Compound Bow Comparator

At launch in 2019 the Summit ran $799 for the camo-riser-with-black-limbs build and $824.99 for a fully matched camo riser and limbs - value-tier money for a made-to-order American bow when the flagships it was shown against sat past a thousand dollars. What you were paying for was not headline speed but a forgiving, maneuverable 30-inch treestand hunter that holds like an anchor: a deep valley, adjustable let-off into the high-80s, near-zero vibration, and a grip that points itself. Its 340 fps IBO rating translated to an honest 321 fps out of the box with a 350-grain arrow, a few feet per second short of the number and squarely in line with Athens' reputation for straight speed talk. The DLS cam is the one real commitment it asks of you - spec your draw length correctly, or lean on the free first swap, and the bow otherwise disappears into years of use. Shooting it, what stays with me is how little happens at the shot; it is genuinely dead in the hand for a sub-$825 bow. On the used market now it is one of the quieter bargains in a forgiving hunting bow, and it sits a step below the modular convenience of the 2020 Summit 6 and Summit 7 that replaced it. It is an excellent bow for the patient treestand or ground-blind hunter who values a long, restful hold and a calm shot over chasing speed. Buyers who want more velocity and home-adjustable draw length should also look at the Bear Divergent EKO; those who want the same forgiving geometry at the lowest possible entry price should weigh the PSE Stinger MAX. Read full review...

The Bear Divergent EKO is a limited frills hunting bow, which does everything it is designed to do. Shorter axle to axle bows are not for all bow hunters, but those on the market for something a bit more compact are already aware of what a smaller bow performs like, and should have no issues with the steeper string angle or perhaps added pin float depending on the draw length needed. The changing let off option is a great addition to the Divergent EKO, and will allow shooters to get the best feeling back wall for their personal taste. The Divergent EKO does everything a compact hunting bow is designed to do, but does not necessarily stand out in any one area or with any industry leading technology. Because of that, the MSRP is only $700. For that price, shooters could outfit their rig with some lower priced accessories and be fully set up for the cost of a high end hunting rig. For shooters just wanting a good shooting hunting bow, without needing the parking lot bragging rights to owning the latest and greatest bow with the most advanced technology, the Divergent EKO may be the right choice. There is some felt vibration on the shot, the camo patterns are not as fancy as some others, and may have less choices than some flagship models, but for the price it is really hard to find a bow with better performance. Shooters wanting a compact hunting bow, without paying a premium price tag have a lot to look forward to in regards to the 2020 Bear Divergent EKO. Read full review...

For a fully set up bow, with a package price of $449, it is really hard to beat a rig like the Stinger Max. Although entry level models are often geared toward a younger shooter, PSE was conscious in making the Stinger Max available to all ages and shooter sizes. Almost anyone in the bow market can be set up to fit in the 30-inch axle-to-axle rig, and the single cam draw force curve is amazing for those just getting started in the world of archery. The Stinger Max shoots well, but when considering the value, the Stinger Max really shines. PSE also did a great job giving the bow enough finish options to meet the entire range of potential buyers offering patterns for anyone and any purpose. Anyone interested in getting started in archery with a frill less bow, at a great price, needs to seriously consider the PSE Stinger Max. It may be one of the best values in the compound bow market for 2020. Read full review...

• Holds comfortably at full draw for long treestand sits - the deep back-end and high adjustable holding weight fight arm fatigue
• Nearly dead in the hand - almost no vibration or hand shock, even with a light 350-grain arrow
• Efficient, honestly rated speed - chronographs 321 fps out of the box with a 350-grain arrow, with a few more fps on the table after tuning
• Compact 30-inch frame stays easy to maneuver from a treestand or ground blind
• Narrow-throat grip points naturally and repeats the same hand position shot after shot

• EKO cam has four different let-off settings, 75, 80, 85, and 90%
• Speeds up to 338 feet per second with a 6.5-inch brace height
• MSRP of only $700

• A redesign of a popular model from previous years
• 2 limb options cover a draw weight range of 22-70-pounds
• Has an accessory package
• Decent starter bow for any shooter

• The DLS draw-length-specific cams change draw length by swapping the whole cam, not a module - the first swap is free at your dealer, and once you dial your exact draw you simply leave it there
• Matched-camo riser-and-limb and carbon-fiber limb options add cost over the base camo-and-black-limb build - the upgrade is purely cosmetic, so the standard configuration shoots identically for less

• 30-inch axle to axle bow may be a bit too short for some
• Limited finish options

• Does not have any flagship model technology
• Not the best accessories in the package