Bow Report......BowTech "Pro 38" Dual Cam
01-17-2002, 10:38 PM
#1
Giant Nontypical
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Dover, PA USA
Posts: 5,497
Bow Report......BowTech "Pro 38" Dual Cam
This will be my first attempt at a full blown bow report......and with all due respect to Jeff, I will try not to infringe upon his copyright to "Long and Boring"!!<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
I guess this report is already a classic as the bow tested is already discontinued.....However this report is relevant as the Pro38 DC is essentially BowTech's 2002 model "Black Knight II" (option 2 6.5" BH)
They decided to put the "Black Knight" on a "Pro" series riser and the cam is essentailly the same so my bow should compare quite nicely to this model which many people are pretty curious about. It's the same bow that somebody won some big 3D shoot last year with.......IBO Worlds "Best of the Best" or something. (I don't follow pro 3D shooting)
So without further delay......
BowTech "Pro38" Dual Cam
SPECS:
ATA - 37.5" (measured)
Mass Weight 4.2lbs
Draw Length - 30" (measured)
Draw Weight - 70# (measured)
Brace Height - 6.8" (measured)
Bow as tested:
Muzzy "Zero Effect"
Trophy Ridge "3pin Flatliner Extreme"
Timberline "No-Peep"
Limbsavers
SIMS "Enhancer 2000/ Tranquilizer" combo
string loop/w Scott "Rhino" release.
INITIAL IMPRESSION:
Beauty is in the "Eye of the Beholder".....I happen to think the bow is good looking. Some will differ.
Fit and finish seem flawless and the bow just feels "tight" and well built.
It handles, and points very well......extremely stable in the hand.
I won't get into components and angles etc. as like I said.....there are copyright laws to think about here!
I will note a few of the more "Refined" components......Bronze Axle bushings, Stainless front and rear stabilizer inserts and of course the "Winner's Choice" string and cables which should help to keep this bad boy timed.
SHOOTING:
This is what I've been waiting for for weeks now.....to get over the flu and get my butt behind this thing to see what it can do.
Let's not screw around........they advertise the speed.......SO LETS SEE THE SPEED!!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
I brought along an exactly 350gr A/C/C 3-49 just for the occasion.......
Now I thought the speed was up there from flinging a few in my basement at home......I had my suspicions.
So off we go straight to the chronograph for the first shot......now remember......30"/70# 350 gr. arrow.
<font size=6>336fps!!!</font id=size6>
That's 336,336,336.......<font color=red>with a nearly 7" brace height!</font id=red> <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle> For hunting that translates to I think about 88ft/lbs. of Kinetic Energy!
Next a 371gr Carbon Impact "Fat Shaft" .......326fps (this was last years hunting arrow!)
The best part......quiet, very recoil and vibration free(with no string silencers at all- I tried eliminator buttons but they did nothing)
. It's actually more so than my 2001 "Mighty Mite" at the same specs.
It's truly amazing considering the energy this bow is putting out.
Remember your old 2 cam "Hatchet" style bow?.....you know the old "G-Forces" etc.?.........THIS AINT IT!!!!!
The draw cycle is a bit different......it's like a cross between a single cam and a dual cam bow.
It's smooth, but it picks up peak weight VERY quickly and carries that almost to the last second. The valley is almost nonexistant, but the wall is rock solid like a single cam that many are already used to.
It's quite different and I like it.....Like I said, your old 2 Cam bow this is not.
The cams are modular which can be changed in about 30 seconds without a press.
ACCURACY:
Outstanding.....now I'm no Koontzy<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> All of my arrows came out OK, but after I got it dialed in , I was stacking arrows quite nicely in the 10 ring. AT BLISTERING SPEEDS!!! with my hunting/3d sight.
Nothing out of the gold and pretty little groups of arrows touching (which made PULLING the arrows a real treat....my hands are sore)
......With a "Real" indoor sight it would have been lights out. Which reminds me.....the "Flatliner" SUCKS as an indoor archery sight.
All of this nonsense was witnessed and documented by my buddy who is lurking out here right now reading this at work......He can verify how nice it shoots, and the speeds. (that is if he can figure out how to log in again) I see you out there!
This is going to be my "Go-to" bow for 2002 , so the first place it is going is getting ready for 3D season.
I knocked the poundage down to a comfy 65# and resighted......very sweet. It's a definite shooter, and is everything I was hoping for.
Just for giggles I put that same 350 gr arrow thru at 65# to see what it would do......318fps. That's 25gr over IBO legal.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
If you are interested in a new 2002 "Black Knight II" first check your dealer for this bow.....you can probably get a great deal on it and it'll do everything the BKII can with a slightly higher brace height.
If you can't find one, and are interested in the BKII 2002 model.......if my bow is any indication of what the high brace version is like, you're NOT going to be dissapointed.
