Compound Bow Comparator

The guys at Bowtech were looking to create a rig for the hunter that was fast, quiet, and smooth. They eventually came up with the General. This bow not only met the call, but did so with no vibration or noise. With an ATA of just over 31" and a brace height of 8 1/4", this bow is accurate, fast, and consistent. The Center Track Binary Cam system provides a smooth draw and an IBO of 315. This is about 15 fps slower than the average bow today, but in 2008, it was respectableThis rig is adjustable as well with a draw length range of 26" - 30" in 1/2" increments, and a draw weight range of 40# - 70#. The limbs are the primary determinate for the draw weight with the weight being adjustable to 10# below peak weight of the limbs. This rig was added to the 2008 lineup, but shortly into the year Bowtech voluntarily recalled the bow as it had received 255 work orders for defective limbs. Although they recalled all the bows and replaced the limbs, the damage had been done and they discontinued the bow. The shooter can still find them for sale online. The limb issues should have been corrected, making this a very good bow to have in your arsenal. The shooter would be advised to have the bow inspected by an authorized Bowtech dealer prior to purchasing the bow just to make sure it didn't slip through the cracks when the recall took place. Read full review...

The Bowtech 101st Airborne was put on the market for the 2008 lineup. It boasted a one-piece CNC machined aluminum riser, single-piece glass limbs, a third generation Binary Cam system, unmatched quietness, and a smooth draw. This rig does have a stiff valley to overcome to transition to let-off, but is otherwise smooth. It does begin easy and steadily builds, but never becomes overbearing. It does have some string creep that should be noted. If the shooter must let down on the shot, they must be very careful, because the string creep will come as a surprise and you may inadvertently release an unwanted shot.The finish on the limbs and the riser are made up of the usual Bowtech In-Velvet camo that comes in a wide variety of color schemes. Although this bow was designed for the hunter, it is good for anything the archer can throw at it. Read full review...

• Fast, accurate, and smooth
• Noise and vibration free
• Versatile

• Quiet out of the box
• Smooth
• Versatile
• Fast

• Still carries the stigma of limb problems; Bowtech voluntarily replaced limbs on all Generals to ensure the problems were corrected
• No longer part of the lineup; has to be purchased used

• The only con to this bow is it cannot be gotten new; only used