PSE Evoke 31 Review

Editors' review

PSE is on the radar for shooters wanting to buy the best possible hunting bow. However, there are shooters where PSE bows are not even on their radar, and that is a shame. The Evolve Cam System may be the best cam PSE has ever produced from a tuning, adjustment, and shootability perspective. When paired with the compact 31-inch axle-to-axle measurement on the Evoke 31, the IBO speed rating is 342 feet per second. For many hunters, compact bows are ideal, but for some shooters with a longer draw, the Evoke 35 may be a better option even though it is not as compact. PSE's website does claim the Evoke 31 has a 6-inch brace height, but the tagging on the bow in stores shows 5.87-inches. Clearly that measurement is close to 6-inches, but with many shooters opposed to anything below 6-inches, it seems like the advertised brace height should be consistent. PSE has also added Kolorfusion to their aluminum riser bows, which really makes the finish look exceptional. However, there is a $50 upcharge, which may not be worth the added cost for all shooters. From a shooting standpoint, the Evoke 31 is hard to beat. For those on the market for a compact hunting bow, the 2019 PSE Evoke 31 should definitely be on the list of rigs to try out.

Finish

PSE bows look nice on the rack, and typically hold up well to the abuse a hunting bow gets over time spent practicing or being exposed to the outdoors. This year, PSE has also added an option for a premium Kolorfusion finish as well for an upcharge of $50. For shooters wanting a camo pattern, PSE has Mossy Oak Break-Up Country, Kuiu Verde, Kryptek Altitude, and Realtree Edge. Shooters can also opt for solid riser colors of charcoal or tan if they are interested in something without a camo pattern. PSE expanding their camo offerings to include other choices is well received by those on the bow market, but there are some high end patterns from Gore that are pretty popular many shooters would like to see on their beloved PSE rigs. Perhaps in the future, Optifade may be an option, but it is not for 2019.

Riser

The aluminum riser on the PSE Evoke 31 is fairly typical in regards to how it looks compared to other flagship PSE models, and that is a good thing. The PSE aggressive styling looks great, and the connection to the rest of the lineup is well thought out. The Evoke 31 also incorporates some rubber dampeners into the riser design, which allows the vibration to be pulled out of the riser and away from the shooters grip hand. These dampeners are located on the top and bottom of the riser, near the limb pockets, where the vibration from shooting the bow is strongest. The Evoke 31 also gets bridges in the riser design on the top and bottom of the grip. These are added to help with the rigidity and stability of the riser, and do not add too much weight to the Evoke 31 keeping the overall bare bow weight at 4.2-pounds. The cable slide system is also pretty sweet. The cable arm is adjustable in and out to account for the best tune for each shooter, or vane clearance no matter which configuration shooters choose. The cables themselves slide on rollers, and the guard slides on rollers on the back side of the cable rod. This allows for a really smooth draw cycle from start to finish, and being able to adjust and fine tune adds every feature a shooter would want in a cable slide system.

Grip

The grip of the Evoke 31 is integrated directly into the aluminum riser. There are no grip components, or rubber inserts, just machined aluminum. This minimalistic grip feels great with a flat back and comfortable throat width. PSE's carbon lineup has taken a little heat for how thick the grip is from front to back, which means the Evoke 31 grip should be a favorite because it is thinner than the carbon grip. This Evoke grip feels like a stereotypical target grip, and that is not a bad thing. It fits well in hand, is really comfortable, and the flat back demands proper hand placement.

Limbs

PSE upped their game with the limb configuration on the Evoke 31. Maximum draw weights are available in every poundage hunters could want including 50, 60, 65, 70, and even 80-pounds. For PSE to offer 5 limb configurations really shows how dedicated they are to offering a bow for everyone. The wide stance limbs are extremely durable, stick with the aggressive X-Force look PSE is known for, and keeps the cam lean to a minimum with the wider, stronger limbs. The Wedgelock Limb Pocket System keeps the limbs secured to the riser with extremely tight tolerances. Once the limbs are set where shooters want them, simply tighten the set screw, and the limbs are not going to move at all from the desired position.

