I think the simple answer to the patriot question would be a more forgiving geometry. The Patriot is 33 inches, if there was a 38-42" version, it might catch more use from 3D specialists than the shorter bow, though not necesarily.

What makes a great 3D bow these days is getting harder to say. There are a number of different formats showing up. As a Can. I have our rules to deal with, some shoot IBO, I am a lifetime memebr, but there aren't many shoots nearby. There are ASA shoots, and then all the weird formats for TV etc... some of the top shooters are also doing well on various spots courses. Overall the comon denominator is increasingly accuracy. I know a number of hotish IBO shooters who used to have speed rigs for IBO, who now shoot 280 across the board. So if the patriot is in the 320 range, there are a lot of places you can spend that extra 14% speed.

Another thing is practice ability. Shooters are shooting lots of arrows these days, and I am going to be interested to see how the new Icon takes off with a "round" wheel. I have shot a lot of harsh Maxcams, and I would be happy to shoot something a little less harsh. In my case I don't shoot a lot of arrows due to injury, so my real experience is different, I am trying to hang on to an ability I used to have shooting a hundred arrows a year! I know some guys who shoot that much before breakfast. But I think both of us would benefit from easier bows.