Compound Bows- In this review we will take a look at what compound bows are, the pros and cons of compound bows, and some of the best manufacturers of compound bows. Learn more about what compound bows are made of and why some people feel that compound bows provide a technological advantage over other types of archery bows.
The compound bow is an archery bow that is fairly modern. First created in 1966, the compound bow uses a levering system to bend the limbs and store up power to give maximum speed and travel distance to each arrow that is shot. A system of cables and pulleys is used to bend the limbs this provides the archer with a mechanical advantage while drawing the arrow. The energy is then stored, or held by the device so that the archer doesn’t have to maintain full power to keep it drawn before the let off. Draw weight of a compound bow can vary from 30 to 100 pounds allowing for speeds of 150-370 feet per second (FPS).
Materials used in the construction of the compound bow are crucial to the overall advantages one receives from a compound bow compared with other archery bows. The central riser of a compound bow is typically made of aluminum or magnesium to give the riser maximum rigidity. Limbs store the energy of the bow and are made of a composite material that is capable of withstanding high levels of tension and compressive forces. The design and materials used to make the compound bow are key to the technical advantages and pros of compound bows. Because of the stored energy users can typically use a higher peak draw weight resulting in higher speed and distance that the arrow travels. Better accuracy rates are often achieved because once the maximum draw is reached the archer is at that point applying the least amount of force, allowing them to concentrate on aim. Another pro of the compound bow is the fact that the materials used in their construction make the compound bow very resilient against temperature and humidity changes.
The main disadvantage or con that we found listed about compound bows is the fact that you can’t easily restring your bow yourself. Restringing a compound bow requires a bow press because of the energy stored in the bows string and limbs. One can purchase and use a bow press on their own, but using a bow press often takes training. Other comments indicated that because the compound bows are lighter archers are more prone to movement errors when at a full draw.
Some of the best compound bow manufactures include Hoyt, Bowtech, and Bear. Hoyt compound bows range in mass weight from 3.6 pounds to 5.2 pounds. The Hoyt compound bow axle to axle range is between 31 inches and 45 inches with a brace height between 6 ¾ and 8 1/8 inches. Feet per second speeds of the Hoyt compound bows range from 271 to 340. Hoyt compound bows come in 18 varieties to suit the needs and tastes of any archer.
Bowtech compound bows come in 10 varieties and are backed by a lifetime guarantee. Check out the product comparison page on their website to find the bow with the right brace height, axle to axle length, and draw weight and length. Most of the Bowtech compound bows have an incredibly high let-off rate of 80%. Our review of Bear compound bows found 8 varieties to choose from. The Bear company was first started during the Great Depression so you can rest assured that they have been around long enough to know what they are doing. Bear compound bows are backed by a limited lifetime warranty to apply to limbs, risers, and cams. Visit the Bear website for complete product details about each of their compound bows.
