October 28, 2010
By Jon E. Silks
By Jon E. Silks
To enlarge this image of the Whisper Creek Archery Stealth LX, please click
HERE .
In 2001 an archery company was born, if only in concept. That concept turned into prototyping and then into trial production before finally ending up on the national stage in 2004. That is when the outdoor industry was introduced to Whisper Creek Archery (WCA) during the annual Archery Trade Show. In 2006 the company unveiled its Innovator Pro, a bow that has received graduated upgrades along the way and still remains their flagship today.
Last year Whisper Creek learned a lesson--a bow designed for women and youth hunters, if good enough, may just end up being a hot seller in the adult market as well. The Stealth LX afforded them that lesson. So, in response they now offer the Stealth LX as an adult bow capable of reaching a 30-inch draw and 70-pound pull. This little rig is packed with features like their HyperForce Accel-Cam, WhisperGrip traction control idler wheel and all-new HyperForce String Suppressor.
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Basics
SPECIFICATIONS MANUFACTURER: Whisper Creek Archery, Dept. PB, 975 West 850 South, Woods Cross, UT 84087; (801) 335-0006; www.whispercreekarchery.com MODEL: Stealth LX ECCENTRIC SYSTEM: HyperForce Accel-Cam DRAW WEIGHTS: 50-, 60- and 70-pound peak DRAW LENGTHS: 27 to 30.5 inches in one half-inch increments RISER: Reflex, aluminum LIMBS: 13-inch machined fiberglass STRINGS: 79.5 inches BCY 8125/425X CABLE: 27.25 inches BCY 8125/425X MASS WEIGHT: 3.6 pounds LETOFF: 80-percent GRIP: Two-piece laminated wood BRACE HEIGHT: Approximately 8 inches AXLE-TO-AXLE LENGTH: 25.625 inches FINISH: King's Woodland Shadow ADVERTISED IBO SPEED: 300 fps PRICE: $429 COMMENTS: Excels in maneuverability and reports little noise at the shot.
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A noteworthy upgrade for the 2008 Stealth LX is a standard two-piece laminated wood grip contoured for comfort and consistent hand placement. Another new addition is a broadhead guard attached to the riser for increased protection for the archer. The riser's short length and three-inch reflex geometry make it necessary to offer an unconventional stabilizer attachment point. A portion of the front of the riser below the grip is formed in the shape of a fishhook. This creates a tab that juts upward, which is drilled and tapped for stabilizer mounting.
LX machined aluminum limb pockets remain constant during the weight adjustment process allowing the limbs to move within the pocket. Draw weights are available in 50-, 60- and 70-pound peak and are easily adjusted 10 pounds down from that point. The pocket, strut and Riser connection points create Whisper Creek's 3 Pivot System featuring Pocket BowStrut technology.
This system is designed to allow the limbs and pockets to move naturally and thereby limit vibration traveling into the limbs or riser. LX limbs measure approximately 13 inches in length. At full draw the limbs attain a parallel position and when fired move in equal and opposite directions effectively canceling out much of the shock and vibration common to upright limb configured bows.
Whisper Creek's single cam eccentric system consists of their IdlerDamp wheel and new HyperForce Accel-Cam both of which ride on double-sealed ball bearings. The WhisperGrip Traction Control system forces the idler wheel to return to its original position rather than slipping under the string during the shot resulting in retained energy and speed.
SPEED/ARROW VELOCITY* KINETIC ENERGY** STORED ENERGY*** EFFICIENCY**** DRAW CYCLE 297 fps 68.57 foot-pounds 88.78 foot-pounds 77.24 percent Steady climb to peak with smooth transitions before and after.
*(Test result) **Product of speed and arrow weight ***Energy supplied to and held by the system ****(K.E. divided by S.E.)
This is accomplished by incorporating WCA's BowDamp material into the idler wheel's string contact surface. Attached to the ends of the idler wheel axles is WCA's new and unique HyperForce adjustable string suppressor that uses a large rubber barrel suspended just below the idler wheel. Central to the LX's eccentric system is the 2008 HyperForce Accel-Cam. This new large diameter cam has a single rotating module that can be adjusted, without a bow press, for draw lengths from 27 to 30.5 inches in one half-inch increments. Also featured on the Accel-Cam are a three-inch solid wall draw stop and 80-percent letoff. IBO speeds are advertised to reach 300 fps.
Editor's Note: Petersen's Bowhunting standardized testing includes the use of the same equipment and test methods. For more detailed information on the testing parameters go to www.bowhuntingmag.com and look for the "bow testing" link.
