Hey guys, I'm new to this forum and just started getting into bowhunting about a year ago. I'm looking into buying a new bow, hopefully something that I can use for a long time. I have been looking at some Hoyt's and I really like the way the feel and the way they shoot. They are a bit pricey, however. I was wondering if there was much difference in quality between Hoyt and the Reflex bows that they also make. From what i've observed on the website, the Reflex Super Slam seemed pretty comparable to the Hoyt Vtec, and the Reflex Highlander seemed comparable to Hoyt's longer axle-to-axle bows, like the Protec and Ultratec. Does anyone have experience comparing these bows? If they were similar quality, I would probably buy a cheaper Reflex. If there was a difference in quality or performance however, I would be willing to fork out a little more cash for the right bow.

Welcome to the forums, elkbane!

I shoot a brand new 2006 Reflex Highlander and absolutely LOVE IT!!! Read my review about it on the "Bowhunting gear review" forum.

Or better yet, just click here:
http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1449496

Reflex and Hoyt are made by the same company (Hoyt)in Salt Lake City, Utah. Hoyt is the top line bow and the Reflex is the secondary line, but still an outstanding bow. Someone posted once about the difference with Hoyt and Reflex and put it into perspective like this:

Think of Hoytlike a professional baseball team
Reflex is the AAA farm team for Hoyt.

I shot a Hoyt ProTec once and though I had died and went to heaven. They are incredible! But they cost serious $$$$... So I found the next best thing. I found Reflex bows which is essentially a Hoyt but not all tricked up.

The biggest different in Reflex vs Hoyt is the Hoyt's "Cam & a half" system can be adjusted in 1/2" increments. Reflex "Slam & a half" system can only be adjusted in 1" increments. (29" draw length cam on Reflex. 29 1/2" draw length on a Hoyt.

Either way, both bows are incredible! I love my new Reflex Highlander and feel that it is in every sense a "poor man's Hoyt Ultra Mag"

The two bows have very similar design. Where they differ is in things like limbs, the Reflex have solid glass and the higher end Hoyts have laminated. Obviously there will be some performance differences like vibration and speed but the Vtec basically uses a cam 1/2 just like some Reflex bows do. They will feel very similar in draw cycle. Some Reflex risers are also cast magnesium vs machined aluminum from the Hoyts. Will a beginning archer shoot any better with a Hoyt worth twice as much as a Reflex, thats debatable. When I got back into bowhunting after a 15 yr absence I studied what was available and bought a Reflex Grizzly. I would take the money you save with the Reflex and buy good sights, rests and arrows with it.

In fact, most Reflex bows are former Hoyt bows no longer in production. They make some cosmetic differences, paint Reflex on the limbs, and VOILA! The best I can describe is like Chevy and GMC. One in the same. The Super Slam is one incredible piece of equipment, as is the Highlander and the Excursion.

Hoyt still builds bows?

One thing I notice was the reflex has no locking bolts in the limb pockets. There a good bow well worth the money, well worth the money. They'reare the same bow, but not (not sure the hoyt is worth the tag they put on them). People should be proud to own one, but not as proud as a hoyt owner. Hope that's not to muddy.

shot a reflex for a week and was not impressed... it was a grizzley, slow, it "kicked" and it was heavy....[:'(]

The main difference between the reflex and hoyt line is just think a hoyt with the previous generations technology. When they come out with something new it goes on the high end hoyts. The previous design gets moved to the lower end hoyts and reflex line. Absolutely nothing wrong with them unless you want the newest cutting edge technology, which to be honest isn't that much better if any at all than what it replaced.

I actually like the Versa Cam hoyt had on the cybertecs but they replaced it and phased it out. I really wanted a cybertec with the versa cam, but by the time I scraped up the money to get one they didn't make them anymore[&o]. That's ok, I like my bowtech just as well.

Paul

yup hoyt made reflex bows

Can the Slam & a half really only be adjusted in 1" increments? I was checking the super slam out on huntersfriend.com and the draw lengths came in 1/2 inch increments.