Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

The guys at the shop came back from the ATA show doing nothing but RAVING about the Elite GTO, Elite Xtreme XL, and the Hoyt Vantages. I had to stay at the shop and work so I just had to trust their word.

I was pretty excited to see the UPS man drop off a couple Elite boxes. I was hoping they would be the GTO's and they were. One #60 and one #70. We pulled them out of the boxes and the first this I did was draw the #70. I had drawn one before, but only once. No doubt in my mind after drawing and shooting the Airbborne's and then this GTO, the GTO is ALOT smoother than the Airbornes. This is my HONEST opinion too.

When I talked my shop owner into picking up the line, I figured them to draw a little harsher like the Bowtechs, but with them being speed demons, I knew they would sell. It was a VERY pleasent surprise to feel the draw on these bows. They are as shock free as can be, and don't jump hardly at all.

We put rests and loops on the #60 and the #70 and off to the chrono we went.

The #70 maxed out at #71 lbs, with a 28.5" draw, and a 350gr arrow, it shot 338.2fps [:-]. Then we put a 30" module on it and it shot 350.2fps [:-]. VERY impressive for a 7" BRACE HEIGHT!

(sorry for the bad pic, it was with my phone)



The 60# maxed at 62# and with a 300gr arrow, and 28.5" draw it shot 330fps [:-]. This bow really did impress me and I think they will sell great in the store.

The fit and finish on these bows are AMAZING too. GREAT detail. They also come with Neely Custom strings (Winner's Choice guy).


There aren't many reviews on these bows out yet, and I thought I would share with you guys.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
ATA - 33 1/8"
BH - 7"
Available in Right Handed and Left Handed.
Mass Weight 3lbs 15.5oz
IBO @ 70# 30" 80% letoff - 340-350
Draw Lengths 26-30
Draw Weights 50-90#
MSRP
G1 - $799.00
AT - $759.00 (Pictured)

Larger Picture of the G1 Camo

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

Is this as good as the Ross, or the Hoyt, or the BowTech that you claimed to be the best bow ever?;)

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

Stop this now. It's a review. Nothing about my personal bows. Take it for what it is.

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

who makes them?

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

Great review matt. Nicely put together.

I'm not sure I agree with your assesment on smooth drawing though. Now, I've not shot the GTO, so I don't know, but I HAVE shot an Aigil and a Synergy XT......Smooth?? LOL..no. Not so much. BUT, they are a very aggressive cam, not designed necessarily for smooth, but they are shootin sons a guns, that's for sure.....And DEAD quiet.

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

Elite.

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

hm ive never even heard of elite....

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

You've got an Elite dealer, right there in St Louis....I'll be a son of a gun if I can remember the name of the place though.....go to www.elitearchery.com and use their dealer locator....

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

I think it really comes down to how it feels in one's hands...The cam and a half was/is wildly popular and I did not care for the draw cycle at all.

I have an allegiance and a liberty now and while the allegiance is a harder feeling pull, i think its very smooth. And for the liberty, pure butter.

I think it's all what your used to that affects how a new bow feels.

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

I've drawn the Aigil and I agree with the like pulling a truck assessment. The Synergy XT was actually stiffer than the GTO for some reason. Doesn't make any sense. There aren't any big humps in the draw cycle. It's stiff but not harsh. There's a pretty decent valley on it too, for a speed bow. It's nicer on the shoulder than our X-Forces are.

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

eh im not interested in buying one at the moment, just bought a new bow, and 750 is pretty steep for a 15 year old budget...

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

Elite makes a sweet bow, but I've got to agree with Mobow. I haven't found one thats a smooth draw. Unless the completely redesigned the cam on the GTO, I can't see it being much smoother than the Synergy or Aigil.

Maybe your preference for them makes them draw a bit smoother for you...? [&:]

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

Thanks for the nice review.

I have an Elite Fire on the way...I'll post pics when I get it. I originally intended to get a GTO also. With my short draw length of 27.5", I'll reportedly get just as much out of the Fire with a smoother draw to boot. ;) Here is the Fire in red...I will be getting one in black.

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

I wonder what they changed from the Envy to this bow? The envy we had in the shop didn't come close to the advertised speed, and was MUCH stiffer and harsh than the Airbornes I've shot. I really be curious to draw one myself. Probably won't happen anytime soon though, we were so unimpressed with their bows that we actually boxed up our last 4 bows from our last order to send back to them. I do have to say they were gracious enough to buy them back from us though, that wasa nice gesture of them.

