looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

I've been bowhunting for almost 20 yrs and have had several bows over that time. I'm not a real "bowhound", I just want a bow that I can control well and shoot to about 30 yds Max. The past several years I've been using an Oneida Phantom but am unhappy with the clearance of the lower limb (if you've shot an oneida in feild conditions, you know what I mean, unless your very tall).

I'm considering a new bow, and freinds have suggested several bow types that have 80% let-off. I tried a few types, and was surprised how easy they were to hold at full draw. Some had a radical type cam that made them tough to draw smoothly, some didn't - I'm curious who hunts with this let-off - and could you share your experiences?

For the record - I'm not concerned about being able to enter a buck as P&Y.

RE: looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

I have a golden eagle with 80% letoff and I love it. It has a smooth draw, and I hunt from natural blinds on the ground with no problem.
I was able to increase my draw weight for a faster, flatter trajectory.

RE: looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

Farm hunter, if you want to try a bow that draws smoothly and has the high let off, take a look at the Darton bows with the CPS system. I think you will like what you find. I won't say they make the bow for you, but you realy need to try them before you buy somthing else. I think they are about as close to the oneida draw cycle as you will get.

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

RE: looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

Farm Hunter,

I have an 80% letoff bow and I would have to say that it was a little harder to get used to, but I don't have a problem at all with it now. There are some good designs out there now and if you choose an 80%, you will be happy with it I'm sure. Opinions will vary from individual to individual, but it's you that has to decide what you like and I think you will be fine either way, 80% or 65%. Good hunting.

RE: looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

I don't shoot 80% letoff bows as well as I do 65% letoff. That's enough for me not to hunt with one.

RE: looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

With out a boubt I'm with ArthurP on this one .
I shoot much beter with a 65% let off bow .
and the ther is the mourning rotine thing . climb up the tree in my tree stand wait a half hour or so to cool off the pick a pine cone or something small like that and pull back and aim at it and then let down . the letting down part is very harsh with a 80% cam but smooth as butter with a 65% cam switched all my bows last year to 65% and shoot much better also say a nice buck or a buck of a lifetime is coming your way he goes behind a tree and you pull back , and he stops you have to let down , with a 65% cam you can do it smoothly , with a 80% cam it going to be harsh on your muscels loud and if your real lucky your arrow will come off your string and bounce on the ground.It will be alot easyer to let down without being noticed wit a 65% cam . I know someone will say with a 80% cam you can just hold until he walks out but what if thats 15 minets latter . I'll always use a 65% bow because to me they are much smoother pulling back and letting down with out shooting . my .02

RE: looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

I've noticed more of my customers letting their form come apart with 80% let off. Nothing there to hold them in line etc. Something to watch if you go that way.

RE: looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

I have never hunted with an 80% letoff bow..though I have owned them and I have hunted with a 75% letoff model.

I do not want to get into the debate of 80% versue 65% letoff exactly....but I would like to suggest something. If you are having trouble deciding then why not go for a bow that has a cam that is adjustable from 65% to 80% without affecting the set draw length? That way you could see which works best for you.

Anybody see where I am going with this? <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

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RE: looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

I second the &quot;Look at the Darton with the CPS&quot; cams. They are without a doubt the smootest bow I've shot. As far as accuracy, I don't really find that much of a difference shooting a 65 vs. an 80 % lettoff. I'm not trying to shoot dimes either, my groups are my groups. I feel comfortable toeing the line with anyone. I know my limitations and either will shoot better than I do. Yup, it's easier to hold 80% for sure.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> I could care less about qualifying for Pope and Young.

RE: looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

Both my bows are 65% let off. I tried a couple with 80% and didn't like them. I just like the extra little bit pulling against me at full draw. I'm more comfortable with it.

Get Close.......&amp; Shoot Straight

RE: looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

Arthur, you won't hunt with that Pearson 440?

My hunting bow (Pearson) has 83% according to the factory spec sheet that came with it and I love it for hunting. Holding it is nice but I agree the letdown is a bit harsh.

I say try to find out what you prefer and what ever it is, become intimate with its personality and know your capabilities with it. I wasn't as accurate at high letoff at first but then I learned how to make my relationship with it the best it can be. Read what the guys are saying are disadvantages of HL and teach yourself to minimize those parameters. Be aware of the ease in which you'll be tourqing your bow and -don't do that! Did you feel comfortable with it. If so I'd bet you can get &quot;good&quot; with it.

Later-
Chief

RE: looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

No, Chief. I thought I would when I got it but now that I've shot it a spell, it's strictly consigned to 3D. It's just a little too critical for me to hunt with. Wish they made some 65% modules for it.

What hunting I've done this year has been with an old Hoyt Rocket w/50% letoff. Quite frankly, I like that old bow better than any of the new ones I've shot in the past 5 years and I've got another old Hoyt I'm fixing up.

I'm on the verge of putting that Pearson up for sale. Only had it 7-8 months. Of course, Frank's had about a dozen bows since I bought it, so I can't feel too bad about selling the thing.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

Arthur man, e-mail me the specifics when you get a chance. I think I'd like that bow.

RE: looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

Hey Arthur I beleive they do make a 65% module for that bow I got one for my spoiler lite and it cost me $15

RE: looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

I have a Golden Eagle 80% letoff and I love it. I have been shooting it for about 4 years now and never had a problem.

RE: looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

I hunt with a Mathews MQ-1 with 80% letoff StraightLine Maxcam; it's probably one of the smoothest-drawing cams on the market.

Now if you've followed any of my posting at all, you'll realize I'm not one of those &quot;get a Mathews at all costs; everything else out there is junk&quot; guys. I'm just telling you it's a smooth-drawing bow, even for 80% letoff. If you're in the market for one, you'd be wise to at least try it.

I'd probaby steer away from the regular MaxCam on the models like the Ultra Max. Those are much harsher in their draw cycle, even though they're 80% letoff as well.

RE: looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

yes, i have a matthews ultra max with 80% letoff and it is a harsher draw cycle than the MQ1. i do love the bow though and the letoff has not affected my shooting,if anything it has made me more accurate and consistant.

RE: looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

Hey Arthur, if you are going to be selling it then what are you going to get next??

Come on, fess up, I just love it when you guys get a new bow..:) You are going to have to do a bow report on it...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

Frank, I'll probably have to do a classic report on the bow I'm fixing up before I do anything with a new bow.:) I called Hoyt to get some cable/string/wheel size info and wound up kinda confused.

This must have happened when I was in one of my prolonged longbow periods and paying no attention at all to compounds.... When did they start calling the ProVantage series risers Super Slams? Turns out both these bows I have are '94 model Super Slams, not ProVantages like I thought. Same, exact riser though.<img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

80% Let off????? WOw have the compounds come a long way.....Mine is a 65% let off. Pretty soon they may have triggers on them, sort of a Vertical Held Xbow...huh????:):)<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

The outdoors is yours, treat it with RESPECT!!!

RE: looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

Hey guys - really, thanks alot for the input. I really didn't expect so much help. I have a good freind that's an archery dealer, I'm going to try one at 80% for kicks, but I'm leaning toward the 65%. I remember when I went from Compound to 50%, then 50% to 65%, it was like learning all over again!

I'll give that Darton a look too.

Thanks again.

RE: looking for input on 80% letoff.
 

farm hunter, I find the 80% let-off just fine. Last Spring I got a Mathews FX to replace the Proline 65% let-off bow I had used for 3 years. Like MQ1shooter, I have no particular faithfulness to any brand, but tried this and really liked it. I shoot much better with it than with the lower let-off, so I haven't found that to be a negative issue.