Hoyt Faktor 30 Review

Editors' review

The Faktor 30 is going to be a great seller for Hoyt in 2014. Engineers have decided to stay with the short axel to axel measurements for the Spyder 30 of 2013. Despite having similar specifications, the Faktor 30 is a decent upgrade from the previous model year. With fully redesigned Z5 cams that draw smoother, shoot faster, those not able to get the Spyder 30 last year may have just what they need with the Faktor 30. For those purchasing the Spyder 30 last year, the Faktor may not have enough of an upgrade to justify almost $1000 on a new rig. Those interested in what many are demanding from a hunting bow manufactured from one of the industries giants may have just what they are looking for in the Faktor 30. With every technology aside from the carbon riser, shooters are sure to get a top of the line bow.

Finish

The aluminum riser Faktor 30 is available in every option Hoyt offers. The traditional dipping process finishes the bow in camo, target colors, and custom patterns; while the power coat options put a rugged target finish on the bow as well. The corners and cut outs are completely covered and there are no thinning issues, runs, or blemishes in the camo. Although there are tons on options available, each option is going to look great. The Faktor 30 is a hunting bow, so the camo and custom camo options are more than likely going to dominate the choices available from Hoyt. Realtree Xtra and Realtree Max 1 are the two traditional patterns available, and they also come in half and half with a black out riser and camo limbs. For more non-traditional options, Hoyt is offering the Faktor 30 in Realtree AP Pink and Realtree AP Snow. For custom patterns, The Bone Collector model has been a popular option in the past. This features a Realtree Xtra riser with Bone Collector graphics and color scheme. The Vixcen offers a choice between Realtree Max-1 or a blackout riser with custom Vixcen graphics. The American Heritage option decks out the rig in red, white, and blue for a custom look as well.Those interested in a colored bow can choose between Red, Pearl White, and Pink. However, powder coat options are also available in blue fusion or red fusion, green, orange, purple, cobalt blue, or black. All these options lead to shooters having tons of control over what they want their bow to look like.

Riser

The Faktor 30 platform is a Tec Lite aluminum riser designed for strength and stability. Hoyt risers are very noticeable with the swoop by the grip of the bow. This is designed to eliminate torque and add more strength, while minimizing the effect of hand torque and allowing for a better center shot. Hoyt actually compares this characteristic design to a bridge in terms of distributing weight and eliminating torque. All these things help with elimination of vibration and hand shock as well.The machined aluminum riser also goes to great lengths to be perfectly balanced. The balance is a focus not only axel to axel, but left to right as well. The off set front mounting stabilizer bushing helps counter balance the weight of added accessories such as the sight and rest. The rear mounting Stealth shot is also a great string stop system as well. Hoyt has really centered decisions around being silent and shock free. The riser has several of these designs. Aside from the Stealth Shot, the riser also comes with the silent shelf. This pads the riser shelf with rubber to make any contact the riser makes with the arrow or arrow rest completely silent. The riser also integrates Shock Rod Technology near the limb pocket connection to the riser. This takes any vibration and transfers it to the rubber dampeners instead of the shooters hand.

Grip

The wooden Pro Fit grip is going to be the factory standard for 2014. This grip has a fantastic feel that repeats hand placement, looks nice, and is extremely comfortable. However, Hoyt understands not every shooter has the same taste when it comes to the feel of the grip. Shooters have the option to change out the grip from the factory for any of the other Pro Fit offerings. As a last resort, shooters can completely remove the grip and shoot directly off the riser as well. All options offer something just a little different, but they are each relatively comfortable.

Limbs

Hoyt uses split parallel limb technology, which are created using multilayer lamination techniques. This provides strength in all the right places without adding additional bulk and overall weight to the bow. The split limb technology also helps spread out the stress of being drawn so the limbs will last longer. The limbs are also offered in a huge range of adjustability as well. With the ability to be adjusted in ten-pound increments, maximum weights are available in 40. 50, 60, 65, 70, and 80 pounds. Not many manufacturers offer their top of the line bows with as many draw weight options, and this is well appreciated.The limbs are held to the riser with the Pro Lock Pockets. These limb pockets have 6 connecting points with close to 0 tolerance making sure the limbs are in the proper placement through all stages of the draw cycle. The pockets are also very useful, but are hardly noticeable as part of the overall rig. They do not stand out, and simply work, which is a nice characteristic of limb pockets.Hoyt has taken great measures to make the Faktor 30 a shock-free noiseless bow. The Air Shox system is a great testament to the engineering going in to making this a reality. The Air Shox system is unlike anything else offered as a dampener in the industry. They actually work independently of the limbs. As the limbs are drawn, the dampeners remain stationary. After the arrow is fired, the limbs return to their resting position and contact the Air Shox system. They work pretty well, but can also be removed if shooters would like to use a more traditional dampening device instead.