I LOVE THIS BOW!! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> This is a true "Have your Cake and Eat it Too" bow......you can have your truly SICK speeds, combined with a very stable package, and very shootable 6.8" brace height.
Well there you have it......I don't anticipate many more of these reports in the future as I'm pretty poor right now, and not as sick as some here with buying bows. Besides......you know of another quiet recoil free bow that will do 336fps with that brace height!?
I'm off the market.
Edited by - Matt / PA on 01/18/2002 20:56:31
I guess this report is already a classic as the bow tested is already discontinued.....However this report is relevant as the Pro38 DC is essentially BowTech's 2002 model "Black Knight II" (option 2 6.5" BH)
They decided to put the "Black Knight" on a "Pro" series riser and the cam is essentailly the same so my bow should compare quite nicely to this model which many people are pretty curious about. It's the same bow that somebody won some big 3D shoot last year with.......IBO Worlds "Best of the Best" or something. (I don't follow pro 3D shooting)
So without further delay......
BowTech "Pro38" Dual Cam
SPECS:
ATA - 37.5" (measured)
Mass Weight 4.2lbs
Draw Length - 30" (measured)
Draw Weight - 70# (measured)
Brace Height - 6.8" (measured)
Bow as tested:
Muzzy "Zero Effect"
Trophy Ridge "3pin Flatliner Extreme"
Timberline "No-Peep"
Limbsavers
SIMS "Enhancer 2000/ Tranquilizer" combo
string loop/w Scott "Rhino" release.
INITIAL IMPRESSION:
Beauty is in the "Eye of the Beholder".....I happen to think the bow is good looking. Some will differ.
Fit and finish seem flawless and the bow just feels "tight" and well built.
It handles, and points very well......extremely stable in the hand.
I won't get into components and angles etc. as like I said.....there are copyright laws to think about here!
I will note a few of the more "Refined" components......Bronze Axle bushings, Stainless front and rear stabilizer inserts and of course the "Winner's Choice" string and cables which should help to keep this bad boy timed.
SHOOTING:
This is what I've been waiting for for weeks now.....to get over the flu and get my butt behind this thing to see what it can do.
Let's not screw around........they advertise the speed.......SO LETS SEE THE SPEED!!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
I brought along an exactly 350gr A/C/C 3-49 just for the occasion.......
Now I thought the speed was up there from flinging a few in my basement at home......I had my suspicions.
So off we go straight to the chronograph for the first shot......now remember......30"/70# 350 gr. arrow.
<font size=6>336fps!!!</font id=size6>
That's 336,336,336.......<font color=red>with a nearly 7" brace height!</font id=red> <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle> For hunting that translates to I think about 88ft/lbs. of Kinetic Energy!
Next a 371gr Carbon Impact "Fat Shaft" .......326fps (this was last years hunting arrow!
)The best part......quiet, very recoil and vibration free(with no string silencers at all- I tried eliminator buttons but they did nothing)
. It's actually more so than my 2001 "Mighty Mite" at the same specs.
It's truly amazing considering the energy this bow is putting out.
Remember your old 2 cam "Hatchet" style bow?.....you know the old "G-Forces" etc.?.........THIS AINT IT!!!!!
The draw cycle is a bit different......it's like a cross between a single cam and a dual cam bow.
It's smooth, but it picks up peak weight VERY quickly and carries that almost to the last second. The valley is almost nonexistant, but the wall is rock solid like a single cam that many are already used to.
It's quite different and I like it.....Like I said, your old 2 Cam bow this is not.
The cams are modular which can be changed in about 30 seconds without a press.
ACCURACY:
Outstanding.....now I'm no Koontzy<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> All of my arrows came out OK, but after I got it dialed in , I was stacking arrows quite nicely in the 10 ring. AT BLISTERING SPEEDS!!! with my hunting/3d sight.
Nothing out of the gold and pretty little groups of arrows touching (which made PULLING the arrows a real treat....my hands are sore)
......With a "Real" indoor sight it would have been lights out. Which reminds me.....the "Flatliner" SUCKS as an indoor archery sight.
All of this nonsense was witnessed and documented by my buddy who is lurking out here right now reading this at work......He can verify how nice it shoots, and the speeds. (that is if he can figure out how to log in again
) I see you out there!This is going to be my "Go-to" bow for 2002 , so the first place it is going is getting ready for 3D season.
I knocked the poundage down to a comfy 65# and resighted......very sweet. It's a definite shooter, and is everything I was hoping for.
Just for giggles I put that same 350 gr arrow thru at 65# to see what it would do......318fps. That's 25gr over IBO legal.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
If you are interested in a new 2002 "Black Knight II" first check your dealer for this bow.....you can probably get a great deal on it and it'll do everything the BKII can with a slightly higher brace height.
