PABowhntr

Well, I meandered down to one of the local pro shops today to take a look at a few bows...some Martins, a Mathews or two, some High Country's and a Bowtech. I don't usually get to look at these brands since my favorite shop does not carry them.

Well, I did look at all of them but I will be honest in saying that I really just wanted to check out a Bowtech bow.....just to get my hands on one and see what all the "hub-bub" is about.

Guess which one they had in stock?

The Pro 38 single cam. I thought that would make Matt happy...<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

I can see why you are so fond of it Matt.

I really took a hard look at the bow. The fit and finish looked really good...the camo looked top rate. All of the components seemed to be solidly put together...from the cams and bushings to the limbs seating in the limb pockets.

So I drew it back....woooooooeeee Neelllllly! That is a stiff draw! <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>....but, not as bad as I thought it was going to be and not nearly as bad as some of the older style dual &quot;hatchet&quot; cams that were popular before Mathews came out with the perimeter weighted single cams.

I will give Jeff credit though...that is a solid back wall. I don't think it was that much better than the Hoyt Versacam's draw stop but it definitely lets you know that you &quot;ain't&quot; going back any further.

A PSE lightning cam draw stop this is not! If I remember correctly the actual draw stop is thicker than what I am currently accustomed to.

I really liked the stainless steel stabilizer insert on both sides of the riser.

Here is what I didn't like...or rather I should say, here is what I found significantly different from what I am currently shooting....

...Bare bow...this puppy is heavy. Not ridiculously so...like some of the older model XI's that I have owned but it is heavier than the current &quot;fad&quot;. It is &quot;doable&quot; though in my opinion.

Second....I can see why you guys aren't too happy with the grips. The throat of the grip doesn't seem too bad and the overall wood piece is smooth but the heel seems alot thicker than what I am accustomed to and the actual front of the grip, the exposed riser, seems to stick forward farther than what I have been shooting in recent months.

I didn't get to shoot it so you won't hear me comment about that for now.

But, the new 2002 stock is supposed to be in within a week. I am going to look at as much of the full lineup as I can.

One question...which cam should I go with? The Post Feed or the Infinity? Is there any difference in feel or performance? I love to tinker so the Infinity is looking attractive but I also like simplicity.

The guy at the shop explained that he does not charge extra for the infinity cam sooo....

Thanks ahead of time for the responses guys...

Edited by - PABowhntr on 02/16/2002 14:01:36

Matt / PA

Frank,
Am I to assume that the &quot;Pro38&quot; that you played with is a 2001 model?
If so.......wait for a 2002! The new &quot;Pro&quot; risers are sooooo much nicer than the 2001 version.
Slimmed down a bit, better lines and just plain nicer to look at.(I wish my bow had the new riser)
The 2002 &quot;Feels&quot; lighter to me also.....I think they lowered the grip height a bit for a different balance. I can't be sure, but that's what it felt like.

I figured one thing right away you'd take exception to is the grip......it's a little chubby in the heel, but I don't feel that it forces itself back into the hand at all........I HATED the Mathews original grip! It's not quite like that as the Mathews was narrower in the throat and really stuck you in the palm.
Coming from those Hoyt grips I can see where you'd notice it right away.......If you shoot a med to med high wrist you won't even notice it after a little while.
And by the way......which ever one you order, get the &quot;Timber&quot; grip they offer......it's pretty sweet looking.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

As for cams?......if you aren't going to get a 2002 BKII (which did I remind you would shoot near 350fps with a 31&quot; draw?)<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
Then it's a toss up between the Infinity and Orig. Post Feed cam.......the Infinity gives you adjustment of let-off I think to basically ZERO, and a small draw length adjustment of 1/4&quot; or so.......TO me, I wouldn't probably even use it, so it's a waste.
Both cams are the same performace wise unless you lower the let-off a bit, in which case you should pick up a little speed.
IF you must play......get the Infinity cam.

You're gonna really like the 2002's!!!! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Keep us posted......

PABowhntr

Matt,

Thank you for the quick reply. I do believe it was a 2001 model...since none of the 2002s that he ordered have arrived yet.

I think it will basically come down to the Pro38 (which didn't feel as lllooonnnggg as I thought it would) the Extreme Solo and the Patriot.

I am not going to go the BK2 route as I am still quite fond of single cams.

I am not ordering anything. Whichever one I like next week I am walking out the door with. They have all the modules there (I asked) to fit my needs.

So it is just a matter of time.....<img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

Matt / PA

I'm going to make a prediction right now......<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

2002 &quot;Pro 38&quot;

You'll love the Patriot plain and simple, but you'll be too resentful of the 30&quot; draw deal to buy one ( By the way.....I measured my 2001 Mighty Mite and my Pro38....the Mighty Mite actually came in a hair under 30&quot; and the Pro38 about 1/8&quot; over. Measure them yourself....don't take a blanket statement like they are all over by 1/2&quot; for gospel because they are NOT.)
I believe A few of Pat's (BTS) actually came in a bit under as well.....I don't know of any 2001's that are 1/2&quot; over. None that I've seen anyway, and I'd tell you if I did.

