Elite Pulse Review

Editors' review

The Elite Pulse is designed for those shooters demanding speed from their bow. Combined with a smooth drawing cam this bow delivers IBO speeds up to 343 feet per second. With a very solid back wall, and 80% let-off, the Pulse is a dream to shoot leaving smiles on the faces of most who give it a try. Whether it is for hunting or target shooting, the Pulse has a lot to offer its shooters and will serve as a great multipurpose bow.

Finish

Elite finishes their bow with a dipping process that looks very nice and blemish free. Since the Pulse has the potential to be a great 3d bow along with a speed-hunting bow, there are more options available to the Pulse than other bows from the Elite lineup in terms of finish options. For shooters interested in a more traditional looking camo dipped bow, Elite offers three options. Camo patterns include: Realtree AP, Realtree Max-1, and Realtree AP Snow; all three patterns are also available in a matte black mix for the limbs and riser to be different a camo and black mix. Other options available are the Ninja Edition Matte Black, Cosmic Orange, Slime, and Blue Fliptone. With all of these options, shooters are sure to find something to match their style and shooting preferences.

Riser

The Pulse has a fully machined riser that sports a few simple designs making the bow a little easier to tune and setup. The first innovative design is the arrow shelf itself. The shelf is completely flat making it better for the popular drop away rests used by many shooters today. For those not shooting a drop away rest, the back of the riser is also flat. This design helps with tuning the bow. Since most rests make contact with the back of the riser, the flat surface makes it easier to find the spot where the rest is inline and tuned properly. The riser also comes equipped with rear mounting string suppressor system which helps to eliminate residual vibration and noise. Directly in front of this mounting hole is a front mounting stabilizer bushing as well. Since the holes are in line, the energy from the rear-mounting suppressor can be transferred to the front mounting suppressor for more effectiveness in eliminating noise and vibration.

Grip

The Pulse grip is the same as the rest of the Elite lineup. Wooden side plates finish of the grip and give it a finished look that is very appealing. The grip is slightly curved in an attempt to give shooters a more comfortable form by helping with proper hand placement. The grip is a middle of the road grip in terms of size. It is not bulky, nor is it a skinny grip. Although the curved grip does take a bit to get used to, it has a nice feel in hand and becomes very comfortable.

Limbs

The Elite Pulse comes equipped with high-quality Barnsdale limbs. These solid limbs are a great feature adding to the bows appeal and workmanship. The limbs are available in a range of peak weights in 10-pound increments. Maximum draw weight is available in 50, 60, and 70 pounds. Both limbs come with a factory installed vibration dampener as well. Eccentric SystemThe Pulse cam is a speed cam, although it has a surprisingly smooth draw. With IBO speeds up to 343 feet per second, this bow is very appealing for those interested in a fast shooting rig. The cam features 80%+ let-off making the bow very easy to hold at full draw. The Elite EFX cams installed on the Pulse are available in draw lengths ranging from 26-30 inches in half-inch increments. Changing the draw length is relatively simple although shooters must have the proper draw length module to make the change. Elite bows are known for their solid back walls and the Pulse is no exception. The draw stops, located on the cams, roll around to make contact with the limb instead of the string like other models. This makes for a very solid back wall that is not spongy at all.

Draw Cycle/Shootability

The Elite Pulse has an uncharacteristically smooth draw for a speed bow. The peak draw is toward the beginning of the draw cycle, and continues to get smoother approaching the very solid back wall. Most speed bows have a hump in the draw, but the Pulse does not. For a speed bow, this really has a pleasant feel. When holding the bow, there is no creep forward either. It is very comfortable to hold back allowing shooters to settle in for the shot. Speed bows are often characterized with creeping forward at full draw; however, the Pulse does not have this feeling. After the shot, the bow is fairly quiet as the bow tilts slightly forward. Shooters who do not use a front mounting stabilizer will notice a little hand shock after the shot as well. The good news is the vibration is eliminated after mounting a stabilizer in the front mounting hole. Shooters experiencing the Pulse for the first time are often left with a smile on their face.

Silencing Package

Limbsaver products are used to help keep the noise and vibration to a minimum on Elite archery products. The sting stop system is a Limbsaver product stopping the string after the shot and transferring vibration through the rubber composite stop to the front mounting stabilizer hole. The top and bottom limbs are also equipped with rubber dampeners as well. The string does not have any silencers from the factory. However, after shooting the bow some shooters may decide to add them since it is a little loud without them. Keep in mind, this bow is a speed bow and any weight that is added to the string will slow down arrow velocity by a few feet per second.

Elite Pulse vs. Elite Pure

Bow	Elite Pulse	Elite Pure
Version	2013	2013
Picture
Brace Height	6 "	7 "
AtA Length	34.125 "	36 "
Draw Length	26 " - 30 "	27.5 " - 31.5 "
Draw Weight	40 lbs - 70 lbs	40 lbs - 80 lbs
IBO Speed	340 fps - 343 fps	326 fps - 330 fps
Weight	4.3 lbs	4.1 lbs
Let-Off	80%	80%
Where to buy Best prices online	Not available now. Please check later.	$55 to $250 Compare prices
	compare more bows

The Elite Pulse and the Elite Pure may attract the same type of shooters. Both feature slightly longer axel-to-axel measurements and faster speeds with a smooth draw cycle. The Pulse features a shooter axel-to-axel measurement, shorter brace height, and faster speeds than the Elite Pure. The main difference goes to functionality and what the bow will be used for. Shooters wanting to use their bow in the woods may tend to lean toward the Pulse due to the shorter axel-to-axel measurement. Whereas, shooters looking for more of a target bow will love the speed and longer axel-to-axel measurement offered with the Elite Pure. Both bows offer a similar draw cycle that peaks early with smooth transitions. The main decision between the two will more than likely be made based on usage scenarios.

Usage Scenarios

The Elite Pulse is a multipurpose bow that has something to offer most shooters needs. At 343 feet per second, the Pulse is fast enough to keep target shooters happy, and they will appreciate the longer axel-to-axel measurement of 34.25 inches that will lead toward a more stable hold on the target. Likewise, the bow is not too long for the treestand, and with 91 foot pounds of kinetic energy, bow hunters will love the power the Pulse produces to hunt big game animals. For shooters interested in hunting and target shooting, the Pulse truly has a lot to offer those who do not have the budget to buy a bow for both.

Summary

The Elite Pulse is a speed bow with an extremely smooth draw cycle and rock solid back wall. Typically, archers interested in speed had to compromise with a harsh draw cycle and a short valley. The Pulse does not have either of these issues associated with many speed bows. For shooters interested in a multipurpose bow that can be used in the field and on the course, the Pulse is a wonderful option. Although the bow does have a bit of handshock and noise after the arrow's release, this minor problem can be remedied with string silencers and a front mounting stabilizer. Those looking for a speed bow without the draw cycle of a speed bow may find the Elite Pulse exactly what they are looking for.