Elite Energy 35 Review

Editors' review

The 2014 lineup from the Elite Archery team is perhaps the most shootable yet. With multiple "flagship" bows, the shooter has a variety of rigs from Elite to choose from. The Elite Energy 35 is one of the most versatile from the lineup as it can be ordered with the ENS modules for shorter draw lengths. This rig has a 35" ATA, comes in multiple peak weights, and has two separate draw length ranges: 27" - 31" standard, or 24.5" - 26.5" with the ENS modules. Set at 70" draw weight, this rig produces 275 fps at 24.5" draw length and up to 335 fps at 31". There are quite a few archers out there that have dropped the rigs they swore by for years and switched to the Energy bows. This bow is marketed as one of the "most shootable bow ever."

Finish

This rig comes with a Cerakote performance coating in several color options including black, Realtree Xtra, Realtree Max-1, and Realtree APS. The bow can also be ordered in competition colors of blue and red.

Risers/Limb

This rig is built around Elite's new Caged Riser. This riser is a cold-forged, machined aluminum riser that is said to be 30% stronger and 19% stiffer than risers made through the standard machining process. Not only is this riser stronger, it is also designed to resist twisting when shot. This slightly elongated riser is responsible for the 35" ATA for this rig. Another small, yet innovative feature for this riser are the two tapped rear mounting holes that can accommodate rear mounted string suppressors or counterweights. This riser is capped with Elite's low-tolerance machined pivoting limb pockets. These limb pockets were introduced with the 2013 line and have proven to be a perfect fit in the new lineup. These pockets hold the limbs perfectly in place, solidly mating them with the riser. This setup aids in the reduction of noise and vibration. The limbs are a one-piece, three-layer laminated design and can be ordered in 40#, 50#, 60#, 65#, 70# and 80# peak draw weights. These weights can be adjusted down by approximately ten pounds by adjusting the limb bolts. It is not recommended to turn them out more than two turns. There are two screws on each limb pocket the must be loosened before this adjustment can be made. Obviously, they must be retightened when the adjustment is complete.

Other Components

This bow comes equipped with several Limbsaver products: Ultramax limb dampeners, cable leaches, string leaches, string decelerator, and a cable guard dampener. This setup also sports a two-piece laminated walnut grip that fits any archer quite well.

Eccentric System

This new Energy Twin track Cam system affords the shooter a very smooth draw, and with the ENS modules, offers this same shooting experience to those with shorter draw lengths. This cam system provides what some have said was the smoothest drawing bow on the market. With the regular modules, this rig has a draw length range of 27" - 31," and with the ENS modules the range drops to 24.5" - 26.5." With the 35" ATA, this cam system has virtually no cam lean, a generous valley, and a solid draw stop.Elite is one of the few bows on the market now that still require a bow press to make most adjustments. This includes changing the draw length modules. By changing modules, the draw length can be adjusted at 1/2" increments. By adjusting the draw stop, the draw length can be fine-tuned to 1/16" increments. It is important to remember to never attempt to make this adjustment while drawing the bow.

Draw Cycle/Shootability

Most archers that have shot the Elite Energy 35 cannot believe how well this rig performs. They comment on how smooth the draw cycle is, how accurate it is, and the overall ease of putting the "shot on target." The draw starts at its strongest point and quickly eases off. The draw reaches the full draw weight earlier in the cycle than other bows, meaning less effort to reach let-off. The bow transitions to let-off easily with no harsh hump. With a let-off of 80%, this rig is easy to hold for a good shot. Many archers have gone to make a bow purchase, already having a particular bow in mind and shot the Energy 35 and walked out a new Elite Energy bow owner. One shooter said that you cannot shoot this rig and just walk away. Some even commented that shooting an Energy 35 set for 70# was as easy to shoot as their previous rig at 60#. This rig is easy to draw from start to finish, easy to hold at let-off, and easy to put a shot right where you want it. The bow can be purchased at a variety of peak draw weights, and is a good fit for most shooters.

Silencing Package

This rig is designed to be quiet. It is easily one of the quietest bows out of the box available today. The limbs and the riser are built to evenly distribute any vibrations and reduce much of the noise. Because this rig has a slightly longer riser, it absorbs even more vibration and reduces more noise. The bow also comes with Ultramax limb dampening accessories, four cable leaches, two Everlast string leaches, a string suppressor, and a cable guard dampener. It is quiet.

Grip

The glossy, two-piece walnut grip is fitted into the contoured section of the riser. Its angle and shape are a perfect fit for most shooters' hands. The overall design of this grip ensures repeatable positioning for consistent accuracy. Not only is the grip comfortable in the hand, but it also adds to the already classy appearance of this bow. The placement of the grip only enhances the balance of this bow which adds to the shootability.

Comparisons

Bow	Elite Energy 35	Martin Nemesis 35
Version	2018 (Energy Cam)	2013
Picture
Brace Height	7 "	7 "
AtA Length	34.75 "	35 "
Draw Length	27 " - 31 "	26 " - 31 "
Draw Weight	30 lbs - 70 lbs	35 lbs - 70 lbs
IBO Speed	297 fps - 334 fps	335 fps
Weight	4.5 lbs	3.8 lbs
Let-Off	75% - 90%	80%
Where to buy Best prices online	$159.99 to $900 Compare prices	$850 Compare prices
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The Elite Energy 35 is very comparable to the Martin Nemesis 35. Both have a 35" ATA for those who prefer the slightly longer platform. Not only do they both have a longer ATA, they both have 7" brace height and are forgiving. The Energy 35 offers an 80# peak weight limb set, where the max peak weight for the Martin is 70#, and both are adjustable to 31" draw length. The Energy is a little harder to adjust draw length, because you must use a bow press and change out the modules, Whereas the Nemesis uses the rotating module and the adjustments do not require a bow press and can be done in a matter of minutes. The Energy has a much smoother draw cycle and no vibration and noise where the Nemesis does have some noticeable vibration that can be felt during the shot. Both bows are forgiving and accurate. The Nemesis offers the shooter an additional 5 fps...but does that really matter. The Nemesis 35 was part of Martins 2013 lineup and the Energy 35 is part of Elites 2014 lineup. Both bows have a base price of $899.

Usage Scenarios

Because this bow is a little longer, it is only fitting it would be a competition bow, but that is not the case here. This rig is very versatile and will fit any archery situation. Although it was made to be a hunting bow and offer a fast, accurate, and reliable rig to a wide variety of archers, it will easily blend in on the 3D circuit. This is truly a rig built to do it all, and do it well. Whether you are looking for a bow for 3D, a tree stand, or even a ground blind, you will only hurt yourself if you do not give this one a look.

Value

This bow comes in a bare bow package, and retails for $899. This is approximately $200 more than the average price of all compound bows.

Summary

The Elite Energy 35 is one of the most ideal bows in archery. It is touted as "probably the most shootable bow ever." The innovative Caged Riser is the first thing usually noticed about this bow, and quite honestly, can throw you off. Once you feel this rig, pull it back, and release that first shot, you are sold. This rig is strong, fast, and accurate, and the draw cycle is quite possible the smoothest available, and the shot is deadly accurateWith a 35" ATA, 7" brace height, 24.5" - 31" draw length, and a variety of peak draw weights, this bow will fit virtually any shooter, and definitely will fit into any situation. If you are looking for a rig that will get you noticed and step up your game, this could be it. From the 3D range, target range, or any hunting situation, this rig will satisfy almost everyone.