Best Cutting Edge Bow Products for 2017

New products, born of innovation and ingenuity, are the hallmarks of the bowhunting industry, where products seem to get better and better every hunting season. Trying to pick five great products out of all the incredible bows and accessories being introduced this year was really tough. But here are five of what the editors of Petersen's HUNTING believe are some of the best cutting edge bow products for 2017.

A Better Broadhead

The original 100-grain broadhead from RAMCAT has cut its way through the market with force and has not slowed down. The 1 3ˆ•8-inch cutting diameter RAMCAT 100 BROADHEAD is made with an offset stealth blade design and has patented deep lobes in the cutting tip to create an air foil that inhibits windplaning. Upon penetration, these lobes help reduce friction on the arrow shaft for deep and deadly penetration. The broadheads have a one-piece stainless-steel body with .032-inch-thick blades for strength to do as promised: "hits like a ram, cuts like a cat."

$40; ramcatbroadheads.com

FMJ Arrows

The arrow that CHANGED BOWHUNTING is now available in six different configurations. From the micro-diameter Deep Six 4mm and 5mm to the newer 6mm through Dangerous Game, crossbow, and bowfishing models, Easton's got you taken care of. FMJs are constructed of a base carbon-core shaft that is covered with a 7075 alloy metal jacket. While we can't prove it, we think the slickness of the aluminum jacket results in better penetration compared to bare carbon.

$80 (per 6); eastonarchery.com

Ground Breaking Bow

With a hand-laid carbon-fiber riser, the DFX Cam and ó System, and UltraFlex limbs, HOYT IS BREAKING NEW GROUND in the bow world — again. Aside from being light and fast (3.6 lbs., 331 fps), the limbs of the Carbon Defiant flex toward the shooter for a flatter string angle and better posture. Hoyt says it makes the 31-inch axle-to-axle wand feel like a 34-incher. There's also a 6-inch brace-height Carbon Defiant Turbo that throws 350-fps fastballs.

$1,549; hoyt.com

One Smooth Release Aid

A leader in archery release aids, Scott launched the Echo this year with the crazy-neat new HYPER JAW TECHNOLOGY. What does that mean? The two jaws in the release head operate independently but in sync — sort of like cams on a bow. That means string tension on one side doesn't create any lateral torque, which can make for inconsistent shooting. Hard to explain, but easy to use. This release is worth checking out.

$120; scottarchery.com

Super Sight

What happens when the animal moves after you've set a single pin slider? Spot-Hogg answered that question this year with the DOUBLE PIN DOUBLE POINTER combo, now standard issue on all Fast Eddie and Fast Eddie XL bow sights. The stacked, dual-point pin gives hunters two known distances on one sliding sight, so if that elk walks from 35 to 45 yards before turning broadside, you don't have to let down or rely on old-fashioned holdover.

$35 or $250 (complete sight); spot-hogg.com

---