Finally shot a VFT! Very Nice bow!
02-10-2003, 08:41 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Imperial, MO
Posts: 140
Finally shot a VFT! Very Nice bow!
Long awaited, I finally got to shoot a VFT today. I was hoping to find a 30” at 70lbs but all he had left was a 29” at 70lb set at 80%. I’ve been shooting a Mathew’s Ultra Max for 5 years now and I have been anxiously waiting to shoot this bow. It is listed as having more forgiving dimensions yet the specs claim that it is faster than my Ultra Max. This is a great looking bow and seams to be well built. The camo and overall craftsmanship in the riser immediately caught my attention, top notch to say the least. I was also quick to notice the new handle, a much-improved design vs. last year’s models. The bows are noticeably lighter and balance much better in your hand.
I first shot a few arrows to get a feel for it. The draw force curve is slightly harder than my Ultra Max yet noticeably smoother through the entire draw. We all know the draw stop on the cam provides a solid back wall but I was happy to find at full draw I was able to relax without it trying to pull my arm off. Vertical Force Technology is a wonderful thing. This bow had no vibration to speak of, it was quiet and the balance (without a stabilizer) was almost perfect. I think a short lightweight stabilizer would be ideal.
Now to chronograph…..like I said the bow was 29” model and scale read right at 70lbs. It had the standard hush kit on it with one brass nock on the string. The first arrow I shot weighed 340 gr., just shy of IBO. The bow shot 307fps, 306fps and 307fps. The shop owner claims the 30” model shoots about 12-15 fps faster. I then shot a 450gr arrow. It shot 265fps three times in a row. Impressive, but I was somewhat saddened by these last numbers. Conversation’s with Bowtech last week, they said I should expect to get low 280’s with the string rigged for hunting as I explained (tubeless peep, one brass nock, eliminator button and string leaches) and 450gr arrows. With this bow only having the silencers and nock I was hoping for low 270fps, which should equate to about the mid 280’s for the 30” module. I guess I shouldn’t be spitt’n hairs just yet, at least until I actually shoot the 30”.
My current Ultra Max set at 30” at 70lbs with the string equipment as listed above is shooting a 410gr arrow at 285fps. Do you guys know the numbers/figures to estimate what the VFT should shoot with this same setup? The Bowtech guy figured it for me but he was rattling off numbers so fast I couldn’t keep up.
In the end I won’t make a decisive decision until I actually get to shoot the 30” bow. I should take mine with me and shoot them over the same chronograph for comparison.
Toby
I first shot a few arrows to get a feel for it. The draw force curve is slightly harder than my Ultra Max yet noticeably smoother through the entire draw. We all know the draw stop on the cam provides a solid back wall but I was happy to find at full draw I was able to relax without it trying to pull my arm off. Vertical Force Technology is a wonderful thing. This bow had no vibration to speak of, it was quiet and the balance (without a stabilizer) was almost perfect. I think a short lightweight stabilizer would be ideal.
Now to chronograph…..like I said the bow was 29” model and scale read right at 70lbs. It had the standard hush kit on it with one brass nock on the string. The first arrow I shot weighed 340 gr., just shy of IBO. The bow shot 307fps, 306fps and 307fps. The shop owner claims the 30” model shoots about 12-15 fps faster. I then shot a 450gr arrow. It shot 265fps three times in a row. Impressive, but I was somewhat saddened by these last numbers. Conversation’s with Bowtech last week, they said I should expect to get low 280’s with the string rigged for hunting as I explained (tubeless peep, one brass nock, eliminator button and string leaches) and 450gr arrows. With this bow only having the silencers and nock I was hoping for low 270fps, which should equate to about the mid 280’s for the 30” module. I guess I shouldn’t be spitt’n hairs just yet, at least until I actually shoot the 30”.
My current Ultra Max set at 30” at 70lbs with the string equipment as listed above is shooting a 410gr arrow at 285fps. Do you guys know the numbers/figures to estimate what the VFT should shoot with this same setup? The Bowtech guy figured it for me but he was rattling off numbers so fast I couldn’t keep up.
In the end I won’t make a decisive decision until I actually get to shoot the 30” bow. I should take mine with me and shoot them over the same chronograph for comparison.
Toby
02-10-2003, 09:38 PM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Tygh Valley or USA
Posts: 166
RE: Finally shot a VFT! Very Nice bow!
Hey toby, Those numbers don't sound right. You should be about 10-12 fps faster. I have 03 sc pat 70 & 29 350 gr. arrow, hush kit,1 brass nock getting 306. Their Crono might be off. It's a great bow regardless. Good luck fishon........
02-11-2003, 01:45 PM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Winchendon MA USA
Posts: 33
RE: Finally shot a VFT! Very Nice bow!
Toby, I've just bought the '03 VFT. This bow is awesome! It's got a 29" draw length and a 70 lb draw weight. I have a Shure peep, string loop, kisser button, and the hush kit attached. Shooting a 380 grain PSE Carbon Force 300 Dominator I was getting 290-295 fps consistently. I'm happy with these speeds and know that it is definetely faster than my C.5 CyberTec from Hoyt, using a similar setup. Good luck!
