2009 Compound Bows

2011 H2H Intro
H2H Prologue
Voting and Test Procedure
Disclaimers
2011 H2H Evaluation Team
Special Thanks

Results

Category Shooter Bows Speed Bows
Subjective
Noise Level Results Results
Balance/Feel Results Results
Kick/Vibration Results Results
Draw Cycle Results Results
Speed
Speed Results Results Results
Data Sheet Data Data
Final Results Results

2011 Bow Evaluation Commentary

Shooter Bows

Mathews Z7 Extreme
APA Viper V7
Martin Onza 3
Elite Hunter
Diamond Outlaw
G5 Prime Centroid
Bowtech Assassin
Hoyt CRX 32

Speed Bows

PSE Dream Season EVO
Elite Pulse
Darton DS3800
APA Mamba M7
Bear Carnage
Mathews Z7 Magnum
Bowtech Invasion CPX
Strother SX1


Mathews Z7 Magnum

Personal Commentary by Jon Silks about the Mathews Z7 Magnum:

I noticed that I used the word -very- quite a bit in my notes for this bow. It does very well in most categories falling off a little in grip only. The bow has little back talk at the shot in terms of shock, vibration or noise. The bow is a little heavy and handling is average. The draw cycle is also very smooth with no harsh transitions anywhere and the 65 pound pull felt more like 60. the grip is smooth, comfortable and functional buit the larger size kept it out of the top four in this category.

 

Bow Specs:

 Mathews Z7 Magnum
Axle-to-axle length: 32"
Brace Height: 6.375"
Mass weight: 4.25 pounds
Let-off: 80%
Draw lengths: 24-30"
Peak draw weights:

40, 50, 60, 65 and 70 lbs
More detail can be found in the printed report


Mathews Z7 Magnum
 


Using the Above 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

Using The Above 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 indicative of more stored energy and more speed.