Bowtech Tomkat Compound Bow

The BowTech TomKat is the value package bow of the brand's Binary Cam era, and its trick was putting a flagship-grade cam under a budget riser and shipping it ready to hunt. For roughly $550 in the mid-2000s you got the complete rig - rest, sight, peep, quiver, sling and Hush Kit - around a compact 313/4-inch chassis with a tall 81/2-inch brace, a self-correcting Binary Cam with a speed-or-smooth module choice, and 65-80 percent adjustable let-off. Real-world speed with a hunting arrow lands near 280 fps, the shot is quiet and low in hand shock straight from the factory, and the whole package is light and easy to carry on a stand or a 3D course. What I keep coming back to is how much finished bow this was for the money - the accessories were basic and the valley is short, but the bow underneath them was the real thing. It is an excellent choice for the budget-minded or first-time hunter who wants a complete, dependable rig in one box, and it remains a smart used-market buy for a compact treestand or 3D setup. Buyers who want a longer, steadier, lighter bow should also look at the Mathews Classic, and those who want the widest adjustment range and a little more speed should also look at the Hoyt Trykon... read full review