Hoyt Carbon Spyder ZT Turbo Review

Editors' review

The Carbon Spyder ZT Turbo gets the most updating for the 2015 carbon series bows with a brand new cam system. In the past, the Hoyt turbo models simply sported a shorter brace height to account for the speed increase. The Carbon Spyder ZT Turbo still has a 6-inch brace height, but the Turbo cam flings arrows an additional ten feet per second faster than the Z5 cam. For this Hoyt offering, shooters may be more willing to justify the additional $50 spike in MSRP from last year. However, $1449 is expensive for even shooters not having to watch the amount of money they spend on their bow. The axel-to-axel measurement is a comfortable 33-inches, and could open up a lot of options in terms of having a multipurpose bow. Incorporating all Hoyt's most recent technological advances along with the ability to customize colors and finish options, the Hoyt Carbon Spyder ZT Turbo is hard to find anything wrong with, but the price is really tough to swallow.

Finish

The turbo is going to make a fantastic multipurpose bow and will appeal to shooters in all archery styles from the range to the timber. With that being said, not everyone has the same taste in what a bow should look like. For that reason, Hoyt offers tons of options allowing shooters to get a completely custom look. Along with the finish options on a new Hoyt, the rubber dampeners can also be swapped out for a variety of colors.Shooters interested in using the turbo as a hunting bow will more than likely want a camo finish, or a camo and black combo finish. Like in previous years, RealTree patterns are the featured camo options available. The Turbo is offered in all black, RealTree Xtra, and RealTree Max-1 for hunting colors. For custom hunting finishes, Each of these camo patterns can be a half and half model where the riser is black and the limbs are camo, or can be coupled with the American Heritage Package, which incorporates American red, white, and blue graphics and rubber dampeners. Bone Collector and Vixcen models also feature some different graphics and color schemes to add a bi more flair to the overall look of the bow. For those wanting camo, but something less popular, RealTree AP Snow and RealTree AP Pink are offered. New for this year, Hoyt is providing Harvest Brown and as option, that can also be paired with camo for a combo look.

Riser

Hoyt releases another addition of their highly sought after carbon series bows. These rigs have never been cheap, and 2015 sees a $50 increase in the already pricey model. With that being said, the carbon riser features excellent technology that helps performance and also provides a few nice to have features. The 2015 Helical Flex Tune carbon used on the ZT Turbo is the strongest, quietest, and lightest ever produced according to Hoyt, which is saying something considering those are the reasons tons of shooters have made the decision to shoot the carbon models to begin with. Although not necessarily the number one reason why shooters decide to buy a carbon riser bow, carbon does not get cold. While sitting on stand with an aluminum bow, shooters hands would get very cold. Carbon will not get cold, and is much warmer to hold on to during long sits in a treestand. It may not be a deciding reason to purchase a carbon model, but it is nice to have.Hoyt has gone through a lot of development to offer an impressively quiet bow, and the addition of the silent shelf and the Shock-Rods have really helped. The silent shelf is not new, but the rubber added around the shelf of the riser is a handy addition. If an arrow, or even the rest were to make contact with the riser shelf, the sound would go almost unheard. Carbon makes a fainter noise already when compared to an aluminum riser, but the silent shelf is even quieter. Again, it is not necessarily a reason to purchase the ZT Turbo, but it is nice to have. The Shock-Rods are incorporated into the riser at two locations, and the cable guard system to help reduce noise and vibration as well. The limbs returning to rest after the arrow has been fired can create some noise and vibration, which transfers to the riser because they are connected. The Shock-Rods are integrated into the riser, close to the limbs to distribute this vibration away from the shooters hand. The Stealthshot and the Perfect Balance Stabilization System also work to make the bow quiet. The Stealthshot lines up with the front stabilizer-mounting hole to take vibration caused by the string away from the shooters hand as well. This front mounting stabilizer bushing is off set to help counter the weight of adding a rest and stabilizer to the same side of the bow. Not only can shooters place a little weight off the front of the bow, but they can also help balance the vertical weight of accessories added to keep the level on the sight centered.

Grip

Hoyts wooden grip is available in four different designs including side plates and a one-piece grip. Each grip has a different size and feel, which again allows for shooters to adjust the factory settings on a high-end bow to get a custom feel. Pro Fit grips are well constructed and have a desirable shape for shooters to get comfortable with creating a repeatable grip leading to better accuracy.

