So I had the opportunity to shoot some new bows last night. Went in looking to shoot some new/different bows. Shot some carbons [best to worst] (1. RX-7, 2. RX-8 3. RX-9, 4. Bowtech Carbon One, 5. PSE Mach 33 EC2) along with some aluminums [best to worst] (1. Mathews Lift X 29.5 - currently shoot a Phase 4 33, 2. Bowtech Proven 34, 3. Expedition Xlite 32(?), 4. Hoyt AX-2 (Couldn't even draw it back turned down) 5. Diamond Infinite Edge pro (couldn't draw it back with it backed out a few turns).
What is going on with these bows? They were all cranked down to 70 lbs. and I could not get a single one of them drawn back (I normally shoot ~60#, so I get it). It was fine, because they were more than willing to back them off for me. Even when they took a turn or two out (guesstimated a 5-8 lb drop in weight) I couldn't get some of them drawn back. Granted, my draw shoulder has been giving me fits lately (and I'm getting it checked out soon).
I walked out a bit conflicted, not in the service, service was great, (we even nerded out about equipment a bit). I felt disappointed in the lineups. Not one of them stood out besides the Lift-X (maybe because I'm used to Mathew's DC). It seemed jumpy, the letdown sucked (shoulder) - draw length was pretty close. I shot my P4 33" and Lift X back-to-back, and it was the one I was closest to ordering. I had to remind myself that I want to get out of the Phase 4 for something better for my shoulder (not worse). The used V3X (27" ATA) they had my try was pretty dang close to the Phase.
Questions and concerns are: did I just have a bad day? Did the manufacturers chase speed that much these last 2 years? Does a shorter ATA bow (sub 32") make that much of a difference in draw cycle? Is a 70# max bow backed off feel that much worse than a 60# maxed? Is it time to leave my ego at the door and go down in draw weight (~60# -> 50-55#?). I am strongly considering getting a 50# bow to give my shoulder a break. I consider the future of archery for me, and I want to do this for a long time, and they all felt too difficult to draw back cold. I could not imagine going 30/30 or 40/40 on 3D with one of these. Even 30/30 was difficult with my P4 a couple of weeks ago.
Maybe I was just having a bad day, maybe I'm just old now, maybe I need to deload my draw weight and restart? Maybe I'm just not used to the draw cycles on the variety of bows I tried (and shooting bows side-by-side is harder than you think?). I just feel a bit conflicted in the search. Has anyone had these kinds of issues before when searching for a new/different bow? Am I looking for something that doesn't exist?
What is going on with these bows? They were all cranked down to 70 lbs. and I could not get a single one of them drawn back (I normally shoot ~60#, so I get it). It was fine, because they were more than willing to back them off for me. Even when they took a turn or two out (guesstimated a 5-8 lb drop in weight) I couldn't get some of them drawn back. Granted, my draw shoulder has been giving me fits lately (and I'm getting it checked out soon).
I walked out a bit conflicted, not in the service, service was great, (we even nerded out about equipment a bit). I felt disappointed in the lineups. Not one of them stood out besides the Lift-X (maybe because I'm used to Mathew's DC). It seemed jumpy, the letdown sucked (shoulder) - draw length was pretty close. I shot my P4 33" and Lift X back-to-back, and it was the one I was closest to ordering. I had to remind myself that I want to get out of the Phase 4 for something better for my shoulder (not worse). The used V3X (27" ATA) they had my try was pretty dang close to the Phase.
Questions and concerns are: did I just have a bad day? Did the manufacturers chase speed that much these last 2 years? Does a shorter ATA bow (sub 32") make that much of a difference in draw cycle? Is a 70# max bow backed off feel that much worse than a 60# maxed? Is it time to leave my ego at the door and go down in draw weight (~60# -> 50-55#?). I am strongly considering getting a 50# bow to give my shoulder a break. I consider the future of archery for me, and I want to do this for a long time, and they all felt too difficult to draw back cold. I could not imagine going 30/30 or 40/40 on 3D with one of these. Even 30/30 was difficult with my P4 a couple of weeks ago.
Maybe I was just having a bad day, maybe I'm just old now, maybe I need to deload my draw weight and restart? Maybe I'm just not used to the draw cycles on the variety of bows I tried (and shooting bows side-by-side is harder than you think?). I just feel a bit conflicted in the search. Has anyone had these kinds of issues before when searching for a new/different bow? Am I looking for something that doesn't exist?
