Bow scale questions
 

With Black Frog's nagging, er, advice still floating around in my head from months ago, I perused the Cabela's archery catalouge looking at bow scales and such.

Todd had recommended the Hanson scale, which they have but they are pricey on, but another option caught my eye.

It was the hand held scale that you hooked to the string and drew like it was a release. For someone that will probably use a scale infrequently, the portability of this scale appealed to me. It also has an indicator that measures peak draw plus will read what holding weight is.

Any reason why this type of scale shouldn't be considered?

It's this one-

RE: Bow scale questions
 

holy crap! Range, yer actually thinking of cracking open the wallet?!?[:-]

I have one. They're fairly cheap and not very accurate. Heck for a 12pack of beer I'll "donate" it to you.

Cabelas wants $28 for that (but could probably find it cheaper elsewhere). FS Discount has the 100# Hanson that will be much more accurate and last you a lifetime for $39. Spend the extra $11 and be happy, for once. [8D]

You can "calibrate" that handheld modle for a certain poundage, and it'll be close for that useage. But over a wide range I find that it isn't very accurate.

RE: Bow scale questions
 

I was in your position a few years ago & went the cheaper route with one of these scales. Just like BF said, not very accurate at all. If you really want to try one of these, send me your address & it's yours. I know it's hard to justify spending a little more for something you probably won't use real often, but in this case it's worth it.

RE: Bow scale questions
 

Got one..not terrribly accurate...however once you find a consistent "technique" and verify with an accurate scale, then it will work OK.

Mine always weighs 3 pounds low..but if I don't draw completely with my back muscles, I'll get a couple pounds variance in addition.

I don't pay any attention to draw weight anymore..I crank the bow up and take measurements...then keep an eye on my measurements for any changes..and I adjust arrow spine to the poundage, not the other way around...

RE: Bow scale questions
 

Thanks for the info guys.

Jeepnut, PM sent :)

Not that I didn't appreciate your offer Todd, It's just that I'm certain when you found out what kind of cheap swill I would send, you'd change your mind :)

I really don't think I would use a scale too often, so it will be fun to play around with this type to see what I can do with it.

RE: Bow scale questions
 

You forget that I play in a band at least once a week.

There is no such thing as cheap swill..... Just that some swill is a little more refined than others. ;)

RE: Bow scale questions
 

Range, PM back at ya.

I never really used it much and it probably is decent enough for most things a bowhunter needs. But being an engineer and a bit anal, I just couldn't stand it not being exact.

But then I'm not the kind of guy that would go taping lead weights to my bow either.:D

I'm sure it will enjoy its new home.

RE: Bow scale questions
 

I also have one of those (or similar). It is not accurate.

RE: Bow scale questions
 

My biggest pet peeve with them is that I would always hit my sleeve when I would use it in the colder months. That would really throw it off.;)

Definitely go the Hanson route. Even if you only use it 4 or 5 times a year it is worth it.

Plus, if you get the 200 pound model you can then weigh your deer with it too. :D

RE: Bow scale questions
 

You know, being a cheap bas, er skate and fan of multi-tasking, I thought of that.

Cabelas has a scale that weighs up to 320#, with readable increments starting low enough to be used for a bow.

Why wouldn't that work?

RE: Bow scale questions
 

What type of increments are we talking about? I have found that even my 2 lb increments to be less than desirable when I wanted to be "super precise".

RE: Bow scale questions
 

When you get into the 300# scale, the marked increments are 5# (?), and won't be very readable with any amount of decent accuracy. I have the 300# Hanson for string stretching (and weighing deer). I wouldn't want to use it for measuring bow draw weights.

The 100# version has 1# increment markings.

RE: Bow scale questions
 

Looks to be about 3#, but my eyes are what they used to be-



Black Frog, the eternal Party Pooper...

:)

RE: Bow scale questions
 

OK, I think my 300# Hanson has the 5# increments.....

I still tend to think that it's nice to be able to easily see 1/4# (or less) changes in poundage using the 100# version with 1# increments. But hey, if this Cabela's scale will work for you, then buy it! Is that kg scale on one side? Or is there a "dual mode" that I don't know about?

The left side scale and right side scale don't match up at all for incrementing poundage...

RE: Bow scale questions
 

Not sure. Product verbage said something about estimating meat yield, perhaps the right side is something like that.

Buy something? I've got a freebee coming my way :)

Of course, I could always buy the 100# Hanson and weigh my big bucks 3-4 times to get the total weight, right?

:)

RE: Bow scale questions
 

Yeah. Sure. Let us know how that works out.

;)