison what does Sjef show up with?

It's good people live their dreams but, nightmares are dreams too. Now that's funny.

Again, I know that a top archer is going to be hard to beat but, equipment matters. Just look at what the top archers are shooting. Any objective person is able to conclude. Testing is never over...LOL.
 
I thought Sjef shot two 9s, but either way. The opposition doesn’t matter if the score can’t be improved (or improved much) with better gear. To test the hypothesis of equipment/archer you don’t need opposition full stop. One archer, varied equipment. For generalisability obviously, you would do the same with multiple archers - but it is their scores with different equipment that are important, not versus each other. If more data helps, my scores didn’t change a scrap going from SF Axiom + limbs to Winact VTs. I fall into the VERY amateur category. My bow looks much cooler now though.

I would also add that having “tuned” arrows is more likely to improve his score than spending another $1500 on limbs and riser.

Regardless, it is probably a more salient point for those of us shooting ‘mid-range’ gear. Nothing to be gained by going top of the range.
 
Take the original Earl Hoyt geometry, slap on W&W style dovetail limb adjustments, push the weight to the limb pockets (with the option of adding more weights) and you got yourself the first ILF riser worth switching to since the GMX :wink:

Same for the ATF-X. Pick your poison.

Though, I'm really not sold on the string tension technology. Just adding more moving parts, more stuff to come loose, more stuff to break. Not a big deal, either way. Imho. I'll test one before I try selling it to anyone.

It'll outshoot everyone lurking on this forum, anyways :darkbeer:
 
The test would be "over" if top archers shot sub-par equipment against their main competition. So, Sjef vs Ellison what does Sjef show up with?

It's good people live their dreams but, nightmares are dreams too. Now that's funny.

Again, I know that a top archer is going to be hard to beat but, equipment matters. Just look at what the top archers are shooting. Any objective person is able to conclude. Testing is never over...LOL.
And that's exactly how equipment manufacturers stay in business. By convincing people there is always something better out there. LOL

Sjef and Ellison show up with whatever their sponsors want them to shoot. How do you think they make their living as professional archers? From prize money? LOL
 
I'm selling my only-used-for-about-200-shots Gillo GT b/c it just doesn't quite line up with me in terms of what I want a bow to feel like. My scores are just as good with it as my other risers so the riser isn't a "problem" in any way. So, it's posted here.. I'm just considering that I "rented" it and am now passing it on. I'm not sure if anyone else is doing this, but I do it fairly frequently. Maybe that's part of the XCeed postings we're seeing here.
 
Sjef somewhat prove this in a video
no, he broke the cabal by using W&W stabs! had the test used Easton stabs, the result would have been totally different.

:lalala:


Though, I'm really not sold on the string tension technology. Just adding more moving parts, more stuff to come loose, more stuff to break.
and more importantly, more of your money in Hoyt's wallet. which you could largely replicate with a couple of different length strings.
 
Sjef dropped 0 points in three sets with a $200 bow. There is no bow ever made that would have beaten that score. Test over. LOL

Any objective person is able to conclude that equipment in fact, does not make the archer. If we're talking recurve, all you have to do is look at scores from the 1990's compared to today. Statistically insignificant improvement in 25 years.
I know, right? Even when you give em a video with proof, not doctored in any way, they still argue with ya.... I should do a video of my shooting comparing my $150 bow from lancaster and my $750 inno cxt riser equipped bow. I'll do the same collapse/rip with each, and those shafts will go out in the woods to the right of the bale exactly the same each time. But if they won't believe a video with Sjef B in it, well, what can you do.....

This discussion also comes up constantly over on the compound forums. The situation there is basically the same thing, though nobody actually believes you when you tell them. And I say it over and over again: the only thing that really affects your scores is a) it fits you, b) it doesn't rip your arms and hands off and c) if stuff stays bolted onto the bow for the whole round. Everything else is creature comforts. Accuracy hasn't been an issue for at least 30 years if not all the way back to when the compound became commercially available at all.

This is reflected in the scores too. Over time what has happened is the scores among the intermediates and The Great Unwashed (which I'm a part of) have come up somewhat as a class. The scores at the very top haven't really changed significantly - maybe a little higher X counts indoors and maybe higher scores outdoors due to the improvements in compound arrow tech over the last 20 years. But the lion's share of what you got is just more of them shooting those scores.

The big change has been down here at the bottom, though. With the unathletic guys with no shooting talent like myself - mainly in the form of creature comforts like better cam profiles, less hand shock to reduce fatique and better arrow technology. And even those don't improve scores in and of themselves; what they do is little more than simply increase the chances that we'll actually make it all the way through the tournament period. And without having to go to the hospital at the end. Or have the rest or sight fall off in the middle of the round, nuking our progress for the duration after a miss or two.

