I don't often post inthis forum, but I need yall's help and advice with a decision.
First of all, let me say that this is not a "which bow is better" post. I am buying a new bow this year and I have narrowed my selections to the following:
Mathews DXT
Mathews Drenalin
BowTech General
BowTech Guardian
Diamond Marquis
Hoyt Katera
Yesterday I went all around town and I shot the Mathews, BowTech, and Diamond bows. I didn't get to the Hoyt yesterday (dinner with parents). I will share my impressions of the bows after shooting them. My top priorities that I was looking for were low noise and low shock. Speed is a great thing, but not the biggest thing to me. Also, let me preface the following with a disclaimer that these assessments are onlymy opinions and are based only on my experience.
Mathews DXT - Great bow. Incredible amount of power packed into a package less than 30 inches A to A. However, it was noisier than I liked and I was also a little surprised at the amount of hand shock. Yes, hand shock in a Mathews bow. $799
Mathews Drenalin - Liked it just as much as last year. Smooth draw, quiet enough, plenty of speed. Maybe still a little overpriced...$749
BowTech General - Unbelievably smooth draw and shot. I did not know there was a smoother-shooting bow than the Swithcback until I shot the General. I wish it was just a little faster. At a 27' draw, I was getting around 270 fps out of it with the speed cam. I loved the bow. It was so smooth I forgot about the lack of speed. One thing than concerns me is the limb problems they are having.Is this likely to be a one-time problem that the replacement limbs will fix - or - is there a problem with the structure of the bow that could lead to more problems later??? $675 (on sale)
BowTech Guardian - They didn't have it in stock. No one in town did. In the absence of shooting it my assessment is that it is kind of a longer, faster General.
Diamond Marquis - Loud and stiff. I would have thought I was playing a harp if it was painted gold. $599 or so - Didn't matter.
I went home without shooting the Hoyt Katera yesterday thinking nothing in the world could be better than the General. I got up this morning and decided to drive to the only shop in town that still carries Hoyt and give it a fair chance since I told myself to try it before I started my whole search. So...
Hoyt Katera - Wow, I wasn't expecting that. I took afew moreshots to make sure it was that good. Yep, it was that good. Smooth draw, quiet considering it has an IBO of 330 fps (280 fps with a heavy arrow and my 27' draw - 290 to 300 fps with an arrow that fits the bow), very low hand shock...again...considering the speed. I like this bow a lot. Speed wasn't even a top priority of mine until I saw that I could have it without hand shock and noise. Now speed isa priority. $699
So here I am tonight. At this point I have narrwed my decision to the BowTech General and the Hoyt Katera. I loved the General. Smooth and soft in the hand, little slow, but fast enough. I alsoloved the Katera. Fast as lightning, but not a lot of shock and thunder, but2 inches longer than the General.
Here is what I need from you guys. BowTech and Hoyt owners, will you please share some of the attributes you that led you to choose either brand? Also - BowTech owners and anyone else with an opinion on the matter, what is your expectation of the future of the General?
I really appreciate any advice/suggestions/corrections that you have.
Wow! I'm surprised! I thought the Marquis would have done better!! I really like my Marquis. I find it very quiet and smooth.. To each his own I guess.
BowTech General - Unbelievably smooth draw and shot. I did not know there was a smoother-shooting bow than the Swithcback until I shot the General. I wish it was just a little faster. At a 27' draw, I was getting around 270 fps out of it with the speed cam. I loved the bow. It was so smooth I forgot about the lack of speed. One thing than concerns me is the limb problems they are having. Is this likely to be a one-time problem that the replacement limbs will fix - or - is there a problem with the structure of the bow that could lead to more problems later??? $675 (on sale)
The General is not even an issue anymore. It was as little as 1% and it's likely that General you shot wasn't even in that 1% however, for peace of mind with the limb swap, you'd be golden.
Ultimately (camo), it's totally your choice. You've narrowed your field and it seems quite methodical and open mindedly. I don't envy your decisioin but envy the path that brought you here. Good luck, I'm sure you'll be very happy with either bow.
Well,the limbs on the Hoyt are the best in the industry(lowest fail rate)is one reason I chose a Hoyt.Draw cycle is another.
I do have to ask though,Did you try the Katera XL?I found it to balance a little better than the shorter Katera.It is a little slower at 320 ibo but doeas have a larger brace and longer a-a.
ORIGINAL: TFOX
I do have to ask though,Did you try the Katera XL?I found it to balance a little better than the shorter Katera.It is a little slower at 320 ibo but doeas have a larger brace and longer a-a.
No sir. I only tried the shorter one. I like the shorter bows. The Diamond was the longest bow I shot. I forgot to mention that I was looking for a compact bow, so I passed on trying the XL.
I'm in the same boat as you. After having my trusty reflex for several years I think I have decided to blow some money on a newbow. Whatever my choice I want itto last mefor a long time. I've shot several bows and I'm 99% sure I'm going for the Hoyt Katera. The Katera has a smoother draw cycle than the general to me. Plus, IMHO Hoyt makes a better product. I've been really impressed with my reflex and they are made by Hoyt.
With that said, you can't go wrong with either of them. I think too many guys act like their bow manufacturer is the only "good" one out there. For me, it's just feel and the Katera feels the best. Good luck and post up pics soon.
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I really have dog in the fight, Ive never shot a katera, Ive seen one shot, and thought it was the quietess bow I had ever not herd... He actually got rid of it and Bought a Marquis... go figure[:-]
Then Rob brought down a General at our little gtg, MAN that bow was perfect, Dead quiet and You have to look at your rest to make sure the arrow is gone..., but like you said, a little on the slow side, but 270 is gonna kill a deer just as good as 290... For Me I would get the general.
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Mathews/BowTech/Hoyt - Decision Time
