Editors' review
Prime is rounding out their Logic Series with a loner 39-inch axle-to-axle bow for shooters wanting a dedicated target or 3D bow. For some, the 39-inch measurement may be too long, but ultimately it is desirable for many target archers. The parallel cams are carried over from the hunting lineup, and has a large draw length range going all the way out to 32-inches to accommodate long draw shooters. The brace height is a forgiving 7-inches, and the speed rating is a decent 325 feet per second. The CT9 also has a ton of finish options shooters can pick from to match their personal style. For a target bow, the CT9 is hard to beat, especially for those with a love for the parallel cams. Prime has done a nice job carrying over their hunting bow technology to a target bow by lengthening out the axle-to-axle measurement, and the CT9 still tips the scales at only 4.7-pounds right out of the box. The CT9 is the priciest bow in the Logic series with an MSRP of $1199, which is still fairly competitive for a target rig. However, with not much difference between the rest of the Logic series, aside from having a longer riser, it may be hard to see why the CT9 has a more premium price tag.
Finish
The Prime finish options are amazing. It is not new for target bows to be offered in camo or target colors, but the choices shooters have from the Prime Custom Shop are really nice for shooters to choose exactly what they want. For camo finishes, shooters can choose between First Lite Cipher, First Lite Fusion, Optifade Subalpine, Optifade Elevated II, Optifade Open Country, and Realtree Edge. Those wanting a solid riser can choose Tundra, Morel, Recon Grey, Black, Ghost Green, Deep Red, Emerald Satin, Purple Haze, Malbec Satin, or Glacier. Shooters can also mix and match riser finishes with any of the camo patterns or Tac Ops colors if they want an even more customized look. All of the choices look phenomenal, and anytime shooters get can customize their rigs, they are thankful for the opportunity to do so.
Riser
Prime archery has always focused on using the highest quality components available for making their bows the best they can be. They have also done a great job with machining their risers to easily meet or in some cases exceed all industry standards. The CT9 riser is made of 82X aluminum, which is top grade for the archery industry. They are machined extremely well in the Prime shop, and designed to add strength and rigidity where needed. For that, Prime rigs feature the Swerve near the limb pockets. The Swerve is a designed curve in the riser, which acts like a riser cage giving more stability and strength in the bow as the cams are drawn and the bow is fired. The out of the box weight for the CT9 overall is only 4.7-pounds. This weight is pretty light honestly, especially considering the measurement is taken as shooters will experience the bow, not as a bare bow weight before accessories are added. Another beneficial design in the riser is the cable containment system, which is a flexible roller guard. Prime calls the system the Flexis AR, and it too is adjustable. The arm itself can be moved to allow for more or less flexing as the bow is drawn. This helps eliminate left to right tears during the tuning process, and also allows for different fletching configurations for those using different vane profiles. The roller guard keeps the cables within the system, and allows for the smoothest draw cycle possible as the bow is drawn. The riser also has the standard rear mounted string stop system in addition to stabilizer mounting for target shooters to add weight and rods where they see fit.
Grip
The grip on the Logic series had a heavy amount of influence from the target pro staffers on the Prime quad, so the end result of the CT9 should be a pretty comfortable fit for shooters considering it was designed by target archers. The flat back grip is decently narrow as well, and fits nicely into the shooter's hand right where it should. The grip is machined into the riser design, and has the Prime Centergy technology, which means the throat of the grip is the balancing center of the bow. There is a side plate added to the grip adding the Logic CT9 bow name, but aside from the badging, it does not add much to the shape or feel of the grip itself. Overall, it has a nice feel, and serves its purpose well. Most shooters should have an easy time transitioning to how it feels without any issues.
Limbs
Prime has made sure they are offering a bow that anyone can shoot, and part of doing that is making it available with many different limb configurations. Maximum draw weights on the split limb CT9 are available in 40, 50, 60, 65, 70, and 80-pounds. To be fair, most shooters are not going to shoot a target bow at 80-pounds, but there may be a shooter with a 32-inch draw wanting to use the CT9 as a hunting bow, and for that individual, the 80-pounds limbs are available. The split limb design houses the relatively large parallel cams perfectly in place with a compression axle. It also has a solid connection point with the limb pockets fitting tightly against the riser and the limbs alike. Prime also ships the CT9 from the factory with installed limb dampeners, which is not all that common in 2019. Prime has a great reputation for long lasting, and well thought out designs, which means shooters can buy with confidence their limbs will last.
