November 07, 2018
By Jon E. Silks
Accuracy is a central focus for all bowhunters, whether they talk about it or not. It’s what we work so hard to achieve with our “primitive” equipment, which takes a higher level of effort and skill to master. I often consider the similarity of archery and fly fishing’s positions in their respective sports. Thinking of accuracy brings to mind a conversation I had with a Bowtech engineer a few years back that was largely focused on the advancements they had made and were working on at that time. After each description of a new technology or feature, he would explain how that tied back to an overall effort to create a greater opportunity for true accuracy and making every bowhunter that carries their brand better and more confident. At the time it wasn’t something they were really putting out there to the bowhunting community as an advertising focus, rather it just made sense – isn’t that what everybody does? Turns out – no! Bowtech has since discovered that bowhunters are excited about their focus on accuracy and their appetite for technologies and features that promote accuracy is growing! The cornerstone of Bowtech Archery is ACCURACY.
Bowtech’s Realm Series is designed and built to represent the brand’s accuracy core. There will be four bows in the 2019 lineup, with the Realm SR6 and SS joining the Realm and Realm X. The Realm model is all about versatility in a do-it-all package that is as much at home in a ground blind as a treestand or stalking through the high country for a bugling bull or rock jumping ram. Bowtech designed the Realm X with a longer axle-to-axle length and faster arrow speeds for the archer that wants to extend their effective range through a forgiving platform and flatter trajectory.
Now on to the new studs on the block – the SR6 and SS. The “SR” in SR6 stands for Speed Redefined, which is a reference to the smoking fast advertised IBO/ATA speed of 352 feet per second with a notably smooth draw cycle. As you can see in these draw curves, one for the comfort setting and the other for the performance setting, there is a distinct plateau at max weight for both but its where the curve goes from there that makes a big difference in an archer’s perception. The plateau of the comfort setting actually declines slightly before dropping more significantly into the valley while the performance side of the disc causes the plateau to stay more consistent at peak and for a longer period of time.
SR6 Comfort Setting SR6 Performance Setting SR6 data Axle-to-axle: 32 inches Brace height: 6 inches Mass weight: 4.3 pounds Draw lengths: 25.5-30 inches, rotating module Draw weights: 50, 60 and 70 pound peak ATA/IBO speed: 352 fps on performance setting Finish: Black, Mossy Oak Brown Country Roots, Kryptek Altitude, Mossy Oak Breakup Country, Gore Optifade Subalpine, Flat Dark Earth MSRP: $1,199 Shooting the SR6 was a pleasure – they could have named it the SR6 SS. In addition to the smooth draw, there was very little feedback from the bow at the shot in terms of vibration, kick or noise. The SR6 is steady on the target and quick.
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The SS stands for Super Smooth, and Bowtech brought all of their resources to bear on producing the smoothest bow available. Like the SR6, these draw curves show a plateau where the bow is packing energy into the system, however, with the SS you will notice the entire curve tilts down on the back end changing the angle and timing of the archer’s effort as they move toward full draw. The result – it feels smoother/easier!
SS Comfort Setting SS Performance Setting SS data Axle-to-axle: 32 inches Brace height: 6 inches Mass weight: 4.3 pounds Draw lengths: 25- 31 inches, rotating module, half inch increments Draw weights: 50, 60 and 70 pound peak ATA/IBO speed: 337 fps on performance setting Finish: Black, Mossy Oak Brown Country Roots, Kryptek Altitude, Mossy Oak Breakup Country, Gore Optifade Subalpine, Flat Dark Earth MSRP: $1,199 Shooting the Realm SS in the smooth setting will have you questioning the draw-weight setting. It is extremely easy to draw front to back in this setting and feels as if the bow is set to a lower weight. This bow is also extremely well balanced and, like the SR6, has very little feedback at the shot in terms of shock, vibration and noise. While not as speedy as the SR6, the SS is very quick in its own right – fairly sure nobody ever called 337 fps slow!
Common Realm SR6 and SS Technology The SR6 and SS are loaded with features and technologies that are all tied together to improve your shooting experience in every way – accuracy, balance, post shot feel, grip performance, etc. Many of the differences and similarities can be traced to the OverDrive Binary Cam system.
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Remember the focus on accuracy? Bowtech has a very unique feature built into their cam system that is vital to the ability of their bows to be customized to an individual archer - Cam Synchronization Axles (CSA), which are locked into the cam’s rotation forcing them to work together, are coupled with a double yoke system that allows precise adjustment of the cam’s vertical position to match the string. Center the rest and leave it set, then twist or untwist yoke legs as needed to achieve perfect arrow flight. You are basically lining the cam angle to match your specific grip.
The draw curves included show you the customization made possible by Bowtech’s PowerShift Technology. Their FlipDisk is used to easily switch back and forth between Performance and Comfort settings, which produce real-world changes in both draw cycle feel and arrow speed.
Realm SS, 60-pound draw weight, 28-inch draw length, Comfort setting: 375 grain arrow, 267 fps, 59.38 ft-pounds KE 425 grain arrow, 253 fps, 60.42 ft-pounds KE Realm SS, 60-pound draw weight, 28-inch draw length, Performance setting: 375 grain arrow, 276 fps, 63.45 ft-pounds KE 425 grain arrow, 261 fps, 64.30 ft-pounds KE Realm SR6, 60-pound draw weight, 28-inch draw length, Comfort setting: 375 grain arrow, 274 fps, 62.53 ft-pounds KE 425 grain arrow, 259 fps, 63.32 ft-pounds KE Realm SR6, 60-pound draw weight, 28-inch draw length, Performance setting: 375 grain arrow, 281 fps, 65.77 ft-pounds KE 425 grain arrow, 266 fps, 66.79 ft-pounds KE Bowtech enlisted the services of an independent testing lab to give them data on torque, kick, vibration, sound, etc., which they used to optimize the overall system. Through extensive testing, they were able to select the most strategic placement for the cam weights, which increase speed and reduce kick.
Other off-cam technologies are also an integral part of enhancing the shooting experience and improving accuracy. Bowtech’s CP Dual Lock pocket, which uses an elongated tab that extends down into an opening in the riser, locks the pocket to the riser and the limbs into the pocket creating a single unit, which is critical to accuracy and consistency. Additionally, there are multiple stabilizer/vibration dampener mounting positions to allow personal customization of balance and noise dampening. Last but certainly not least is Bowtech’s Clutch Grip system, which offers a variety of styles, colors, high/low wrist position options in a simple snap-in attachment system. Both the Realm SR6 and SS are outfitted with the Company’s Orbit Dampener with the SS sporting an additional dampener. Both rigs also employ the FLX Cable Guard system.
Bowtech’s Realm Series is the manifestation of the company’s laser-like focus on accuracy. The ability to select a bow based on your application and then break that down even further with the PowerShift Technology Comfort and Performance settings is customization at its finest. The Realm SR6 and SS fit right into the family and are sure to be popular in the bowhunting world!
