Here's a few questions for you experts. After surfing my brains out and hitting a couple pro shops and putting some bows in hand, I'm starting to lean towards Hoyt for my new hunting bow. Although, I know many of the other brands 2004's are yet to come out. And I did love the way the Mathew's Conquest shot, but I feel it's a hair long for a tree stand. Plus I love the Hoyt grip. So here's my question for you experts. Being one that likes a bigger, more stable platform, I really like the Hoyt Protech, but wonder if it's a little slow for what I'm looking for. It's specs are 38" ATA, 8.25 brace and 296 fps, vs Ultratec and 37.5 ATA, 7" brace and 308fps, Xtec 35.5 ATA, 7" brace and 310fps. I'll only be hunting out of treestands for whitetails in wooded upper Michigan with an average shot of 15-20 yards and a max of 28-30 yards. I'll be shooting 29" at about 68-70lbs with a 400 carbon arrow. I've used 100gr Thunderheads, but wondering if 85's would work just fine with this set up. And my biggest question concerning the Protec is, if using this set up, do you think I can I set just one pin for say, 24 yards, and be able to just use one pin from 0 out to 30? Or, do you think it would drop too much. It's not that setting another pin isn't an option or a hassle, I just prefer not to buy a bow where the bottom drops out past 25 yards. I'd take a little less forgiveness of the other two bows if that's the case. Although, I'd rather have a tack driver that drops a bit than a barn burner that's all over the target at 30 yards. Any thoughts? Or am I foolish for even considering Protec and should only consider Ultratec or Xtec? Thanks. Lot's of questions...

Let me first say that with your draw and poundage that any of the bows will shoot plenty "flat" for you.No bow shoots flat and no bow "drops out" unless their is a tuning problem the arrow will shoot a curve.That curve will be a graduall one and will not "drop out".A slower bow will have a slightly quicker curve but not enough between these bows at your yardages to be concerned with.All you need to do to compensate that curve is to sight in 1 yard back and it is a non issue,atleast with the three bows in question.


I would make sure the arrows were spined properly for the new bow,if they are truelly a 400 spine,then I would say they are too light but some manufacturers don't use actuall spine deflection to rate their arrows.I would also doubt that for an arrow as long as you will have at a hunting weight that an 85 gr head would give you sufficient foc.But without knowing specifics,I can't say for sure but I am pretty sure.


I would reccomend for you at your draw and poundage, the Ultratec,I actually have a 2003 Ultratec and love it but it is my 3-d bow now.(it was my hunting bow last season).I had a 2001 before that.I just ordered an Xtec but I draw 28.5 to hunt with and I only shoot 58#'s and just thought for me it would be perfect.


BUT,if you like the Protec better,that is the bow for you.The poundage you shoot along with your draw will make that one sweet hunting rig for anything you desire.I would definately reccomend this bow if it were to be used for target,but you stated you were interested in hunting with it,that is why I said the Ultratec.




I did a little test for you on my program that I have proven to be very accurate in showing flight trajectory of an arrow.As a matter of fact,I use this program to make sight tapes for my slide bar sight.Most target shooter use this program or a similar one for sight tapes.


I used an ibo legal(352 gr) arrow for all setups at 30" draw but the speed are for Your draw of 29".I also used the pin setting at 24 yards like you stated.


Protec @ 289 fps
2.94" high @ 13 yards
3.79" low @ 30 yards



Ultratec @ 301 fps
2.71" high @ 13 yards
3.49" low @ 30 yards


xtec @ 303 fps
2.69" high @ 13 yards
3.45" low @ 30 yards

If you look at these numbers,although they are arbritrary numbers,they should indicate to you your worry about the speed is really a non issue.I would also reccomend sighting in at 27 yards and that would level out the curve.Meaning the shot would be the same amount high at 13 yards as it is low at 30 yards.This will not reflect how you shoot and you may actually sight slightly different from 13 to 30 and that may change actuall results slightly but I think you get the picture.

Given the trajectory data that TFOX provided, as well as the lengths you're looking at, my pick would be the ProTec because of the deflex geometry in the grip. In fact, I've got a ProTec but with LXPro limbs and Accuwheels, the longest, slowest version.

What I like about it. The bow is virtually impossible to torque. It's brace height gives you clearance for cold weather clothing. Altogether, it's the most accurate and 'forgiving' bow Hoyt makes. Considering how little the speed actually costs you in trajectory...

Diddo Arthur P.

This past season I shot an 02 Protec and loved it. These bows will just about shoot themselves. I just bought an 03 Ultratec, but after having it a couple of weeks, I traded for the 03 Protec. IMO, the Protec is the best hunting bow hoyt makes. It is EXTREMELY forgiving and has a huge brace height. I may never shoot another model!

I have a 03 Protec and while I like the way the bow shoots, I did not like it while I was hunting. I personally found it to be too long in a treestand. As far as being fast, I find it fast enough for me. Depending on my exact set up I get about 270 FPS, which is fast enough for me, especially for hunting.

These are just my opinions, but I actually stopped hunting with the Hoyt about halfway through the season and switched back to my old Martin that is 3 inches shorter ATA.

Slice

Wow! Thanks guys. Ton's of great info. Thanks for all the time, especially TFOX.

thanks for the info TFOX personally I would go with the xtec the trajectory is much smaller doesnt drop or rise as much at certain distances and its plenty fast. but my advice is to shoot them and see what you are most comfortable if you have access to doin so.

Good thread guys. I must admit that when you see it on paper it makes a strong point for what little difference there really is for most bows in any given speed range.

I agree, the Protec should be more than enough bow for what you are looking to do with it. That is only a 10-15 fps difference in speed at IBO level ratings....and when you go with a heavier arrow that difference in speed seems to shrink considerably.

I have just ordered the Ultratec this past January, (should be in soon) I ordered mine with the spiral cam this cam bounced the IBO ratting up to 317 FPS with the 2000 limbs. This bow will be used for 3d's this summer and may be used for hunting in the fall. I must say that even with my old Mathews last fall my arrow was supporting speeds in the low 270's.

IBO speeds are not normal hunting speeds I would hope that you are not going to be discouraged if your arrow is not pushing 300 FPS. Hoyt based there IBO ratings on 30" draw, 70 LBS @ 5 gra/lb. For me these speeds are base line measurements. My hunting set up is at least 6 gra/lb. With a fixed blade broad head, and helical fletching.

For your set up using Beman
70 lbs with a 30" arrow, you should be using a ICS Camo Hunter 300
this arrow with insert nock 3 vanes and 100gra point your total arrow weight is around 451
451 gra = 6.44 gra/lb

Using a ICS Hunter 300 this arrow total weight comes to 431
431 gra = 6.16 gra/lb


Just for kicks with a ICS CH 400 total arrow weight would be around 413 gra,
with a ICS H 400 total arrow weight would be around 392

I would like to say that it is possible for some people to have IBO speeds for hunting, But for the majority of us hunters that is un likely.

It does seem like a bit of a toss up. Who here hunts with a 38" ATA bow? Is it really an issue? Seems to me, all my older bows were long, but never had problems on stand. The Ultratec is nearly the same size as Protec. Anyone have tree stand issues with it being 37.5"?