Fantastic review. I am in the first half of shooters you mentioned in the article. Now I can't wait to try one.

 

I'm sure you'll love it! Thanks for the good words!

 

So, would you sat the HBC is a better bet than the HBX for someone who never shot a hinge?

 

If I was going to mentor and coach a new hinge shooter and teach the way I shoot a hinge, yes. But, some shooters just don't feel comfortable shooting how I do, just like I don't feel comfortable shooting how some others do I mentioned in the first group.

It's all personal preference when it comes to releases. Different releases feel better in the hand and how you anchor and execute. So, I would start someone on a HBC for sure. It's a great release and my favorite. But, if they started to say this didn't feel right or that didn't and it led to the HBX or another release, then I would move them to that release and keep the teaching and coaching going.

 

I
Could you please explain you style of shooting and why the HBX works for you and why you would coach with it? Thank you.

The reaeon I ask is because I just ordered one to relearn how to shoot a hinge, I haven't shot a bow in four years but was very comfortable with them befor I stopped. My last release was the truball HT set VERY HOT! So I'm used to or was used to drawing with my thumb and trigger fingers.

The one thing I promise my self this time around is to stick with one release for 1 year no matter what!

 

Nice review, thank you for confirming my worries about the HBX before went out spent more money on a new shiney toy, just because its suposed to be the latest and greatest LoL!!! Im sure it is a very nice release but im also in your second group and like to use all my fingers to draw back, so I was worried about that with the HBX. For those that also shoot this way do yourself a favor and try the Abyss(thumb trigger) or Fulkrum(hinge), because you can move the head and control how much pressure is on all your fingers. I like Thumb trigger releases so I went with the Abyss and it has quickly became my favorite release symply because of that finger pressure control, plus it has pretty much all the adjustment you could want.

 

I do both ways, I'd be golden.

 

It's a good release, you should try it.

 

im a first category, and I was not a fan at all of the HBX

 

Tell me more.

 

I've been shooting a thumb release and bought the HBX to try it. I tend to pull my shots with the full strength of my hand including the ring finger. With this release I quickly discovered that my style of shooting is not good with the HBX. I started to shoot with it a little more and admit that I like it. I like it more so far than my thumb release. The act of firing the unit is smoother for me than my thumb release. In time I am sure the HBX will become a highly valuable part in my shooting routine.

 

I can tell this one won't be for me.
If I wanted all the pressure on thumb and finger during the draw, I'd just go back to the Whalen hooker.

 

Another misconception. The HBX can be drawn with a lot of pressure on the thumb peg, index finger AND middle finger without any worries if you get it angled like any other hinge style release. I've shot approximately 1000 arrows with mine and have not had one get away.

...The HBX had wayyyyy to much travel to get the click for me almost like i had to rotate my hand behind my head to.get to click..and i didn't like that you can not change the travel...only distance of click to fire...I think this is the primary reason why i didnt like it.

This is exactly true. A lot of travel is required to get to the click. For me this is not an issue as I don't use a click.

 

Honestly I think you have some very informative information on your website but this review IMO is very misleading and very short sighted. As I understand from your postings you've had a properly operating HBX for 2 whole days and already think you have it down. I couldn't disagree more with your assessment. While I do agree that drawing the HBX with equal pressure on all fingers may not be the best idea, there is certainly no issues with setting up with all fingers equally once you get to full draw. This release can be fired with multiple firing engines successfully. It can be set as slow or as fast as you would like it, with or without a click. It can mimic a thumb trigger as well. Your assessment that it needs to be set fast to use a ridged index is just plain wrong as well as many of your other assumptions. Sorry but I think you need to go back and do some additional work with this release before making your final proclamation.

 

Having never used a hinge [I did stop at Bernie's trailer and the Mrs. showed me how to operate and fire a hinge] and only shooting my Fang thumb about 50 times before giving up on it I am surprised how many people give up on the HBX after only a few shots or offer expert advice after a day or two. From everything I have read about "back tension" releases, hinge or thumb it seems most recommend spending lots of time blank baling and learning how to operate your release of choice. Also many in this forum have recommended shooting thousands of arrows before you learn how to use a "back tension"
So now everybody knows the HBX is the greatest release ever or just another gimmick after a day or two, how ? If this release can be fired 5 different ways how can you possibly give a fair review if you haven't used it in all of it's configurations after just a day or two ?
I purchased one at the IBO Worlds and my "initial reaction" is this thing is great, it is easy to fire, it is easy to adjust and I didn't need a coach to show me how to shoot it. I am setting up my High Country so that I can use it to train with without messing up my 3-D / hunting setup. I think the haters need to give it a fair chance, just like a bow just because it doesn't feel the same as what you are currently using doesn't make it bad, just different. JMO

