Hoyt Carbon Spyder Turbo Review

Editors' review

The Hoyt Carbon Spyder Turbo is not cheap. It is more expensive than the previous carbon bows from Hoyt offered in years past, and $400 more than the Faktor Turbo, the aluminum riser version of the Carbon Spyder Turbo, which sports most of the same technology. With that being said, there is nothing like the Carbon Spyder Turbo. This speed rig is offered with a fully carbon riser, redesigned Z5 cams, and a silent, shock free shot you will have to shoot to believe. Is it worth the extra money? Only one person knows the answer to that question. One thing is for certain; it is a shooter and deserves a test shot from anyone who loves shooting bows. Other than the price, it is very difficult finding anything not to like about the 2014 Carbon Spyder Turbo.

Finish

Hoyt is offering tons of finishes for the 2014 Carbon Spyder Turbo. Every offering other than the powder coating is up for grabs as a choice from the factory although upcharges may be applicable for certain patterns. Of course, Hoyt offers a variety of Realtree camo patterns for shooters wanting the Hoyt Carbon Spyder Turbo strictly as a hunting bow. Realtree Xtra and Realtree Max-1 are the two most popular camo patterns offered, and are also available as half and half mixes as well. Joining these Realtree patterns is the Realtree AP Snow and AP Pink as well. Hoyt also offers an all-black model, which features carbon fiber look alike limbs to finish off the sleek look. The Carbon Spyder Turbo can also be finished in a few custom hunting color options. The Bone Collector edition comes with a Realtree Xtra riser with custom Bone Collector limb graphics. The Vixcen option is offered in either Realtree Max-1 or a blackout riser with custom Vixcen Limb graphics. The third custom hunting option is the American Heritage look. This allows shooters to choose between Realtree Xtra, Max-1, or a Black out riser, with black or camo custom limb graphics and red, white, and blue accents. For those wanting only target colors, the Carbon Spyder Turbo can be purchased in red, white, and blue target finishes as well. With so many options to choose from, shooters have tons of options for a customizable look straight from the factory.

Riser

The Hoyt carbon riser has set a new trend in strength and stability. The first generation had some folks running the bow over with their car, strapping some accessories on it, and shooting bulls eyes as a testament to its over strength. Hoyt has taken this one step further to create flat, hollow tube carbon, which they claim is even stronger. What is the hype about a strong riser? All risers are subject to torque, which causes the riser to bend and twist. The stronger the riser, the less it responds to being torqued, and the more repeatable the bow shoots. Repeatable performance leads to improved accuracy. The carbon is also a relatively lightweight material allowing for superior strength while maintaining an overall mass of a light 3.8 pounds. The warm to the touch helical flex tune carbon sports several top of the line Hoyt technologies as well. The silent shelf integrates rubber around the arrow shelf to keep from ruining a hunt if the arrow contacts the arrow shelf. Many shooters add mole skin lie material to the riser shelf anyways, and the integrated rubber works better and looks nicer.Hoyt uses an Inline Roller Guard on all 2014 Carbon Series bows. The design cuts down on friction and torque as the bow is drawn through the draw cycle. Sealed bearings and a strong machined frame means the roller guard is going to perform under normal conditions for a really long time.Hoyt Carbon Series bows are known for being noise and vibration free. Just under the limb pockets, the riser features Shock-Rod dampeners that can be customized by color. The Stealth Shot string suppression system goes a long way in helping with that. With the shorter 6-inch brace height of the Carbon Spyder Turbo, the sting stop system will keep the string away from the shooters arm and clothing. The Perfect Balance stabilizer is offset making the front mounting stabilizer a bit more functional than traditional mounting bushings directly in line with the rear mount string stop. The offset allows for weight to be countered from the sight and rest being added to the other side of the riser. It also allows shooters to add weight out front. All these incorporated technologies show the details in engineering and help make the shot feel like no other bow.

Grip

The Pro Fit grip is one of the best feeling grips on the market today. It fits perfectly in the shooters hand and allows for a repeatable shot time after time. From the factory, the Carbon Spyder Turbo is equipped with the wooden version of the Pro Fit grip. Shooters interested in the rubber 180 grip can have that option instead, but the default is the wooden grip. No matter what shooters have used prior to the Pro Fit grip, transitioning to this style is going to effortless. Hoyt also designed the riser so the grip could be completely removed and shooters can shoot directly off the riser instead of using a grip. Those used to a slim grip feel will appreciate this.