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

For those guys that have the Bowtech Binaries. If you like that cam and think that they are smooth. These will be like butter.


The new cam configuration is STIFF but it's not harsh at all. It's a very "smooth" pull at all. "Smooth" is probably a relative term. To some it means an "easy" draw, to some it means "smooth" as in the draw cycle. This has a smooth draw cycle, and it's just "stiff". You guys will just have to shoot one. It for some reason is smoother than the Aigil and the Synergy XT. It's ALOT nicer on the draw than the K8 cams.


They are pretty light too.

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

Seriously, Matt.

The last years, and previous years cams (the K8's) cycle ALOT different than the new ones. The K8 felt IDENTICAL to the Binaries to me.

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

Nice write up.

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

Man, if there's an '08 bow that I'd really love to have, it's this one. Probably not the most popular statement to make - on a bowtech site...butit's no secretthat I've never been one for sugar coating my opinions. Those speed #'s have me salivating,and I know I could shoot a light arrow off of it, b/c it's built with the same components as my Iron Mace. I really trust those Barnsdale limbs.

BTW Matt - I asked around and beat the bushes - sounds like Elite is sticking with the 5gpp warranty for at least one more year. Not that I would let that stop me... LOL

I can't believe that more people aren'tdrooling overthis bow. IMO it's the cream of this year's crop.

What a sexy, sexy thing.

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

Yeah I found that out aswell. I also wouldn't hesitate to shoot a light arrow out of it either. It's built like a tank. Also, how would they know it was shooting too light of arrows? There's no way to tell, I mean honestly. If the dealer calls and tells them something is broken. The company will fix it, no problem.


There are ALOT of people drooling about this bow. There's alot over on AT.

I think it's EASILY top 3 for the year.

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

My problem with some of the new bows like the Elite GTO is its either shoot 80% letoff or try to adjust the cam rotation using the draw stop until you achieve nearly the letoff you want.By doing so you affect the draw unless you order a longer draw or install a longer draw module. I still prefer 65% to 70 something% letoff on my bow. But thats just me.

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

nice review. That is smokin fast

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

Boy, I'm diggin the Xtreme XL!!!!

If you guys think your bows are fast, get a loadof this bad boy!

Specs:

AtoA 36in
Brace 8in
Draw Length 26-32in
Draw Weights 40-80lbs
IBO (70lb @ 30in) 320-330fps!

Now just imagine ole BigJ getting one of them suckers in a 32in draw with 80lb limbs.......untouchable!!! If it will go 320-330fps at 70lb 30in, this thing willflat out boogie at 80lb 32in!All that speed and with an 8in brace.

I should do it.........just because!;)

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

I agree.

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

I have to disagree on the "smooth" draw also. I havent shot that model but I recently shot a fire model (i believe it has the same cams) and I shot one other model last year. I think they are very nice bows and very fast but I dont like the draw curve at all.

I would rather give up a little speed.

rick

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

I just wish I had a dealer close. I think there are some sweet bows on paper.

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

Yeah, that's true......But they still draw like a tank.....;)

Rick James, I can vouche for the speeds. They'll hit it. We just an Aigil in the other day....5.7 gpp arrow, 30/70 shooting 319.....IBO rated 320-330, so it'll do that no problem. These things are fast.

I'll say again, this is probably the SHARPEST looking bow I've ever seen. It's simply beautiful. And w/ the speeds they are producing, I am even more amazed at how quiet they are. They're just dead. Nothing.

But they aren't good enough for me to give up what I'm currently shooting. ;)

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

Quote:

---

quote:

ORIGINAL: Matt/TN

The old cliche fits well here, " if you don't have anything nice to say...."

---

[:-]

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

See the Aigil was one of the bows we were least impressed with. Keep in mind we are a Mathews dealer primarily, but the Aigil was only like 5 fps faster than the drens we had setup the same, with the same arrow, etc........and the draw was MUCH more harsh than the dren, and the bow was significantly louder and had more handshock as well. For 5fps, it just didnt make sense. I'm the kind of guy at the shop where I won't tell someone what to buy either, I will ask someone what they like in a bow and then hand them everything we have that fits that description so they can shoot for themselves, and not once did someone pick the Aigil over the dren. The only bow we sold our of our first batch was the Envy, and had the guy shot an x-force I don't think he would have bought that either, but he simply didn't want a PSE and wanted the fastest bow we had in the shop (except the x-force which was faster by 7-9fps).