Don't ask me how I've gathered all that information.

My current bow, for example, a supra focus xl, is one of the hottest new target bows on the market for this year. PSE can't make em fast enough. And I shoot mine well, with nice tight groups. But it's also a little fussy to tune (more of a mental thing for me) and kind of fatiguing to shoot. Everything stays bolted onto it, but the storm is starting to gather on the horizon, that indicates I might not have the endurance to shoot it competitively. It's got a lot of mass weight and a lot of shock on the shot, it just doesn't seem real thrilled with me behind the string shooting it for long periods of time. I've been shooting it a couple months now and still haven't been able to actually shoot a score yet with it... Again, probably the hottest target bow out there with the very upper crust shooting it now like Dave Cousins, Stephan Hanson, etc.....

If I continue with compound my next one may be a hunting bow with better creature comforts in the manner I've described. The task will be finding one with appropriately light limbs. And the focus may end up being sold.

Anyway, you get the idea: it's not the bow itself, the equation is always the bow + the shooter. On the compound at least, selecting the bow is not a matter of its accuracy and hasn't been for some time. It's will you shoot it accurately, does it hurt when you shoot it, will you make it through the tournament with it or not, do you like shooting it, and does anything break or fall off. and so on....

lee.
 
I know, right? Even when you give em a video with proof, not doctored in any way, they still argue with ya.... I should do a video of my shooting comparing my $150 bow from lancaster and my $750 inno cxt riser equipped bow. I'll do the same collapse/rip with each, and those shafts will go out in the woods to the right of the bale exactly the same each time. But if they won't believe a video with Sjef B in it, well, what can you do.....

This discussion also comes up constantly over on the compound forums. The situation there is basically the same thing, though nobody actually believes you when you tell them. And I say it over and over again: the only thing that really affects your scores is a) it fits you, b) it doesn't rip your arms and hands off and c) if stuff stays bolted onto the bow for the whole round. Everything else is creature comforts. Accuracy hasn't been an issue for at least 30 years if not all the way back to when the compound became commercially available at all.

This is reflected in the scores too. Over time what has happened is the scores among the intermediates and The Great Unwashed (which I'm a part of) have come up somewhat as a class. The scores at the very top haven't really changed significantly - maybe a little higher X counts indoors and maybe higher scores outdoors due to the improvements in compound arrow tech over the last 20 years. But the lion's share of what you got is just more of them shooting those scores.

The big change has been down here at the bottom, though. With the unathletic guys with no shooting talent like myself - mainly in the form of creature comforts like better cam profiles, less hand shock to reduce fatique and better arrow technology. And even those don't improve scores in and of themselves; what they do is little more than simply increase the chances that we'll actually make it all the way through the tournament period. And without having to go to the hospital at the end. Or have the rest or sight fall off in the middle of the round, nuking our progress for the duration after a miss or two.

Don't ask me how I've gathered all that information.

My current bow, for example, a supra focus xl, is one of the hottest new target bows on the market for this year. PSE can't make em fast enough. And I shoot mine well, with nice tight groups. But it's also a little fussy to tune (more of a mental thing for me) and kind of fatiguing to shoot. Everything stays bolted onto it, but the storm is starting to gather on the horizon, that indicates I might not have the endurance to shoot it competitively. It's got a lot of mass weight and a lot of shock on the shot, it just doesn't seem real thrilled with me behind the string shooting it for long periods of time. I've been shooting it a couple months now and still haven't been able to actually shoot a score yet with it... Again, probably the hottest target bow out there with the very upper crust shooting it now like Dave Cousins, Stephan Hanson, etc.....

If I continue with compound my next one may be a hunting bow with better creature comforts in the manner I've described. The task will be finding one with appropriately light limbs. And the focus may end up being sold.

Anyway, you get the idea: it's not the bow itself, the equation is always the bow + the shooter. On the compound at least, selecting the bow is not a matter of its accuracy and hasn't been for some time. It's will you shoot it accurately, does it hurt when you shoot it, will you make it through the tournament with it or not, do you like shooting it, and does anything break or fall off. and so on....

lee.
Totally agree with all, my thoughts are the same. After owning top thier bows, most pleasure now is mid priced PSE Phenom with dc cams. Excellent post
 
I do agree that a top archer is going to shoot well with sub-par equipment. But, to say that equipment doesn't matter is just a little over stating it.

