COMPOUND BOW DRAW WEIGHT CHART That’s what the compound bow draw weight chart below is for. Simply locate your body type in the left-hand column and you’ll see what draw weight we’d recommend for you as a beginner. Body Type. Suggested Draw Weight. Small child (40 to 70 lbs.) 10-15 lbs. Child (70 to 100 lbs.) 15-20 lbs. Women and large-framed boys (100 to 140

lbs.)

COMPOUND BOW GLOSSARY The wall is a term used to express the point wherein your compound bow is “fully” drawn. When shooting your bow, you will go through a draw cycle, which can be explained as follows: You first draw the string, and your muscles’ energy is stored within the limbs. The energy required to draw the bow will ramp up slowly, until it reaches

the

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR DRAW LENGTH FOR A COMPOUND BOWSEE MORE ON BESTCOMPOUNDBOWSOURCE.COM DETERMINING THE REAL SPEED (FPS) OF A COMPOUND BOW 17 + 20 + 22 + 5 + 3 = 67 FPS that have been lost. This means that the actual FPS of your bow will be 320 – 67 = 253 FPS. Of course, things don’t need to be that bad. If you are using a 70 lbs. draw weight, your compound bow would have a 270 FPS. And if your draw length is indeed 30″ (as it is during IBO testing), this number would be HOW TO CHOOSE ARROWS FOR A COMPOUND BOW Step #2: Choose Arrow Length. With older compound bows, choosing the proper length of your arrows was a somewhat complicated process. Thanks to advances in technology and improvements in design, things have become much easier. You simple take your draw length and add 0.5″ up to a maximum 1″ to determine appropriate arrow length. CALCULATING COMPOUND BOW KINETIC ENERGY (KE) Step one: (400) x (240) x (240) / 450240. The above results in: 23040000 / 450240. Which finally gives us: 51.17. This means that the Kinetic Energy of a 400 grain arrow, shot from your specific bow using our example’s specific settings (50 lbs. and 28″ draw) will result in 51.17 ft-lbs of kinetic energy.

PSE BRUTE X REVIEW

The Bow’s Draw Cycle. The PSE Brute X has a relatively narrow valley, though it’s still wide enough that you can get used to it pretty quickly. The wall is very solid and easy to hold the arrow against. This compound bow is exceptionally smooth to draw, though this of course comes at the cost of sacrificing the limbs’ energy storing capabilities. BEAR ARCHERY ATTITUDE REVIEW (IN-FIELD) The Bear Attitude is an excellent choice for experienced archers who are looking for a shorter compound bow for use when hunting from a tree stand or ground blind. Also, its relatively light weight makes it easy to carry but, its short length is not well suited for target shooting. On the other hand, its moderate cam design gives it a smooth BEAR ARCHERY ENCOUNTER REVIEW Welcome to our Bear Archery Encounter review. This compound bow was, in my mind, designed for beginner archers who are savvy enough to look for the best bang for their buck. It’s really a perfect introductory package that will work well regardless of your goals (hunting/target practice), and regardless of your size and draw length. PSE X-FORCE DRIVE REVIEW The X-Force Drive cam system is without a doubt the best one ever designed by PSE. The posi-lock inner cam allows for an awesome 6.5 inches of draw length adjustment, between 26″ and 31.5″ in 0.5″ steps. The roll-over has very gentle action and includes vibration dampeners as well, which not many other compound bows have. COMPOUND BOW DRAW WEIGHT CHART That’s what the compound bow draw weight chart below is for. Simply locate your body type in the left-hand column and you’ll see what draw weight we’d recommend for you as a beginner. Body Type. Suggested Draw Weight. Small child (40 to 70 lbs.) 10-15 lbs. Child (70 to 100 lbs.) 15-20 lbs. Women and large-framed boys (100 to 140

lbs.)

