Jeff,

Thanks for the kind thoughts. I have been around most days but just have not felt the urge to post. I have been sort of dumping my time and energy into another pursuit of mine that probably only Black Frog could appreciate.

I think you are pretty much mirroring my thoughts on the issue. It seems like we have just exchanged one design or one type of gadget for another without much of a revolutionary step forward. I would agree that better component designs, manufacturing and materials have helped to improve the durability and reliability of the compound bow but not much more.

CBM SC,

I am guessing that was said "tongue in cheek"...

Antler Eater,

That I tend to agree with and yet there are so many things that continue to baffle and confuse me. Again, if we can refer to carbon arrows. I do continue to enjoy and be satisfied with relative "garden variety" ICS style carbons and yet based on what I read from some very knowledgable folks they shouldn't shoot very well for me...especially after an extended period of time. Maybe it is that I just don't shoot enough....or that I don't shoot well enough to notice the difference in accuracy in some cases. I honestly do not know.

I will say though that when I find a combination that works I prefer to stick with it despite what current board opinion might suggest.

Paul,

I tend to agree with most of what you posted but if I had to pick one thing out to disagree with it would be this statement.

Relating back to my original post I would ask "At what cost?" Yes, today's bows are faster but doesn't that go along with a stiffer force draw curve? It seems like that is that route that several manufacturers have chosen to follow. They (the bows) have larger brace heights but the riser designs tend to be more reflexed and the cams seem to create such a plateaued force-draw curve that I wonder whether or not anything really has been gained. I am sure that more efficient limb design/materials contribute somewhat as does string materials but really...how much?

"And rests, well the drop aways are cool, but I don't see any great advantage with them. I don't shoot any better with them then I do a good prong rest. The only reason you really need them is because of the skinny carbons with vanes. Not to mention most of them set you up with a slight overdraw which is a bit more unforgiving to shoot. "

My point entirely. One series of trade-offs for another.

Arthur,

To some extent I agree with you and your approach to archery and the situation in question....and yet on the other hand you aren't ever going to see me shooting those big honkin' cut on contact heads that you are so fond of. I just don't have the ambition to be tuning my rigs that much so that I can get those style of heads to fly as accurately as you can get them to.

MM88,

I believe you understand what I am saying and restated it quite succinctly. Just to throw it out there in a single question....Why change if there really isn't a significant benefit?

Jerry,

Thank you as well. I do hope to post a bit more often but it was not really the ATA show nor hunting that kept me away from the forums that much in the last month or so. I keep waiting to see something that will really get my juices flowing again. Not another twist on the same ol' concept but something trully head-turning.

If I may single out this one comment...and not because of your reference to Arthur....it leads me back somewhat to part of the intent of my original post.

Is today's equipment geared towards and heading to less tuning? A trully maintenance free (or shall we say maintenance-reduced) bow?

At what cost I might ask?


Thanks folks for all the comments. It continues to give me food for thought.