Which has a bigger effect on how forgiving a bow is?

I'm asking because I'm looking for my first bow, and I'm looking at the Hoyt Magnatec and the MT Sport.

The Magnatec has a 6.5" brace height and is 37.5" axle to axle. The MT sport has a 8 3/8" brace height but is shorter axle to axle at 34.5 inches.

It seems a little odd that Hoyt wouldn't have a bow more suited to beginners at the low end of their price range.

Which of these two bows should be more forgiving & easier to learn with?

Thanks,
Matt

Matt,

I wish some of the resident experts would reply back. Since I am very new to the archery sport, I hestitate to respond. But here goes.

The only web site that I know that rates bows "forgiveness rate" shows the following
Magna Tec XT 2000 35.5 a2a bh 7.00 speed 305 is rated at 74.0
Magna Tec ZR200 37.5 a2a bh 7.00 speed 300 is rated at 77.5

MT Sport 34.5 a2a bh 8.5 speed 286 is rated at 86.3

As you can see these specs are a little diff from what you show but based on the above the MT Sport has a higher "forgiveness" than the Magna Tec.

Actually the 86.3 is one of the more forgiving bows listed. Maybe the others can explain alot better than I have. Other than to say I don't think a deer is more impressed with a fast miss than a slow miss.

Matt,
Hoyt also has a large hand in theReflex line of bows. I think they gear the "Tec" models for the top end retail and rightfully so, they're great bows. The reflex is they're less expensive line and are great bows in their own right.

As far as forgivness, they're both important for different reasons. the longer ATA gives more stability and is generally harder to torque, while the brace height...Well, i just don't know! Somebody here knows though and they'll post soon enough to explain and then we'll both know!
Check out this site, you can sort bows by their forgivness rating...
http://www.huntersfriend.com click the bow comparison guide.Good Luck!

Trushot }}------>

Brace height pertains to two things.

Time that the arrow is on the string or
power stroke. This is the difference
between your draw length and your brace
heigth. A 30 inch draw length bow with
an 8 inch brace heigth would have the
same power stroke as a 28 inch draw length
bow with a 6 inch brace heigth. Both 22 inches.
The longer the arrow is on the string the more
time for things to "go wrong". Hence shorter
power stroke, more forgiveness. But less speed.

The other factor relating to forgiveness with
low brace heigth bows is their greater tendency to slap
the arm on firing and causing an errant shot.

I don't know how you feel about used bows, but
there are a ton of UltraTecs and ProTecs on the used market
right now with all the bowheads getting ready
to "just have to have" the latest and greatest
from Hoyt. i.e. the new cam and 1/2 bow. Ebay
and www.archerytalk.com classifieds are a good
source of used bows. They Hoyt UltraTec is a
very forgiving bow and plenty fast. ProTec even
more forgiving but most are seen in target colors since
a lot of guys use them for match bows. Appx. $400 should
get you either one in excellent shape.

dxr

yes the ata and the brace height are factors for forgiveness but i personally would rather have the longer axle to axle. they are harder to torque and that helps on your left to right misses. it is harder to cant a longer bow so you get the forgiveness there. i have a 2002 cybertec 36" w/ 6 1/2" brace height and can shoot more accuratly at longer distances than my 2002 havoctec 32" w/ 7 1/2" brace height. and then my dumb way of thinking is if the short bows were so good than randy ulmer, terry ragsdale, and jeff hopkins and the caudles would be shooting them......

According to Chuck Adams in the January 2003 issue of Bow & Arrow. bows with brace heights of 7" or greater tend to be more forgiving. Less than 7" will be a speed bow. A more forgiving bow would be my preference if I were just getting started in archery.

My FX has a brace height of 7 1/2" and shoots at 231 fps and is a tack driver.

Dick

The longer a bow is the harder it is to twist the bow cause there is more weight at the ends. Think about twisting a 30# dumb bell vs. a 30# bench bar. The bench bar would be harder to get moving. As doc said the longer the brace height is on a bow the less time the arrow is on the string and the less the bow will move the string left or right. For your first bo look for one with a 7" brace height or better. As for length I feel it is a matter of where and how you are goint to be hunting. I like the shorter bows cause I hunt elk, mulies, and antelope and the weight is a concern with me. There are plenty of bows that are short and still offer a good brace height and are very forgiving.

Edited by - bigbulls on 12/12/2002 23:20:42

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My opinion:

1)Brace height plays more of a part in a bow's level of forgiveness when compared with axle to axle length provided we aren't talking about extreme conditions.

An example of an "extreme condition" would be comparing a 28.5 inch axle to axle length bow with an 8 inch brace height and a 40 inch axle to axle length bow with a 6.5 inch brace height. I believe the extreme short axle to axle length on the first model isn't offset enough by the 8 inch brace height in order to make it as forgiving as the 40 inch axle to axle length model with the 6.5 inch brace height even though the 6.5 inch brace height is considering below the "norm".

2) Considering your choices I think the Magnatec with the ZR200 limbs would probably be the most forgiving as it has an average brace height of 7 inches coupled with an average axle to axle length of 37 or so inches. The XT2000 version of this bow has a below average brace height with a low average axle to axle length. A fine bow but more geared towards someone at an intermediate level of experience in my opinion. Ofcourse, there are other factors involved such as draw length, arrow weight, etc.... that play a part in this equation.

I really like the MTSport and feel that it is a good bow for someone just getting into the sport. It, in my opinion, is almost the equal to the ZR200 Magnatec in terms of forgiveness. If it means anything to you, the MTSport would be my choice if I had to pick between the three bows in question but not necessarily because of its forgiveness level.