COMPOUND BOW GLOSSARY The wall is a term used to express the point wherein your compound bow is “fully” drawn. When shooting your bow, you will go through a draw cycle, which can be explained as follows: You first draw the string, and your muscles’ energy is stored within the limbs. The energy required to draw the bow will ramp up slowly, until it reaches

the

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR DRAW LENGTH FOR A COMPOUND BOWSEE MORE ON BESTCOMPOUNDBOWSOURCE.COM DETERMINING THE REAL SPEED (FPS) OF A COMPOUND BOW 17 + 20 + 22 + 5 + 3 = 67 FPS that have been lost. This means that the actual FPS of your bow will be 320 – 67 = 253 FPS. Of course, things don’t need to be that bad. If you are using a 70 lbs. draw weight, your compound bow would have a 270 FPS. And if your draw length is indeed 30″ (as it is during IBO testing), this number would be HOW TO CHOOSE ARROWS FOR A COMPOUND BOW Step #2: Choose Arrow Length. With older compound bows, choosing the proper length of your arrows was a somewhat complicated process. Thanks to advances in technology and improvements in design, things have become much easier. You simple take your draw length and add 0.5″ up to a maximum 1″ to determine appropriate arrow length. CALCULATING COMPOUND BOW KINETIC ENERGY (KE) Step one: (400) x (240) x (240) / 450240. The above results in: 23040000 / 450240. Which finally gives us: 51.17. This means that the Kinetic Energy of a 400 grain arrow, shot from your specific bow using our example’s specific settings (50 lbs. and 28″ draw) will result in 51.17 ft-lbs of kinetic energy.

PSE BRUTE X REVIEW

The Bow’s Draw Cycle. The PSE Brute X has a relatively narrow valley, though it’s still wide enough that you can get used to it pretty quickly. The wall is very solid and easy to hold the arrow against. This compound bow is exceptionally smooth to draw, though this of course comes at the cost of sacrificing the limbs’ energy storing capabilities. BEAR ARCHERY ATTITUDE REVIEW (IN-FIELD) The Bear Attitude is an excellent choice for experienced archers who are looking for a shorter compound bow for use when hunting from a tree stand or ground blind. Also, its relatively light weight makes it easy to carry but, its short length is not well suited for target shooting. On the other hand, its moderate cam design gives it a smooth BEAR ARCHERY ENCOUNTER REVIEW Welcome to our Bear Archery Encounter review. This compound bow was, in my mind, designed for beginner archers who are savvy enough to look for the best bang for their buck. It’s really a perfect introductory package that will work well regardless of your goals (hunting/target practice), and regardless of your size and draw length. PSE X-FORCE DRIVE REVIEW The X-Force Drive cam system is without a doubt the best one ever designed by PSE. The posi-lock inner cam allows for an awesome 6.5 inches of draw length adjustment, between 26″ and 31.5″ in 0.5″ steps. The roll-over has very gentle action and includes vibration dampeners as well, which not many other compound bows have. BEST COMPOUND BOW FOR THE MONEY This will likely be a bow with 340+ FPS, the latest dampening technology and grip design, custom-designed strings, pivoting pockets, and all the other bells and whistles. If you have some money but would rather not break the bank, go for a compound in the $350-$450 price

range.

COMPOUND BOW DRAW WEIGHT CHART That’s what the compound bow draw weight chart below is for. Simply locate your body type in the left-hand column and you’ll see what draw weight we’d recommend for you as a beginner. Body Type. Suggested Draw Weight. Small child (40 to 70 lbs.) 10-15 lbs. Child (70 to 100 lbs.) 15-20 lbs. Women and large-framed boys (100 to 140

lbs.)

BEST BEGINNER COMPOUND BOW FOR THE MONEY Finding the best compound bow for a beginner archer is easier than you think if you know what to look for, that is. Below is a side-by-side comparison of the finest entry level CB’s, covering a wide range of different archery technologies and specs. COMPOUND BOW GLOSSARY The wall is a term used to express the point wherein your compound bow is “fully” drawn. When shooting your bow, you will go through a draw cycle, which can be explained as follows: You first draw the string, and your muscles’ energy is stored within the limbs. The energy required to draw the bow will ramp up slowly, until it reaches

