Bowtech Fanatic Compound Bow

The Bowtech Fanatic arrived in 2015 at a $1,499 launch MSRP as the company's serious return to tournament archery, and it earns that positioning through its hold rather than its speed. The headline numbers - 325 fps IBO, a tall 7.75-inch brace, 36.5 inches axle-to-axle, 289 fps in real-world chronograph terms at a 60-pound, 29-inch setup - describe a bow tuned for forgiveness and a settled aim, built on Bowtech's first shoot-through riser and OverDrive Binary cams with adjustable let-off up to 75 percent. What I take away after digging into how owners actually shoot it is consistency: a firm, defined back wall, a pin that parks dead-still, and split CarbonCore limbs that keep the platform quiet and stable over thousands of arrows. It laid the groundwork for the Fanatic 2.0 and 3.0 that followed, and the core idea it introduced - a torque-reducing shoot-through riser for target work - carried through the whole line. This is an excellent bow for the competitive spot, field, and 3D archer who values a rock-steady hold above raw arrow speed, and it is particularly strong on a long tournament day where a repeatable, quiet shot wins. Buyers who prioritize maximum riser length and sight radius should also look at the Hoyt Pro Comp Elite XL, while those who want a more compact, faster frame should consider the PSE Supra... read full review