Bowtech questions.....
 

If any of you folks have been following the Patriot thread over on the bowhunting forum then you know that JeffB and Matt/Pa are persuading me to try out a Bowtech Extreme Solo.

Before making any bow purchase I like to be well informed on what I am purchasing...so I have a few questions....

1. What are their limbs made out of? Solid Fiberglass? Carbon/Fiberglass? etc....

2. What type of limb pockets do they utilize? Are they pivoting? "Open faced"? Enclosed? etc.....

3. How many inches of reflex is in the riser?

4. How much extra overall weight do the sand traps add to the weight of the bow?

5. It obviously utilizes Winner's Choice strings.....but that is referring more to the process...what is the actual string material utilized?

Those are just the starter questions...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>....I appreciate any and all responses.

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

Frank,

I have a 2001 ES (100lbs, 30 &quot;, 500 gr = 336 fps) and it is one AWESOME bow!! I'll try to answer as many of your questions as I can. The winner's Choice material is BCY 8125.
The difference in the weights of the 2 model years is 3 lbs 3 oz. without the sand traps and 3 lbs 5 oz. with, but I'm not sure if the limb pockets are the sole reason for the difference.
The limb pockets are open faced and static.
Limbs are Gordon so I'm pretty sure all glass.

I would also recommend this bow to anyone. After reading Matt's review of the Dual cam Pro 38 I picked one up off ebay, so I'm anxiously awaiting its arrival.

Edited by - 500 fps on 02/06/2002 14:19:30

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

Vic,

Thank you for the quick, detailed response. Bowtech Shooter sent me an email with some info as well.

The only question not answered is the amount of reflex in the riser. I would be interested in the 7 inch brace height option on the Extreme Solo if that matters any.

What kind of speed could I expect from that particular bow with a 65 lb draw weight, 31 inch draw length and either a 360 grain arrow or a 420 grains arrow?

Anything else that I should be looking out for when I try one of these puppies?

...oh, and speaking of trying one out....what would be the closest shop to me?

...and a general idea on the price of this bow would be appreciated...I would guess in the $500-$550 range..???

Thanks again.

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

Frank,

The option 2 model does not have much reflex..probably an inch to an inch and a half at the very most (The model pictured in the 2002 catalog is the option 2)..it's very tame looking. The Option 1 has 2-3&quot; inches.

BT rates the bow at 3.5 Lbs. Limbs are Gordon, no lams.

MSRP is $599, around here that is what you pay. I suspect you can find them for less elswhere in the country.

Pockets are static, so shooting bow off peak will vary brace (obviously), timing, and noise.

You are probably better off ordering a 60 LBer, or you might see if BT can build you a &quot;heavy&quot; 60 (like Mathews does).

If you do order one, also get that new Vibrablock from BT, I hear it's pretty dang good all by it's lonesome...add some Limb Savers and wheewwwwboy!!

Seriously, you should shoot one first if at all possible, and make sure you shoot it as close to your setup as possible! The out of the box ES does not accurately represent what they feel like when properly set-up (mine is quieter than my MM at similar grains per LB setups).

JeffB :)

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

Thanks Jeff for the rest of the info.

Any guesses on the speed with my setup?

...how do you feel about the overall construction of the bow....especially in regards to the limbs?

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

As best I can tell from mine the reflex looks to be 2.75&quot;. I have option 1 (of course), so option 2 should be exactly 1&quot; less. My shop used to sell for a little less than MSRP, but they have upped their prices to equal it now.

I'll ballpark guess 310-315 with the 360 gr. and 290-295 with the 420.

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

Frank,
I'll take a guess anyway......
At31&quot; and 70# and a 350gr you'd be looking mid 320's....maybe 325fps.
Shoot the same 350 gr. arrow at 65lbs and you'll lose about 15-18fps (You are now 25grs. over IBO weight).....(I lost 18 going to 64# on my &quot;Pro38&quot;)
It's Hard to say because that's still a heck of a power stroke.
That puts you at about 308-310 for 65# and 350gr........up that arrow to 360 and knock of another 4-5fps.
Now you are at 303 to 305fps......with your string set-up.....I'm guessing 300fps even.
I think Vic may be a bit high.....for a 65# set-up.
It's going to depend upon where your particular model falls in that speed range.....get a fast one and you could shoot as high as 330fps to start with at 31&quot; and 70#.....that would up your final speed to about 305-308 til' all is said and done.

The 420 gr arrow I'd say at about 280ish +/- for a 65# set-up. Like I said ,get a fast one and mid 280's for this arrow.

Edited by - Matt / PA on 02/06/2002 16:22:01

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

After thinking about it some more I think Matt's estimates are more accurate.

I'm the eternal optimist when it comes to speeds, but when the feathers fly and the #'s light up you will see results closer to what Matt suggests.

One word of caution. Bowtechs are like Lay's potato chips. One just isn't enough!

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

Frank:

I was just at the Harrisburg show yesterday, where I got to shoot a Mighty Mite, and a Patriot. I don't know 1% of what the experience owners who have already responded do, but I can give you some impressions. First off, they seem like a really solid bow.
Both bows had Bowtechs new limb and string silencers on them, but no stabilizer. Both had the Infinity cam. The Patriot was lower in recoil and noise, but neither were bad. The sales guys told me the limbs were Carbon/Glass, but i really don't know. They difinitely send an arrow out! If you get a chance, go out and shoot one. Oh, yeah, that little shop just outside of my town carries them.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Vick:

Congrats on the Pro 38. I also place a bid
(half heartedly) on that one with about 10 minutes to go. Couldn't believe how fast it went up! Hope you really like it though.

Avoid the inevitable until it is absolutely unavoidable!