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

I can't help it. ONE thing I think about when I buy a new bow is........what's it gonna be worth 2 years from now. Part of the buying decision.

Whats the resale like on these bows v. a Mathews or a Bowtech?

Good review of the bow, for sure.

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

Jeff - the resale on a GTO will probably be pretty high. Most anyone who knows anything about bows is willing to fork it out to get awell-built bow, anda set of barnsdale's is icing on the cake. I'd think that anyone who would buy a used 101st or 82nd - would probably pay just about the same price for a used GTO. Post a pic of the bow, a pic of the chrono reading, and you wouldn't have any trouble getting rid of it.

Honestly, compared to its nearest competitors (101, 82, HCA Speed Force, Vulcan), I think the GTO "might" bea touch faster than all of the above, and it comes with better components than the Bowtech and the Hoyt.

And I know you, Jeff - and I know that you're notREALLY concerned about the resale price. You were practically giving your Mathews away just a couple weeks ago.

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

Partially true, Fran. I sold it to my son's girlfriend's preacher.....where they both attend Sunday night services. He was giving it to his son for a Christmas present. I make exceptions.;)

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

The draw on the GTO is somehow smoother than the Synergy XT AND the Aigil. I don't know about the XL though, the specs look pretty awesome on it and BigJ if you got one of those at 32" and 80#, you'd need two bag targets. [:-]. IF you are shooting a Bowtech Binary cam, you will think these are smooth as silk. I promise. The Elites draw islike poundage poundage poundage, valley wall. On the Bowtechs it's like poundage poundage, big hump, little valley, and then the rock hard wall. With these cams, they draw about how they look. The poundage is constant throughout the draw. You guys will just have to try one.

IF, and this is a BIG IF, if this company can market these bows right and expand, they could really go places if they keep making bows like this. They didn't go to the ATA show, because they honestly can't take on anymore dealers at the moment. IF we can get the bows from them, we won't have any trouble selling them against our XForces.

I'll try to take some good pictures of these bows when I go to work today.

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

Hey Matt/TN should all the Bowtech owners come on your elite thread and make comments and preach their bowtech like you do on all the Bowtech threads? :eek:

nice review. I think I'll stick with my Tribby. :DI'm not in the market this year per the mrs. Here's my man card. _____ [&:]

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

Boy, I can't wait to get my hands on a lefty!!

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

I have to ask,what components are better than Hoyt's.Hoyts limbs are the best in the industry.I love the barnsdale limbs and they MIGHT be as good but certanly not better.


The finish from pics on the Elite bows is awesome and I would love to try one out,especially the xtreme xl,I have been eyeballing that one for a while but doubt my shoulders will allow me to shoot such an aggressive cam.

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

I can't speak for the GTO or any of the 08 Elites, but I feel that last year's Synergy was the best bow released. The draw on the K8 cam was very nice and the bow was smokin fast, dead in the hand and quiet. I almost bought one, but I do care about resale value and questioned what it would be onthe Elites. That, and they tookforever to release the lefties. I also had some concerns about the company since they were so new and had a rocky start. They are some top notch bows with the highest quality components.

From the looks of the new cam it does look like it would have a smoother draw than the K8. For those comparing draw cycles, you can't really compare a single cam to a dually or a binary, which is what the Elites have. The draw cycles are too different to compare. I like the draw cycles on binary cam bows, so when I drew the Synergy knowing it was a speed bow I was pleasantly surprised. The draw cycle on the 82nd Airborne is very similar to what the Synergy had. If the GTO is smoother and puts out the speeds advertised, that is an incredible bow.

Good review, I look forward to checking out the GTO, but I'm happy with what I've got right now.

I noticed that they are no longer using Vapor Trail strings. For you guys in the know, any idea on why they changed string makers?

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

I think Neely's custom is a better option myself.

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

They have actually have been through 3 string makers in only a few years. I wonder why they don't use Winner's Choice anymore? [8D]

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

RE: Elite GTO, should NOT be overlooked...
 

I think ROSS dump them also in 08[&:]