the

CALCULATING COMPOUND BOW KINETIC ENERGY (KE) Step one: (400) x (240) x (240) / 450240. The above results in: 23040000 / 450240. Which finally gives us: 51.17. This means that the Kinetic Energy of a 400 grain arrow, shot from your specific bow using our example’s specific settings (50 lbs. and 28″ draw) will result in 51.17 ft-lbs of kinetic energy. BEAR ARCHERY APPRENTICE 2 REVIEW The Bear Archery Apprentice 2 At a Glance Welcome to our Bear Archery Apprentice 2 review. This is a perfect compound bow for children, youth, females, and males with a smaller frame (5’6″ and below). Draw length and draw weight can be very easily adjusted across a DIAMOND INFINITE EDGE REVIEW The Diamond Infinite Edge At a Glance. Welcome to our Diamond Infinite Edge review. Diamond bows are made by Bowtech, one of the finest compound bow manufacturers in the world. If you’re looking for a compound bow for a kid, youth or female who’s just getting into archery, you’ve just found it. BEAR AUTHORITY REVIEW Using the Bear Authority For Hunting. This compound bow has everything a hunter could ask for. The ATA length is a mere 31”, making it small and maneuverable in the field, and it weighs a mere 4 pounds. It’s also very quiet, especially with all of the included accessories installed, and it is very well-balanced for carry, hold,

and aim.

DARTON DS-3800 REVIEW With an axle-to-axle length of almost 34 inches and a mildly reflexed riser combined with the smooth draw cycle, wide valley, and dampened shooting characteristics, the Darton DS-3800 is a very smooth and forgiving bow to shoot. However, with an IBO speed of 345 fps to 350 fps, it is perfectly at home both on the target range and in the

field.

HOYT CARBON SPYDER ZT 34 REVIEW The Hoyt Carbon Spyder ZT 34 at a Glance. Welcome to our Hoyt Carbon Spyder ZT 34 bow review. This bow is one of Hoyt’s top end bows and thus it features Hoyt’s most advanced technology such as the strongest, lightest, and quietest carbon riser they have ever made, a Pro-Fit custom wood grip, a Zero Torque roller cable guard, parallel, XTS Pro Arc Limbs with Pro-Lock limb pockets, Hoyt’s COMPOUND BOW DRAW WEIGHT CHART That’s what the compound bow draw weight chart below is for. Simply locate your body type in the left-hand column and you’ll see what draw weight we’d recommend for you as a beginner. Body Type. Suggested Draw Weight. Small child (40 to 70 lbs.) 10-15 lbs. Child (70 to 100 lbs.) 15-20 lbs. Women and large-framed boys (100 to 140

lbs.)

COMPOUND BOW GLOSSARY The wall is a term used to express the point wherein your compound bow is “fully” drawn. When shooting your bow, you will go through a draw cycle, which can be explained as follows: You first draw the string, and your muscles’ energy is stored within the limbs. The energy required to draw the bow will ramp up slowly, until it reaches

the

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR DRAW LENGTH FOR A COMPOUND BOWSEE MORE ON BESTCOMPOUNDBOWSOURCE.COM DETERMINING THE REAL SPEED (FPS) OF A COMPOUND BOW 17 + 20 + 22 + 5 + 3 = 67 FPS that have been lost. This means that the actual FPS of your bow will be 320 – 67 = 253 FPS. Of course, things don’t need to be that bad. If you are using a 70 lbs. draw weight, your compound bow would have a 270 FPS. And if your draw length is indeed 30″ (as it is during IBO testing), this number would be HOW TO CHOOSE ARROWS FOR A COMPOUND BOW Step #2: Choose Arrow Length. With older compound bows, choosing the proper length of your arrows was a somewhat complicated process. Thanks to advances in technology and improvements in design, things have become much easier. You simple take your draw length and add 0.5″ up to a maximum 1″ to determine appropriate arrow length. CALCULATING COMPOUND BOW KINETIC ENERGY (KE) Step one: (400) x (240) x (240) / 450240. The above results in: 23040000 / 450240. Which finally gives us: 51.17. This means that the Kinetic Energy of a 400 grain arrow, shot from your specific bow using our example’s specific settings (50 lbs. and 28″ draw) will result in 51.17 ft-lbs of kinetic energy.