Eccentric System

The Evolve Cam system is arguably the most popular cam PSE has ever produced, and given all the adjustment options, that is for good reason. For starters, the Evolve Cam on the Evoke 31 has a draw length range from 24 1/2- 30-inches. These adjustments are made with a rotating module, and does not require the use of a bow press. In addition to the draw length adjustability, the let-off is also adjustable. Shooters can opt for a high let-off module, which offers 80, 85, and even 90% let-off. PSE also offers a low let-off option, which allows for 65, 70, or 75% let-off. The cam axles are 1/4-inch, which helps minimize cam lean and any sort of torque present from the bow being drawn. When paired with the geometry of the Evoke 31, the Evolve Cam shoots arrows up to 342 feet per second with an advertised 6-inch brace height. For those interested in the makeup of the Evolve cam, PSE engineers stick with the quad track design. This cam design also integrates a split cable to basically eliminate side torque or cam lean. In addition to this, the entire performance of the cams become less susceptible to environmental changes when compared to a more traditional two track system. The cable grooves are fairly deep, which will keep the strings and cables centered and in the right spot for the entire draw cycle. The Evolve Cam System has a bunch of adjustment, and PSE does advertise it is as the easiest cam they have to adjust.

Draw Cycle/Shootability

Bow manufacturers have a fair amount of pressure to produce new bows and cams year after year. For PSE to stick with the same cam system is a real testament to how well the cam shoots and performs. The Evoke 31 has a nice feeling draw cycle, with the peak weight stacking up quickly at the beginning. From there, the shooter will feel a gradual let-off into the chosen let-off, and finally the solid back wall. The length of the valley is slightly altered when shooters change the let-off with the higher let-offs being more generous, but the overall feel and transitions are similar no matter which setting shooters prefer. The back wall is solid, and makes it easy to hold on target, and going from full draw and letting down does not make shooters feel like their shoulder is getting ripped out of the socket. When holding on target, shooters have a ton of choices for how much holding weight they want, and this customization is exceptional. Shooters can use any of the six let-off options from 65-90%, and that alone is a feature worth consideration. Holding on target, shooters experience minimal pin float, and the bow feels pretty balanced at full draw. After the shot, the noise and vibration are almost non-existent, and added accessories will make the bow an outstanding hunting rig. It is really hard to find anything wrong with the PSE Evoke 31, but like everything else in archery, it all comes down to what each person wants.

Usage Scenarios

The Evoke 31 is a compact hunting bow designed to meet the needs of hunters in just about every situation. The Evolve Cam has a great deal of adjustment, and is very user friendly making it an accurate and fun bow to shoot for shooters interested in practicing for their upcoming hunts. However, this bow was built for hunting, and will be very well for anyone interested in a compact hunting bow.

Evoke 31 vs. Evoke 35

Bow	PSE Evoke 31
Version	2019
Picture
Brace Height	6 "
AtA Length	31 "
Draw Length	24.5 " - 30 "
Draw Weight	40 lbs - 80 lbs
IBO Speed	336 fps - 342 fps
Weight	4.2 lbs
Let-Off	80% - 90%
Where to buy Best prices online	$550 to $800 Compare prices

PSE Evoke 31 and PSE Evoke 35 are very similar, with the major difference related to the axle-to-axle measurement. For shooters interested in a compact design, the 31 is a clear winner. However, some shooters may not be comfortable with that short of a bow, and may be more comfortable shooting the longer 35-inch model. The great news is that PSE has created a solid aluminum hunting bow for anyone on the market, and shooters are able to choose which one meets their needs the best.

Summary

PSE has created a bow with all the available 2019 features in one single package. Shooters can customize virtually everything about the compact 31-inch axle-to-axle hunting bow, and get it shooting exactly how they want a bow to feel. The compact design is about perfect for a hunting bow where shooters demand a small framed rig, and the 342 feet per second will deliver enough speed and kinetic energy for almost any big game. PSE is even offering 80-pound maximum draw weight limbs for the Evoke 31. With so many positives about a rig outfitted with the Evolve Cam System, it is worth every shooter on the market for a new bow to give this one a try. Some shooters may have different personal preferences drawing them to a different bow in the PSE lineup, but nothing about the Evoke 31 equates to a large enough negative to be a deal breaker on this bow. Like every decision in the archery world, personal preference will be the deciding factor, but the Evoke 31 is an outstanding hunting bow for 2019.