Limbs

The five-layered laminated split limb design is available in the industry standard of ten-pound increments. Hoyt also boasts limbs are able to withstand 1,000 dry fires. With maximum weights available in 40, 50, 60, 65, 70, and 80 pounds. Very few companies offer this many draw weight options, and it is very appreciated. Virtually anyone interested in a Carbon Spyder Turbo will have the correct draw weight available. The limbs are backed by some really great engineering as well. As the bow is drawn, different parts of the limbs store different amounts of energy before the shot. Hoyt has located these areas and distributed more support in those areas. These created strong areas instantly become less susceptible to cracking and splintering in the spots they are storing more energy. The limbs are held securely to the riser using the Hoyt Pro-Lock limb pockets. With six points of contact keeping the limbs firmly in place, the limbs are held in the same place throughout the entire draw cycle. As an added bonus for eliminating noise and vibration, The Air Shox limb dampening system puts a different spin on traditional designs. Traditionally, dampeners have been attached to the limbs at all times. The Air-Shox system is separate from the limbs. They remain stationary as the limbs are drawn and after the shot the limbs return to make contact with the dampeners. The design works fairly well, but can be removed if shooters desire to do so. The rubber dampeners are also available in different color schemes to match the Shock Rods and shooters needs.

Eccentric System

The fully redesigned Z5 cam is the driving force of the Hoyt Carbon Spyder Turbo. Shooting ATA speeds of 340 feet per second, the Carbon Spyder Turbo is the first speed bow offered with a complete carbon riser. The cams are offered in cam specific draw lengths with module adjustments in half inch increments. The number one cam is adjustable between 24-25.5 inches, the number two cam goes between 26.0-28.0 inches, and the number three cam is module adjustable between 28.0-30.0 inches. Hoyt rates their bows using the ATA regulations, which are stricter than the IBO system. Because of this, Hoyt is able to advertise achievable numbers for any of their bows right out of the box.

Draw Cycle/Shootability

The Z5 cam is an improvement for most shooters on the RKT cams. The Z5 cam is able to shoot the same speeds with a smoother draw cycle and less dump into a more solid back wall. The valley has been extended a bit as well, and letting the bow down almost requires shooters to push the string forward. The bow draws fantastic. The weight stacks up quickly, and the transitions are not noticeable at all. The back wall is not extremely solid, but is far from feeling mushy. When set at the proper draw length, the back wall, assisted by cable draw stops, is nice. After the shot, nothing is felt. There is zero hand shock, and no felt vibration. The strength of the riser is superb, and transfers over to improved accuracy by limiting torque and riser twist. The only way to truly appreciate the shootability of the Hoyt Carbon Spyder Turbo is to shoot one. It really is an experience unlike any other. The workmanship and technologies used are visible everywhere, and the bow feels great. Holding on target is effortless, and the limited jump and hand shock after the shot makes it easy to hold on target through the arrow hitting its mark.

Usage Scenarios

The Carbon Spyder Turbo is a phenomenal multipurpose bow. Although the bow will not meet the budget for many shooters, it can be used for anything. The specifications and strength of the riser make the bow a great 3D shooter for the serious archer, and the easy draw cycle and lightweight frame make it a high performance hunting bow. The price is steep, but being able to use the bow for every shooting situation, may make the price a little easier to swallow in the long run.

Hoyt Carbon Spyder Turbo vs. Hoyt Faktor Turbo

Bow	Hoyt Faktor Turbo
Version	2014
Picture
Brace Height	6 "
AtA Length	33 "
Draw Length	24 " - 30 "
Draw Weight	30 lbs - 80 lbs
IBO Speed	340 fps
Weight	4.0 lbs
Let-Off	75%
Where to buy Best prices online	Not available now. Please check later.

These bows are nearly identical on paper other than the 0.2-pound bare bow difference and the riser make up. However, the difference is not something that can be written on paper. The difference between the Hoyt Faktor Turbo and the Hoyt Carbon Spyder Turbo must be felt in person to appreciate. To be honest, both bows are excellent shooters using the same cam and a half system. The Faktor has more hand shock and vibration than the Carbon Spyder Turbo, but it may not be a $400 difference for many shooters. Both bows are great offerings, but there is nothing like the Carbon Spyder Turbo.

Summary

Hoyt is finally offering a third style bow in the carbon riser series. In the past, Hoyt has stuck with a longer version and a shorter model, but never the Turbo. The long awaited addition of a speed bow in the carbon riser series is something never seen before. The only way to experience the performance is to give the bow a shot. It is hard to find anything wrong with this bow as a multipurpose shooter. The downside is the huge price tag, which is going to be way over budget for many shooters. Those not worried about price, and simply looking for the best shooting bow, will love what the Hoyt Carbon Spyder Turbo preforms and feels like. The final decision whether or not the bow is worth the money lies with each individual shooter.