PSE BRUTE X REVIEW

The Bow’s Draw Cycle. The PSE Brute X has a relatively narrow valley, though it’s still wide enough that you can get used to it pretty quickly. The wall is very solid and easy to hold the arrow against. This compound bow is exceptionally smooth to draw, though this of course comes at the cost of sacrificing the limbs’ energy storing capabilities. BEAR ARCHERY ATTITUDE REVIEW (IN-FIELD) The Bear Attitude is an excellent choice for experienced archers who are looking for a shorter compound bow for use when hunting from a tree stand or ground blind. Also, its relatively light weight makes it easy to carry but, its short length is not well suited for target shooting. On the other hand, its moderate cam design gives it a smooth BEAR ARCHERY ENCOUNTER REVIEW Welcome to our Bear Archery Encounter review. This compound bow was, in my mind, designed for beginner archers who are savvy enough to look for the best bang for their buck. It’s really a perfect introductory package that will work well regardless of your goals (hunting/target practice), and regardless of your size and draw length. PSE X-FORCE DRIVE REVIEW The X-Force Drive cam system is without a doubt the best one ever designed by PSE. The posi-lock inner cam allows for an awesome 6.5 inches of draw length adjustment, between 26″ and 31.5″ in 0.5″ steps. The roll-over has very gentle action and includes vibration dampeners as well, which not many other compound bows have. COMPOUND BOW DRAW WEIGHT CHART That’s what the compound bow draw weight chart below is for. Simply locate your body type in the left-hand column and you’ll see what draw weight we’d recommend for you as a beginner. Body Type. Suggested Draw Weight. Small child (40 to 70 lbs.) 10-15 lbs. Child (70 to 100 lbs.) 15-20 lbs. Women and large-framed boys (100 to 140

lbs.)

COMPOUND BOW GLOSSARY The wall is a term used to express the point wherein your compound bow is “fully” drawn. When shooting your bow, you will go through a draw cycle, which can be explained as follows: You first draw the string, and your muscles’ energy is stored within the limbs. The energy required to draw the bow will ramp up slowly, until it reaches

the

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR DRAW LENGTH FOR A COMPOUND BOWSEE MORE ON BESTCOMPOUNDBOWSOURCE.COM DETERMINING THE REAL SPEED (FPS) OF A COMPOUND BOW 17 + 20 + 22 + 5 + 3 = 67 FPS that have been lost. This means that the actual FPS of your bow will be 320 – 67 = 253 FPS. Of course, things don’t need to be that bad. If you are using a 70 lbs. draw weight, your compound bow would have a 270 FPS. And if your draw length is indeed 30″ (as it is during IBO testing), this number would be HOW TO CHOOSE ARROWS FOR A COMPOUND BOW Step #2: Choose Arrow Length. With older compound bows, choosing the proper length of your arrows was a somewhat complicated process. Thanks to advances in technology and improvements in design, things have become much easier. You simple take your draw length and add 0.5″ up to a maximum 1″ to determine appropriate arrow length. CALCULATING COMPOUND BOW KINETIC ENERGY (KE) Step one: (400) x (240) x (240) / 450240. The above results in: 23040000 / 450240. Which finally gives us: 51.17. This means that the Kinetic Energy of a 400 grain arrow, shot from your specific bow using our example’s specific settings (50 lbs. and 28″ draw) will result in 51.17 ft-lbs of kinetic energy.

PSE BRUTE X REVIEW

The Bow’s Draw Cycle. The PSE Brute X has a relatively narrow valley, though it’s still wide enough that you can get used to it pretty quickly. The wall is very solid and easy to hold the arrow against. This compound bow is exceptionally smooth to draw, though this of course comes at the cost of sacrificing the limbs’ energy storing capabilities. BEAR ARCHERY ATTITUDE REVIEW (IN-FIELD) The Bear Attitude is an excellent choice for experienced archers who are looking for a shorter compound bow for use when hunting from a tree stand or ground blind. Also, its relatively light weight makes it easy to carry but, its short length is not well suited for target shooting. On the other hand, its moderate cam design gives it a smooth BEAR ARCHERY ENCOUNTER REVIEW Welcome to our Bear Archery Encounter review. This compound bow was, in my mind, designed for beginner archers who are savvy enough to look for the best bang for their buck. It’s really a perfect introductory package that will work well regardless of your goals (hunting/target practice), and regardless of your size and draw length. PSE X-FORCE DRIVE REVIEW The X-Force Drive cam system is without a doubt the best one ever designed by PSE. The posi-lock inner cam allows for an awesome 6.5 inches of draw length adjustment, between 26″ and 31.5″ in 0.5″ steps. The roll-over has very gentle action and includes vibration dampeners as well, which not many other compound bows have. BEST COMPOUND BOW FOR THE MONEY This will likely be a bow with 340+ FPS, the latest dampening technology and grip design, custom-designed strings, pivoting pockets, and all the other bells and whistles. If you have some money but would rather not break the bank, go for a compound in the $350-$450 price

range.

