This past Saturday I shot a bunch of bows including the DXT, 82nd, 101st, General, Katera, X-Force, and a Darton Pro 3000. I'm not looking to buy, I just shot them for fun and with an open mind.
Overall, the Bowtechs impressed me the most, in particular the 82nd. I love the draw cycle and the solid back wall. I'm used to the mushy feeling of the hybrid cams. The draw stop on the Bowtechs makes for a rock solid back wall. I really liked that. AT full draw,the pin just sits still. What a treat! I've learned that I do not need to fear the 6" BH either. In fact, none of the 6" BH bows that I shot bothered me at all. I think a string suppressor makes a 6" BH bow feel like a 7" BH bow.
Hands down the quietest most shock free bow I"ve ever shot was the Bowtech General. It definitely lives up to it's reputation. With no stabilizer, that thing was just dead. The short ATA is not really a problem, but it was not as steady as the 82nd in my hands.
When I shot the 101st next to the 82nd, I literally could tell no difference at all. Both were just as accurate for me. So if all else is equal, I'd prefer the extra speed of the 82nd over the 101st. Both are just awesome shooting machines. You couldn't go wrong with either.
The Darton Pro 3000 that I shot was fully set up for hunting with a string suppressor, dropwaway rest, sight and stabilizer. The draw cycle felt very similar to the 82nd/101st. The back wall was very solid. The only two things I didn't care for were the grip (too fat) and the slight buzz after the shot. It wasn't alot of vibration but it was more than the Bowtechs.
The biggest letdown for me was the Mathews DXT. I was expecting it to blow my socks off, based on the reviews from Mathews owners. I just don't see what the big deal is. After I shot it, I remember thinking "This doesn't feel like an $800 bow". The grip is uncomfortable for starters. The back wall is not all that solid. The draw cycle is fine. But the bow certainly had a little jump to it, and it vibrated worse than any of the bows I shot that day, with the exception of the PSE X-Force. I think it's just a little TOO light. I didn't chrono it, but it seemed fast. It was nice, I just don't see what all the hype is for. I shot a Bear Instinct right after the DXT and the Instinct felt better IMHO.
The Hoyt Katera felt good in my hands. The draw cycle felt to me alot like my Pearson Stealth. The back wall was a little spongy, like all hybrid cams. That spongy feeling never bothered me until I shot the Bowtechs. The Katera was very fast, with minimal vibration and hand shock. Nice bow, but I wasn't blown away like I was with the Airbornes.
The X-Force was just not for me. There was no valley, and it felt like about 50% letoff at full draw. And you'd better not creep, or it's going! That coupled with the vibration and hand shock left me saying "NO Thanks" as I handed the bow back to the sales rep.
The biggest mistake I made was shooting the 82nd Airborne first that day. Becasue after that, none of the other bows I shot came close. In fact, the ONLY bowthat I felt was significantly better than mycurrent Pearson Stealth was the 82nd Airborne. I was completely in awe of that bow. [:-]
Nice review gzg38b, it's really fun to shoot a lot of bows. I enjoy that and do it quite often when I visit shops. I too was concerned about the 6 1/8" BH of the 82nd until I have shot my own the last couple of days. My feelings about it pretty much mirror yoursI have a feeling this Bow is gonna do some killing this year.
Ive shot the DXT and, dont get me wrong, it is a nice bow but not that impressed.[&:][&:] Then i shot the 82nd and that thing left me in awe also. the first shot made me switch from buying a DXT to a 82nd and i had shot the DXT more. For me Bowtech is in the #1 Spot for this year and the other companies are going to have Pull something out of their but to produce a smoother drawing, faster shooting, quieter bow with less hand shock and to be real honest with you, i dont think its possible.
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2008 Setup:
Bowtech Guardian
Extreme RT 1000 Sight
Cobra Fall-Away Rest
Sims X-press Stablizer
G-5 Meta Peep
I kinda disagree about the DXT. I thought it was a great bow. I was going to get one but i shot the 82 and i changed my mind. I think both are great bows but i would give a slight advantage to the 82. And it's cheaper.
Still amazing to me that this feedback just HAS to have made it back to the company after, what? THOUSANDS of people who feel the same way? I know there will be a handful of people who like it, but that number has to be outweighed 1000 to 1 for everyone who says they like it.
Just can't believe they refuse to get their head out of the sand and put a proper grip on their bows now that most bowhunters are becoming properly educated on how to actually hold a bow.
thats a great post. will help me with choosing my bow this comming spring. thnx.
I second that! I was seriously impressed by the Katera myself, and was about set on getting that this spring if I could afford it. Now I may wait to shoot a few of the BT and Diamonds though. Also, my local pro shop owner told me the new Parkers are pretty insane, anyone know about them? They're not on the website yet, but figured maybe a few of the well connected may have had a chance to play.
__________________ "Respect is more than knowing where the deer's brains, guts, and heart are. It's acknowledging the fact he possess all three"
Parker Buck Hunter
HHA Infringer Sight
Easton St Epic 340
Tight Point Shuttle T-Lock 125
One thing I have learned being here for 5 years now is Hunting Net is way Bowtech biased! lol Us Mathews lovers/shooters have it rough here, thats for sure! lolJust to let you know myfavorite BT so far has been the 06 Tribute, but with that said if I couldn't shoot a Mathews I would shoot a Ross. They make a awesome bow, but I still will choose and shoot a Mathews![8D]The DXT is the cats meow if you like very short ATA bows, for guys like me I like longer ATA to bows. I will be getting the Drenalin LD around March, I have the Dren and I love it for me it was the best bow on the Market last year, but that my opinion and everybody have theirs and their favorite bows. To each their own.
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Vegetarian - Old Indian word for lousy hunter.
"The rich... who are content to buy what they have not the skill to get by their own exertions, these are the real enemies of game." -Theodore Rosevelt's Principals of the Hunt
Shot a bunch of new bows
I have a feeling this Bow is gonna do some killing this year. 
