Compound Bow Comparator

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...

The Hoyt Pro Comp Elite XL is the stability specialist of Hoyt's 2013-2014 target pair - the 40-inch bow for the archer whose game is the long, steady hold. It asked flagship target money at launch, the same bracket as the standard Pro Comp Elite, and it answered with a long XT2000 riser that sits dead-still, a draw reaching 32.5 inches for the tall shooter, a choice between the smoother GTX and the faster Spiral X cam, and adjustable Air Shox dampers you set by hand. In my experience the long geometry does exactly what it promises - the aim plants itself and the middle holds tighter than a shorter bow allows - and it asks only for honest follow-through in return. It is not a hunting bow and never tried to be. An excellent choice for the outdoor field and FITA archer with a long draw who values length and hold above all; shorter-draw shooters should look at the Hoyt Pro Comp Elite, and archers who want single-cam simplicity at the same length should also consider the Mathews Conquest 4. 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...

• Rock-solid, defined back wall that settles dead-still on target - owners consistently describe an easy, forgiving aim and tight groups
• First-ever Bowtech shoot-through riser noticeably cuts riser torque at full draw, giving a stable, repeatable hold shot after shot
• Sits comfortably in the hand and shoots forgiving for a competition rig - grouping stays tight even with a simple front-bar setup
• OverDrive Binary cams tune easily and the new draw-stop system dials adjustable let-off up to 75% for a comfortable target draw

• At 40 inches with a draw range to 32.5 inches, it gives long-draw archers a long sight radius and a planted, steady hold
• One riser, two target cams: the GTX for a smoother pull and a 65% or 75% let-off choice, or the Spiral X for more speed
• Adjustable Air Shox limb dampers slide, re-angle, or come off with a set screw - damping you tune by hand, not by press
• Wide shoot-through window clears fletching whether the arrow tunes a touch inside or outside center
• Holds the middle tighter than a shorter, livelier bow - the aim settles on the spot and stays there

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

• Some owners note a deliberate, slightly heavier draw than the lightest target rigs - the solid wall is the payoff, and choosing a lower peak-weight bracket softens the pull for shooters who want it
• The shoot-through cage is integral to the riser design - archers who dislike a caged riser are better served by a conventional Bowtech target platform like the Boss

• The set screw on the adjustable Air Shox needs a firm bite - snug it down hard or it can creep up under the shot
• The long, tight-holding geometry punishes a broken shot with a wider miss - it rewards honest follow-through, not a lazy one

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