Went to the shop today to test out a few bows! Brought my Bowtech Carbon One to compare draw/vibration/speed. All bows where put on draw board and timed, draw weight was taken and draw length was measured. Three bows I shot were Mathews lift 29.5, Hoyt Alpha X 30, Hoyt RX-8 30 inch. Both Hoyt’s where 70.1 lbs at 28.5dl measured. Mathews was 72lbs with 28 mod (measured 28 3/8). I went in wanting to buy a Mathews lift.
Matthew’s lift draw starts out easy and has a slight ramp up towards the end (very small). All the reviews that say it is harsher than the phase 4, I don’t understand. It was an easy draw even towards the end. Didn’t feel like I was pulling 72lbs at all more like 65lbs. Shot felt very good, I will say it felt like there was a slight more vibe than the phase 4. Maybe do to it being lighter. You can feel the difference in weight. Very very quiet on the shot. Speed (see below)
Hoyt Alpha X was very smooth and easy to draw. 70lbs felt like 60lbs to me, could have easily pulled 80lbs without a problem. Shot felt great! Had less vibe than the lift. I know, hard to believe but it is true. Bow was very quiet as well but give the edge to the lift by a smidge. Speed (see below)
Hoyt RX-8same draw as the Alpha X Shot felt good but more vibe than the lift and Alpha X. Bow still has that small pop when shot like the RX-7 did but not as loud. For the extra money you are paying the aluminum bows are better feeling to me. Speed (see below)
Bowtech Carbon One
70.3lbs 28.5 measured
Performance setting (that is what I shoot it on).
461 grain arrow 280FPS
Mathews Lift
72lbs 28 mod (28 3/8) measured
461 grain arrow 285 FPS
Hoyt Alpha X
70.1lbs 28.5 measured
461 grain arrow 280FPS
Hoyt RX-8
70.1lbs 28.5 measured
461 grain arrow 280FPS
Now this is my opinion on these bows! So please no arguments or stupid responses. Just wanted to give you real world numbers on what I found. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them, everyone is going to feel things differently. As easy as the Hoyt pulled and felt at the shot it was the clear winner for me. Hope this helps some people. Thanks.
