Compound Bow Comparator

The Athens Exceed 300 is a 37-inch, 330-plus fps IBO forgiving target and 3D crossover from Athens' earliest lineup, produced from 2010 through the early 2010s. Its case rests on feel and geometry rather than a spec-sheet headline: a long, dead-steady hold from the 37-inch riser and 7-inch brace, an even, hump-free draw off the DL-specific EV2S cams, a firm adjustable-let-off wall, and a shot that settles quiet once a stabilizer is on. What stays with me about this bow is that the owners who bought one keep using the same word - underrated - and mean it as high praise: fast enough, accurate, and forgiving well beyond what a small-shop bow of its day was expected to be. Athens' fit and finish, the standout CNC grip, and sealed-bearing EV2S cams round out a bow built to be tuned once and trusted for years. Because it is discontinued, it is a used-market find today, but a well-kept one restrung by any pro shop is a lot of forgiving, versatile bow for the money. It is an excellent choice for the 3D and spot shooter who refuses to own a bow they can't also hunt with, and it is particularly strong at holding steady on the spot. Buyers who want the same forgiving platform from a larger brand should also look at the Bowtech Specialist; those who want more speed and heavier draw in a shorter frame should look at the Elite Judge. Read full review...

The Bowtech Specialist is a very high performance up and coming target bow. A long axle to axle, a good brace height and great IBO speed are all ingredients that make a great target bow that is very forgiving and capable of competing with some of the top target bows of the world. The Specialist uses a binary cam system making it a smooth drawing bow that is easy to adjust and has virtually no timing issues. Tuning may need to be done by a professional but once it is set up there should be no problems keeping it that way. With a number of color options to choose from, it's a bow that can look good while putting great numbers up on the score card. Read full review...

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• Even, hump-free draw - the DL-specific EV2S cams give a smooth, consistent pull that owners single out as the bow's best trait
• Holds rock-steady on target - the long 37-inch riser and relaxed 7-inch brace make it an easy bow to shoot accurately
• Quiet once set up - with a stabilizer mounted the shot settles dead in the hand, backed by the Anchor string stop
• Genuinely underrated value - owners keep calling it fast, accurate, and a keeper for what a clean used one costs

• No timing issues after initial setup
• Virtually no riser torque
• Minimal Vibration
• No bow press needed to adjust draw length
• Smooth drawing
• Fast IBO speed rating

• Smooth drawing bow with a nice solid back wall (both cams have a draw stop)
• Good valley - you can creep it a little
• Modular-adjustable eccentric system
• Very comfortable thin wood grip
• Immaculate finish

• Long out of production - a used-market buy with no current Athens warranty, though any pro shop can spin fresh Sick-style strings and service the sealed EV2S cams
• Draw length is set by a DL-specific cam, not a rotating module - confirm the bow's cam matches your draw before buying, or have a pro shop fit the correct one

• Limited draw lengths (no option for longer draw shooters)
• Some shooters complain of small valley
• Limb color limited to black only

• Not the quietest bow, kick and vibration are higher on a bare bow (stabilizer and other silencers will help)
• Relatively stiff draw cycle with a little hump closer to the end