COMPOUND BOW GLOSSARY The wall is a term used to express the point wherein your compound bow is “fully” drawn. When shooting your bow, you will go through a draw cycle, which can be explained as follows: You first draw the string, and your muscles’ energy is stored within the limbs. The energy required to draw the bow will ramp up slowly, until it reaches

the

CALCULATING COMPOUND BOW KINETIC ENERGY (KE) Step one: (400) x (240) x (240) / 450240. The above results in: 23040000 / 450240. Which finally gives us: 51.17. This means that the Kinetic Energy of a 400 grain arrow, shot from your specific bow using our example’s specific settings (50 lbs. and 28″ draw) will result in 51.17 ft-lbs of kinetic energy. HOW TO CHOOSE ARROWS FOR A COMPOUND BOW Step #2: Choose Arrow Length. With older compound bows, choosing the proper length of your arrows was a somewhat complicated process. Thanks to advances in technology and improvements in design, things have become much easier. You simple take your draw length and add 0.5″ up to a maximum 1″ to determine appropriate arrow length. BEST BEGINNER COMPOUND BOW FOR THE MONEY Finding the best compound bow for a beginner archer is easier than you think if you know what to look for, that is. Below is a side-by-side comparison of the finest entry level CB’s, covering a wide range of different archery technologies and specs. DIAMOND INFINITE EDGE REVIEW The Diamond Infinite Edge At a Glance. Welcome to our Diamond Infinite Edge review. Diamond bows are made by Bowtech, one of the finest compound bow manufacturers in the world. If you’re looking for a compound bow for a kid, youth or female who’s just getting into archery, you’ve just found it. BEAR ARCHERY APPRENTICE 2 REVIEW The Bear Archery Apprentice 2 At a Glance Welcome to our Bear Archery Apprentice 2 review. This is a perfect compound bow for children, youth, females, and males with a smaller frame (5’6″ and below). Draw length and draw weight can be very easily adjusted across a BEAR AUTHORITY REVIEW Using the Bear Authority For Hunting. This compound bow has everything a hunter could ask for. The ATA length is a mere 31”, making it small and maneuverable in the field, and it weighs a mere 4 pounds. It’s also very quiet, especially with all of the included accessories installed, and it is very well-balanced for carry, hold,

and aim.

BEAR ARCHERY MOTIVE 6 REVIEW Shooting Speed. The Bear Motive 6 is one of the few compound bows that live up to their IBO speed promise. In most other compounds the advertised speed is slightly inflated (typically by around 8-10 FPS), but we’ve found it to be almost dead-on on for the Motive 6, getting

extremely close to

DARTON DS-3800 REVIEW With an axle-to-axle length of almost 34 inches and a mildly reflexed riser combined with the smooth draw cycle, wide valley, and dampened shooting characteristics, the Darton DS-3800 is a very smooth and forgiving bow to shoot. However, with an IBO speed of 345 fps to 350 fps, it is perfectly at home both on the target range and in the

field.

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BEST COMPOUND BOW REVIEWS & RATINGS Welcome to the best compound bow reviews and how-to guides. Before you buy a bow, understand that there is no “perfect” or “best” compound. Depending on the archer, different characteristics of a bow will be more appealing than others. The majority of beginner shooters want a bow that is light-weigh, super powerful, smooth to draw, relatively small, shock-proof, easy to tune, quiet, and with very high let-off. And of course – it must be cheap, too! There is no such thing, and even the best compound bow for the money won’t meet all of these criteria. In the real world, you need to sacrifice one thing

to gain another.

The above is why we’ve created this guide. The compound bow side-by-side comparison chart below will help you find the best compound bow for your needs. With the help of our compound bow reviews, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the model in question. You’ll learn how fast it shoots, how forgiving of human error it is, how the limbs behave and whether they are parallel or not, how the bow performs and shoots, and so much more. And if you’re into other types of archery, please head over to Archery Choice for some excellent resources. TOP 5 BEST COMPOUND BOWS FOR THE MONEY

Compound Bow

Draw Weight

Draw Length

IBO Speed

Let-off

AtA Length / Weight

13 Diamond Infinite Edge See Today's Price on Cabelas 5 - 70 lbs. (adjustable)

13 - 30"

310 FPS

75%

31" / 3.1 lbs.

