Javascript Menu by Deluxe-Menu.com
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


PSE GX

Personal Commentary by Jon Silks about the PSE GX:

Fast. Fast. Fast. The GX is a flat out screamer trouncing the competition in our speed trials. All of the other rigs were separated by slightly over 20 fps and then there was the GX, which had its closest competitor come in between 16 and 17 fps behind. The dual cams pull stiff as you might expect from a speed bow, however, a surprise was found in the Shock/vibration category as this rocket launcher scored an impressive #3 position. During my personal testing of each rig I kept going back to the PSE as a comparison for shock/vibration for the other bows. If PSE can design a lightning bolt to register little shock/vibration I expect that slower rigs should be able to compete with it. Its #3 shock/vibration ranking would seem to indicate otherwise however. I personally prefer a grip that is somewhat thicker than PSE's BEST grip, however, it certainly has its fans. The GX has excellent balance and handles well with a comfortable mass weight and relatively short axle-to-axle measurement.

 

 

Bow Specs:

  
Axle-to-axle length: 32.5"
Brace Height: 6"
Mass weight: 4.1 pounds
Let-off: 80%
Draw lengths: 26-30"
Peak draw weights:

50, 60, 70 and 80 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.

 
 

 


  • Sitka Gear