 

I've shot hinge releases for years. And like I said in my review and on posts here. I do believe the HBX is a great release. It's a great design and I like how it operates. It's not for me and how I shoot a hinge. But that's okay because it will be a great release for a lot of people. Could I adapt to the HBX and shoot it well? Of course I could. But when I have a HBC that shoots lights out for me and is everything I could want in a hinge, why would I spend more time adapting. Why not just shoot a hinge that suits me. That's exactly what releases are all about. Finding the one that fits in your hand how you like and allows you to execute how you like shooting.

 

I totally agree with this.

EPLC if you like your HBX, great. I'm glad you do. I'll support you liking any T.R.U. Ball product that you like because I believe in their company and products. If you feel like attacking my beliefs and opinions, go right ahead. Have I ever attacked yours? Not that I recall atleast. Because you're entitled to them. It's okay that you do not like my review. One thing I've learned in my life is you can't please everyone so write, say, and do what you believe in. The greatest part of being a U.S. citizen is we have that ability. I encourage you to exercise your freedom of speech and write your own review. Instead of attacking mine on here, put your views and opinions out to the masses as well. And when/if you do, I'll read it and compare notes. I enjoy doing that sort of thing.

Had you limited your review to how the release worked out for you, using the firing engine you are most comfortable and familiar with, there would have been no challenge. But, for you to put yourself in a position of recommending who should buy or who should not buy this release after only two days of having one that functions properly was not only unfair to T.R.U. Ball, it was also unfair to those that are no longer considering this purchase as a result of your review. Someone recently posted in my thread, "Let us know what you think after the new car smell wears off". I think this was very good advice.

 

EPLC if you like your HBX, great. I'm glad you do. I'll support you liking any T.R.U. Ball product that you like because I believe in their company and products. If you feel like attacking my beliefs and opinions, go right ahead. Have I ever attacked yours? Not that I recall atleast. Because you're entitled to them. It's okay that you do not like my review. One thing I've learned in my life is you can't please everyone so write, say, and do what you believe in. The greatest part of being a U.S. citizen is we have that ability. I encourage you to exercise your freedom of speech and write your own review. Instead of attacking mine on here, put your views and opinions out to the masses as well. And when/if you do, I'll read it and compare notes. I enjoy doing that sort of thing.

 

After reading your review I have to say I'm in the first group. My hinge release is a Scott's Backspin, and I release the peg and rotate it to get to the click and make it fire. Mine is not set hot though, which is probably why it takes so long to fire.

The HBX is the best release I've come across to date, and the other five are good, higher-dollar releases. The thing I like about the HBX is I can draw back with three fingers equally, those being the thumb, index and middle finger. I pull back just as hard with the middle finger as I do the index and thumb. From there I just curl my ring finger to get to the click, then pull slightly with all four and it fires.

I'm firing my shot in four-five seconds typically from full draw against the limb stops to releasing the arrow. It seems like longer than that and my single-pin sight begins to wander. Once I get to full draw, I relax my bow arm, which settles the pin on the target, while exhaling like I would using a scoped rifle. At the bottom of the exhale I've hit the click and a second or two at most later off goes my arrow.

I've shot about 500 arrows with my HBX and it is my favorite release of all time. I feel very fortunate this design came along, as it fixes what was missing for me and it is second nature to use it. The more I use it the less I even think about it, as I am able to instead concentrate on the target.

 

I'm really glad to hear you like the release. The part that stands out to me is your last paragraph. That's what it's all about. When you find the release that gives you that feeling it's great!!!

 

I look at this in the same manner I would when asked about choosing between a Spiral cam, GTX cam, or Z5 cam. If a shooter shoots a very relaxed shot and doesn't hold firmly against the stops or pull through with their shot, I'm not going to recommend a Spiral cam. It wouldn't match their shot type.

 

It's a medium. And before you continue to make false accusations, I encourage you to read through this post I've made over the different methods of shooting a hinge I've used over the years. It notes five different methods.

My Findings For Hinge Shooting | rcrchery
https://rcrchery.wordpress.com/2015/01/27/my-findings-for-hinge-shooting/

 

I've read your article. Just cuz things are not working out for you doesn't mean they won't work for someone else.

