Compound Bow Comparator

The 2019 Hoyt Nitrux, at its $849 launch MSRP, did something value bows usually can't: it delivered flagship grip, flagship cable management and flagship-grade limb pockets in an aluminum hunting bow most shooters could actually afford. The headline IBO is 333 fps, but the honest hunting-arrow numbers land in the 270s to low 300s - plenty for whitetails and respectable for Western game inside sensible ranges. What I keep coming back to is the shooting feel: a genuinely smooth draw, a deep valley you can settle into, and a firm wall, wrapped in a quiet shot once you feed it a heavier arrow. The minor hand shock on a bare bow is the one thing to set up around, and a light stabilizer handles it. It is an excellent bow for the hunter who wants Hoyt's flagship hand-feel and build without the carbon-flagship price, particularly strong as a do-it-all whitetail and Western hunting rig across a wide draw-weight range. Buyers who want the lowest possible entry price should look at the Hoyt Powermax, and those prioritizing raw speed and tuning adjustability should look at the Bear Divergent EKO. Read full review...

The Powermax is a budget friendly bow in the medium range of new 2016 models, which should appeal to a large number of shooters and archery styles. The Powermax may make a great 3D bow for a female shooter, a higher end hunting bow for a youth shooter wanting to get a little more serious, or a nice back up bow for someone that likes to be prepared for a variety of circumstances. The Powermax is replacing the Charger, which several shooters felt was a solid combination of high-end technology and price. The MSRP of the Powermax set at $499 is pretty tough to beat, and although the price is relatively low, the bow is a flat out shooter no matter what the price is. To have a compact bow shooting 328 feet per second with the customization the Powermax offers, this model should be a really great seller in the mid-range for Hoyt in 2016. 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...

• Flagship hardware at a value price - the X-Act grip, torque-killing roller guard and StealthShot string stop come straight off Hoyt's REDWRX and Hyperforce flagships
• Smooth Nitrux cam that drops into a deep, relaxing valley and stops against a rock-solid limb-driven back wall - easy to settle and hold on target
• Draw length adjusts from 24 to 30 inches across two cam sizes with hex keys alone, no bow press required
• Quiet for its class - an upgraded string suppressor plus limb and pocket dampers take it whisper-quiet with 425-grain and heavier arrows
• Flagship-grade build with aluminum limb pockets and 12-inch deflection-matched Quadflex limbs, not the plastic pockets typical of mid-priced bows

• Mid-range price point with high-end technology
• Colors to blend in or stand out anywhere
• 6-inches of draw length adjustability without a bow press
• 40-pound range of draw weight
• $499 price tag; also offered in a Hoyt package deal for $649

• 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

• Some bare-bow hand shock and a slight jump in the handle at the shot - shooters coming off a flagship-quiet bow may notice it, though a light front-and-rear stabilizer or 425-grain arrows settles it down
• A do-it-all value hunter rather than a speed special - with hunting-weight arrows real-world speed runs in the 270s to low 300s against the 333 figure, so shooters chasing headline numbers may want a dedicated speed bow

• Mid range price point bow does not have all the latest advertised technology
• Limbs are only available in 10-pound increments

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