some more shots with the StrykeForce
 

Hi All:
Well, considering it is snowing like heck and I have a few limitations the I ran into to I was not able to put as many arrows thru the new StrykeForce as I would like but here are my continuing impressions and finding:

Bowtech, in their rush to get these out, did not include a rope aid (they are included by the way)and I am out of theirs and since this is a customers bow and the Excal rope makes marks in the top of the stock I did not want to damage the bow so I cocked the bow by hand. This can be done, but any more than a few shots and your lower back starts screaming!!(one of the limitations I ran into). Anyway, after I straightend myself back up and worked out the kinks I was able to sight in and get a few arrows off which allowed me to concentrate on diferant aspects of the bow compared to the DS. Physicaly, it is a DS...same size, shape, weight, balance, etc... The pistolgrip I find pretty cool once I slid it back to a usable position. I am tossed on which I prefer...the DS stock or the pistol grip. I myself would have liked it to be a folding grip so you could lay it flat and use it like a standard forestock. I think the fixed one is going to be a "I love it" or "I hate it" with each individual. I have the DS forestocks being dipped to match so we can offer them as an option, (ballpark $40ish). It does stink to have to remove it to put it into a case and you have to make sure you keep track of the lock bolt for it. I have to work on this one a bit more because I can see a few issues with it myself since getting a case is a pain as it is and having to dissasemble your bow to use it bites.

The trigger, as I first noted, is much better than the DS one. Now it may be just this one bow, but I was told they did something to this model so I think they are on the right track. Noise is less than the DS. It is noticably quieter, but not dramaticaly so (a couple of DB's) Side by side, you notice it. With the extra power and speed though, I would have been happy to have it the same...to have it quieter is great. The snubbers do a great job of cutting down the vibration and noise. Yes, I am checking to see if I can get them seperately to retrofit onto DS's Accuracy is pretty much the same...dont shoot at the same spot more than once. I did not expect much there...kinda hard to improve on same hole accuracy. Speed with the factory arrow clocked at 386fps. 1fps higher than the advertized speed. Nice to see. One major problem I ran into is the same issue I have with the full size Stryker....the factory arrows do not use enough/good enough glue and I now have a stack of arrows I need to put inserts into. I am using a densly packed bag target that stops my DS no problem and this thing buried arrows into it flush with the nock and out the otherside and the insert and tip kept going. Entertaining, but a pain if you have anything behind your target that may not respond well to a 210gr projectile hitting it. I tried a Rinhart 18-1 and it stops them fine, but about half way up the shaft. As with the fullsize Stryker, targets are gonna be a pain with this bow...it is stinking fast!! Overall, except for the possible issue with the forgrip and the additional investment of a target that will handel it, there are definitely some improvements over the DS on this model. The Camo is a big improvement, it is faster(not nessicary, but kinda neet), quieter, and has a better trigger, and the limbs are visually re-enforced which gives a nice feeling of confidence in their durability (time I am sure will tell) I am still very surprized they did not change the retail pricing, but hey, that is great for the consumer. OH, dealer pricing however, did go up so that may cause some individual dealers to play with the pricing.

All for now..
Wyvern

RE: some more shots with the StrykeForce
 

Tax Time Coming!!:D:D:DGonna get me one!

RE: some more shots with the StrykeForce
 

I am intrigued, if that company ever gets things to a point that they feel they can warranty them a little better, I will buy one.

RE: some more shots with the StrykeForce
 

I have never had an issue with them standing behind their products, but the logistics of being as far away from the main bowhunting comumity as they can be and not get wet makes it a tad sticky. I have suggested that since they are tied in with Savage (who is on the east coast) that they open up an east coast repair facility to expidited warranties...Seems like an easy solution.
Wyvern

RE: some more shots with the StrykeForce
 

Can you post a picture or two David?
The one I had in my hand had a laser sight on it, an actual projecting red dot. Very illegal here to hunt with, but a novel idea. The sales rep from whoever was supply them said "only illegal if you get caught", I have heard smarter things come from a reps mouth.
Is that common with these bows, the red dot I mean?

RE: some more shots with the StrykeForce
 

They come with a tripple red dot if you get their package as opposed to a bare bow. You can get a laser from a couple of companies but it is nothing that comes with the bow. That rep seems to be wrong on a few accounts
Wyvern

RE: some more shots with the StrykeForce
 

I love it!:D
I can think of 101 way to hurt myself with it.
So if something does go wrong how does a Canadian fellow get it fixed?

