Editors' review
PSE has always done an exceptional job creating bows for all kinds of shooters. In their hunting lineup, they have speed and comfort bows for a variety of axle-to-axle measurements and varying price points to make a hunting bow for every shooter. They are beginning to create more offerings on the target side of things as well. The Perform-X SD is a new target bow designed for shorter draw target shooters in mind. The Evolve Micro Cam system is a shrunk down version of the super popular Evolve Cam system PSE has used for a while now, and accommodates shooters with a draw length from 21-27-inches. Of course adjustments can be made in 1/2-inch increments with a rotating module and no bow press. The bow also has a little smaller frame for a target bow as well, with an axle-to-axle measurement of 34-inches. Although this is a bit shorter than other rigs, it does fit the smaller framed shooter nicely, and the shoot through riser is a nice touch as well. The overall price of the bow is competitive for a target model, but still pricey at $1699. PSE is also charging an upcharge on three of the color options, which is pretty ridiculous. It is 2020, there is no need for an upcharge on a solid color riser without matching strings. The Perform-X SD also only comes with 2 maximum limb configurations, which should cover most shooters, but it is always nice to have more options to pick from. This bow is a serious target bow for the most serious short draw archers. For anyone looking at a new rig, in the draw length range, this smaller framed target bow is worth a serious consideration.
Finish
PSE has some really great looking colors for their target lineup in 2020, and the Perform-X SD choices fantastic! Regardless of riser color, the limbs are black on each bow. It may also be worth PSE considering to match the string to the riser color to add a little more flavor to the rigs. For the amount of money being spent, it seems like a custom color string would really help justify the cost. The color options look really great and the choices include American flag, good vibrations, black cherry, white, navy blue, and platinum titanium. In addition to those colors, PSE also offers three premium colors for an additional charge. Those three colors are sky blue, orange, and satin mercury. In 2020, it seems unfair to be offering finish options of a premium status, which will end up costing shooters more money. Perhaps if platinum colors came with additional features such as color match strings it may help justify the cost. It would be great for PSE to have one flat fee for all finish options available on the Perform-X SD. Regardless, the bow looks amazing in any of the options, and the American Flag and Good Vibrations are pretty cool looking patterns for someone wanting more than a solid color.
Riser
The Perform-X SD is a shorter riser than many of the PSE target bows, simply because of the shorter 34-inch axle-to-axle measurement. Although still proportionally long considering the smaller framed bow, this riser is still jam packed with features target archers will really appreciate. For starters, the shoot through riser is a solid target feature. This allows the torque and built in rigidity of the bow to be optimal with the arrow running perfectly in the middle of the system. The shoot through riser has been a standard offering for PSE target rigs, and to have a smaller version in this model is an awesome idea. The rig also features a 6-inch brace height, which is kind of short for a target bow, but with cams designed for a smaller framed shooter, the brace height should not scare anyone away under the disguise of being "unforgiving," as some have claimed bows with a 6-inch brace height to be. The bow is still fairly heavy with an overall advertised weight of 4.7-pounds. That number is fairly comparable to other target models, but it is also a shooter axle-to-axle than others in the lineup. So it may be a bit lighter than those, but it is also smaller so a bit lighter would be expected. The bow balances well though, and really has no major flaws in design or execution of the design. The cable guard system is the standard offering for flagship models from PSE. It has an adjustable cable bar with a sliding roller guard system which has worked super well in the past for PSU. Shooters also have an option for multiple site holes depending on their exact set up. There are a total of four mounting positions for shooters to choose from for their site to be mounted to. The bow also has a front and rear mounting location for stabilizers allowing shooters to balance their rig exactly how they want. The string stop system has some adjustment as well, and works great for keeping the string from causing too much noise and vibration after the shot. It is pretty impossible to design the perfect riser, but in terms of a target rig the Perform-X SD is pretty darn close. Especially for those shooters who prefer a shoot through riser design.
Grip
The PSE grip is the standard shape and size of riser integrated grips they have used for quite some time. The back of the grip fits super well in the shooter's hand and the thickness feels just about perfect. Many shooters will choose to personalize their grip with some type of grip tape, but the original grip feels like PSE grips from the past. The edges on the grip are slightly rounded as well, and it just feels comfortable. The shoot through riser cage also sits really nicely against the shooters hand as well, making everything very repeatable shot after shot. PSE's hunting bows offer a rubber one-piece grip, which some on the hunting side of things really love. However, that is not an offering on the Perform-X SD, or any target specific bow PSE offers. Although diehard target archers will like the grip PSE is using again this year.
