Don't guess, chronograph it!

NDTerminator: We're not talking about exact speed, but relative speed. Another point of this thread is not disbelieving what speed your bow will shoot; but, to understand at what cost it may take to shoot that speed. In other words, 10 fps is not that much good to you if it directly affects your accuracy by being too long a draw for you.

Other points that have to be considered in this equation are the brace height and cam design. Some of the vary fast cam designs make for a great lower poundage 3D bow but can rip at your shoulder in a higher poundage hunting situation. Couple this with too long a draw length and you could be doing some permanent damage to your body.

I didn't post this to be critical of anyone's equipment or choices. I see these problems all the time in my shop and it gets depressing, seeing customers who really enjoy the sport, getting frustrated and developing personal injury because they're over-bowed.

Edited by - Len in Maryland on 02/20/2002 21:22:17

5 shot: I'm sorry, I didn't realize I had helped you make a choice. I intentionally try to stay out of any decision making. I have to do that enough in my businesses. <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

If you drove 2 1/2 hours to get your bow, you at least could have driven a little further to say &quot;hello&quot;. Just kidding. Good luck with your new bow. May it give you years of carefree enjoyment.

Thanks Len, I will make it up thier one day, almost had to do it sooner than latter to find a &quot;dealer&quot; that actualy stocked Dartons! My brother an I are thinking of making the trip this summer.

TAKE YOUR KIDS HUNTING AND YOU WON'T BE HUNTING FOR YOUR KIDS

Len,
I have a couple questions AND I'm not trying to start anything with the first one. 1. Why do you have to be worried about giving some names about your findings?? I see opinions/studies that pit manufactures on the website all the time. For example,....5shots study of broadheads. BOWDACIOUS discussing the Gold Tip arrow that broke into pieces. Or the dozens of articles in the magazines that that compare/test and share the findings of particular pieces of equipment? I won't go on. I wouldn't even remotely consider NOT posting my opinion/findings on something like this. Why are YOU so concerned with sharing facts?

2. Why is there no information or at least some studies that measure bow &quot;noise&quot; under a controlled set of conditions? Or maybe there is and I've missed it the last 15 years in the magazines I subscribe to? Again,...not from the manufacture,...but from an independent individual just trying to collect some honest facts, then sharing them??



Edited by - twang on 02/22/2002 13:28:29

It would be nice if there was a standard that companies would actually follow, but I don't think I've ever owned a bow I didn't check the speed for first, to see myself.

I've always been a &quot;I'll see for myself&quot; type person, and always will. Maybe I'm not a trusting soul, but to me, no one should be too shocked when their 310 IBO rated bow only gets 292.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, shoot, see for yourself, then buy.

Jeff...U.P. of Michigan.

Len,
After thinking about this for like 5 minutes I have an idea.

Here is my opinion on some manufacturers and there reported IBO ratings:

Alpine-------Not close
Bowtech------Not close
Bear---------Not close
Browning-----Not close
Champion-----Close
CSS----------Not close
Darton-------Close
Golden Eagle-Not close
High Country-Not close
Hoyt---------Not EVEN close
Jennings-----Close
Martin-------Close
Matthews-----Close
McPherson----Not close
Oneida-------Not close
Parker-------Close
Pearson------Not close
Xi-----------Not close

close= +-5fps
not close= +-12fps

Disclaimer: The opinions stated in this post are simply that,...... &quot;OPINIONS&quot;. &quot;Close&quot; is a &quot;relative&quot; term based upon proximity of time, space, and relationship. NO ATTEMT to keep these factors consistent has been made.

Len, Can you rank my opinions as to being &quot;close&quot; or &quot;not close??

Twang, I don't want to speak for Len, but remember he makes his living selling and serviceing bows. I am sure he has his prefernces, but to publicly &quot;talk down&quot; other bows lines, some of which he may sell, is not a good thing to do when you rely on archery for your living. I know I would be the same way. Even if he doesn't sell a bow line, one of his competitors may, and you realy don't to start any wars in this industry.

TAKE YOUR KIDS HUNTING AND YOU WON'T BE HUNTING FOR YOUR KIDS

Thank you, 5 Shot, for your understanding. In a post above I did already answer this question: &quot;As far as publishing data like you asked, I'm sorry but that would be industrial/commercial suicide. My family likes to eat and sleep under a warm roof. I hope you understand. Besides that, many manufacturers have taken steps to correct this problem. It wouldn't be fair if their intentions are good or are &quot;in process&quot; of making changes.&quot;

Twanger, in the last 5 years I have only shot hoyt and HCA. That means ten different models between the two brands. After I set them up for an IBO comparison(thats the first thing I do) I think that every one of them was within 5fps of advertised speed. Well, let me clarify, I shoot a 29&quot; draw, so whatever speed I get, I add 10fps to the custom chrono reading for the 1&quot; of draw I give up.
I know a bunch of guys that shoot mathews, and if they are slower than advertised, it is not by much.
Hey, this is what I have found in my setups, maybe not typical. I don`t put any extras on the string when testing for speed.
1. Tied in nock set.
2. Super peep/minus aperature.
3. One eliminator button for below nock.
4. Serious tune job before hitting the chrono.
Come to think of it...that`s all I put on my hunting bow setup, too!