RE: some more shots with the StrykeForce
 

Depends on where you get it...if you get it from a Canadian dealer it has to go back to the the dealer who ships it to the one Canadian wholesale distributor who ships it to Bowtech and gets it fixed then back to the distributor and then to the dealer. If you buy it in America you have to ship it back to Bowtech then it goes to the American dealer you bought it from then back to you. That makes an assumption that it is a warranty issue that requires the bow to go back to Bowtech. That is pretty much the way all warranties have to work with US bows in Canada. It is not quite as clean as it should/could be but there are a number of logistics and shipping involved.

Wyvern

RE: some more shots with the StrykeForce
 

I think I have been spoiled by my crossbows warranty.
I really do like that bow and would also enjoy owning one, but for as often as I shoot and I have also been known to make a mistake or two I would go nuts during the time it was in transit. I think that if they manage to smooth out that process I would be more inclined to make the purchase.
Thanks for the pictures Wyvern!

David

RE: some more shots with the StrykeForce
 

"and I have also been known to make a mistake or two"

Keep in mind that it has an automatic safety and an anti dryfire system so you really cant "make a mistake" with this or any other bow manufacuter that has these features. The cost of shipping back and forth to the US is more of an issue than the time actually.

Wyvern

RE: some more shots with the StrykeForce
 

That is encouraging, I have sent a couple other questions via PM.

RE: some more shots with the StrykeForce
 

Wyvern, is the new Strykeforce comparible to the Phantom?, what are the main differences besides speed?

RE: some more shots with the StrykeForce
 

Not "really". It is quieter and faster, but ergonomicaly the Phantom is nicer andit is a much more complete package and all the accessories you could ask for are integrated onto the bow. The StrykeForce is more of a bare bones performance machine and there is a bit more creativity needed to make accessories work with it (quiver and such). Both are great bows but they "feel" very diferant and I would recomend you shoulder both and see which one fits you best. The one you are more comfortable wiht you will shoot better with and that is more important than the speed...

Wyvern

RE: some more shots with the StrykeForce
 

thanks, i have shot the phantom but need to shoot the strykeforce, really dont think the speed is all that important over 320 but speed sells over alot of things these days in archery:)

RE: some more shots with the StrykeForce
 

I personaly find they shoulder quite diferantly. I really like the SF but that is personal preferance. Also look at the Shadow. It is basicly a 10lb lighter Phantom and not quite as "pretty" but it is alot less money and if you dont need all the extras it is a nice option...

Wyvern

RE: some more shots with the StrykeForce
 

wyvern, did you look at the new tenpoint line-up for '09, what do you think of the defender cls?? kinda like the shadow but less money??

RE: some more shots with the StrykeForce
 

Actually it is more like a ProSlider on steroids :) I personaly think that is gonna be a good bow for them The pricing is better than the other CLS, it comes with their good scope, and it is alot lighter. If it shoots well I think it is going to be pretty popular...
Wyvern

RE: some more shots with the StrykeForce
 

what do think of the hand grip? i really didnt like the pro-slider one it feels weird to my left hand, i guess i could get used to it, if i adjusted it to be comfortable,

RE: some more shots with the StrykeForce
 

That is really personal preferance. I found it quite comfortable though a tad short lenght of pull for my tastes. One of the reason I like the SF is the comparitively longer LOP. It is a comfort thing, and I cant stress enough that if you arent comfortable with the bow you will not be happy/accurate with it. I sell more by comfort than performace generaly, they all will drop a deer...:)
Wyvern

RE: some more shots with the StrykeForce
 

very true indeed i think after talking to you david i'm gonna send some business your way, your in tune with peoples needs! thank you sir!!!

RE: some more shots with the StrykeForce
 

;)

strykeforce crossbow
 

Hi everyone, new to this forum and to crossbow's...i have a question I have the option to purchase a strykeforce crossbow(used) with 4 bolt quiver and scope for 100.00 bucks is this a good deal ? the guy selling it was unable to cock it and i read where that could be an issue with this crossbow...it seems like a fine bow but once again i know nothing about them is this a good bow to start with for the money ? any help would be appreciated thanks Joe.

For $100 if you don't buy it let me know who has it as I will buy it! It's definitely not a beginners bow . Bowtec does not support that model any longer but to the right person it would be a good crossbow