Compound Bow Comparator

The Hoyt HyperEdge is a 2016 target and tournament crossover that solved a real problem: it holds and aims like a 40-inch bow in a 36-inch package. At a $1,599 launch price it delivered a machined shoot-through riser, all-new UltraFlex limbs, and the 325-fps DFX Cam & 1/2 whose optimized geometry opens the string angle at full draw. The hold is the headline - owners consistently describe a slow, steady float that settles on the spot without stabilizers - backed by a rock-solid dual-cable-stop wall, an optional limb stop for zero give, and a Modular Grip that tunes the hand to dead-center. What I keep coming back to is how adjustable the feel is: the same cam swings from a forgiving hunt-style hold to a tight 65-percent spot-shooter valley with a mod change, and draw weights to 70 pounds let it cross into 3D and hunting. It rewards a shooter with form and is not the pick for a first bow. An excellent bow for the target and 3D archer who wants full-size aiming stability in a compact, maneuverable rig - particularly strong held steady on a spot without a stabilizer forest. Buyers prioritizing a dead-quiet shot and a bit more speed should also look at the Mathews TRX 36, while those wanting the widest let-off adjustability at a lower price should look at the Elite Echelon 37. Read full review...

The Mathews TRX 36 is the fast, stable middle of the 2020 TRX target line - a 36-inch bow that pairs a 334 fps IBO speed rating with the smooth, linear C3X draw and the dead-in-hand shot that is the Mathews signature. Launched at $1,849 as a bare bow, it asks the buyer to add a rest, sight, and stabilizers on top, the way any competition rig does. What I keep coming back to is how quiet and planted it feels for a bow this quick - the caged riser and 3D Damping give it a stillness at the shot you expect from a hunting flagship, not a speed-brace target bow. The two-mod let-off lets a shooter pick between an aggressive 70V wall and a relaxed 80% valley, both backing up against a back wall firm enough to feel like limb stops. Real chronograph readings land around 290 fps at 60 pounds with a target arrow and climb past 300 with lighter shafts or full weight, so there is genuine speed on tap for long 3D and field shots. The Engage grip is the one part most competitive owners swap for flatter side plates, an easy and expected fix. An excellent bow for 3D and field archers who want speed and a rock-steady, quiet shot in one platform, and it is particularly strong as a longer-axle crossover for the archer juggling target seasons and fall hunting. Buyers who want maximum on-the-line stability should also look at the Hoyt Invicta 37 SVX, and those who want more let-off flexibility and a more forgiving brace at the same price should look at the PSE Citation 36. Read full review...

The Echelon 37 is an outstanding target bow with the ability for shooters to tune it exactly how they want. Although it will still have an Elite draw cycle, the ability to adjust the let-off from 75-90%, in addition to choosing which draw stop style to use (limb stop or cable stop) is really outstanding, and something that may open up the customer base a bit for Elite since they have historically only offered a limb stop aided back wall. The feel of the new technology and integrations into the Echelon 37 are great, and this bow is a flat out shooter. For those wanting any extra edge they can get, the ability to fine tune everything about this bow should gives shooters a competitive edge in the target world. The price is expensive, and the black limbs only are kind of a drag. However, winning target archery competitions can help offset the cost of the bow, and black limbs may not matter much when standing at the top of the podium. Shooters have more say than ever before in regards to how the Echelon 37 shoots and feels, and with some much customization, Elite really has made a target bow for everyone based on how they set it up. Read full review...

• Aims like a full 40-inch target bow despite a compact 36-inch axle-to-axle - steady on the spot even without stabilizers
• Rock-solid back wall from the DFX cam's dual cable stops, with an optional limb stop for zero give
• Smooth draw with a clean, defined valley and a low-torque modular grip that centers the hand
• Shot goes dead in the hand - very low residual vibration once it is set up right
• Feel is tunable: mods take it from a forgiving high let-off to a tight 65% valley, so one bow suits both hold styles

• Quiet, dead-in-hand shot with almost no vibration or grip feedback - the 3D Damping pulled straight from Mathews' hunting flagships
• Rock-solid, limb-stop-firm back wall from the new C3X cam shape that holds the pin dead-steady on the middle
• Smooth, linear draw with no hump into the valley - the cam builds to the wall without a speed spike or a dump
• Caged riser above the grip drops the weight off the top hand, lowering the center of gravity for a planted, stable aim
• Genuinely quick for a target rig off the 6.5-inch brace, with the quiet signature to double as a longer-axle hunting bow

• Tons of customization and fine tuning based on preferences
• 8 color options to choose from
• New technology including the cam system, cable slide, grip, and riser
• Customized draw stops for a personalized feel

• A 36-inch tournament rig that rewards developed form - first-time archers are better served by a friendlier entry target bow
• Some owners note faint post-shot buzz when the draw-stop-to-string gap is left open - closing that gap in setup quiets it

• Some owners find the Engage grip a touch round in the back and easy to torque - the flat side-plate option or aftermarket inserts drop straight on for a flatter, more defined hand
• The 70V mod runs an aggressive, short valley that keeps you pulling hard into the wall - shooters wanting a deeper, relaxed hold should fit the 80% mod

• MSRP of $1399 is competitive for target archery, but still pricey
• Draw length maxes at 31-inches, which arguably still fits most shooters