Brett/IL

Between yesterday and today I have had the chance to shoot some of the new bows being offered this year. This brief review of each one is nothing more than my personal opinion and will not be nearly as well written as those by other members.

Mathews DXT-Before I start this I need to state that I shot Mathews bows for 14 yrs. before switching to Bowtech last year. I found the DXT to be a very nice little bow. I think it is one of the best looking bows I've seen in a while. It is a little short ATA wise for my liking, but it was a smooth shooter. The one I shot was 71#/29" it was shooting a 385 gr. arrow at 290 f.p.s. It is no mystery,andno flame, that Mathews bows rarely, if ever, come close to advertised speeds. The fit and finish on the bow were great. There was a little more vibration at the shot than I was expecting, but far from excessive.

Mathews LD-This is the one I was excitedto shoot. The entire time I was shooting their bows my two favorites werethe MQ1 and the LX. I was very happy to see Mathewsoffering a longer ATA hunting bow. My thought were pretty much the same with this bow as with the DXT, I just foundit to holdmuch better at full draw. The one I shot was 70#/29" and was shooting a 385gr. arrow at 282 f.p.s. This bow did not excite me as much as I had hoped it would.

Hoyt Katera-Unlike some other people out there I like the looks of Hoyts risers. I was a little disappointed in the finish. It felt a little"rough" to me and it had noticeableflaws in the camo. Ireally liked the draw cycle on this bow, I can't remember which cams it had on it though. There was quite a bit of string noise at the shot and it seemed to "jump" in my hand at release. The one I shot was 70#/29" and it was shooting a 370 gr. arrow at 302 f.p.s

Hoyt Katera XL-Same as the other Katera, but being a fan of longer ATA bows, I enjoyed shooting this one more. It came in a little slower at 70#/29" 370 gr. 288 f.p.s.

Bowtech General-I LOVE my Guardian, but I feel it is still a touch too short ATA wise so I wasn't "pumped" to shoot the General. It impressed me with how quiet it was. It also impressed me with having a smoother draw cycle. I still think it is too short for my liking, but like the DXT, it is a nice little bow. The thing that impressed me the most was the finish. Until you have your hands on it, you can't appreciatejust how nice the InVelvet finish is. The bow I shot was 71#/29" and it shot a 390 gr. arrow at 285 f.p.s.

Bowtech 101st.-Thiswas one of the two bows I was really looking forward to getting my hands on one. Fit and finish were great, I am very happy to see black cams. The draw cycle was not as harsh as I was thinking it would be, it was actually very smooth. The bow was extremely quiet at the shot and was dead in the hand. I loved the ATA on the bow and it held like a rock. This one launched a 365 gr. arrow at 321 fps. I was impressed.

Bowtech 82nd.-I was excited to shoot this bow, but having played the speed bow game in the past, I had some preconceived notions.I was WRONG! Fit and finish were as nice as the other Bowtech's. The draw was incredibly smooth for a speed bow. It held like a dream at full draw.My jaw almost hit the ground after my first shot. I could not believe how quiet and shock free the bow was. I ended up shooting close to 30 times. The one I was shooting was the only one they had set up and it was 61#/29". The BC said it left the factory shooting 336 f.p.s.! I ran it through the chrono with a 325 gr. arrow and it produced 321 f.p.s. We had a winner.

I placed my order for a 60#/29" 82nd. in Brush camo. I also ordered an Octane 1 pc. quiver, 11.5" Octane stabilizer both in Brush camo. I ended going with a Hostage Pro for a rest and an HHA OptimizerUltra for a sight. My dealer is calling me later tonight or tomorrow to let me know when he thinks the accessories will be in. He didn't even know when the Octane stuff would ship. I told him I didn't want to come pick it up until it was all in, because it would drive nuts not having everything at the same time. I know, I am a freak. He is also going to give me a final dollar amount after trading in my Guardian, not too excited about that part. So now the waiting game begins. As soon as it is in, I'll post pics and numbers. Just don't expect a write up like Greg/MO.

Rob/PA Bowyer

Great write up and very unbiased. I know with the PM's you really wanted that LD. I appreciated it and I think you made a great choice on what suites your needs. You chose an excellent bow and when going in with an open mind as you did, the right bow chose you. Congratulations on your Bowtech 82nd Airborne. I'm looking forward to pictures, especially with all the Octane accessories, I fear tho, it might be a while, worth the wait tho.

SouthDakotaHunter

Great write up! I've shot many of the bows you did and came to many of the same conclusions.... Also looking at getting anew 82nd in the near future...

Brett/IL

Thanks guys! Rob is right, I really thought that the LD wouldhave meshooting a Mathews again. While I think it is a GREAT bow, I just enjoyed shooting the 82nd. much more.

Hunter Dan7

Thats awesome I plan on getting a 82nd with extreme RT 1000 sights, G5 Meta peep , Dimond wild thing stablizer, a alpine archery Bear claw 5 arrow quiver, and a alpine archery whisperflite match grade fall away arrow rest.Be sure to post pics when u get it, sounds like a great setup

Greg / MO

Congrats on the new baby, rdy... and very nice writeup -- and I would have said that if you hadn't have ended up with a Bowtech. Enjoyed reading your thoughts on some of the other offerings out there.

Brett/IL

HD-Sounds like you have a great set up in mind. The one I shot today had a Wild Thing on it. It seemed to do a good job.

Greg-Thank you. Now I am just going to have to work on my patience.

GMMAT

Come on in....the water's fine!

(congrats)

twildasin

congrats on the new purchase! I am starting to feel out of place for not ordering an Airborne!

MOhunter46

congrats of the new bow. hopefully i can get a new bow this summer