True value in a new bow can mean many things, but value often centers on one-size-fits-all adjustability.
August 15, 2016
By Tony Peterson
In today's highly technical world of bow design, finding a bow that offers great versatility is no easy task. But what if you could buy a bow that would fit not only you, but also your wife, or your daughter?
And what if you could work on that bow yourself to make those adjustments so that you don't need to make an expensive trip to the local pro shop?
The line between needs and wants is being blurred by some of today's technologically advanced, mid-priced bows.
What if that highly adjustable rig also happened to come in a package deal that includes every accessory you need to set up and hunt? The answer to those questions may be closer than your think.
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Need Versus Want
The old saw about the difference between needs and wants holds true in many facets of life, and it can certainly apply to the cost-conscious bowhunter.
What is really necessary to kill a deer or an elk? Many a hunter has asked that question, and many have answered that their old such-and-such bow blows arrows right through all of the critters they hunt.
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In the mid-priced market, evaluate what you're getting for your money, not just the price tag on the bow.
That's one way to look at it, but it also ignores the fact that there are some amazing technologies migrating their way through bow lines right now and they can be found in bows that won't break the bank. That's a big deal.
Harnessing enough energy to push up on 300 fps arrow speeds while being able to shoot tight groups out of a perfectly fitting bow is the dream, and it's a very achievable dream these days and might just be the right answer to the question about what you really need in a bow.
There are well-priced, technologically advanced bows on the market that serve equally well for the beginning hunter/shooter as well as the diehard veteran.
You can make a compelling argument that for many hunters, there is little reason to suffer through a good-enough bow that is 15 years old, or have to bust out the plastic to pay $1500 for the Ferrari of all bows. In-between lies a very happy medium that will easily cover - and surpass - the needs of most bowhunters (find the right rig and it'll cover your wants , too).
The Best Of Both Worlds
For the tire-kicking bow shopper, a good idea is to try to understand what is truly being offered in a bow. For example, take the Synchronized Binary Cam System of Diamond Archery's new Edge SB-1 . This is a revolutionary technology that comes out of the Bowtech line and does wonders for bow performance.
It does this by ensuring synchronicity between the cams of your bow, which are the engines that generate the energy necessary to deflate moose lungs. That means when one cam rolls over, the other is rolling over exactly the same, which translates to perfect nock travel and arrow flight.
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The SB-1 also boasts a first-of-its-kind EZ Adjust Pocket . We rarely hear compound shooters mention "tiller" the way our tradbow shooting buddies do, but it's important for the bow tinkerer to know exactly how far he has adjusted the draw weight of his bow or, more specifically, how much he has turned one limb bolt or the other.
EZ Adjust Pockets allow you to see exactly what you've done, which makes transitioning this bow from one shooter to the next a precise, simple process. That is most welcome on all bows, but it's especially important on a rig that can go from seven to 70 pounds.
Top-dollar bows have their place in the industry, but today's savvy consumer is always on the lookout for the best value in a bow.
Naturally, if you're going to adjust a bow, you'll want to be able to set exact draw lengths, too. The Edge SB-1 features Rotating Modules , that allow for bow-press-less adjustment of draw lengths from 15 to 30 inches.
This freedom creates a tangible advantage for anyone looking to wring the most out of a new bow purchase. This bow is also sold as a package deal, which includes every single accessory you need to shoot accurately and further increases the shine on this particular deer-killing apple. And it's priced at just $449.
Bowhunters used to view mid-priced bows as unworthy of their time in the field, but not anymore. Today's cost-effective rigs can produce moose-killing energy and offer serious adjustability.
I'd never discourage anyone from picking up a top-dollar, flagship bow, but I would encourage all shooters to really be honest about what they want (and what they need) out of a new rig. If getting a lot of bow for less than half of the price of a high-dollar rig is something that appeals to you, then you know where to look .
If that bow also happens to offer the best, easiest, at-home adjustability on the market, and is backed by great customer support, that's even better.