FLX Gaurd
 

Bowtech guys, is this a gimmick? Having a hard time understanding the marketing with the new FLX Gaurd. From the website they make a big deal of how this removes the problem of torque from traditional roller gaurds.

If the above is true why isn't the FLX on all the models with roller gaurds? Seems like a contradiction to me.

Asking as I have an 09 Sentinel that I can't get to broadhead tune. Now the Sentinel comes out with the new FLX gaurd and am wondering if there is a torque issue with last years model? Talked to several guys with Captains and they have no issues, Captain doesn't have the FLX gaurd this year. Have also talked to others that have had tuning issues with the 09 Sentinal.

Sounds like you answered your own question...they had issues with certain bows and for 2010 added the FLX guard to help fix those issues. The Captain obviously didn't have the issues as the Admiral and Sentinal, so they left the standard roller guard on it. I know my Admiral FLX has no issues whatsoever, and tuned very easily. Can't speak for the 09 models, but this 2010 with the FLX guard works perfectly.

Many had No problems tuning the Center Pivot bows with the standard roller guard, but there obviously were a few.

The FLX will make these bows tunable for the masses and even more precise arrow flight possible for everyone. If you talk to as many as I do you will find that there were those few that had tuning issues with the Sentinel, Admiral, and also the Captain, but the biggest percentage did Not.

I owned, shot, hunted with, and tagged animals with both the Captain and the Sentinel. There were as easy to tune as any Bow I have ever shot if not more so. For those that had issues I would say the FLX will be a great aid in getting the bows to shoot and tune great for Them.

My Captain obviously does Not have the FLX, but even if the 2010 had the FLX I doubt I would upgrade as there is No way the bow could have tuned any easier or shoot any better for Me than it does.

I shot the Captain side by side with a Mathews Monster, Mathews Reezen 6.5, and a Hoyt AlphaMax. While the Alphamax was really a very nice Bow and shot great for me. I felt the Captain was a touch better for me in a few areas, both very Nice bows indeed!

Dan

My old Black Knight II tuned easier than this Sentinel.

One of the shops I use has had most all of the Sentinels they sold traded back in already. Mostly for a Captain. Don't know about the Admiral but don't think this is an isolated problem for me with the Sentinel.

I'm going to keep playing with it for a while but don't want to have to buy a new bow to deal with a torque issue.

Mez,

It's not isolated to you and your Sentinel. Some had/has issues, some don't and I'm not sure if it's how different we all hold our bows. I have an Admiral that is tuned right down the center but for others, the bows are tuning inside center in the 09 line. My friend and our board member, Jawshooter has an 09 Sentinel which he loves but it tuned inside center and he said to me, "that's where she likes to tune and she shoots incredibly well but it is what it is". Since then, he put a shoot through on it and him and Rick James (Matt) said it shoots better than ever. With that, Rick James bought a 2010 Sentinel with the FLX Guard and won't put a shoot through on it. The FLX Guard is no gimmick, it doe work and serves the purpose shown in the video. Unfortunately, the FLX doesn't fit the 09 riser as the risers were changed in the 2010 models. I read if they don't tune inside, they like a weak spine but I can't say for sure. Again, I read it so ...

Rob can confirm that my 09 Admiral had no tuning issues. I almost beat him at the GTG with it.:barmy:

Just my luck I guess. Thanks all for the candid information.

Just for information, my sentinel paper tuned and bare shaft tuned fine. I did have to push the rest a little towards the riser. But no clearance issues.

LOL, Mez!:s2:

How ya been?

Been good you?

I wasn't kidding with that statement. I can't get BH's within 4 inches of my FP's past 20 yards. I shot expandables this year because of the issue. Some old NAP Spitfires that I had in my box.

I have NO IDEA, but wouldn't that mean it was out of spec? Knowing you, I think you've done all you can. In other words....can it be made to stay in spec? Did you buy it, new?

I've been great. Good to see your name on here, but hate you're having the issues.

Bought it brand spanking new.

Going to start over with it and try again. I'm afraid it has something to do with my form/style not working with this bow design as Rob alluded to. Not had trouble getting any of my Bowtechs to tune in the past. I finally buy a more shooter friendly bow instead of a speed bow and I can't shoot the thing. Go figure.

Was afraid of that. Any recourse other than buying a new bow? Will they warranty one out?

Does the FLX Guard keep the bus cables out of the way of the fletching (odd feather down) during the shot? I noticed on a few bows with cable slides that the cables seem to be a clearance issue not the riser cut out. I put an Eastman Teflon cable slide on my Black Ice and it held it closer to the cable guard rod and gave me a little more clearance and better performance. I was shooting 2" Quick Spins.

The FLX guards are factory set to give clearance with Blazers on a 26 series alumuinum shaft. In most instances that is more than enough.

Dan

OK thanks for the Info

Hey Rob, do you know if bowtech helping people that have a tough time tuning these sentinels? I mean, its a lot to ask folks to spend 109 dollars for a machined piece.

Just seems to me, that the "right" thing for a company to do is to come up with a plan to help those struggling tuning 09 sentinels. I was shocked when i started digging all those having issues. And the fustration.

I can't say I am seeing much of a problem. I am having to push rest a tad close to the riser than I like. But I haven't done any serious BH tuning out to 40 or 50 yards.

I sent them an email yesterday morning about my issue. I'll let you know if and how they respond.

As for the machined piece, that will void your warranty if you put it on the bow. You also need a new cam and Bowtech won't sell you a cam unless you damage yours. You would have to swap with someone else wanting to do the same thing. You need either two bottom cams or two top cams to get the cable split correct.

Yes, and yes. I've seen a sentinel with a shoot thru and talked to the guy. He said it tuned greAt.

Also, u can find people to trade with fairl easily if u look on AT. Btw, email or pm TAP and he may have one.

Thanks for the info. I actually have looked at the thread on AT. I thought it was just me with this Sentinel until I talked to a dealer and he informed me that this was not an isolated incident with the bow. This is the only archery web site I visit but started doing a little digging and it was quite eye opening when I ventured over to AT the past few days.

It seems that this shoot through system really helps and is a good idea. I won't be getting one however. I really shouldn't have to spend $110 on an aftermarket part designed by a guy on an archery forum to fix an $850 bow. That premise really bothers me. If Bowtech won't address the issue I'll sell the bow and get a different brand. As a 10 year customer that loved the bows and technology I expected more from them.

I can blame you.

Same here. I am a hunter, and a shoot thru would be awkward, and you shouldn't have to do that.

A little update. I talked directly to Bowtech this afternoon as they called me regarding my letter. They were helpful and genuinely concerned with my problem. Going to try to retune the bow and if it won't tune they want it back to check for any problems and see if they can figure it out. I'm good with that. We'll see how it goes.