Eccentric System
The Parallel Cams featured on the CT9 are part of the reason Prime was placed on the map years ago. The cam system is designed with two cable tracks, which eventually connect to a single cable later on, which helps offset sideloaded torque placed on the cams as the bow is drawn. This design eliminates cam lean, which is the topic of many discussions on archery forums. Prime describes the design as having the same effect as carrying a heavy weight in one hand. The weighted side forces the person to lean in order to help balance the weight. The parallel cams are designed to even out the heavy weight by placing it on each side of the person equally. This balanced feel ideally leads to better performance and shooting characteristics for the shooter. The Parallel Cams are also very accommodating for a wide range of shooters. The cams are available in half-inch increments from 26.5 all the way out to 32-inches. The only downside of the wide range of draw lengths is that each cam is draw length specific. That means if shooters change draw lengths for any reason, they will need to purchase a new cam and have access to a bow shop or a bow press in order to change the draw. For most people, that will not be an issue, but for others it could be a convenience deal breaker. In addition to the wide range of draw lengths, shooters can also slide the limb stop post in the cam channel in order to change the let-off to give shooters the exact holding weight preferred. This also adjusts what the valley feels like as well, so being able to change that is something target archers will have a lot of interest in doing.
Draw Cycle/Shootability
The CT9 feels like a target bow right out of the box with the long frame and impressive size, especially for those used to more compact hunting bows. Interestingly enough, the CT9 does not feel as heavy as one would imagine with an out of box weight of only 4.7-pounds. The balance is typical of Prime Centergy technology with the throat of the grip being the middle of the weight distribution. The cams draw well from start to finish, just like any other Prime bow with the parallel cams, and the limb stop assisted back wall is rock solid for shooters who desire that feel on the back end. Holding on target is effortless, and the string angle feels perfect for the corner of the mouth and tip of the nose anchoring. After the shot, the CT9 floats back on target, and the noise and vibration are minimal. The 325 feet per second arrow speed is acceptable for a target rig as well, and the 7-inch brace height is appreciated for some added forgiveness. The 39-inches really makes the CT9 a larger sized bow. Some shooters will enjoy the stability it offers, and others may prefer a slightly shorter bow around 37-inches to meet their target archery needs. Aside from that, there is not much to knock on the newest Prime target rig. It shoots great, has some really nice adjustment features for shooters to fine tune their valley and holding weight, and looks amazing with the available finishes.
Usage Scenarios
The CT9 is the longest version of the Logic series and is without a doubt, designed as a tournament bow. Prime has taken what bowhunters love about their rigs, and extended it into a 39-inch axle-to-axle bow for indoor spot shooters and serious 3D goers. With the same technology featured on the CT9 being similar to the CT3 and CT5, shooters could use this bow as a hunting rig, but many diehard hunters may find the bow too large to easily maneuver in blinds or tight tree stands. This rig will appeal to target shooters more than anyone else.
Summary
The CT9 is the longest installment of the Logic series from Prime, and it nicely rounds out the model name with a longer target bow. Although most archers will use the CT9 as a target bow, some longer draw archers may be comfortable taking this rig out in the woods with them since it can reach a 32-inch draw length and up to 80-pounds of draw weight. Those wanting a hunting bow feel in a target frame will have a great deal to like about the Prime Logic CT9. It is tough to fork over the added price increase for the CT9 being a target bow and only 4-inches longer than the CT9, while featuring the same technology. However, even with an MSRP of $1199, it is still competitively priced with other target models on the market. For those wanting a 39-inch axle-to-axle bow, the Prime CT9 is hard to turn down. It feels great, and the solid limb stop back wall is a feeling lots of archers are trending towards. This rig is an impressive one, and deserves any attention it receives from owners or potential buyers.
