PSE Evolve 28 Review

Editors' review

PSE has done it again and this time with a mid-model year release of a compact hunting bow with everything shooters have come to love with the Evolve Series bows in a compact 28-inch package. Now some shooters may be wondering what all the fuss is about with the industry moving towards smaller framed bows again, but those wanting the most in maneuverability and packability out West will absolutely love the shorter axle-to-axle measurement. The cams of choice are again the Evolve Cams, which allow a draw length range of 24.5-30-inches and up to 90% let-off with a speed rating up to 335 feet per second at 90%. So not only is the Evolve 28 a compact killing machine, it also has exceptional performance combined with a forgiving 7-inch brace height. This bow may not appeal to everyone, and it does not have to. PSE makes an Evolve bow for virtually any shooter interested in a new PSE bow, and the Evolve 28 is for those shooters wanting the most compact model they can get their hands on. For a pure hunting bow, the Evolve 28 is definitely worth a look. However, it is only available in right handed versions only.

Finish

PSE created the Evolve 28 with hunters in mind, and the finish options are true to that purpose. Although a bit limited on the number of finishes available, each will work well in a ground blind, treestand, or out West hunting trip. Shooters also have an option to get a standard finish or a Kolorfusion option for an upgrade fee. The standard finish has an MSRP of $999 with the Kolorfusion priced at $1049. For those wanting a camo rig, PSE is offering Mossy Oak Break-Up Country, Kryptek Altitude, Kuiu Verde, and Realtree Edge. This offering hits some major giants in the camo world as well as some newer options, which should satisfy the needs for most shooters. It would be nice to see Gore or Under Armour camo patterns like some other companies have available, but this is still a pretty large variety for camo choices. Shooters wanting a solid colored riser and limb configuration can choose from black, charcoal, and tan finishes.

Riser

The riser looks exactly the same as other Evolve models, and that is not a bad thing. The riser is shorter on the Evolve 28, and rightfully so because it has the shortest axle-to-axle measurement out of the bunch. The engineers managed a 7-inch brace height with the Evolve Cams and riser combination to make this shorter bow still feel forgiving. PSE also focused on vibration and noise dampening with a rear mounted string stop system in addition to integrated dampeners on the top and bottom of the riser near the limb pockets. The bow is fairly lightweight as well weighing only 4.1-pounds as a bare bow. The cutouts in the machined riser are typical from PSE engineering and give the bow an aggressive looking appearance. The sight window allows for several mounting positions for shooters to get the sight in the exact position they prefer with three distinct placements available. The PSE roller glide system is impressive as well in how it adds to the great feel and accuracy of the Evolve 28. This cable containment system mounts a bit differently to the cable when compared to other models, and the rollers allow for the cables to be smoothly drawn. The rolling and gliding motion combine to create a seamlessly smooth drawing experience. This roller glide system is also hooked to the Flexible Rod System, which acts the same way a limb would as drawn to flex towards the midline of the bow. This rod is also adjustable to give shooters the most in their tuning as well.

Grip

Shooters have been stripping their grips down for a while and choosing to shoot straight off the riser. The Evolve 28 does just that without shooters having to take off grips or side plates. The grip on the Evolve 28 is machined directly into the riser, with a PSE engraving on the side of the grip. The grip has a flat back, which fits perfectly on the lifeline of the shooters hand, and also has some rounded edges to add to the comfort of the handle. The thickness of the grip feels just about perfect as well, giving shooters a front edge to rest their fingers on that feels about perfect. For those wanting a beefier grip, adding some tape to get the perfect feel is easy enough, and given the smaller starting point makes it easy to manage. No matter which style grip shooters come from, the Evolve 28 grip should be easy to adjust to.

Limbs

PSE is offering the Evolve 28 in two limb configurations with a maximum draw weight of 60 or 70-pounds. At first glance, that may seem limited, but this bow is strictly for hunting, and those poundages should meet the needs of most hunters. It would be nice to see a 50-pound maximum weight offering as well for teenagers or female shooters not able to pull the 60-pounders yet, but a 20-pound range is still reasonable for most shooters. Of course PSE continues to offer the wide stance split limbs as their go to limb of choice. This has served PSE well in the past, and there is no reason to change something that has performed so well for them for so long. The limb pockets are top notch as well providing a secure connection point between the limbs and pocket and pocket to riser. There are added connection points to keep the limbs in place for the entire draw cycle, and of course more repeatability leads to better accuracy. Just looking at the limbs and pockets, shooters will have a sense of durability based on how sturdy the design and execution of everything is. Shooters should experience no issues with long term durability and longevity with the limbs and pockets.