Limbs

The Carbon Spyder ZT Turbo is available with limbs adjustable by ten-pounds. Maximum weights are produced in 40, 50, 60, and 70-pounds for a 40-pound draw weight range. The other 2015 carbon models are offered with 80-pound maximum limbs, which would make the already fast Turbo version even quicker. Although the 80-pound limbs would only appeal to a small percentage of buyers, it would be nice to be an option. The Pro-Lock Pocket System holds the limbs in place with a number of contact points including two locations on each split limb. The past parallel split limbs featuring multi-layered limbs to add strength and rigidity for holding the energy from the cam system. The lightweight composite material helps minimize overall mass while remaining strong enough to withstand lots of shooting. The limbs also include one of the most advanced limb dampening system called the AirShox system. Unlike traditional dampeners, the AirShox system is not attached to the limbs. Instead, they remain stationary as the bow limbs are drawn in to each other. After the arrow is shot, the limbs return to the dampeners making contact and transferring the vibration to the dampers, where it is absorbed and goes unnoticed. These dampers work very well, and can also be swapped out for a variety of colors.

Eccentric System

Hoyt has offered a Turbo model in their aluminum series flagships and carbon series models in the past with the 10 feet per second increase in speed directly linked to a shorter brace height. For 2015, Hoyt continues with a shorter brace height and a Turbo cam, which makes the bow 20 feet per second faster than the Z5 offerings. The Turbo cam is a bit more aggressive, and is ATA rated for 350 feet per second, which means this is the fastest bow produced by Hoyt. With draw length adjustments from 24-30-inches in half-inch increments, a lot of shooters will be able to choose this high performance model. Like other Hoyt models, there are three draw length specific cams, with modules able to adjust the draw within the range. The number one cam adjusts between 24-25.5 inches, the number two cam between 26-28 inches, and the number three cam between 28-30 inches.

Draw Cycle/Shootability

The Turbo cam is a pleasure to shoot, but It is more aggressive than the Z5 cam from last year. Just looking at the cam, it is obvious the Turbo means business, as it is noticeably larger than last years Z5 cam featured on the Turbo model. With that being said, many shooters have reported an even more solid back wall while holding on target. Drawing the bow back is not a great deal harder like many suspect, but the transitions are a little more noticeable than the Z5 cam. The improved performance is worth the little stiffer draw in most opinions though, and shooters wanting a fast bow have already accepted drawing a little harsher bow. At full draw the bow is perfectly balanced, and seems to hold on target effortlessly. With accessories added, the offset stabilizer mount makes the bow balanced vertically also, so shooters are able to focus on their shot much easier without needing to fight the sight level. After the shot, the bow hardly rocks and it is as quiet and shock free as one would like. The Carbon Spyder XT Turbo is a sweet shooter, and its high performance is greatly appreciated.

Usage Scenarios

The specifications, updated speed, and available color options make the turbo a great rig for hunting, shooting 3D, or even spot leagues. For a bow that has the ability to do it all, the Turbo is a fantastic option. The added speed will also correct minor errors in miscalculating the distance to the target. The price is high, but being able to use the bow for every type of shooting possible may help some feel a bit of relief when handing over the money to purchase their new bow.

Comparisons

Bow	Hoyt Carbon Spyder ZT Turbo	Hoyt Carbon Spyder Turbo
Version	2015	2014
Picture
Brace Height	6 "	6 "
AtA Length	33 "	33 "
Draw Length	24 " - 30 "	24 " - 30 "
Draw Weight	30 lbs - 70 lbs	30 lbs - 80 lbs
IBO Speed	350 fps	340 fps
Weight	3.8 lbs	3.8 lbs
Let-Off	75%	75%
Where to buy Best prices online	$1100 Compare prices	$3500 Compare prices
	compare more bows

The risers from 2014 to 2015 have gotten a bit stronger, and the Zero Torque Cable Guard System is sure to be a little more tunable in terms of a better center shot and less torque on the riser. However, for Turbo lovers, the biggest difference is the upgraded Turbo Cam for 2015. Shooters want the Turbo model for increased speed, and the 2015 model is 10 feet per second faster than the Z5 powered 2014 model (Hoyt Carbon Spyder Turbo) while keeping the same brace height. Those wanting the fastest Hoyt ever made will love the 2015 updates.

Summary

The price on the Carbon Spyder ZT Turbo is the negative of this bow. Truth be told, everything else about this bow screams shootability and performance, which is a tough combination to accomplish in the same package. The stronger carbon riser, an updated cam, and every technology Hoyt has available makes this bow a dream to shoot. For those not concerned about the sticker shock, the Hoyt Carbon Spyder ZT Turbo will not disappoint in any style of shooting.