Frank,

Don't rule out the Stalker...

Yeah I know, It doesn't have the SandTraps, or the W/C strings/cables.

Really for a smaller investment you could have the bow you want.

$400 for a Stalker w/ Infinity cam.

$50-70 for the NV system from PSE(which accomplishes the same if not more than the Sandtraps as far as vibration & noise). And who knows the new BT Vibrablock may be even better.

If you end up liking the bow you can order the W/C strings/Cables for $90 or so. Honestly the "low end" strings/cable from Bowtech are not that bad. I think I had to re-set my 2000 ES option 2's timing twice (it uses the same string/cable as the Stalker does now) which compared to many othe bows/strings I've had is doing very well! Now it's been sitting for awhile in my basement and is starting to get ratty. End result is about $550 bucks...$50 cheaper than a MM SRP.

My local dealer shoots the same exact set-up for hunting(Stalker w/ NV & Infinity), and the bow is very quiet, and is only about 9 FPS slower than his MM appples to apples (He has a 28" draw). With your 31" draw I don't see why you would not be getting close to if not better performance than a 30" draw MM (considering the Stalker's more agressive limb angle). I almost bought one, and I still might!

Also you might want to look into those new package models w/ the 9 1/8" brace height. I know one of them is 32" Axle to Axle and goes up to 31".

I suspect that one of the reasons you don't see a 31" MM or similar length bow is due to technical factors. I can't imagine the string angle on a 31" draw MM. Even a 29" Tech-29 is borderline ludicrous w/ the angle of the limbs on those bows. There's alot more to it than just the company not wanting to produce shorty bows for long draw length archers. While other companies do it, their designs do not have nearly the same performance, and it's quite possible the stress levels are too much on the "pushing the limits" Bowtech designs. The Stalker being less performance oriented for the average draw length, probably gets into the near maximum threshold level of performance w/ the 31" draw length. The other bows in the 31" draw length are all heavier, and longer (i.e. More apt to handle the increased stress in the shooting system). Also even if Bowtech was simply to machine a larger module, you would run into problems of cam over-rotation at full draw & beyond normal cable serving wear in addition to possibly overstressing the design.

Heck, send me a check for $300 and I'll ship you out my 2000 ES option 60 LB'er. You can buy a 31" module for it!

EDIT: I forgot to mention that no-one is saying that you should shorten your draw length. By using a 30" module, and then adding a loop to compensate you are virtually changing nothing other than a possible loss of performance. Since your hand will be at the same anchor position it will keep your alignment correct.

JeffB



Edited by - JeffB on 02/05/2002 10:44:31