Versa cam VS. CommandCam+...

[Dan B]

I see on another post here that some people shoot a versa cam on the Havotec VS. the CommandCam+. Why is this since the Command cam gives 5 fps more than the Versa (ZR 200 limbs). Is the Versa more forgiving than the CommandCam. I know the price is the same. I shot the Havotec on Friday with the CommandCam and hit 4 inch groups at 15 yds. The next 3 arrows I smacked two arrows together at 20 yds...not bad for the first time shooting a bow. Keep in mind this is coming from a complete newbie and this is the first bow I have EVER shot. Is the 5fps not worth it VS the forgiveness of the Versa? Just wondering. From A COMPLETE NEWBIE, thanx in advance.


Dan Blair

Edited by - Dan B on 03/03/2002 19:07:12

[PABowhntr]

Dan,

Here is my opinion of the issue. The older style Command Cams were smooth to draw, had adjustable draw length (without a bow press) and generated some decent speed considering how smooth the draw cycle was.

The downside was that they created a somewhat noisier bow that had more vibration than their single cam counterparts..the Redline and Versacam. This is directly a result of the different style of cams...dual cams versus a perimeter weighted style single cam.

Enter the Command Cams Plus. They are quieter and produce less vibration than previous years' Command Cams because of their new design. They still have a relatively smooth draw cycle though it isn't as smooth as the previous years' model and they still have adjustable draw length without the use of a bow press.

Here is what the Versacam offers over the Command Cams Plus. It is still a quieter, more vibration free cam...but the gap isn't as wide as it was before. The Versacam also allows you to adjust not only draw length but also the percentage of letoff.

Finally, though dual cams in general might be a more forgiving design, the Versacam tends to produce a larger brace height on all of Hoyt's bows when compared with ones equipped with the Command Cams Plus....and a larger brace height always produces a more forgiving bow when everything else is equal.

The difference in brace height might only be a half of an inch....so the question might then become...how much of a difference in accuracy is that going to make?.......I would turn that around and say...How much of a difference does 5 fps make? <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

The choice is, obviously, yours. If you can shoot the Command Cams Plus well then I say go with them...you are the one that has to be comfortable with the bow.

Hope this helps.

Edited: Sorry I had to go back and edit after you went back and added the ZR200 limb part...

Edited by - PABowhntr on 03/03/2002 19:10:37

Edited by - PABowhntr on 03/03/2002 19:12:00

[Dan B]

Thank you Pa~~ I did not know that the draw length and let-off could be adjusted without a press on the VersaCam. I wouldn't know a quiet bow if it hit me in the butt, since I have never shot a bow before, but I couldn't even tell I shot the bow as far as hand vibration and noise. I know a deer can hear WAY better than I can though. I was thinking the same thing about the 5fps. Although I would like to have the 5fps if all else is equal. I knew that there was a reason the Versa Cam was offered when there was minimal difference between the two(speedwise). I will ask to shoot the versa cam option next SAT. and compare the two. Unfortunately I always think of these questions when I'm NOT at the pro shop. I will e-mail you any further questions regarding the HOYT bows instead of clogging the board with a simple question such as this. Thanx again from the newbie!!


Dan Blair

[Len in Maryland]

Frank: Be somewhat careful about the statement: &quot;The Versacam also allows you to adjust not only draw length but also the percentage of letoff.&quot;

Those bows/cams now offering a &quot;draw stop&quot; adjustment post can be misleading and can lead to injury if not done correctly. The draw stop, while giving a firm back wall, actually &quot;walks&quot; up the force draw curve which, in effect reduces draw length and let off. The downside is that the bow, when it reaches full draw, can be very awkward and, especially at higher poundages, can be extremely difficult to control. Shoulder injury can be the result if you're not careful.

[PABowhntr]

Dan,

Feel free to email me with any questions you have...but don't also hesitate from posting them here as well. I do feel relatively knowledgable when it comes to Hoyt's equipment but I will be the first one to tell you that I definitely don't know everything about it. Len and some of the others that visit the forum might though.

Len,

I understand your concern and couldn't agree more. When the Versacam was first introduced last year alot of folks wanted to set it at the lowest possible percentage of letoff setting....which, although possible, was not recommended by Hoyt. That specific situation coupled with the fact that the draw stop peg was rather short created a situation in which the cable jumped over the draw stop peg. The cable then became &quot;stuck&quot; on the other side thus having a similar effect to putting the bow in a bow press.

It definitely was not easy to remedy this situation, especially if the individual was by themselves at the time...<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Though it is possible to set the Versacam for no valley whatsoever I sincerely doubt that there would be many folks who would attempt this....speed just isn't the selling point of this cam.

If you get a chance do me a favor and do a little test on any of the 2002 Versacam equipped bows. Set the draw stop on any of the pre-drilled draw stop peg holes and then move the inner cam module through the various settings. See if it has any impact on draw length and/or the percentage of letoff.

I would do it, but for the moment I am bowless...

Thanks.