Limbsaver Deadzone DZ-36 Review

Editors' review

Limbsaver's Deadzone 36 is designed with the target archer, finger shooter or open country hunter in mind. Shooters will find this bow incredibly forgiving as they see their groups tighten shot after shot. Modeled after the original Deadzone, the DZ 32, this bow continues the Limbsaver tradition of being a quiet, efficient, vibration-free bow that is manufactured with the highest quality materials and sold at an affordable price.

Finish

The DZ 36 comes in G1 next Generation Camo or Competition Black. Either finish is high quality and is designed to handle the elements without fading or wearing.

Riser

The DZ 36 takes advantage of 6061-T6 aluminum for its riser. By designing the riser to be nearly straight this bow became especially easy to aim and hold on target. Cut-outs on the riser are arranged in a waffle pattern and each features a modified I-beam structure. Furthermore, each cut-out makes the riser much lighter while also adding strength and reducing flex thanks to their shape and structure.

Limbs and Limb Pockets

Thanks to the design of the limbs and limb pockets of the DZ 36, it is known to be a quiet, smooth drawing and vibration-free bow. Limbs are made of composite fiberglass/graphite, each set being solid and matched. Attaching the limbs to the riser are the 6061-T6 aluminum, full capture, pivoting limb pockets. By extending beyond the riser and preventing actual limb and riser contact these limb pockets greatly reduce noise and vibration of the bow but also increase efficiency and balance of the limbs. The design of these limb pockets features draw weight adjustments through a Rolling Fulcrum system, this also allows for the bow to be pressed with just the use to two allen wrenches. As with the other Deadzone bows all adjustments and tuning can now be done without using a bow press thanks to this system.

Grip

The Limbsaver DZ 36 comes with two different grips to suit each individual shooter. Archers have the choice of installing the wood grip or the black side plates. The wood grip is a bit thick and can cause some torqueing but does look very appealing. Whereas the side plates give the bow a slim grip which is known to reduce the possibility of hand torque. While it is nice to have the choice, most shooters will prefer the side plates because it helps with accuracy and consistency.

Eccentric System

To achieve maximum efficiency and energy transfer to the arrow at each draw length Limbsaver developed the H.E.A.T. (High Efficiency Active Transfer) Cam system. The DZ 36 features an IBO speed of 320-325 fps and draw length adjustments from 25 - 30 inches. Two different sized H.E.A.T. Cams are used to allow for these adjustments. While a small cam is used for shorter draw lengths of 25 - 27 1/2, a large cam is employed for longer draw lengths of 28 - 30 inches. The draw length can be adjusted in half-inch increments by changing modules and adjusting the draw stops. No bow press is required for making any adjustments (all you need is just a couple of allen wrenches).

Draw Cycle and Shootability

Thanks to the H.E.A.T cam system the DZ 36 features the same silky smooth draw cycle and solid back wall the other Deadzone bows have. Since this bow was designed with target archers in mind they incorporated 80% let-off to allow shooters to hold on target for long periods of time while settling their pin on target, this can also be very important in the field or shooting 3D. Upon release of the arrow there is no noticeable vibration, only a faint noise which can be taken care of with the installation of a quality stabilizer.

Silencing Package

The DZ 36 employs a few of Limbsavers NAVCOM products to control vibration and noise. Integrated into the riser shelf is a strip of NAVCOM to prevent noise from the arrow coming in contact with the front of the shelf itself. Additionally, this rig uses a cable guard dampener, 2 Ultramax Limbsavers and 6 string leeches. Each of these components has its own job but all of them also work together to give this bow a soft feel and make it one of the quietest bows on the market.

Comparison

Limbsaver has 4 bows under the Deadzone line, the longest of which is this bow, the DZ 36. They also feature the light and maneuverable Limbsaver Deadzone DZ-30, the ever popular Limbsaver Deadzone DZ-32 built to be an all-around bow, and the Limbsaver Speedzone SZ-34 (Speedzone) built with raw speed in mind. All of these bows feature the same technologies except that the Speedzone installs the Hyper-Drive Speed Module into the H.E.A.T. cam to achieve 350 fps. Comparing these four bows, the DZ 36 is by far the most forgiving and best suited for the target archer or finger shooter.

Bow	Limbsaver Deadzone DZ-36	Limbsaver Deadzone DZ-30	Limbsaver Deadzone DZ-32	Limbsaver Speedzone SZ-34
Version	2013 (large cam)	2013 (large cam)	2013 (large cam)	2013 (large cam)
Picture
Brace Height	7.875 "	7.25 "	7.125 "	5.875 "
AtA Length	36 "	30 "	32 "	34 "
Draw Length	30 " - 32.5 "	27.5 " - 30 "	28 " - 30.5 "	27.5 " - 30 "
Draw Weight	40 lbs - 70 lbs	40 lbs - 70 lbs	40 lbs - 70 lbs	40 lbs - 70 lbs
IBO Speed	320 fps - 325 fps	320 fps - 325 fps	325 fps - 330 fps	345 fps - 350 fps
Weight	3.8 lbs	3.9 lbs	4.5 lbs	3.8 lbs
Let-Off	80%	80%	80%	80%
Where to buy Best prices online	Not available now. Please check later.	Not available now. Please check later.	$250 Compare prices	Not available now. Please check later.
	compare more bows

Best Usage

The DZ 36 was engineered and built with the target archer and finger shooter in mind. Combine the forgiving 7 7/8 inch brace with the smooth draw cycle and ease of holding on target and this bow just spells accuracy and consistency.

Value

Limbsaver is well known for manufacturing quality products while keeping costs at a level that allows anyone to afford them. Priced between $650 and $750 this bow is less than many other bows in the same category. This makes it a good value by itself, but what makes it great, is the technology Limbsaver packed into this bow.

Summary

The DZ 36 was designed to give archers a quality long axle to axle option that could be used for target competition and could be shot by a fingers shooter. Limbsaver utilized the almost straight riser design they developed for the original Deadzone 32 because of its innate ability to aim and hold on target with ease. Additionally, this rig can fit a wide variety of archers and is easily adjustable without the use of a bow press. In fact, any adjustments and all tuning can now be made without a bow press thanks to the limb pocket systems used on the Deadzone bows. Because of everything Limbsaver packs into this bow, shooters will find it to be extremely forgiving, accurate and very user friendly.