Our Review

Bear Archery Cruzer

See Today's Price on Cabelas

5 - 70 lbs.

12" - 30"

310 FPS

75%

32" / 3.6 lbs.

Our Review

PSE Brute Force

See Today's Price on Cabelas

40, 50, 60, 70 lbs.

25" - 31"

332 FPS

80%

31.25" / 4.3 lbs.

Review soon!

Cabelas Credence

See Today's Price on Cabelas

50-70 lbs.

15" - 27"

325 FPS

80%

32" / 3.5 lbs.

Review soon!

Quest Radical Realtree See Today's Price on Cabelas

15-70 lbs.

7.5" - 30"

295 FPS

75%

29.25" / 3.2 lbs.

Review soon!

HOW WERE THESE BEST COMPOUND BOW REVIEWS PREPARED? Understand that every compound bow manufacturer wants you to believe their product is special. Anytime you read an official description of a compound, you’ll get the feeling it’s the fastest, lightest, most accurate and quietest bow on the planet. Realize that you are only told what you want to hear. For instance, even the best compound bow can’t be both easy to draw AND powerful-shooting. This stems from basic laws of physics: energy can only be converted from one form to another, but it can’t be produced from nothing. A compound bow simply stores the energy you apply with your muscles, and then transfers that energy through the limbs and to the arrow. In other words, the power of a bow is directly related to how much effort is required to pull the string. If you want a bow that shoots fast, your muscles will need to provide it with enough energy to do so. It’s therefor not possible to have a powerful compound with a light draw weight, and no fancy compound bow technology, advanced cams, parallel limbs or super-duper laser-crafted carbon risers can change that. A compound bow is in fact very simple in construction. It’s not a technological marvel, and there are no micro chips or electronic circuits involved that could produce magical

results.

The above only scratches the surface. My reasons for mentioning this are to explain how we went about choosing these particular compound bows as the best in the field, and why we decided to post these specific compound bow reviews, rather than review any of the other hundreds of models available. WE MADE SURE TO INCLUDE A WIDE VARIETY OF DIFFERENT COMPOUND BOWS, MADE BY THE TOP MANUFACTURERS IN THE INDUSTRY. All of the models listed here have been tried and tested. None of them are perfect though. However, each of them performs exceptionally well in a particular department, and that’s what you’ll learn by reading our compound bow reviews. Our goal is to provide you with quality-variety- it’s up to you to determine what characteristics are of value to you, with our help of course. DON’T BE FOOLED BY THE NAME OR DESIGN OF A COMPOUND Most compound bows are given really fancy names, such as the Legion, Motive, Drive, Pantera, X-Force, Stinger, and much more. These names, combined with vivid manufacturer descriptions of how awesome the bow is, can easily mislead you into believing that the model in question has some special powers. As mentioned earlier, a compound bow is a very simple, almost primitive weapon – despite the fancy words used to describe them. It’s therefore important that you understand what it is that makes a compound great, and what features to look for, and

why.

HOW CHOOSE THE BEST COMPOUND BOW? Here are some things to keep in mind: DRAW WEIGHT EQUALS POWER. A 50 lbs. compound bow might perform a little better than another, similarly designed 50 lbs. compound. The difference will however be miniscule. A bow is only capable of accelerating a projectile by releasing the energy stored in the limbs, and that energy is transferred to the limbs from your muscles. WIth that said, compound bows have the advantage of let-off, which makes drawing weights as high as 70 lbs. relatively easy compared to, say, a recurve bow or a long bow. 70 lbs. is of course a ton of power – enough to take down the toughest game on even an Africa hunting

safari.