You'll like the Extreme Solo, but you'll fall in love with the way the &quot;PRo38&quot; feels at the shot, how stable and smooth it is.....and you are right it isn't as long as you were picturing. In fact the 2002's actually are 1/2&quot; shorter ATA than 2001 at a little over 37&quot;.
You're just really gonna Dig the 2002 version.

But draw and shoot the BKII......it doesn't feel like a dual cam. You'll see! It has the same exact rock solid wall you felt on the single cam version, and I think it draws smoother. It's gonna surprise the bejesus out of you so don't dismiss it already!
......BUT if that's the way it has to be.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

I feel like that Annoying Dell computer kid......
&quot;Dude.....you're gettin' a BowTech!&quot;<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Sagittarius

Matt,

I believe you're right with your prediction about Frank not getting the Patriot.
I have a 31&quot; draw and can't bear the thought of making do with a 30&quot; draw. If I got a Bowtech, it would probably be the Pro 38 or Generation 3.2 just to be different. I read, the G.3.2 is supposed to be smoother than the others but haven't seen one.
Going to a show tomorrow and hope to see some new 2002 Bowtechs
there.


Sag.

JeffB

Frank,

If your dealer does not charge extra for I-cam then you best go for it. If you wish to really fine tune the draw length and valley that's the only way to go. And if you like something else beside 75% then the Infinity is the ONLY way to do it (the Standard PF cam is not offered w/ 65% modules anymore..).

Perhpas at your draw length the V-cams wall is tighter, but at my draw length the diff between the I- and V cams are like night & day.

The reason that the PRO-38 feels shorter is because it uses those itty bitty 13&quot; limbs on the long riser.

I have a chance to get a 2001 PRO-38 as well w/ I-cam at a discounted price, and I'm seriously considering it (to go along w/ a Pat or G3.2).

EDIT: At my draw lengths the drop into the valley on the I-cam is not as abrupt as the standard PF cam, even when letoff is the same. Perhaps it feels different for all those knuckle draggers, but at 28 to 29&quot; the I-cam is a touch nicer at the end of the FDC.

To me the I-cam option is a no-brainer..it sacrifices nothing in performance, has a better wall, and is adjustable.

JeffB

Edited by - JeffB on 02/16/2002 17:07:00

PABowhntr

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Measure them yourself....don't take a blanket statement like they are all over by 1/2&quot; for gospel because they are NOT.)
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

Hmmmm, how did Matt know that I asked the pro shop guy about the Bowtechs generally being over their advertised draw lengths???? Do you have some sort of strange connection with every Bowtech dealer in Pennsylvania Matt??? <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>...Quick, tell me which one I went to! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

Trust me...I don't believe anything unless I check it for myself. I am going to be taking my own measurements once the bows arrive.

But, if you guys want to get a proverbial &quot;pool&quot; going to see which bow I end up with then, by all means, go for it.

Matt's bet is on the Pro38.....Sag thinks the same thing....What about you Jeff? Which one do you think it will be? Anybody else?

The real question should be whether or not Sag. is going to buy a Patriot if I find that they are actually over their 30 inch advertised draw length...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

Edited by - PABowhntr on 02/16/2002 17:32:18

bigcountry25

Frank,
I have a Pro38 Dual cam and I love the darn thing! I have been shooting it Quite a bit the past few days and once I got the rattle out of the ZE rest I am more than please. I was having a little trouble with the very short valley at first because I ease into my anchor on my reflex xpress solo cam but this is my first dual cam bow and that might have been the reason. And you are right the Pro38 it a little heavier, I like a bow that is over 4lbs the extra weight just feels more stable to me. I went to the little bow shop up town today(which I have been tring to get them to carry Bowtech just can't talk them in to it yet<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> and their Hoyt rep was there friday and they asked him who he thought the was going to be the next big player in the bow industry and guess who he said, Bowtech. That might be the pust I need to get them to carry them. Lets hope so

BowTech_Shooter

Sag, There are no BowTech's at the show in Louisville. My shop owner is down there right now dealing some art work at the show and he said just PSE and Parker were there. He said he'll take his BowTech's next year because he said it's a real good show. If you see a fellow at an art work booth with the name Jason on his badge tell him you talked to me on the net or something along that line.

Frank, I'd say if your dealer doesn't charge extra for the Infinity cam get it. Both cams have a very solid wall but the Infinity has adjustable let off. Kinda nice to play with a little. They did make a few changes to the risers for 2002. Grip position lowered about a 1/2&quot; and like Matt said the cut outs are beveled for a better look and lighten it up a bit. I shot a 2000 Extreme Solo for 3-D 2 years ago and I had to add weight to the bow because it was too light to hold it steady and my Pro 38's hold steadier with less weight added. Try shooting the bow W/O a grip bare riser sometime (you need a little longer draw anyway) I think you'll like the feel of it.

razorhunter

Uh-Oh, looks like Bowtech is trying to reel in another victim Frank!
Seriously, they are nice bows, and probably what I would shoot if I wasn't satisfied with Hoyt. I wish I had a dealer in the area where I could shoot one.