September 04, 2013
By Jon E. Silks
PSE is a company of choices and variety. While surfing the PSE website, it became apparent the company has something for everyone. There are compounds (more than 20 models), recurve bows, longbows, crossbows, ready-to-shoot bow packages, field-ready packages and bowfishing bows. I almost forgot; they even have a blowgun!
Among PSE's 2013 Mainline models is the Prophecy, a rig designed to hit hard with a smooth draw. It features PSE's Amp Single Cam, X-Technology limbs, Brute X limb pockets, Vibracheck Backstop 2, PSE-made string and cable and much more.
Heart of Technology
The Prophecy's riser is at the heart of this rig and has been the focus of much design effort. PSE engineers created a super stiff platform through a Planar Flex technology that uses straight structural lines. The surface of the riser that faces the shooter is primarily straight from top to bottom, other than the grip area and the portions that sweep forward to the pockets. Although not as extensive, there are also a series of flat structural lines on the opposite face of the riser.
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These lines, plus the side-to-side transitions into and out of the sight window, produce a platform that is not only stiff but also channels any flex front to back rather than allowing twist and flex from side to side. In the end, you get improved performance through increased consistency and accuracy.
PSE drills and taps multiple sight mounting holes so you never run out of vertical adjustment on your sight. The Prophecy is outfitted with the Raptor grip, which is fully machined with comfort contours and includes two small rubber side plates. Aiding the archer in setup and tuning are the tuning alignment marks on the shelf area that offer a reference line for both vertical and horizontal arrow rest adjustments. Other riser features include the Vibracheck Backstop 2, a stainless steel stabilizer mounting insert and Cam-Lock adjustable cable guard.
Surprising Single Cam
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PSE's Amp Single Cam will surprise many with advertised IBO speeds reaching 340 fps. Besides excellent speed, this cam was designed to optimize nock travel and create a smooth draw. The machined, aircraft-grade aluminum cam and idler wheel ride on sealed bearings for reduced friction and increased efficiency. An adjustable inner cam allows draw length adjustments from 25-30 inches, in half-inch increments. The adjustments are made without the need of a bow press and the laser engraved marks and posi-lock pin make positioning easy. A cushioned draw stop is secured into the hole correlating to the draw length.
The X Factor
PSE's X-Technology limbs are highly pre-loaded with an aggressive curl, reaching a past-parallel configuration at full draw with predominantly upright limb pocket angles.
Limb sets are available in 50-, 60- and 70-pound peak draw weights. Brute X limb pockets are minimal in material, supporting the limb in critical areas for maximum control. The composite limb support and a set of Delrin bushings cradle each limb piece and keep them centered and evenly spaced for a no-give alignment. Pockets pivot during the draw-weight adjustment process for better riser-to-limb alignment.
Impressions
I enjoyed shooting the Prophecy. It combines lots of features and good performance with a mid-range price tag. A notable kick and low-level vibration was felt at the shot. However, a quality stabilizer completely eliminated the vibration and slightly reduced the kick. A short valley leaves little room for creep, but you will be able to relax into the shot if you are set up with the right draw length for your frame. The Prophecy is quiet at the shot, and I have come to appreciate PSE's minimalist grip, which has the right shape, size and angle to be functional and comfortable.
Archery Accessory Box
ols, you'll realize that they are easy to misplace, which is why a storage system like the
Archery Accessory Box from
Plano Molding is a good idea. The Archery Accessory Box is designed with a see-through top, one lift-out tray, up to 16 adjustable compartments, and is compact enough to throw in your vehicle when you hit the road in the fall.
Price: $20
Archers Allen Wrench Set
If you want to boil down tool needs to a granular level, the jumping-off point for all bow work involves a quality set of Allen wrenches. I emphasize the word quality because I've had sets completely explode on me the first time I've used them. I don't know why it's so hard to make a set of Allen wrenches that will last, but a lot of companies seem to have trouble with the task. Fortunately,
Pine Ridge Archery has it figured out with their
Archers Allen Wrench Set. This set has all of the wrenches you're likely to need, and it contains them with a bolt and nut assembly that doesn't allow them to flop all over the place like lesser-quality sets. I keep a set in my shop, my truck and my daypack, so I'm covered no matter where or when I hunt.
Price: $10
Bowsmith
Another tool that has found its way into my shop is the
Bowsmith from
Real Avid. The Bowsmith contains needle-nose pliers, a string spreader, knife blade, fletching stripper, nock crimp, string loop setter, and a bevy of other tools (28 in total). This handy tool set is small enough to stow away in a pack as well, and it can be invaluable in bow camp when the nearest pro shop is far away.
Price: $50
Allen Company Compact Bow Tuning Kit
I also used my
Allen Company Compact Bow Tuning Kit. Since I had to redo my center serving, I also needed to tie on a new string loop, which necessitated the use of the contained bow square. Although I didn't use a nock set, the Compact Bow Tuning Kit comes with nock pliers and three nock sets.
Price: $15
Digital Bow Scale
An often-overlooked tool that is simple and can be used by every bow owner is a bow scale. I like
Cabela's Digital Bow Scale, which features a backlit LCD screen and automatic weight lock, and is accurate up to 110 pounds in case you plan to shoot deer hiding behind concrete walls. It amazes me how often I talk to bowhunters who simply guess at their draw weight after cranking their limbs in or out a few turns. It's much better to know exactly what your bow is set at, especially if you're getting close to either end of your bow's recommended weight spectrum.
Price: $20
Pro Archery Pliers
If you're in the market for a pair of pliers that will last longer than any bow you're likely to buy and features a nock set crimper and remover, a D-loop stretcher and scary sharp side-cutters, look no further than the
Pro Archery Pliers from
Easton Technical Products. These needle-nose pliers are extremely durable and can make home bow fixes a breeze.
Price: $22
Bohning Mini Server
Considering potential bow fixes, it would be wise to not ignore serving issues. Last fall I was sitting in a treestand in north-central Wisconsin, when I happened to glance down at my nocked arrow. The angle looked off, and upon closer inspection I realized that my center serving had slipped and my entire string loop had crept up my string, throwing my entire bow tune out of alignment. Back at the cabin, I busted out my
Bohning Mini Server and re-served my string. The Mini Server is perfect for the home bow mechanic because it eliminates the need for a cable spreader and is extremely easy to use. However, that wasn't the only tool I used to get back to shooting.
Price: $19
Economy Vise
After putting the above tools to good use at home or in deer camp, it's inevitable that you'll realize something is missing — a vise. The option to clamp your bow into a quality vise and work on it with both hands free is important, which is why I've started using an
Economy Vise from
Apple Archery. Plastic-coated jaws provide a secure grip on your bow's limb without causing any damage to the finish, while the Economy Vise allows for 360 degrees of left-to-right and front-to-back rotation. Just like using a lineman's belt to hang a treestand for the first time, when you use a vise like this to work on your bow, you'll wonder how you ever functioned without it.
Price: $81