although you might need to get quite close to your target for the shot to matter (make sure to follow your guides instructions and do NOT get any closer than advised). PARALLEL LIMBS ARE IDEAL. In the older compound bows with close-to-vertical limbs, releasing the string resulted in the limbs accelerating forward. Some of this energy inevitably gets transferred to the riser, resulting in significant hand-schock. In newer, quality compounds, the limbs are almost parallel to each other when the bow is at full draw. When the string is released, the upper limb accelerates upwards, while the lower limb accelerates downwards, and the two forces almost cancel each other out. As a result, no excess energy is transferred to the riser, and hand-shock is pretty much non-existent. THE POWER OF A COMPOUND BOW is determined by three elements: the draw weight, the weight of the arrow, the brace height, and the draw length. If you were to take two compound bows with the exact same draw weight, and shoot arrows of the exact same weight, the bow where the string needs to travel furthest before it reaches full draw will be more powerful. Here’s an example: * You have two compound bows – both @ 60 lbs. draw weight. * Both bows have a draw length of 29″. * Both bows are used to shoot 400 grain arrows. * One of the bows has a brace height of 6″, while the other 7″. The bow with the 6″ brace height will be more powerful and will accelerate the arrow with more FPS. That’s because in the first bow, the string will need to travel 29″ minus 6″ = 23″ before it reaches full draw, while in the second bow it will travel 29″ minus 7″ = 22″. Longer string travel distance equals more energy stored in the limbs, and hence a more powerful shot. If you read our compound bow reviews, you’ll learn about the bow’s brace height and how it

affects shooting.

UNDERSTAND THAT BRACE HEIGHT IS A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD. While it’s definitely the case that a compound with a shorter brace height will be more powerful than a similar compound bow with a taller brace height, keep in mind that the shorter the brace height the more difficult the bow is to shoot. As the brace height is shortened, the string moves closer and closer to the riser, making it harder to draw with proper technique. Additionally, this increases the chances of the string hitting your forearm as you release it. If you are a beginner, I recommend getting a compound with a brace height between 6.5 and 7.2 inches. Anything within that range will work and will provide a nice balance between power and ease-of-use. LET-OFF PERCENTAGE IS IMPORTANT. Most of today’s best compound bows come with a 75% to 80% let-off. There are models with 65% let-off, however these are mostly used by professionals competition archers. The let-off percentage indicates how much mechanical relaxation is applied at full draw of the string. So if it takes 50 lbs. to draw your bow, an 80% let-off means this value will be reduced by 80% (down to 10 lbs.) once you complete the draw stroke. As a result, holding and aiming the bow at full draw for extended periods of time becomes trivially simple when compared to traditional recurve and long bows. LIMB STYLE DOESN’T MATTER THAT MUCH. Some compound bows come with solid limbs, while other bows come with split limbs (ones with an empty space in the middle running across the length of the limbs). The difference between both can pretty much be ignored. All that really matters is the quality of the materials used in the manufacturing of those limbs; the more reslient, the less likely they are to break. Luckily, all respected manufacturers use only the highest quality materials nowadays, and it’s exceptionally rare for the limbs to break, delaminate, or even splinter. YOU WANT A COMPOUND WITH A WIDE “VALLEY.” The term “valley” is directly related to the geometry of your bow’s cams. When you are at full draw and the let-off (say 80%) is in full effect, it’s not unlikely for archers to “creep” forward. (By creeping we mean unconsciously reducing the tension applied to the string, hence causing it to “creep” closer to the riser.) When this happens, the holding weight of your bow will increase dramatically at some point, as the let-off is no longerin full effect. This sudden spike in tension causes the archer’s form to break, as he attempts to regain control over the bow. The wider the “valley” of your bow, the further you can allow the string to creep before you experience the above. Likewise, if you own a bow with a narrow valley, even the slightest creeping after reaching full draw can result in a sudden weight spike. Beginner archers will obviously benefit most from using a compound bow with a wide valley. Keep in mind that you won’t find any mention of the valley width in the specifications of your bow – it will vary from model to model and will depend especially on the design of the cams (medium, aggresive, etc.). Make sure to read our best compound bow reviews for detailed information on this. IBO SPEED TESTS AND FPS Compound bows come with an FPS rating. This refers to Feet Per Second, and its the acceleration the arrow will reach right after leaving the bow rest. As we mentioned earlier, arrow speed depends on different factors, including arrow weight, draw weight, and more. To make FPS ratings more consistent across the industry the International Bowhunting Organization (IBO) set-forth a standard for measuring the speed rating. As a result, whenever you see an FPS rating next to a bow, you can assume it was measured according to IBO standards, which

are:

* 70 lbs. draw weight.

* 350 grain arrow.

* 30″ draw length. If you therefore were to buy a compound bow rated as 340 FPS, but you bought the 60 lbs. version, your bow will shoot slower than 340 FPS, since speed tests were done using IBO’s required 70 lbs. draw weight. Likewise, if you shoot using arrows heavier than 350 grain, your arrows will fly slower even if you have 70 lbs. draw weight and have set the draw length to 30″. Other factors come into play as well. The archers shooting form, weather conditions, proper string conservation, brace height, cam aggressiveness – all will impact speed to a degree. As a result, the FPS rating provided for a compound bow should be treated as a very close estimate, not an exact value. HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU PAY FOR A QUALITY COMPOUND?

