HCA- What's it gonna take?

Rangeball · 02-28-2002, 08:51 AM

Now that Ed McPherson is with HCA, what do you think it will take for him to turn them around? What would you like to see them put out in the form of specs, etc? What would it take from them to get you to take a good hard look at them again (or for the first time) and for them to recapture their past glory?

This post may have a little bird watching over it. Now's your chance to wish...

rochelle · 02-28-2002, 09:50 AM

To tell you the truth Ive always liked high country and almost got one last year.

500 fps · 02-28-2002, 09:50 AM

I was very impressed with the pics of the the new super slim series. I think their carbon technology has the potential to be a real money maker for them.

I know speed is an often times overrated aspect of bows, but since people are seeing that shootability and speed can go hand in hand (read: Bowtech)I think it is an apect that has to be paid attention to.

Is shooting 340 fps a necessity in any aspect of archery....nope, but if you can shoot 340 fps as easily and trouble free as yesterday's bow at 280 fps would you do it? I think most would. So my suggestion would be to boost the performance without sacrificing shootability, forgiveness, or whatever you want to call it.

Aside from technology, I think the MOST important factor in a company's success is cutomer service, which I think is what contributed to HCA's loss of market share in years past. I recently had dealings with Pearson Archery and I have NEVER had a company go so far out of their way to help someone. It left me with such a good impression of the company that I will probably use the money I was saving for a Bowtech BK2 to buy a 38 Special just so I can show my appreciation.

Customer service goes a long way in creating and maintaining customer loyalty.

JeffB · 02-28-2002, 01:32 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quotequote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Now that Ed McPherson is with HCA, what do you think it will take for him to turn them around? What would you like to see them put out in the form of specs, etc? What would it take from them to get you to take a good hard look at them again (or for the first time) and for them to recapture their past glory?

This post may have a little bird watching over it. Now's your chance to wish...
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

1) I don't know about the political situation exactly but for me, Spencer Land would have to go..period...No involvement whatsoever.

2) Consistent Customer/Dealer/Shooter service. whether it's good or bad..at least you'd know what to expect..for 10 years It's been a crap-shoot.

3) Better (read:Not blowing smoke up my rear) Marketing (which most manuafcturers need to work on, but some are worse than others).

4) Get rid of the "technological breakthroughs" that are merely band-aids for inferior design (vibra flex armor, LET system,etc.) They need to get back to basics and form a good solid design foundation again. They have nothing of the sort now.

5) Do something meaningful w/ the Carbon technology..they are way too pre-occupied with how light the mass weights are..They need to dwell on making them shoot w/ less recoil and vibration and improve the stability.

JeffB

c4extrem · 02-28-2002, 01:50 PM

JEFFB
When's the last time you shoot HCA?
the way it sounds to me its the worst bow on the market reading your statement.
quit dwelling on things that happened in the mid 90's to you. I beleive they must be doing ok their still very compeditive even if there one of the litest bows on the market <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>
Greg
ps I'ved had verygood service from HCA

Rangeball · 02-28-2002, 02:09 PM

c4, this was not intended to be a only those currently happy need apply thread. HCA is at a crossroads, and looking for all kinds of feedback, not just glowing "you're doing fine" info... I think if I were Ed and wanting to re-establish HCA as a major player, I would find Jeff's post based on past experiences very enlightening, wouldn't you?

NorthJeff · 02-28-2002, 02:50 PM

I'd have to see them all over the national 3D ranges-winning!

I'd also like to see them on the top in some indoor tournaments, like Ulmer did with the Machined Supreme.

Proven performance, proven customer service, proven reliability-all needed.

I'd also only ever shoot a one-cam. Been shooting Mathews for over 8 years, hard to beat the level of trust I have with Mathews, and a one-cam bow.

Jeff...U.P. of Michigan

JeffB · 02-28-2002, 04:50 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quotequote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
JEFFB
When's the last time you shoot HCA?
the way it sounds to me its the worst bow on the market reading your statement.
quit dwelling on things that happened in the mid 90's to you. I beleive they must be doing ok their still very compeditive even if there one of the litest bows on the market <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>
Greg
ps I'ved had verygood service from HCA
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Greg,

As I stated in another thread a few weeks back, I'm glad you have recieved good service. I am simply stating the fact that I as a dealer had horrible service & QC.

The last HCA bow I bought was in 1997. I have managed to shoot a new HCA model or two every year since then. The last time was about 3 months ago when I bought my HavocTec: I shot a HCA Carbon 4 Runner Extreme w/ the XD cam. It was very quiet but recoiled badly, as the did the standard Carbon 4 Runner's I have shot previously.
I answered the question as asked.

I'm sorry if my comments are not to your liking, but that's the way I feel. Perhaps had you been in my shoes as dealer, you would understand my comments. Since you were not, you don't.

JeffB

moonge · 02-28-2002, 05:04 PM

I would say a nice 36-40" ata bow for 3-d shooting would be nice. a series of proshop bows might be cool also.

Ossage · 02-28-2002, 11:09 PM

The last HAC I had was a machined supreme with hatchet cams. My favorite feature was the built-in dovetail bracket, somewhat doomed by the fact Toxonics kept changing their fit and retention system. That was great and would suit carbon well. Another great featyre was the way you could lock out a cam with an allen wrench in the spokes, so to speak, and make cable adjustments.

The last few points on Jeff's list along with getting something serious pros would like sound good to me. I don't know how their business model works, so I will leave the first several points.

I think they have too many models, something like 26 on the website. In that regard the fact they have all these different technologies is a negative. But if they want to stick with models for carbon, and Al, and split and solid, etc... Then they should possibly consolidate them around a few names and just have the stuff as options. But however you look at it, you are guaranteed not to find the bow you like at your favorite shop - They aren't coke, and can't hog all that shelf space.

I think they should go the Mathews/Bowtech route with the long riser. Their carbon tech would be killer for that.