September 03, 2015
By Andrew VanLaningham & Eric Conn
Somehow, year after year, bows continue to get better. This season was no exception as the top archery brands pumped out more amazing gear.
If you're looking for bows that are lighting fast, whisper quiet, rock steady and silky smooth, then this is where to find them.
Here are eight exciting new bows for 2015:
Bear | Arena 30 The
Arena is Bear Archery's new flagship bow for 2015, built on the silky smooth but superfast H15 Synchronized Hybrid Cam System. Available in 30- and 34-inch axle-to-axle models, the Arena weighs just 3.8 pounds for the 30 and
4 pounds for the 34, and has a back wall that can be customized for shooter preference by installing either cable stops or limb stops. The Arena has a 75-percent let-off and is rated at 345 fps, making this a lightweight, shooter-friendly speed bow with plenty of forgiveness. The Arena is available in draw lengths from 25.5 to 30 inches.
Price: $ 899
Bowtech | Prodigy The new
Prodigy featuring PowerShift Technology was designed specifically for hunters who demand maximum versatility from their bow.
The new Power-Shift technology allows hunters to choose from three different settings
— Performance (maxspeed), Classic (power and comfort), and Comfort (smooth and accurate) — simply by switching the position of the cam-mounted PowerDisks. The Prodigy is rated at 343 fps, weighs 4.2 pounds, and measures 32 inches axle-to-axle. The bow has a forgiving 7-inch brace height and 80-percent let-off, as well as a
Center Pivot Extreme Riser.
Price: $ 1,099
Elite | Synergy A game-changer in the bow market, Elite has made its mark by building bows that hit the sweet spot between speed and stability. Rated at 325 fps, the
Synergy isn't the fastest bow you'll ever shoot, but it's one of the smoothest.
The Synergy measures 33.5 inches axle-to-axle, making it perfect for hunting or 3-D shooting. The Synergy is available in draw lengths from 27 to 31 inches and draw weights from 40 to 80 pounds. The bow features Elite's exclusive Riser
Cage design, a backbone that provides balanced energy distribution to the
beyond parallel limbs, and Synergy
two-track cam system.
Price: $ 949
Hoyt | Carbon Spyder ZT 30 Hoyt bolstered its
Carbon Spyder line by introducing the ZT 30, which features the new Zero Torque Cable Guard System. The new technology helps eliminate sideways torque that compromises accuracy and makes the bow easier to tune.
The Carbon Spyder ZT is available in four different models: 30, 34, Turbo, and LD (long draw). Each model is built on the superstrong Helical Flex Tune Carbon riser and vibration-reducing technology. Weighing in at 3.6 pounds, the ZT 30 has a brace height of 6¾ inches, a speed rating of 332 fps and the Z5 Cam & ½ system. It is available in lengths from 24 to 30 inches.
Price: $ 1,499
Mathews | Chill X Pro Updating its popular Chill X line, Mathews released the
Chill X Pro , which features an integral grip for improved target shooting accuracy and RockMods draw stops to create a rock solid back wall.
The Chill X Pro features Mathews' tried-and-true AVS Dyad Cam and has a speed rating of 336 fps. The Chill X Pro comes with a Dead End String Stop, Reverse Assist Roller Guard, and Harmonic Dampener. The bow weighs 4.5 pounds, has an axle-to-axle length of 35 inches, and is available in draw weights from 50 to 70 pounds.
Price: $ 1,499
Mathews | No Cam HTR Look ma, no cams. While most manufacturers continue to chase more feet per second, Mathews built the
No Cam HTR to be the king of buttery smooth bows. The No Cam ST Technology features two circular, concentric string tracks that allow the bowstring to travel at a uniform distance from the center point of rotation during the entire draw cycle.
The uninterrupted, consistent draw cycle translates into a silky draw and fine-tuned accuracy. The No Cam HTR is rated at up to 330 fps, has a 6…-inch brace height, measures 32 inches between axles, and features a slightly reflexed GeoGrid riser and rigid quad limbs that extend beyond parallel at full draw. Let-off can be adjusted to 65, 75, or 85 percent.
Price: $ 1,099
PSE | Dream Season Decree PSE rang in the new year by launching the
Dream Season Decree , a top-shelf speed bow that weighs just 3.7 pounds and features the new Inertia Cam, designed to bridge the gap between speed and a comfortable draw cycle.
Measuring 31.4 inches axle-to-axle, the Decree has a 75-percent let-off with a solid back wall and is rated at 355 fps. The 7075 aluminum riser features PSE's past-parallel split limbs, Flex Cable Slide, America's Best Bowstrings, and a third-generation B.E.S.T. Grip. The Decree is available in draw weights from 50 to 70 pounds and can accommodate draw lengths between 24.5 and 30 inches.
Price: $ 949
Hoyt | Nitrum If you've got a need for speed but don't want to feel like you've been operating a jackhammer after an hour at the archery range, the
Hoyt Nitrum is bound to
impress. Available in four different models, including 30- and 34-inch axle-to-axle configurations, the Nitrum is built with an all-aluminum Offset Riser and weighs right around 4 pounds.
The Zero Torque Cable Guard System neutralizes unwanted side-to-side torque, giving shooters incredible forgiveness without sacrificing accuracy or speed. The Nitrum features Hoyt's XTS Pro Arc limbs and Z5 Cam & ½ System, making this a smooth shooting bow with a speed rating of
between 330 and 350 feet per second, depending on model and configuration.
Price: $ 1,049
