Actually I prefer to use the AMO standards when comparing bow speeds because I have found it to be more accurate! Something doesn't make sense though..........in past years I've seen other bows with faster AMO speeds using the AMO standard of testing.

I wouldn't mind trying a Black Eagle. The smoothest and one of the best bows I ever owned was an Oneida Lite Force Magnum. Only problem is the "thock" noise I got at release and the fact that in tight places you have to be very aware of where the bottom limb is in relation to anything near! Not to mention I am not up to date on how C.P. Oneida's are as far as being a secure company.

I used to own an Oneida Aeroforce... it was an really nice shooting bow. I just couldn't get over how loud it was. Every time you shot it sounded like you just slapped 2 2x4s together.

Dammit... now I gotta go to work today and shoot a 540gr arrow out of my 60# Pro40 dually just to see if it'll beat 235fps... [8D]

I have a hard time believing a black knite wont match it

There are some real easy ways to quiet down an Oneida folks. I would think the company should start incorporating some of them. The main noises you get on an oneida right now are at the hinge, which can be fixed with a couple mini limb savers and string slap which can be greatly reduced by using shockfins (Same theory as Mathews string surpressors). There is also a gentleman who does work on the limp cups that greatley reduces noise levels.

My BE doesn't even have these and really the only noise on them is the string slap. To me it sounds "noisy" but the Mathews shooters at the place I shoot remark on how quiet it is compared to what they had been told. It is quieter than many of the bows shot there and this range is an echo chamber. You stand inside the place and every shot sounds loud. In the door way, not so much. They are trying to fix the problem but...I will say when I shot my BE outside it didn't sound like much of anything. Just a string twang.


The Aeroforce was a much louder and heavier bow than the BE. Also much longer from tip to tip.

As far as none of the other Bow companies testing at AMO... Maybe that is the case but this was an independant test done by an archery company. They used their measurements and not what companies gave them which is a good thing. AMO isn't as flashy as IBO because the speeds aren't there at 300+ fps but they are more representative of what setup I hunt with as I don't tend to use ultralight arrow. What I need is a standard somewhere in between probably.

Another thing about the recurve outboard limb is that it nestles nicely on your leg, even at full draw if you are sitting down. I wouldn't hunt this way but my pro shop guy, who used to shoot one back in the 80's, told be about it and it is darn comfy.

You gotta be carefull of any Bow you shoot about getting branches or twigs in the wrong place. I have seen a Cam bow that got a little too close to some branches too while the guy tracked an animal at full draw. Pretty FUBAR. Not to mention how many little twigs seem to alter peoples shots every year because they didn't see them.

ok.. I already told everyone I am new to this but IF you hit the deer on your first shot and it dies what does it matter if you have noise or not? Is it a complaint of vibration?

with noise you do risk the deer "jumping the string". With movement you do too. Oneidas don't have much handshock at all. Well, more correctly, they have none.

Someone sell me a freakin oneida...i really want one.

Not sure if I'm reading into this thread wrong, but any bow over 305 IBO should be at or above 235 amo. Heck my 1996 Z-light came in at 232fps amo.
Here's a 2004/05 outback at 236 AMO link for ya-
http://www.mathewsinc.com/v2/home/pr...oCatalogID=353

The switchback (05, I know) come in at 241

Regardless, it doesn't matter anymore. 235 isn't fast by today's standards, just average for an upscale bow. And IBO sucks, too. The only people who strive for speed are idiots like me, and only for 3D shooting. The vast majority of shooter, 3D and hunters alike, do not have a 30" draw, do not shoot 70#, so will not achieve IBO speeds on a regular basis. The industry (ATA) needs to implement a new standard closer to what is used by the average shooter.

Something like 65#, 28" draw, shooting about a 360 grain arrow. And as many bows are coming from the factory with Leeches on them now, it wouldn't hurt to include this in the equation.

BG, I agree. I like it when they list both numbers so I can average them and figure that's what I'm gonna be close to.
For instance, that same old Z-light= 300 IBO, 232 AMO / 2= 266fps. A speed I could obtain in hunting trim. I currently have it shooting 255 @ 65# shooting 420 gr arrows. Same ball park though.