02-11-2003, 02:11 PM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: memphis TN
Posts: 447
RE: Finally shot a VFT! Very Nice bow!
I shot one a few weeks ago, and, to be honest, I didn't like it much. Admittedly, the draw was a little long for me, but it felt really harsh throughout the draw. It did have a nice wall, but I've been shooting my Martin single cam for a couple of years and its butter-smooth draw definitely felt better, but maybe that is just me. I shot the same guy's last year Patriot and liked it more. Just my perception.
The most important bloodtrail leads right to the foot of the cross
The most important bloodtrail leads right to the foot of the cross
02-11-2003, 10:19 PM
#7
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Duluth Minnesota USA
Posts: 285
RE: Finally shot a VFT! Very Nice bow!
I've shot the bow also.It's awesome but the only thing I don't really like is their new handle.I'll stick with my 02Pat.I wonder if you can fit last years handle on the new ones?
02-12-2003, 08:24 AM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Oh USA
Posts: 1,584
RE: Finally shot a VFT! Very Nice bow!
btpat, no. The risers are machined thinner for 2003.
Phil.
"Could you guys be quiet, my dad's trying to shoot."<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>
Phil.
"Could you guys be quiet, my dad's trying to shoot."<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>
02-12-2003, 08:42 AM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SC USA
Posts: 1,434
RE: Finally shot a VFT! Very Nice bow!
Gert, I'd say they compare like apples and oranges (Icon and VFT). I would compare maybe a PRO 40 to an Icon .
Apples to Apples the Extreme VFT and new Mathews LX are probably closer. I've heard the LX has a smoother draw and shoots smoother. Bowtech's got the speed and weight advantage .I'm in a delimma over these two and have decided on the LX based based on dealer avaiablitly mostly.I wish I had an oppotunity to shoot both and compare equally though.
Apples to Apples the Extreme VFT and new Mathews LX are probably closer. I've heard the LX has a smoother draw and shoots smoother. Bowtech's got the speed and weight advantage .I'm in a delimma over these two and have decided on the LX based based on dealer avaiablitly mostly.I wish I had an oppotunity to shoot both and compare equally though.
02-14-2003, 03:09 PM
#10
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: KY USA
Posts: 779
RE: Finally shot a VFT! Very Nice bow!
GERT - I have both - different bows all together so very hard to compare.
IMHO - the Icon is the better built bow and of higher quality. The VFT is a lot faster and not as smooth. for ultra smooth & forgiving the Icon wins hands down. I also found the Icon to be a lot easier to tune than the VFT. The Icon is not a speed bow, I think it is a great bow for shooting spots, FITA compound classes, and 3-D where a shooter wants ultra smooth, forgiving, and ultra accurate and is willing to give up some speed to get those qualities.
Both bows have pluses & minuses - depends on what you are looking for. IMHO the VFT really shines for the user looking for a bow that can whip out a heavy arrow for large game hunting. I found that the best tune I could get with the VFT was with a 29" 2315 XX78. I never could get a really good paper tune using several spine sizes and brands of carbons. When it comes to speed the bow is Extreme! I would say if you get the VFT don' t go for all out speed and go for a heavier arrow, you will find it a much easier beast to handle. If you like blasting deer from a treestand & don' t shoot over 30 yards this bow with a 2315 & a Rocket Hammerhead would lay out almost any beast you would ever want to shoot at for 30 yards or under.
I still like my Icon better but it is only for target, the VFT was to be my new hunting bow in place of my Q2XL but honestly I don' t think it will take it' s place. It is a great bow but not the type of bow I like for most of my shooting.
IMHO - the Icon is the better built bow and of higher quality. The VFT is a lot faster and not as smooth. for ultra smooth & forgiving the Icon wins hands down. I also found the Icon to be a lot easier to tune than the VFT. The Icon is not a speed bow, I think it is a great bow for shooting spots, FITA compound classes, and 3-D where a shooter wants ultra smooth, forgiving, and ultra accurate and is willing to give up some speed to get those qualities.
Both bows have pluses & minuses - depends on what you are looking for. IMHO the VFT really shines for the user looking for a bow that can whip out a heavy arrow for large game hunting. I found that the best tune I could get with the VFT was with a 29" 2315 XX78. I never could get a really good paper tune using several spine sizes and brands of carbons. When it comes to speed the bow is Extreme! I would say if you get the VFT don' t go for all out speed and go for a heavier arrow, you will find it a much easier beast to handle. If you like blasting deer from a treestand & don' t shoot over 30 yards this bow with a 2315 & a Rocket Hammerhead would lay out almost any beast you would ever want to shoot at for 30 yards or under.
I still like my Icon better but it is only for target, the VFT was to be my new hunting bow in place of my Q2XL but honestly I don' t think it will take it' s place. It is a great bow but not the type of bow I like for most of my shooting.
