I've been doing a lot of looking at and thinking about how different FDCs affect our perceived effort to draw a bow assuming the same energy output. As for smoothness, I think this term is being confused with and used in place of "easy". I believe smoothness is more a function of lack of system friction. You can have a very stout pulling bow like the Bowtech BK2 that is smooth, but requires much more effort to shoot than eaier drawing bows.

For easy, I'm coming to the conclusion that a bow can only really store energy a few ways- By how much the limbs are pre-stressed, by cam design and by draw poundage. I'm thinking energy in equals energy out, and the same amount of energy stored then released into an arrow requires the same amount of work or effort on our part. For an arrow to travel X speed, it requires Y energy to push it. This can be accomplished by drawing a 70# energy wheel type bow (like the bowtech F cam)that gradually builds to peak, hits it then immediately gradually descends to the wall or a 60# hard SC or DC bow that ramps up to peak early, stays there quite a bit then drops to the wall quickly. Both bows are very different in how they store energy, but I feel the perceived effort on our part will be identical since they both store the same energy to launch the same arrow the same speed.

As for what we perceive as easy, I think that is up to the individual and their physical makeup. Some will have more strength at their disposal early in the FDC when using their larger back muscles. Some will have power in the middle and some late. That said, I'm really looking forward to putting the draw on the new BT equalizer system. I know what the Outback and Liberty draw like, and I'm shooting a BT PF SC so I've got the hit peak early stay there forever drop quickly to the wall covered. I do have a module on it's way to me that will allow me to test a FDC that only holds peak about 1" right in the middle of the draw which I suspect will let me move my bow from it's current 62# back to 70# to yield similar energy storage and perceived effort on my part.

That said, I plan on doing some major soul searching and testing before making a new bow purchase, to make sure the FDC I settle on is the one that fits me best.