Mission Craze Review

Editors' review

Adjustability, that is what the new Mission Craze is all about. With up to 40 pounds of weight adjustment and a draw length that can go from 19 to 30 inches as fast as you can move a set screw; this bow is made for the growing archer. Weighing in at 3.6 pounds, this parallel limb bow is a steal, retailing for $299.00. Featuring parallel limb design, riser cutouts, and a solid dual cam system, this bow is what Mission is known for; shootability and affordability wrapped into one.

Riser/Limbs/Grip

With several cutouts to both enhance the strength and to decrease the weight of the extruded riser, the design is something that is expected on a higher end bow. The Craze sports parallel split limbs which help to reduce vibration, making the bow both smooth and quiet on the shot. New for 2011 is the Lost Camo AT which the riser and limb are bathed in. Similar to the Lost Camo on Mathews bows, the AT version exclusive to Mission Bows has an All Terrain background. Made of black composite, the grip is comfortable in hand and has a rather slim design. Those familiar with the Mathews Slimfit Grip will find it similar.

CZ-2 Dual Cam

The Craze utilizes the CZ-2 Dual Cam System. This cam system allows for adjustment from 19 inches to 30 inches in one inch increments without the use of a bow press. By simply taking out the set screw on each cam and putting it in the appropriate numbered hole for the draw length that is desired, it is beyond easy to change draw lengths in a short amount of time with only an allen wrench. It must be understood that each draw length has its own draw weight minimum and maximum due to design. It would be impossible to have the 19 inch draw length go to 70 pounds or, at the other end of the scale, have the 30 inch draw length go down to 15 pounds. For instance, at 19 inches of draw length the draw weight ranges from 15 to 46 pounds while at 70 pounds the weight ranges from 33 to 70 pounds respectively. The IBO reported bow speed for the Craze is a respectable 306, which is quite high for a set of cams with this much adjustment. The draw cycle of this bow is smooth but the valley is noticeable and a little long when compared to higher end bows. Again with a cam of this type it is expected. There is a little recoil on the shot along with slight vibration. However, adding accessories will eliminate those issues. Again, to be expected with a bow of this caliber. It should be noted that the recoil and vibration is not excessive. With a brace height of a 7.5", an axle to axle length of 28", and let-off up to 80%, the little compact Craze is real nice shooter for the money.

Silencing Package

The Craze does not have a silencing package built into the riser nor a Dead End String Stop or string suppressors. Having these accessories on the bow would add to the cost. It does come equipped with a set of what Mission calls D'Amplifiers on the Zebra Hybrid string to help stop string vibration. Because of how the bow is built with semi aggressive cams and the parallel limbs, the bow is fairly quiet on the shot.

Comparison

Bow	Mission Craze	Mission Menace
Version	2014	2014
Picture
Brace Height	7.5 "	7.25 "
AtA Length	28 "	31 "
Draw Length	19 " - 30 "	17 " - 30 "
Draw Weight	15 lbs - 70 lbs	16 lbs - 52 lbs
IBO Speed	306 fps	fps
Weight	3.6 lbs	2.95 lbs
Let-Off	80%	70%
Where to buy Best prices online	$260 to $650 Compare prices	$150 to $400 Compare prices
	compare more bows

By looking at the Craze's little brother, the Menace, the similarities stop with the adjustability. The cams on the Craze, although highly adjustable, do not adjust down to 17 inches as in the Menace's case, although both can reach 30 inches. The Craze can reach 70 pounds of draw weight, where the Menace can only get to 52 pounds of draw weight at a 30" draw length. The Menace's riser is more simplistic and straight as compared to the reflexed riser of the Craze. The Menace has an axle to axle length that is 3" inches longer and a brace height that is .25" shorter than the Craze. Overall, the Mission Menace would lack the punch the Craze can deliver, but that is because the Menace is a more simplified version of the Craze for a beginning archer.

Summary

It is hard to not get excited about the Mission Craze when looking at the design. The bow, retailing for just under $300, shoots well, has lots of adjustability, looks like a high end bow with the reflexed cut out riser, parallel limb design, and the flawless Lost Camo AT. Mission does offer three different packages of accessories based on price of accessories; the Pro Hunter, the Bow Hunter and Basic. Any of these packages can be purchased separately for the Craze. Each package has a sight, rest, quiver, stabilizer, and bow wrist sling. The bow would be ideal for any young archer as the bow could grow the archer into adulthood due the adjustability in both draw length and draw weight. The Craze could also benefit any new archer who wants some shootability at a very affordable price. It is difficult to find any real flaws with the Craze due to the simplicity of the bow, how it shoots and the price of this model. The Craze, like many of the other Mission models, is an outstanding bow for the money.