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

Frank - check out D&S Archery in Barto. They carry Bowtech. The shop isn't very far off of Rt. 100 (beween Clayton and Huffs Church). Shouldn't take too long to get there from Allentown. The owner is a very good bow mechanic, and you are going to like this, their main line of bows is HOYT.

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

stodr, I'm jealous of you man. I only have 19 at my house.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

Matt,

Hmmm, now you have me thinking again (<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>). Those speeds you listed are only about 10 fps faster than what I am currently getting.....273-274 fps with the 420 grain arrow and 288-289 fps with the 360 grain arrow.

I do tend to disagree with your comment about the loss in arrow speed by dropping by 5 pound of draw weight because we look at it from different perspectives. In my opinion a 5 lb drop in draw weight should result in a loss of roughly 8-9 fps because I generally use the rule of thumb...1.75 fps for every pound of draw weight either increased or decreased...but I understand where you were coming from as well. I think we discussed this before.

stodr,

Thanks for the tips...I use a slight variation of them myself...:) Between you and Bowtech shooter I bet you account for a good percentage of Bowtech's sales...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Vic,

If I kept the setup more like a typical IBO test setup then I would probably get the speeds you listed.

Joe PA,

That shop you were referring to....it is much closer to where I live now...and it is the first place I am going to head to try out some of these bows...possibly as early as tonight...

Olink,

Thanks for the tip...that is two that I owe you for now...:) I only live about 2 minutes from the Northernmost part of Route 100 now so visiting that shop should be a breeze...and considering the lineup that the shop carries I should be able to compare the two companies side by side.....it will save me the trouble of lugging around my current bow to each shop...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

Frank:

I was thinking about Olink's post, and I would have to say that his shop would probably give much better service and support than the other one. In fact, I taught myself to do most of my own work including complete teardown and rebuilds due to the lack of real Pro shop skills at the local shop. On the other hand, since you work at a shop yourself, you may not need that service, and may decide to go with what amounts to a &quot;wholesale price and service&quot;. I don't think they are open right now since the entire staff is at the show.

Congrats on the little guy on the way. It will sure change things, but I'll bet you are gonna be a great dad! If your wife insists on the name you talked about on the Bowhunting forum, I'd personally insist that it be spelled with TWO T's !!!

Avoid the inevitable until it is absolutely unavoidable!

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

She can insist all she wants...if she won't go for &quot;Hoyt&quot; as his first name then there is no way I am budging on Mathew...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

I am familar with the track record of the shop in question. They are more well known for their low prices than for any type of customer service. Ofcourse, I will set it up myself....<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

500...

500gr at 335+fps...do you knock the deer over when you hit it (besides blowing through it)??

holy KE batman! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

John

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

Frank:

I have both the 2000 and 2001 Extreme Solos in stock with the higher reflex. The weight difference, with the sand traps, is at least 1/2 pound (+8 oz.). The reflex is about 3 1/4&quot;. 1&quot; less reflex for the other model would then put it at 2 1/4&quot;.



Edited by - Len in Maryland on 02/07/2002 11:17:16

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

Joe, I'm glad you set the record strait on that shop next to the covered bridge. I didn't want to say what you said but what you said is dead on. I think you are right that they are closed until the Harrisburg show is over.

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

Len,

I have no measured figures on the 2001 models but I measured the amount of reflex on my 2000 option two last night (after frank got me curious) and from where the limb hits the back edge of the pockets the amount of reflex is appx 1 & 3/8&quot;, which honestly suprsied me as the 2000 ES opt2 sports a very mild looking riser.

Perhaps the Sandtraps and/or pre-load are making more of a difference (than the amount of Reflex in the riser) as regards to the brace height differential on 2001 option one and two Extreme Solo's (as from looks alone, the 2001 option two models do not signficantly, if at all, look more reflexed than my 2000 option 2).

Your thoughts? Anyone?

JeffB :)

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

Jeff: I went back and remeasured both bows. The 2001 ES with the sand traps is definitely, measured like you stated, about 3 1/4&quot; reflex. The 2000 ES mode is about 1/2&quot; shorter in reflex or about 2 3/4&quot; reflex.

The way I measured was to put an arrow down along the riser from the point where each limb exits the pocket. Using this as a straight edge, I measured from this point to the throat of the grip. This is the reflex. From this point to the string is the brace height. Standard procedure?

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

Len, measured as I do...

I suspect the deeper profile of the SandTraps are making the big difference between the 2000 option 2 and the 2001 option 2.

I'll bet the 2001 option 2 is slightly more reflexed than the 2000 option 2 as well to make up the 1&quot; diff.

JeffB :)

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

Jeff: What I have is the same version but with the difference being the sand traps. When you measure them both and compare them side by side, the difference is 1/2&quot; which, if you study closely, is about the difference of the depth of the limb pocket.

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

PABowhntr, this may not help much but it will give you pretty close how quick the bowtech it. I have the 2001 ES with the 7&quot; brace height. With a 353 grain arrow on 70lb with a 28&quot; draw I get 298. I was very impressed cause the 28&quot; draw usually kills me. It is a great feeling bow in my hand and shoots smoothly. Only flaw I found when I first got my bow was that it felt like it wanted to jump out of your hand when you shot it. I put on a set of limb savers and a vibra check stabalizer and it nearly eliminated that problem. We sell the ES at the shop for about $550. Their name is just starting to become known in my area. Hope it helped a little

RE: Bowtech questions.....
 

gotta..,

Thank you, yes, it did help a little and I appreciate the input.

I do have one question for you though...you mentioned the 2001 ES having a 7 inch brace height....I thought it was around 6.5 inches for that model and year...did you measure yours and did it come out to 7 inches?

Thanks