 

I see your review something like EPLC. 2 days.....Just ain't fair for the HBX or for other people. I could have done without it.

 

I'm still not sure of where the two days issue started. Either way, you're entitled to your opinion. I already knew your side from a post you made on another thread. It's ok, it's not the first time we've disagreed.

 

I don’t understand why people feel the need to voice their displeasure over something as simple as the amount of time spent with a particular piece of equipment when it comes to a member like the OP that has contributed for a long amount of time, has given sound advice in the past and has proven that they know what they are talking about when it comes to archery.
Myself, I like to lurk and read different posts and take an assessment on each user, are they intelligently and thoughtfully posting advice? Are they reviewing/advising/discussing things they have experience with? If not I toss them into the ignore pile. I don’t mark them ignored, it’s just that their opinion doesn’t count to me. So, I quietly build this list of reputable people in my head and when they speak I listen. I may not agree with what they say, but I will consider what they are saying. In this instance there are some of you in this thread that I respect and take what advice you may give and listen to it and try some of it out in my shooting. I am somewhat floored that some of you are going back and forth like this. I don’t know the OP, but I have read his posts and blogs from time to time and he is one that is on my list that I respect and will listen to, I am not defending him with this post, I am just sharing how befuddled I am that you guys would claim he isn’t being helpful because he spent two days with this particular release and shared “his” thoughts of the release and what styles of shooting it might help, and what styles it probably won’t be good for. I can see why people are saying the good people left AT and continue to do so. If you disagree with him and haven’t shot the HBX yet get ahold of one and spend some time with it and share your thoughts, let us know why you had a different conclusion than he did. Rather than going on about two days with the release….
There are several good posters with a wealth of knowledge to discuss and share, some of you in this thread that are verbally jabbing are above this. Really….

 

So, just because someone has a positive track record they are above any challenge, they cannot be wrong and do not have to be accountable? I think not. RCR III has done some excellent work, but is this case he has stepped into areas beyond his actual experience... which has been very limited with the HBX. BTW, I own two of them.

 

I'll stand by my thought process of this release being something that's recommendable, similar to my Spiral cam analogy.

You shoot similar to what I mentioned in my first group. You've stated you shoot with the 4 pound spring. I need more resistance than that. Even with the 15 pound spring it still wasn't enough resistance.

I really feel this release could benefit from a set of springs similar to the Carter I.T.S. system. That way there could be a wider range of adjustability.

 

...for your style of shooting.
What you are missing in your first group analysis is that setting the release too fast results in problems, freezing, etc.. But of course you would have no way of knowing this because you can't get yours slow enough to experience this release from a group one perspective... There are also other methods to shoot the HBX which you have totally dismissed. As far as springs go, I doubt your firing engine would work using 100# springs on the HBX because you want to draw/shoot it without regard to its geometry. In my experience the HBX can be drawn with quite a bit of pressure on the thumb, index and middle digits. In fact much of the load of "my" draw is on the middle finger (no pun intended).

 

Which is exactly why I said this release isn't for someone who shoots the way I do. The ones in the second group I mentioned. Thank you for agreeing finally.

 

There seems to be another guy who's not that big of a fan anymore. His name is Reo Wilde, you might've heard of the fella.

 

Where did you see that Reo isn't happy with the HBX?

 

I've been shooting a Backspin since last winter. I shot Scott Longhorns years ago as well as other hinge style releases. I shot the Sweet Spot II for several years, up until last winter. Last winter I made the decision that I wanted to get away from the safety style hinge and went through several before settling on the Backspin. The tryouts were the Backspin, HT3, HBC, Longhorn Pro and perhaps a couple more. I settled on the Backspin because it hung up the least for me (being an index problem shooter). My first HBX had the opposite problem as yours as I had difficulty firing it at all. I purchased a second HBX before I had the first one in hand and it doesn't have the issues the first one had. It goes off but still responds like a very slow release for me. I found that making it even slower helps. My first HBX is being replaced and I expect delivery today on that one. I'm interested to see how the replacement responds. It is definitely a shooter/release/geometry/compatibility thing as you can't get yours slow enough and I can't even get to the click with mine without undo stress. Luckily I don't shoot with a click.

Currently I have mine set about 3/4 turn out from bottom and this makes me work (which seems to be a good thing)... Now if the UPS truck would hurry up and get here