Compound Bow Comparator

The Hoyt Vantage Elite Plus earns its reputation the way a target bow should: not with a headline speed number but with a hold. Its STT Shoot-Thru riser gives it the lateral stiffness that owners describe as sitting still on the middle better than nearly anything they have shot, and its two-cam platform lets each archer decide whether they want the GTX's smooth draw and forgiving valley or the Spiral X's speed and rock-hard wall, with the Cam & 1/2 Plus as the comfortable middle. At 4.8 pounds and roughly 40 inches axle-to-axle it is a dedicated FITA and field bow, offered with GTX at 309 fps IBO and Spiral X at 315 fps IBO - and Hoyt, along with the world-circuit shooters who chose it, made it one of the most decorated competition bows of its generation. It launched as a flagship-tier competition rig, and today it turns up on the used market as an affordable way into a proven target platform. What I keep coming back to is that this bow rewards the work you put into it: dial the draw length, pick the cam that matches your form, and it delivers a hold most bows can't. It is an excellent choice for the competitive spot and field archer who values a steady sight picture and a tunable shooting character above all else. Buyers who want that same target geometry at a lower entry price should also look at the PSE Supra, and those who want one bow that competes on the line but can also hunt should look at the Elite GT500. Read full review...

The 2013 PSE Supra Max is a redesign of the Supra (2011) and the Supra ME (2012). With new technologies in the riser, cams and limb pockets, this rig is a common sight at any archery competitive event. The cutouts in the riser reduce the weight by approximately 20 percent, yet continue to offer a very strong and solid platform. The redesigned limb pockets reduce the weight slightly, but not only look nice, the also provide a solid housing for the split limbs while eliminating any slippage or limb twist. The redesigned Mini Evo cams offer a shorter power stroke, smooth draw, and plenty of speed. The limbs and this new cam system will definitely perform and launch an arrow at or near IBO with the accuracy one would expect from a competition bow. This rig is commonly found at most competitions. Although the Supra Max has a 37 1/4" ATA and a very forgiving 7" brace height. The split limb system also comes in a variety of weight from 40# - 70# peak weights, and each set are adjustable in 10# increments. If the shooter is looking into getting into competition shooting, the Supra Max is affordable enough to get started, yet possesses the quality that even the most experienced completion shooters seek. Read full review...

The Elite GT500 is a very adjustable all around bow suitable for different types of archery. While first models were cam specific, the latest modification has a modular-adjustable performance system capable of generating respectable speeds. With wide ranges of draw length and draw weight adjustment, this bow will fit different shooters including big game hunters. This is a steady and great holding bow that is a fairly stiff (but smooth) on the draw with a little hump at the end. The back wall is rock solid due to the two draw stops the performance system is designed with. The valley is good and allows for creeping a little without the bow wanting to take off. Overall, the Elite GT500 is a great all-around bow suitable for all types of archery including hunting, 3D shooting, and spot shooting. Read full review...

• Holds and aims exceptionally steady on target, a trait owners credit to the STT Shoot-Thru riser once draw length is dialed in
• Two-cam platform lets the archer tune the whole shooting character: GTX for a smooth draw, Spiral X for speed and a hard wall
• GTX cam draws mild and even the whole way, with a deeper valley that forgives a relaxed hold
• Spiral X delivers a rock-solid back wall and roughly 15 fps more speed for archers with dialed form
• Straightforward to paper-tune and group-tune, with a light 4.8 lb mass that stays manageable over a long line day

• Easy to tune and shoot
• No noticeable vibration
• Quiet
• Easy to tune
• Solid shooting platform

• excellent finish
• narrow style grip feels very comfortable to many shooters
• steady and holds very well
• good valley and rock solid back wall
• wide range of draw length and draw weight adjustment
• modular-adjustable eccentric system (2010 version only)
• relatively smooth (but a fairly stiff) draw cycle
• good all-around bow suitable for hunting, 3D, and indoor spots

• GTX back wall is soft and takes real effort to hold against - archers who want a firm wall can order the Spiral X or Cam & 1/2 Plus instead
• Spiral X leaves almost no valley and punishes creep - order the cams slightly short and add draw via cable twist, and stay in shooting shape
• Its steadiness depends on an exact draw length - set it within about an eighth of an inch before judging the hold

• Spongy back wall; recommend changing the factory stop and re-adjusting

• earlier models (before 2010) were cam specific
• draw cycle is on the stiff side and has a hump at the end
• a bare bow could have less vibration (installing a good stabilizer helps to quiet it down)