To test out the hypothesis that the equipment doesn't make the archer, they needed to have two equally ranked archers, one with a top-notch bow and one with a basic bow, and see if they score the same. Even better -- a within subjects design, in which the same archer shoots both bows, so we can really see the effect of the equipment. To test the claim that the archer's skill is what matters, they needed to have the pro and the amateur both shoot the same exact bow. In other words, in a true experiment, you should only change one variable at time.
That's what you actually had in the video: the only change was the bow - the shooter on the left was still Sjef B. So ironically it starts off with a decent scientific basis, even though it was more an entertainment-value-only kind of setup......

The real test would have been if Sjef B still shot as good as himself, or not, with the two different bows. Dunno, maybe he'll follow up and cook that video up for us... :)

And again, from the compound perspective, the situation is similar. The only big difference from the recurve is the significantly lower physical athleticism necessary to shoot the compound bow well. That has provided more fuel for improvements in other creature comforts (I call em) on the compound over the last 40 years and which actually has had an effect on scores for a certain shooting demographic (particularly The Great Unwashed group which I'm a part of).

But strange but true: does this thing tear my arm off, have I had to call 911 or not after the 4th end, and can I still walk to the target to get my arrows at the end of the tournament - the most important elements to think about on the compound - are the last things on most new (and even seasoned) shooters' lists when it comes to bow selection.

Just go to your local range and see all the freestyle guys out there trying to hit stuff with those bows that weigh 10 lbs and those 60lb limbs are cranked all the way down and secured at 20ft/lbs and you'll see what I mean. You'll see the most spectacular sky-draws and chicken-wings of all time. It's all the most current, top of the line stuff. Even Tungsten weights on the ends of those stabs. But they can't hit the side of a barn a lot of them.

So there is a rather large kernel of truth to the statement that equipment doesn't matter. It does, but not for the reasons most folks typically think about or wish for in their next bow....

lee.
 
Totally agree with all, my thoughts are the same. After owning top thier bows, most pleasure now is mid priced PSE Phenom with dc cams. Excellent post
I'm considering a centrix LD among a few others if I end up deciding to throw in the towel on the focus. I'm giving it a little more time before I truly give up, but it's one of the bows near the top of the list. Main thing is if would be any better than what I already got, which is debatable...

I originally went with the focus xl because it's in my sweet spot in terms of fit ATA-wise. The centrix may be a little short for me.

If nothing else, it looks like it'd be a hell of a lot quicker to make strings for than the focus, tho....

lee.
 
I'm considering a centrix LD among a few others if I end up deciding to throw in the towel on the focus. I'm giving it a little more time before I truly give up, but it's one of the bows near the top of the list. Main thing is if would be any better than what I already got, which is debatable...

I originally went with the focus xl because it's in my sweet spot in terms of fit ATA-wise. The centrix may be a little short for me.

If nothing else, it looks like it'd be a hell of a lot quicker to make strings for than the focus, tho....

lee.
I'm following your posts a long time lees, you are in "best" years as I am (73). You have had a Supra with me cams, me too, but I couldn't find much love and pleasure with that bow. A little too aggressive for my strength. I am not following a new bow hype any more and need to have the best and newest also not. I've read your posts with great respect for your healthy understanding of archery and human nature and thinking.
 
Having been up close and personal with one this weekend, nothing. They are an awesome riser.


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I have 2. They both are good risers, I also have 2 WFX 25’s. The Hoyt doesn’t feel as stiff on the shot, but the WFX in my humble opinion balances better with less added weights. Speaking BB wise anyway.
 
I have 2. They both are good risers, I also have 2 WFX 25’s. The Hoyt doesn’t feel as stiff on the shot, but the WFX in my humble opinion balances better with less added weights. Speaking BB wise anyway.
I'd agree with that Ren, I've owned 3 WF risers and they are some of the stiffest I've shot. I like Spigs so the softer riser feel obviously suits me better Lol. I think the Exceed is somewhere between the 2. I'm actually looking for an Exceed now, tried a 27" GT and found I don't get on as well with 27" risers, though the GT is exceptional in every way.
 
If you go to minute 6:25 to 6:30, you will hear Sjef said, "if we increased the distance the results would be different".

In the BB community there isn't much money being passed around for archers, so if cheaper gear would give the same results then they (BB) archers would be using it.
Saving the money for entry-fees, travel, hotel and rentals.

To make a generalized statement that top recurve archers are only shooting newer gear to sell equipment is, IMO, short sighted. Trying to give a simple answer to a complex question. Almost, like saying AT is using members with 1000 plus comments to sell and promote this discussion board.

I'm glad the archers I shoot with are much more open-minded and willing to talk about ideas and issues without a blanket, the science is settled attitude.
 
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