Jennings, Back in the mix?
10-11-2004, 07:11 PM
#1
Boone & Crockett
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lehigh County PA USA
Posts: 12,157
Jennings, Back in the mix?
Just a little teaser for you folks that like to see some of the new 2005 bows as soon as possible. I had the opportunity to pick up an '05 Jennings 3.4R recently. In truth I did not have high expectations as many of their recent offerings in past years have fallen short of what most of the other "pro shop only" bow lines have been offering...both in terms of performance and design.
They have been advertising their new lineup for a few weeks now and the first bows are just starting to show up at dealerships. Having seen the ads in various bowhunting publications I was expecting something with a riser and limbs similar to a Buckmaster G2XL with the exception of the limbs being of solid design. I also did not know what to expect with their new single cam offering.
This last point is exactly why I think Jennings has been falling behind many of the other leaders in the industry. Though the second generation "perimeter weighted style" single cams will always have their place they lack several design characteristics (smooth draw and level nock travel) that some of the more recent third and fourth generation single cams possess.
It is with these thoughts in mind that I setup and proceeded to shoot the new Jennings offering. Without ruining my opportunity for a more comprehensive bow report on this model I will say that the bow does deliver as advertise. No recoil or handshock whatsoever though some vibration in the riser. This was easily remedied with the addition of a Sims modular stabilizer. No limbsavers or leeches and yet the bow was very quiet overall.
Two thumbs up so far and I do believe Jennings finally has a "contender".
The Jennings 3.4 R with the J-Rev single cam and Force Neutralizing Technology (FNT).
- 34 inch axle to axle length
- 7.5 inch brace height
- 4+ pound mass weight
- 305 fps advertised IBO speed rating
They have been advertising their new lineup for a few weeks now and the first bows are just starting to show up at dealerships. Having seen the ads in various bowhunting publications I was expecting something with a riser and limbs similar to a Buckmaster G2XL with the exception of the limbs being of solid design. I also did not know what to expect with their new single cam offering.
This last point is exactly why I think Jennings has been falling behind many of the other leaders in the industry. Though the second generation "perimeter weighted style" single cams will always have their place they lack several design characteristics (smooth draw and level nock travel) that some of the more recent third and fourth generation single cams possess.
It is with these thoughts in mind that I setup and proceeded to shoot the new Jennings offering. Without ruining my opportunity for a more comprehensive bow report on this model I will say that the bow does deliver as advertise. No recoil or handshock whatsoever though some vibration in the riser. This was easily remedied with the addition of a Sims modular stabilizer. No limbsavers or leeches and yet the bow was very quiet overall.
Two thumbs up so far and I do believe Jennings finally has a "contender".
The Jennings 3.4 R with the J-Rev single cam and Force Neutralizing Technology (FNT).
- 34 inch axle to axle length
- 7.5 inch brace height
- 4+ pound mass weight
- 305 fps advertised IBO speed rating
10-11-2004, 07:40 PM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 2,413
RE: Jennings, Back in the mix?
I like the looks, but then I've had a preference for the lighter camo patterns. I also dislike the looks of the parallel limb models out there. The curved limbs are more appealing to my eyes.
I'm looking forward to your bow report.
I'm looking forward to your bow report.
10-11-2004, 08:16 PM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Detroit
Posts: 858
RE: Jennings, Back in the mix?
Hey Frank....did you have any issues with that cable guide roller thingy??
Every bow I've seen from them and FB (about 3
) come through the shop I could NEVER get sufficient feather clearance woth and no way to adjust it that I could find.
Did you get one or just fondle??[8D]
Every bow I've seen from them and FB (about 3
) come through the shop I could NEVER get sufficient feather clearance woth and no way to adjust it that I could find.Did you get one or just fondle??[8D]
10-12-2004, 05:37 AM
#4
Boone & Crockett
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lehigh County PA USA
Posts: 12,157
RE: Jennings, Back in the mix?
Every bow I've seen from them and FB (about 3 ) come through the shop I could NEVER get sufficient feather clearance woth and no way to adjust it that I could find.
Did you get one or just fondle??
As for the swing arm cable guard, the earlier models were not adjustable but more recent versions are. I have not yet adjusted this particular unit from the factory setting and yet it still seems to provide more than adequate clearance.
Straightarrow,
Based on your comments I would think that this bow would be right up your alley. The entire bow design is more of a parallel limb one and yet it still retains much of the traditional bow design as well. More to come when time allows.
10-12-2004, 06:13 AM
#5
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location:
Posts: 312
RE: Jennings, Back in the mix?
The bow looks pretty good, but I wonder about the cable guard. I'm just looking at the picture but it looks like it is hinged and has some lateral force on the hinge. Could this be a week spot in this bow?
Let us know how it shoots. After all that is what matters most.
Good luck with it,
Allen
Let us know how it shoots. After all that is what matters most.
Good luck with it,
Allen
10-12-2004, 07:20 AM
#6
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chenango County, NY
Posts: 224
RE: Jennings, Back in the mix?
AllenRead:
I was worried about the same thing. Hinges like that are great when equal force is applied to it, but when it's all on one side, it looks like it would stress it pretty bad. Seems like the first place to develop squeaks.
Looks like we're moving further away from the KISS theory. (Keep It Simple Stupid!)
But really, let us know how it shoots and holds up! I really like the looks of it!
I was worried about the same thing. Hinges like that are great when equal force is applied to it, but when it's all on one side, it looks like it would stress it pretty bad. Seems like the first place to develop squeaks.
Looks like we're moving further away from the KISS theory. (Keep It Simple Stupid!)
