Do not be mislead. Bow failure due to over-stress targets three specific points---the riser, the limbs, and the string/harness. The weakest link in all of these in recent years has been the aluminum riser. String/harness materials have developed over the last 10 years into some of the strongest materials with little to no stretch, and extreme tolerance and breakage strength. Limbs likewise have been further advanced/developed in recent years with carbon reinforcing, kevlar, and whatnot so they will withstand many times the stress they used to with triple the cycle capacity before failure.

The new carbon riser design originally developed by Diamond Archery and later sold to High Country is a multi-layer design used in many parts of the aerospace industry, super-strong with exceptional dampening properties. This makes for the final piece of the puzzle with which to build a bow capable of withstanding much higher stress levels without failure. We as an industry have been " running the edge" speed-wise since day one, first it was " lightweight" aluminums with dacron strings and wood laminate limbs and risers and whopping spedds of 210fps, then AMO standard at 6 grains was the " norm" for the next generation of cast risers and fiberglass limbs and speeds to 280, and then the next generation at IBO legal 5 grains, with machined aluminum and first generation carbon laminate limbs. Bowtech hit 340-350fps with this combo. Now the natrual progression continues with stronger materials that will take more stress, and higher speeds come from it. Pretty simple reasoning, really.

It is not fair to crucify the next generation of technology because you are too set in your ways to believe it can ever happen, or are loyal to a product that may in fact be upstaged at some point. Technology progresses, always has, always will, and we as a society will always " run the edge" when it comes to speed. It wasn' t long ago that we thought it was insane to think a bow could ever shoot 300fps no matter what it was shooting for an arrow, and even less time ago when the same thing was thought of 350fps. 400fps at no matter what grain arrow is just the next natural progression. I do believe it was stated above that this would mean that a bow that CAN shoot 400fps without failure for many thousands of cycles at 3 grains per pound will be relatively safe at 4grains or 4.5 and I agree, especially with the newer and stronger materials being used throughout.

I do not condone shooting 3 grains per lb but to be honest even I used to shoot 210 g carbon arrows out of 46" ATA bows with 8" brace heights at 85+lbs and getting around 340fps not all that long ago, so I feel it is up to each individual to know what they are getting themselves into when they choose their equipment. At the same time if they have the " next wave" of technology sitting in their lap and one that works, companies then shouldn' t be afraid to go out and advertise it either. I also was there when the bow blew up at the HCA booth at the ATA show, and IMHO that could' ve happened to anyone there that weekend. HCA had tested this product through many thousands of cycles out of many bows at the factory, and was more than willing to put it out for everyone to see. As they say $hit happens sometimes, and it happened at an inopportune time for HCA. That' s my take on that. I firmly feel the bow will hold up fine at 4-4.5 g, and at that it will be every bit as fast as any other bow on the market, yet still offer that fabulous carbon riser technology and dampening properties. Technology moves forward...Just my own thoughts, Pinwheel 12