Eccentric System

The Evolve 28 gets the Evolve Cams, which are a favorite among PSE lovers for good reason. These cams are exceptionally easy to tune, feature valley and let-off customization, and high performance. Shooters ranging from 24.5-30-inches can fit into the Evolve 28, with the rotating draw length module. They can also choose between two seperate let-off modules offering let-offs of 65-75% of 80-90%! That means shooters with a 70-pound draw weight can have a holding weight of 24.5 to 7-pounds depending on what feels best for each shooter. That amount of customization is truly amazing.The quad track Evolve Cam is without a doubt a special cam. The speed rating up to 335 feet per second is using the 90% let-off modules. That means those wanting more speed will be able to use a lower let-off module and add even more performance. That speed rating is also achieved with a 7-inch brace height! The quad track also helps the cables pull equally on each side of the cam, virtually eliminating cam lean of any kind. With equal pressure on each side of the centerline of the cam, the performance is increased, and the repeatability is improved. Each of those leads to an improved shooter experience. The Evolve cam is easy to tune, and is on so many PSE bows because of how great it is, not because PSE is running out of cam designs.

Draw Cycle/Shootability

Smooth is overused in the archery industry, but it is the best way to explain how these cams feel during the draw cycle of the Evolve 28. Everything about the draw cycle is amazing, and the ability to fine tune the holding weight and valley gives every shooter the option to get a draw cycle that works best for them. For a short rig, the Evolve 28 holds on target well, and the 7-inch brace height adds a great deal of forgiveness to the bow. For shooters at the upper end of the draw length range, it may be worth looking into one of the longer Evolve series bows for a more comfortable string angle, but if a compact design is most important, the 28 may be the way to go. After the shot, the string flings the arrow downrange with virtually no feedback in the shooter's hand. The balance of the bare bow is pretty good as well, which means shooters can add accessories where they want them instead of balancing the weight first to get a good starting point. Those wanting a compact bow should add the Evolve 28 to the must shoot list.

Usage Scenarios

The Evolve 28 is a hunting bow. It will be accurate for this style of shooting, and the compact nature of the bow overall will be perfect for tight spaces of backpacking long distances. This rig will also make a great teenager or female shooter's bow as well given the overall size and shootability characteristics. As mentioned earlier, those shooters on the upper end of the draw length range may want to test out a longer Evolve series bow for comfort and the correct string angle, but for hunters wanting something compact, it is hard to beat the Evolve 28.

Evolve 28 vs. Evoke 31

Bow	PSE Evolve 28	PSE Evoke 31
Version	2019	2019
Picture
Brace Height	7 "	6 "
AtA Length	28 "	31 "
Draw Length	24.5 " - 30 "	24.5 " - 30 "
Draw Weight	50 lbs - 70 lbs	40 lbs - 80 lbs
IBO Speed	327 fps - 335 fps	336 fps - 342 fps
Weight	4.1 lbs	4.2 lbs
Let-Off	80% - 90%	80% - 90%
Where to buy Best prices online	$850 to $982.95 Compare prices	$800 Compare prices
	compare more bows

It is always tough to compare different model year bows, but with the mid-year release of the Evolve 28, these two are pretty close to being the same model year. Shooters wanting the most compact bow they can get will more than likely be drawn to the Evolve 28. It has outstanding performance, is the most compact Pro Series bow available from PSE, and has the best technology the company has released to the market. However, some shooters may be drawn to the extra 2-inches of stability the PSE Evoke 31 has to offer. For most hunting situations, the added two-inches will not compromise maneuverability, and the extra stability of a longer riser may be enticing. Both rigs share the same technology, and offer a similar shooting experience. What a great time in the hunting world where shooters have the option between such great shooting compact hunting bows.

Summary

PSE has made a point to create a bow for every single shooter and the Evolve 28 is another example of that. This bow is a hunting bow designed for shooters demanding the most compact bow they can get their hands on. Unfortunately, the Evolve 28 is a right handed model only, leaving anyone left handed to look at the rest of the Evolve lineup. For hunters at the upper end of the draw length range, it may be wise to shoot the Evolve 28 head to head with a longer Evolve model to make sure the comfort of the compact 28-inch bow will work. The Evolve 28 is jam packed with the best technology PSE has released to the public, the Evolve Cams are amazing and customizable, and the performance is mind blowing. For those wanting a compact hunting rig, the mid-year released Evoke 28 is really hard to ignore.