jsilks

Hello fellas - just found this site thanks to a friend. Good site.

I do the Bowsite test and would like to invite any naysayers to next year's test. It is a long two days but it is fun for everyone and I will even feed you just for showing up. The test is unbiased unlike any other out there. Quicksilver, I would even like to invite you to be part of next year's test (There is a 30$ Cabelas gift certificate in it for all the hours you will have to put in). Just for fun we will video tape you to see just how accurate in guessing the bows you really are. I can't tell you how many times we have had people claim they were absolutely sure what bow they had in their hands and be completely wrong! The video should be quite entertaining.

Also, nobody pays me off to sway the test one way or the other. Despite the fantasy world some of you may live in, it just doesn't work that way - at least not on my level. Maybe for the more "famous" in the industry. Also, just to make things perfectly clear - I have refused every single offer of sponsorship, hunts, etc that has been offered to me. And believe me, I have been offered.

So, take my test for what it is but please do not suppose that you have any clue what you are talking about when it comes to the integrity of how the test is performed.

quiksilver

Yo Jon, I'm not saying that you weren't impartial... I'm just saying that you can still be "blindfolded" and know what you're handling. I also know that you likely own a bow. That, alone, makes you biased. It makes anyone biased. Believe me, that's not a personal jab or an indictment of any kind. Just a fair observation. Hear me out...

Only 2 bows tested have giant wooden grips.Gotta either be a Parker or a Matthews. You know that as soon as you touch it.

Only 2 bows tested have identically (uniquely)-shaped sideplates (APA and Bear). One has a long BH, the other is short. One draws like a speed bow, the other is a whole lot smoother. Most guys could tell the difference...

Oops, my arm bumped a rear truss onthe riser? Could it be a Hoyt Tec riser?

Weird shaped sideplates on a thin metal handle? Gotta be the Ross or the Xforce. One is short BH w/aggressive draw - other is long BH w/smooth draw. Also, if youlook atwhere the plates sit, it's a dead giveaway.

Rounded riser, full length sideplates, no shelf above front of grip? Has to be either the Elite or the Guardian. Tough call.

You see my point....

You have to understand that anytime you do a test that claims to be "impartial" - people are going to pick it apart. We both know that. For all I know, you may have gone to extreme lengths to be completely impartial.However,I just have to presume that you did know (because I know that I would've known if I were in your shoes). Hey man, I applaud you for taking your own time to do that. It benefits us all, really.I'm just pointing out that if you wanted to cheat, you could have. And that you left out a few bows that we'd have liked to have seen tested. Hit us up next year around test time. I'm sure you'll have some HNI guys volunteer to help. They might even be able to get you a few other bows to test with the others.

Arthur P

With all due respect to Mr. Silks, anytime you see a review such as this by any media outlet that accepts advertising monies, the results must be suspect. It's not in their best interest to call a spade a spade and make a comment that would tick off a potential revenue source, ie advertiser. Nor would it be smart for them to make a call that ticks off current advertisers and have them withdraw their business.

And sometimes they intentionally make a comment solely to stir up controversy, because controversy attracts readers/viewers/listeners/website hits. The more people attracted to a certain media outlet, the more money that outlet can charge for advertising. Take an intro course in journalism or marketing and that's the first thing out of their mouths.

Take the reviews for what they are and do your own review of the bows you're attracted to.

jsilks

Mr. Quicksilver - the offer still stands. It will be quite entertaining to see just how much you do not know when you are in the pitch black and bows are being shuffled in an out of your hands one after the other. Oh, and remember, the testers do not get to see the bows until they have completed all categories of the test. And, unless you follow Bowsite.Com's voting for the test you may not even knowthe bows that are included. By the way, when you shoot and own as many bows as I do there is NO bias. I have taken some heat from manufacturers over the years for the very fact that I WILL NOT pull punches or plug a product for anyone. Just the way it is.

Mr. Arthur, nobody pays me for that test (Not a dime!)and the people that run the Bowsite have NO say in the test data content. It would be better if you made comments about actual facts, not what you suppose.

Also, I see that you speak with authority on how things work in the outdoor media world. You must have experience as an outdoor tv show producer, writer, outdoor website owner, hunting magazine editor or some other person who would know these things...In my experience things do not always work the way that you state - especially when it comes to websites.

Jon

quiksilver

Mr. Silks - I'm not sure ifyou're looking for a feather for your hat, or some kind of ESPY Award, or a phone call from thePresident, or a Batmansecret decoder ringfor your outstanding contribution todeer hunting..??Sorry bra, but you won't get one from me. I call it like I see it - and that's how I saw it...

I said your test could be biased, and I stand by that. That said, I still can't figure out what has you so bent out of shape - learn to handle a little constructive criticism, take your nerve medicationand check back next year.I really didn't think myself or Arthur said anything that was unreasonable or far-fetched... I digress...

For the time being...

Have a crying towel and go back to the testing lab.

jsilks

No crying here, just stating factsand I certainly do not need accolades from the likes of you. I think you are a bit sensitive Jr. Offer still stands - come on down Mr. Quicksilver...

willyd5

why no APA X1???

Arthur P

I didn't say you got paid a dime. You said in your earlier post that you didn't and I take you at your word. Further, I shall not engage in debate about Bowsite. I know first hand how they operate, as do several other of the old timers here.

Believe me, I am completely ignoring Bowsite and their test. My comments are about how media at large works and why this kind of 'test' must be taken with anything from a few grains of salt to a few tons of it when it comes from any source that accepts advertising revenue. Credibility and accuracy often takes a back seat to finances.

And yes, I actually was a member of the Fourth Estate in one of my early careers. When one has a series of stories killed by the newspaper publisher because they would make unfavorable publicity for the family of one of the paper's biggest advertisers, one acquires a healthy veneer of skepticism when it comes to filtering information released by media gatekeepers.

Rickmur

Awwww, the bowsite attitudes. That's what makes that site what it is.

tsoc

Bashing people who provide their opinions in a politeand courteous way is not going to win you over many folks! Nor will self directed praise!
A thicker skin,diplomacy and some humility would serve you well.