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2009 Head-2-Head Bow Test - 2009 Compound Bows rated by speed, kick, draw, noise, and feel
2009 Compound Bows

2009 H2H Intro
H2H Prologue
Voting and Test Procedure
Disclaimers
2009 H2H Evaluation Team
Special Thanks


Subjective Results

Noise Level
Balance / Feel
Kick/Vibration
Draw Cycle

Score Data Sheet


SPEED RESULTS

FINAL RESULTS


2009 Bow Evaluation Commentary

Rytera Alien X
Elite GT500
Mathews Reezen 6.5
Diamond IceMan
Quest HPS 33
Hoyt AlphaMax 32
Bowtech Admiral
PSE GX
Martin Warthog



Diamond IceMan

Personal Commentary by Jon Silks about the Diamond IceMan:

The IceMan hit an impressive #3 spot in the balance and feel category and with good reason. The bow balances well and has a comfortably shaped grip with wood side panels that are blended nicely and the overall size is a good compromise between slender and full. A stiff draw cycle with consistent transitions gave the IceMan its lowest showing in the subjective categories at #4. Ranking at least #4 or better in all categories gave the Diamond rig an impressive #2 position overall in the subjective categories and a #3 position overall with speed factored in. If anything could hold the IceMan back it would have to be the speed as it came in next to last. The IceMan was top dog in the shock/vibration category registering a surprisingly low measure of either. Many testers were compelled to comment on this quality as the testing progressed.

 

 

Bow Specs:

 
Axle-to-axle length: 31.5"
Brace Height: 6.875"
Mass weight: 4 pounds
Let-off: 65-80%
Draw lengths: 24-30"
Peak draw weights:

60 and 70 lbs

 

 


Using this Table:

Kinetic Energy:  (in foot-pounds) This is the energy that actually goes into propelling the arrow. Basically it is the energy that is left over from the stored energy after all of the bow system friction is accounted for.
 
Stored Energy:  (in foot-pounds) When you draw the bow you supply power/energy into the limbs. The amount of energy that the limbs can hold is known as the stored energy.
 
Efficiency Rating:  (in %) This is the amount of the stored energy (in %) that can be successfully transferred into propelling the arrow upon release. The bow design, including limbs, limb pockets, cam systems, and axle types play into the bow’s efficiency. An example would be a sealed ball bearing in the idler wheel verses a simple unsealed rod bearing. It takes more energy to rotate the unsealed rod bearing (more friction) verses the sealed ball bearing (less friction) so more of the bow’s potential energy is used. The end result is a lower efficiency rating because less stored energy is left over to propel the arrow.
 
Power Stroke: This is the actual distance that the archer moves the string from its resting position to full draw.
 
EBFM Value: Draw weight as measured by the Easton Bow Force Mapper System hand-held unit.



Using This Graph:

The area under the graph signifies the amount of energy stored by the system from brace height to full draw (power stroke). The shape of the curve is generated by a plot of draw weight in pounds against draw length in inches and gives an indication of how the bow will feel when drawn. The more rounded the curve the more "smooth" the feel of the draw cycle, however, if the curve is "squared-off" it will likely feel more aggressive. The trade off comes in performance, as the more aggressive curve is generally indicitive of more stored energy and more speed.

 

 

 


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