Limbs
PSE sticks with the split limbs that have treated them so well for so long. The limsb are offered in black for all Perform-X SD models, and have some really nice looking graphics to show the name of the bow and the PSE logo. The split limbs have the standard 10 turn limb bolts, and are offered in a 40 or 50-pound maximum configuration. Unfortunately, this model only comes with two limb configurations. That may be a bit disappointing for shooters who want the 60 pound draw weight range. However, with the short stature of who is interested in this model the two offerings will probably work for the overwhelming majority of potential buyers. The WedgeLock limb pocket system is also used, which is an exceptional piece of engineering by PSE. These pockets do a great job connecting the limbs to the riser, and the designed wedge ensures the tightest tolerances to each other possible. They are also able to be locked down, so it is going to take a substantial bump to jar anything out of alignment.
Eccentric System
PSE is becoming synonymous with the Evolve Cam System, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. The Evolve Cam System is used across the PSE lineup,, and has some of the best shooting characteristics of any cam system on the market today, and maybe ever. The number of people this cam has won over is growing daily, and for great reason. The Perform-X SD features an Evolve Micro Cam, which is the Evolve cam shrunk down to work best for the draw length range of 21-27-inches. That means everything shooters love about the Evolve cam system is also on the Mirco version, just in a smaller package. PSE advertises let-off modules of 65% or 85% as well so the holding weight can match what shooters are most comfortable with. Shooters can make the draw length and let-off adjustments without a bow press, just by referencing the laser engraved markings. The speed rating has an ATA/IBO range of 318-310 feet per second measured at a 27-inch draw length, so performance is pretty great as well.
Draw Cycle/Shootability
This model is awesome, It balances well, has a ton of features to improve the overall shooting experience, and is designed specifically to optimize the smaller framed shooter for the most efficient shooting experience possible. The Evolve Micro Cam System is perfect for packing in all the best qualities of the beloved Evolve Cam System, only now it is specifically designed for shorter draw archers. This cam system, combined with all the high end features, in a smaller package will be absolutely perfect for the intended audience. The cams are amazing, as anyone would expect being from the Evolve Cam design. The holding weight can be tweaked a bit with the desired let-off module, but the draw and hold on target is exceptional. The bow has no noticeable handshock or vibration bare bow, and is lightweight enough to have a fair amount of stabilizer weight added without making it feel too heavy at the end. The grip feels good, and the entire bow is fairly balanced before anything is added, which is another plus for most shooters. There is nothing to pick apart with the shooting experience of this rig. Literally everything about the Perform-X SD was designed for short draw competitive archers to have the best bow possible, and PSE delivered in a major way!
Usage Scenarios
The PSE Perform-X SD is a smaller framed shooter's dream; especially if they prefer a shoot through riser design. This model is designed to perfectly match shorter draw length archers, regardless of gender. This would be an awesome bow for serious target shooters within the 21-27-inch draw length range, not only because the cams are designed for great performance for the shorter draw lengths, but also because of the smaller framed axle-to-axle design. For shorter draw, competitive archers, it is going to be really tough to find a better designed bow for spot shooting and 3D archery. PSE really hit it out of the park with this model and design.
Summary
The PSE Perform-X SD as a bow is pretty much perfect for serious target archers with a draw length within the 21-27-inch range. The smaller framed shoot through riser design is great, the draw cycle and performance are made for a shorter shooter, and the bow size is perfect for those archers who are a bit shorter. The potential drawbacks come more from PSE marketing strategy, and not from flaws of the designed bow. The price is expensive, which is not a shock. The Perform-X SD is also a premium target model, and the $1699 price tag is comparable to every other target model on the market. Along with the price tag is an upcharge for three colors. Come on PSE, it is 2020, finish option upcharges seem out of place and should not happen. If there is going to be an upcharge, throw in some color matched strings or something to further sweeten the deal. The limbs are also only offered in two configurations. To be fair, those two choices will most certainly outfit the majority of shooters, but it would be nice to see a heavier poundage available as well. The PSE Perform-X SD is a fantastic looking bow, and it shoots absolutely lights out. For those in the 21-27-inch draw length range, this bow deserves a serious consideration from the best archers looking for a new competition bow.
