A Hybrid "shoot-through" or "X" system would be the same as any of the twin cam versions---good for some, not so good for others.

Why?

Because people are individuals, and all have differing statures and grips with differing amounts of sidetorque. While the "X" system and various shoot-throughs may indeed require less maintenence because they are "balanced" and on paper they look superb, they also have a more neutral geometry. This is good for some people, but we've found that more often than not people generally impart sidetorque into their grip from whatever side they are grabbing the bow, and a cableguard creates "offsetting" torque to compensate for this. So for some, this "balances" the system better for them with less movement of the bow during the dynamic shot sequence. For others, they feel that having a system without the offsetting torque works better for them....6 of one, half-dozen of the other. That is why you see Pro Staff from Martin, Merlin, Bowman, and Alternative split right down the middle on this---some of the staff members shoot the cableguards, and others shoot the shoot-thru or X systems, and each prefer what they shoot to the other.

As far as testing goes, I think you will see more "public" testing of hybrids as time goes on, but make no mistake that testing has already been done in manufacturers' R&D depts, and that is why you are now seeing the influx of hybrids coming to market. Solos are still holding their own and hybrids are still not widely accepted and hugely popular just yet, so I have to disagree a bit with the "going with the money"--if anything many are still selling solos to ride out the last waves of the previous money maker before putting full emphasis on hybrids.... Makes you wonder tho how good they(hybrids) really are when mega-companies like Hoyt have enough confidence to scrap BOTH twins and solos and really stick their neck out doing so---they could've lost a fortune (at least, maybe everything) if it went down the tubes---but they didn't, and by the growng recognition and acceptance of the hybrid design throughout the industry they have effectively created something Darton couldn't by itself--- the "next step forward". JMHO, Pinwheel 12