Here’s the deal:

IF YOU HAVE AN UNLIMITED BUDGET, buy the most expensive compound bow from your favorite manufacturer. While price is not always an indicator of quality, you can rest assured that all of the highly-priced compounds ($750 and more) will deliver exceptional performance. They might not be the best value for your money, and you might be able to get a very similar bow by paying even 200 dollars less. The way the archery industry works, however, is that manufacturers will always overprice their top-of-the-line, most innovative bows. What currently costs a $1,000 and is likely not selling in high volumes due to the steep price, will cost $400 a few years from now and will be a best seler. This is the way it works. So if you have an unlimited budget and just want to quickly buy a compound bow that will inspire awe in both you and your friends, pick a well-established manufacturer, be it Martin, Bear, PSE or Bowtech, and get their flagship compound. This will likely be a bow with 340+ FPS, the latest dampening technology and grip design, custom-designed strings, pivoting pockets, and all the other bells and whistles. IF YOU HAVE SOME MONEY BUT WOULD RATHER NOT BREAK THE BANK, go for a compound in the $350-$450 price range. The largest selection of compound bows is available in this range, giving you a very large number of bows with varying characteristics and designs to choose from. Most of these bows will feature a speed in the 305-320 FPS range, and an average brace height of 7″. Bows in this price range account for the largest sale volumes for most compound manufacturers, so expect a lot of diversity and great bargains, though not many of the latest technological breakthroughs in the archery world. IF YOU ARE REALLY ON A TIGHT BUDGET, you can get a decent compound for around $200 or maybe a little less. Your selection here will be limited however, as most manufacturers can’t turn a profit by selling a compound for so little – not if you want it to be of decent quality. As a result, only the biggest players on the market will offer good deals in this price range, as they can afford not profiting from the sale; to them, this is just a marketing technique. They sell you a good but inexpensive compound and hope that you come back to them a few years later, a happy customer, to upgrade. You will then likely buy one of their better bows (in the $350-$450 range), which is when they make their profit. BEST COMPOUND BOW REVIEWS – TIME TO ACT Now it’s your turn. Pick the best compound bow for your needs with the help of our comparison chart and bow reviews. Be sure to read our how-to guides as well, as there’s a ton you can learn from them.

5 COMMENTS

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MARCEL says:

December 25, 2015 at 12:31 am I just purchase a PSE Surge, great bow so far. I made the mistake of buying a 70lbs draw. I have her turned down to around 50lbs right now, it’s easyer to draw. So far the bow has exceeded my expectations, good quality and very accurate. Pse makes a great product and I would recommend this bow to a beginner or intermediate archer.

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RICK says:

January 16, 2016 at 5:58 am I really appreciate the information , as I suspected buying a new older stock bow is the way to go! new tech that is two years old is just old tech to the bow world but would make a great hunter for me at a bargain basement price !!!

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DON says:

September 12, 2016 at 2:05 pm I am a newcomer looking to get into bowhunting with my friend. I am looking to get my first bow to practice with until I am confident enough with my archery to be an ethical shot. I do not want to have to upgrade to a newer bow immediately so I would like my first bow to be good enough to shoot and hunt with until I am an experienced bowhunter. I would like the bow to be able to take down bigger game such as deer and elk. I am 5’10”, 22 years old, 175 lbs. My budget is around $500 I would like to keep it under that if possible. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated! Have a great day

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ALBERT T.MCLAUGHLIN says: January 24, 2017 at 4:03 am Don I have been shooting since I was 8 I’m now 66 the Hoyt charger is in your price range will not let you down it will impress you every time you shoot it! Good luck keep you pattern tight.

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MARK BALIEL says:

June 1, 2017 at 4:51 am My suggestion would be to check out brands like parker and Martin. First bow I bought was a Martin cougar fc. Great bow. Lethal and accurate. My second bow was a parker eagle. Got it as a package deal

for around $400.

My most current bow is a bear I picked of eBay new. 2 yrs old but still in the box. Only 249.the deals are out there. Good hunting

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