What do you think are the TOP 5 bow models (BRAND/MODEL) for 2025?
Considering
Considering
- BRAND
- Engineering
- Design
- Technology
- Price
bowhunterplanet_8528
One has to be the Darton Sequel series, I would guess it might be split between the 33 and 35 mostly.
The prime form has to be in the conversation here, hopefully more shops near me start carrying them
That is a tough question because there are a lot of good bows this year. Some lean more to the excellent side of good and others in that lower quarter to midway portion of good.
- I put Mathews with the Lift X 29.5/33 and the Hoyt Alpha AX - 2's at the top of the podium this year, with a slight overall edge to Mathews. Both are close in a lot of areas that are important to me, but for me, the Mathews hold better on target and aim better.
- I want to throw a caveat in here for the best carbon bows. I think for me without question in regard to performance, design, and function, the new RX9 bows from Hoyt are maybe the best carbon bows ever offered. Close second to Elite, third to PSE, fourth to PRIME and their hybrid (although this is probably an excellent hunting bow, aesthetically it is 50/50 at best and its slow) and last is Bowtech who hasn't figured out that carbon should be lighter. The downside to carbon is price. Some of these bows are not practical based on that and that alone. Just as good, and often at a far cheaper price point and in the same weight range are flagship aluminum bows. But, carbon is nice if you can swing it.
- I will put Darton and Elite just below Mathews and Hoyt. Both are excellent, and I would place Darton slightly over Elite with their Sequel ST2 line and its tuning features. That said, the Ethos/Kairos/Exalt are all excellent offerings giving a nice range of shootability and performance. Both brands offerings are coming in about 5fps on average slower with performance mods than the Mathews and Hoyt counterparts when all things are equal, and that may not matter to some, but to me numbers are vital and important and carry meaning in all the testing and shooting I do and research.
- I will go Bowtech and any of their offerings here. I just don't get along with their risers or something, but that doesn't detract from the fact they make good bows. Overpriced with the new material, but the one they released at ATA sure has nice specs. At any rate, they make good bows and they are not one to turn your nose up at.
- PSE falls here this year and it hurts to say that for me. I loved some of what PSE had put out the last few years with the E2/S2 cams and carbon bows. The Levitate/Mach 34 were just awesome. The aluminum side has lost its luster for me from PSE as the performance just wasn't there on the longer ATA models like it was in the carbon models. The M33 this year was a great idea, until they put the loathe worthy ec2 cams on it and charged more for the E2/S2 cams. That is on management and not the bow itself which is a great platform.
- I think you can throw Obsession/Martin/Bear in here. Some nice offerings that will not doubt punch tags. Bear has some nice RTH packages for those looking to get into archery hunting. I'd love to try out the new Obsession Ultramag 360 to see what it actually does.
- I put Xpedition last. They are so overpriced for what they offer, despite how it may shoot or tune. I think they think to highly of themselves personally.
These are entirely my opinions. Some based on my own shooting experiences since the 2025 releases began, some from just research as local shops don't have or carry them so I am at the mercy of review sources I trust. Some may not agree, and that is perfectly fine, it's what makes it such a great time to be into archery in general. So many good options, no really bad ones, and you can literally get mentally overloaded in trying to split the frog hairs that separate some of them. I don't hate any bow or company, I think there are no wrong choices, just lots of good options.
Most people haven't even shot them yet so you will get a lot of illegitimate information based on hunches and fanboyism IMO so take it with a grain of salt.
i thought Darton shot @ least as good as the lift and a bit better than Elite Artus. i shot mathews for 20yrs and elite for 8yrs. Dartons new innovations won me over, my sequel st2 should appear any day now. no prime and didnt shoot bowtech.
lift x
hoyt rx9 ultra
darton sequel
hoyt ax2
elite ethos
bowtech virtue/honor
prime rvx+
all the 33 inch plus ata bows
hoyt rx9 ultra
darton sequel
hoyt ax2
elite ethos
bowtech virtue/honor
prime rvx+
all the 33 inch plus ata bows
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