But really, let us know how it shoots and holds up! I really like the looks of it!
10-12-2004, 07:26 AM
#7
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 2,994
RE: Jennings, Back in the mix?
More to come when time allows.
Few quick questions to add to the mix now or when you do a full blown review (fingers crossed) later-
1- Hardware/cams look flashy/shiny. Is it just the pic, or do you think this would be an issue in the woods?
2- Are they using Merlin limbs? Their ad write up sounds similar to Merlin's.
3- How much did it run $ wise?
10-12-2004, 07:41 AM
#8
Boone & Crockett
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lehigh County PA USA
Posts: 12,157
RE: Jennings, Back in the mix?
Lets see if I can address some of these issues. For starters, the cable guard....
Jennings first introduced the design back in '99 or '00. I forget which exactly. They have used them on a variety of bows and the only major issue that I am aware of is problems with fletching clearance on some of the earlier models. I have owned at least three of the swing arm cable guard style bows in the past (Fred Bear TRX/Epic Extreme) and did not experience any problem with the design of the swing arm cable guard itself. In fact, a hunting buddy of mine is still using the original Epic Extreme that I bought back in 2000 without any problems (I just changed the string/cable on it recently).
For those of you unfamiliar with the design it actually rotates towards the centershot of the bow when the bow is at full draw in order to reduce torque on the limbs and damage to the buss cable serving (decreased string angle). It is also positioned almost directly in-line with where the arrow fletching passes by the cable/return string which, again, reduces the string angle and stress on the limbs.
This latest version of it has been beefed up from the original design. However, for those of you that prefer a simple carbon cable guard rod, there is a hole tapped in the riser between the sight mounting holes and the rest mounting hole to allow you to mount one. It was not included as part of the package I purchased but will be available as an after market add-on.
RB,
1. The shiny glare is from the flash of my digital camera. I took the pictures last night and was forced to use the flash in order to get a detailed pic of the bow. The single cam is somewhat "flashy" with its silver and gold styling but I doubt it would be that detrimental in the deer woods.
2. Not to my knowledge. I was told that the limbs are of their own design. They have been using the carbon/glass limbs on several of their other bows for the last two years.
3. I was wondering when somebody was going to ask this one. This is another area where I think Jennings is trying to hang with the "big boys" in that the minimum advertised price is $599. Not as bad as some but worse than others.
Jennings first introduced the design back in '99 or '00. I forget which exactly. They have used them on a variety of bows and the only major issue that I am aware of is problems with fletching clearance on some of the earlier models. I have owned at least three of the swing arm cable guard style bows in the past (Fred Bear TRX/Epic Extreme) and did not experience any problem with the design of the swing arm cable guard itself. In fact, a hunting buddy of mine is still using the original Epic Extreme that I bought back in 2000 without any problems (I just changed the string/cable on it recently).
For those of you unfamiliar with the design it actually rotates towards the centershot of the bow when the bow is at full draw in order to reduce torque on the limbs and damage to the buss cable serving (decreased string angle). It is also positioned almost directly in-line with where the arrow fletching passes by the cable/return string which, again, reduces the string angle and stress on the limbs.
This latest version of it has been beefed up from the original design. However, for those of you that prefer a simple carbon cable guard rod, there is a hole tapped in the riser between the sight mounting holes and the rest mounting hole to allow you to mount one. It was not included as part of the package I purchased but will be available as an after market add-on.
RB,
1. The shiny glare is from the flash of my digital camera. I took the pictures last night and was forced to use the flash in order to get a detailed pic of the bow. The single cam is somewhat "flashy" with its silver and gold styling but I doubt it would be that detrimental in the deer woods.
2. Not to my knowledge. I was told that the limbs are of their own design. They have been using the carbon/glass limbs on several of their other bows for the last two years.
3. I was wondering when somebody was going to ask this one.
This is another area where I think Jennings is trying to hang with the "big boys" in that the minimum advertised price is $599. Not as bad as some but worse than others.
10-12-2004, 08:46 AM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Eastern PA USA
Posts: 1,398
RE: Jennings, Back in the mix?
Looks like a nice bow, Frank.
Good to see you back in the bow review saddle again, especially during Archery season. Thanks for taking the time.
As far as the swing arm cable guard, I had quite a bit of trouble with the one that came with my '97 Speedstar XLR, but no trouble at all with the one on the newer 2002 Golden Eagle. The adjustment is easy, and the hinge is rugged and solid. Nice not to have any concern about letting a bow down, but with a manageable draw weight, that is not really a problem anyway.
Good to see you back in the bow review saddle again, especially during Archery season. Thanks for taking the time.
As far as the swing arm cable guard, I had quite a bit of trouble with the one that came with my '97 Speedstar XLR, but no trouble at all with the one on the newer 2002 Golden Eagle. The adjustment is easy, and the hinge is rugged and solid. Nice not to have any concern about letting a bow down, but with a manageable draw weight, that is not really a problem anyway.
10-12-2004, 09:48 AM
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Heaven IA USA
Posts: 2,597
RE: Jennings, Back in the mix?
Some time ago when their ads started to appear for this bow I raised the question of Jennings finally scoring a hit (with me) after years of what I felt was inferior products since I bought their Carbon Extreme XLRS back in 1993.
I will anxiously await your review. This bow certainly is appealing to my eye. I will be interested to see the accuracy of their draw length in relation to the advertised IBO speed of 305. Quiet and shockfree you say, very interesting.
I will anxiously await your review. This bow certainly is appealing to my eye. I will be interested to see the accuracy of their draw length in relation to the advertised IBO speed of 305. Quiet and shockfree you say, very interesting.