If you can't find one, and are interested in the BKII 2002 model.......if my bow is any indication of what the high brace version is like, you're NOT going to be dissapointed.
I LOVE THIS BOW!! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> This is a true "Have your Cake and Eat it Too" bow......you can have your truly SICK speeds, combined with a very stable package, and very shootable 6.8" brace height.
Well there you have it......I don't anticipate many more of these reports in the future as I'm pretty poor right now, and not as sick as some here with buying bows. Besides......you know of another quiet recoil free bow that will do 336fps with that brace height!?
I'm off the market.
Edited by - Matt / PA on 01/18/2002 20:56:31
01-17-2002, 11:53 PM
#2
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: fairbanks alaska
Posts: 144
RE: Bow Report......BowTech "Pro 38" Dual Cam
matt, NICE REPORT. sounds like you realy had fun with this one.im sold.
Ron
opps too late already bought one 01 bk2<img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>
must say it is awsome.
Ron
opps too late already bought one 01 bk2<img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>
must say it is awsome.
01-18-2002, 04:55 AM
#3
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lehigh County PA USA
Posts: 12,157
RE: Bow Report......BowTech "Pro 38" Dual Cam
Very good report Matt. The bow sounds impressive.
But, after seeing your fully set up bow it kind of reminded me of a cross between something from an "Alien" movie and something from the back of an adult entertainment magazine...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>...just kidding.
She is perrrtttyyyy..
I have a couple questions though.
1) How smooth is the draw cycle on those cams? How quickly do they go up to their peak draw weight and then how much of a valley is there on them?
2) How adjustable are the cams in terms of draw length? Have you tinkered with them at all yet? Is it a module or string post based adjustment system?
Finally, does Bowtech make a 33 or 34 inch bow with at least a 7.5 inch brace height, single cam, that will shoot in the neighborhood of 330 fps? How about that new Patriot?
Thanks Matt..ahead of time.
Frank
But, after seeing your fully set up bow it kind of reminded me of a cross between something from an "Alien" movie and something from the back of an adult entertainment magazine...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>...just kidding.
She is perrrtttyyyy..
I have a couple questions though.
1) How smooth is the draw cycle on those cams? How quickly do they go up to their peak draw weight and then how much of a valley is there on them?
2) How adjustable are the cams in terms of draw length? Have you tinkered with them at all yet? Is it a module or string post based adjustment system?
Finally, does Bowtech make a 33 or 34 inch bow with at least a 7.5 inch brace height, single cam, that will shoot in the neighborhood of 330 fps? How about that new Patriot?
Thanks Matt..ahead of time.
Frank
01-18-2002, 06:01 AM
#5
Giant Nontypical
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Dover, PA USA
Posts: 5,497
RE: Bow Report......BowTech "Pro 38" Dual Cam
Dang it Frank!......I had that stuff in there when i originally typed up the report.....then I discovered something interesting........
If you accidentally hit the "Esc" button it magically dissapears!<img src=icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle>
stodr is correct about the draw cycle......it's like a cross between a single cam and a dual cam bow.
It's smooth, but it picks up peak weight VERY quickly and carries that almost to the last second. The valley is almost nonexistant, but the wall is rock solid like a single cam that you are already used to.
It's quite different and I like it.....Like I said, your old 2 Cam bow this is not.
The cams are modular which can be changed in about 30 seconds without a press.
I'll check the catalog to see what lengths are available on what, and I'll get back to you......yes you will get some eye popping speeds there Gorilla Boy! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Edited by - Matt / PA on 01/18/2002 07:03:00
If you accidentally hit the "Esc" button it magically dissapears!<img src=icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle>
stodr is correct about the draw cycle......it's like a cross between a single cam and a dual cam bow.
It's smooth, but it picks up peak weight VERY quickly and carries that almost to the last second. The valley is almost nonexistant, but the wall is rock solid like a single cam that you are already used to.
It's quite different and I like it.....Like I said, your old 2 Cam bow this is not.
The cams are modular which can be changed in about 30 seconds without a press.
I'll check the catalog to see what lengths are available on what, and I'll get back to you......yes you will get some eye popping speeds there Gorilla Boy! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Edited by - Matt / PA on 01/18/2002 07:03:00
01-18-2002, 06:07 AM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Westerly RI USA
Posts: 48
RE: Bow Report......BowTech "Pro 38" Dual Cam
The dual cams on the '02 BKII have been smoothed out to take away some of the harshness of the draw cycle from the '01 P38DC. The wall will still be rock solid with a slight valley. The brace height is decreased from 6.8 to 6.5.
01-18-2002, 09:44 AM
#8
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lehigh County PA USA
Posts: 12,157
RE: Bow Report......BowTech "Pro 38" Dual Cam
I guess I should have clarified a "33 or 34" inch "axle to axle length"....<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
ArthurP I am not....<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
ArthurP I am not....<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>