Eccentric System

The Z5 cam system is a fully redesigned cam, but keeps many of the well-loved features of the RKT cam. The cam is available in module adjustments within three separate configurations. The one cam offers adjustments between 24-25.5-inches, the two cam between 26-28, and the three cam between 28-30 all in half inch increments. The speed difference from the RKT cams to the Z5 cams is minimal at best, but many like the feel of the draw cycle a bit better. The Faktor 30 performs at speeds reaching 332 feet per second. The speed Hoyt advertises has been easily achievable in the past, and even goes above and beyond in some situations.

Draw Cycle/Shootability

The Faktor 30 is a shooter and very user friendly. The Z5 cams require very little effort in and produce a lot of energy and speed. The Z5 cam is a bit of a stiff draw, but very smooth from start to finish. The valley is generous compared to the RKT cams, and the back wall has a nice feel. When letting the bow down from full draw, it feels like shooters need to push the string forward, because it is so easy to hold at full draw. The 6.75-inch brace height offers some great forgiveness with the speed produced as well. After the shot, the bow has a bit of hand shock without accessories added. However, after the accessories and stabilizers are placed on the bow, the hand shock is not felt. Those interested in a shorter axel-to-axel hunting bow will appreciate the specifications and feel of the Faktor 30. Those at the upper end of the draw length may not like the steep string angle the compact bow has to offer though. The short axel-to-axel bow does hold well on target with plenty of stabilization.

Usage Scenarios

The Hoyt Faktor 30 is designed for hunting. Although it will be accurate for any type of shooting, the short axel-to-axel measurement of the Faktor 30 is going to be a great bow for ground blinds and in the tree. The perfect balance, smooth draw, and decent speeds all lead to what archery hunters need when the moment counts. For those interested in a short bow that is a designed killer, the Faktor 30 is a fantastic option.

Comparisons

Bow	Hoyt Faktor 30	Hoyt Spyder 30
Version	2015	2014
Picture
Brace Height	6.75 "	6.75 "
AtA Length	30 "	30 "
Draw Length	24 " - 30 "	24.5 " - 30 "
Draw Weight	30 lbs - 80 lbs	30 lbs - 80 lbs
IBO Speed	332 fps	330 fps
Weight	3.9 lbs	3.8 lbs
Let-Off	75%	75%
Where to buy Best prices online	$375 to $999 Compare prices	$1200 Compare prices
	compare more bows

Last year, Hoyt offered the very popular Hoyt Spyder 30, which took their traditional 32-inch axel to axel bow and shortened it up a bit to meet the needs of what many shooters demand from a hunting bow. Continuing with this trend, the Hoyt Faktor 30 is almost identical in specifications. However, they do offer slightly different feel. The Z5 cam draws differently than RKT cam, and many will love the difference. The transitions on the Z5 are smoother, the valley is more generous, and the speed is slightly faster than the RKT. For many shooters the minimal difference will not be worth the extra money, but for shooters not already owing a RKT cam bow or not able to find a left over Spyder 30, the Faktor 30 is going to be a great new bow.

Summary

Hoyt has established themselves as being one of the elite bow companies because of integrating useful technology that simply works. The new Faktor 30 is yet another addition that is going to be a top seller for 2014. The bow uses every technology Hoyt has except for the carbon riser technology, including the redesigned Z5 cam system. For a short axel to axel hunting bow, it is hard to find something better than the Faktor 30. The price may be a bit expensive for some shooters on a budget, but with all the engineering that went in to making this bow, combined with the backing of a huge company like Hoyt, it may be worth saving a while longer to upgrade to this bow.