New Poster here,
Hey guys- I haven't picked up the bow in years. I have a approx. 11-12 year old Zmax. I started looking for a new bow recently and they certainly have changed. I shot a Black Ice and a Tec Hunter (gander mountain by bowtech). Tomorrow I'm stopping in at the proshop to shoot the DXT, Katera, and a leftover Drenalin. Going to make a trip to the bowtech dealer this weekend. I'm trying to keep an open mind. I've got no draw length (27.5"). i'm looking to make up for it with a faster bow, but I also want something shooter friendly/ forgiving. I couldn't shoot that Mathews nearly as well as an old crappy Browning I started out with. I know everybody has their bias, but can anybody point me in the right direction??? For example, should I stick with a short ATA due to my short draw length?? Brace height?? Why do they call it height when it looks like width?? Parallel limbs / beyond parallel?? Is there a good bow review site? Now I'm rambling, but any help would be greatly appreciated?

Also I apologize if I'm in the wrong forum??? Gear Review?

I thought I might know you but after reading your short D.L. I know I dont. Any way, best advice is to just go shoot as many bows as you can and see which feels the best. In general a higher brace height is more forgiving than a shorter one, and a longer ATA is more forgiving than a shorter one, in general.

PA -westernish- Johnstown area

Welcome to the site, I went with the DXT after useing my first bow for the last 15 years, I love the DXT but there are alot of bows out there these days. It all determines in what you want,(speed, accuracy, forgiveness ect.........) I would shoot as many as you can, and what fits you the best I just became a member at the first of this year and the guys on here are some of the best people you can meet. Good luck with the New Bow hunt and post some pics of the one you pick.

You may be able to get away with a shorter brace height because of your short draw, it wont affect you as much. As far as ATA goes, its whatever you're comfortable with. I have a 27" draw and shoot a '05 allegiance. Had a Mathews MQ32 and would never shoot anything under 34" ata ever again. Much too twitchy for me.

Get the Drenalin, personally I'm not into short bows....ie the DXT, less forgiving I don't see a reason to own a shorter bow, get in the way? I've never had a longer bow get in the way of something, they even make a longer version of the Drenalin.....not sure the name, if anything I'd buy longer, I've got the Drenalin, love it. It'll take care of me for another 10 years if not forever.

Can't wait to shoot some different bows. I was impressed with everything I shot, even the PSE Mach X -X1? Wasn't the Xforce. Local shop wants $689 for the 2007 Drenalin. Is that decent?

Your already on the right track by shooting lots of different bows. Never buy a bow because of the name, buy it because you like it.

For someone like you I would say try and find a really great pro shop nearby. Find someone that is going to take the time to talk to you about the newer bows, what they feature, what they dont, what accesiroes are available, and set you up right. IMO for this I would avoid your bigger stores, Cabelas, Gander Mtn, etc as they dont seem to have the knowledge or the time that a small proshop will.

Any thoughts on the Bowtechs?? Should I make a trip to check them out? Don't think they were even around when I bought my last bow.