Bear Alaskan XT Compound Bow

The Bear Alaskan XT is one of the better value stories in recent hunting bows: a $579.99 dealer-exclusive that machines a flagship-style Integrate Mounting System dovetail and Picatinny rail into the riser, adds a roller cable guard and in-riser dampeners, and delivers a shot that reads under 94 decibels and goes dead in the hand. It holds the family's 335 fps IBO rating on a forgiving 33-inch chassis, keeps the two 15-pound draw-weight modules and 25 to 30 inch draw span that fit a whole household, and - the part that stuck with me - groups right alongside carbon flagships costing three times as much or more. For a mid-price bow, Bear nailed the balance of quiet, forgiveness, and premium mounting. It is an excellent bow for the value-minded hunter who wants flagship hardware without the flagship price, particularly strong as a quiet, forgiving treestand rig you can build into a clean, streamlined setup. Buyers who need the widest child-to-adult adjustability should also look at the Diamond Edge 320, and those wanting a value Binary-cam hunter at the Bowtech Convergence... read full review