November 10, 2010
By Jon E. Silks
Athens Archery struck up a relationship with the popular Buck Commander television show and created a bow to commemorate the occasion.
By Jon E. Silks
The Athens Buck Commander features the EV2 Duo Cam system wired with orange/black twist string and cables. Parallel limbs and a host of vibration dampening accessories keep shot noise to a minimum, while the intricate CNC machining, Buck Commander logos and striking black finish give the bow a "mean" look. |
Cams are draw specific, meaning you need a new cam to change draw lengths. Making cam systems draw specific is a way to ensure the precision and performance designed into the cam is maintained for each draw length. The EV2 Duo Cam is available in draw lengths from 25-30 inches.
Athens Archery struck up a relationship with the popular Buck Commander television show and created a bow to commemorate the occasion. The hot new rig features the high-performance EV2 Duo Cam system, two-piece laminated wood grip, Bowjax vibration dampers and parallel Gordon Glass limbs, along with a sleek black finish.
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Quality Parts and Processes
A bow can only be as good as the components that make up the whole. That includes the engineering, workmanship and materials. In the case of the Buck Commander, the quality of the materials and features is at a level needed to produce a bow worthy of playing on the same level as the industry's finest.
Cams
Lets start with the CNC machined aluminum EV2 Duo Cam system. It is a two-track binary cam that uses the same track on each cam for both cables. The other track in the two-track system is home to the string. A single track allows flexibility in positioning the cables as they relate to the center of the axle.
When the Buck Commander is drawn, the majority of the load on the system is in line with the cables, so it makes sense to center that load in the system. This center position reduces limb twist and system torque. The result is a well-balanced bow that gains benefits in stored energy, efficiency and stability.
Each cam rides on stainless steel axles and sealed bearings, further reducing friction and increasing efficiency. Letoff is adjustable from 65-80 percent simply by moving the position of the draw stop on each cam.
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The Buck Commander's pivoting, lockable limb pockets ensure a precision fit between the limbs and riser. This interface is critical for consistent accuracy. |
Pivoting Pockets And More
The Buck Commander is outfitted with a set of pivoting and lockable limb pockets that assure precision at the critical limb to riser interface. A two-piece logo grip is crafted from laminated wood and designed to produce a medium to neutral wrist position at full draw.
The logo is engraved into the side plate and is orange in color. Also featured are a stainless steel stabilizer-mounting insert, black powder coat finish, BCY 452X string/cables and a unique cable slide, which combines a Teflon fixture for the cables and a built-in roller that contacts the carbon rod.
Covert Operations
Every hunter wants to remain undetected in the woods, right up to the point of impact. That requires a bow that doesn't shout, "Look out -- here comes an arrow!" To that end, Athens uses a series of vibration dampers and technologies to reduce shock, vibration and noise. It all starts with taming the string.
Bowjax Slipjax string dampers are placed in the string near the cams, and the Anchor String Stopper catches the string as it moves forward during the shot. Also helping keep the Buck Commander quiet is a set of Bowjax Monsterjax limb dampers positioned on the inside of each limb. These dampers use six "legs" that vibrate at different frequencies to dampen a wider range of vibration and noise.
Athens designed the Buck Commander with parallel limbs, which have a huge impact on shock, vibration and noise levels. Limbs that reach a parallel position at full draw distribute the force from release in equal and opposite directions, causing the leftover energy after propelling the arrow to be cancelled out as the limbs act in opposition to one another.
Impressions
Athens' Buck Commander has an exceptionally solid wall and balances well on target. At only 3.95 pounds, and either 32 or 34 inches between the axles, the Buck Commander is maneuverable even in the tightest of situations.
The draw cycle climbs smoothly all the way to the break-over into the valley. At the shot, the Buck Commander registers a small "bump" in the hand and little vibration. Noise at the shot is minimal.