Compound Bow Comparator

The Bowtech Black Knight 2 is an early-2000s dual-cam speed bow that turned out to be a better aimer than its spec sheet promised. It rates 342 to 350 fps IBO, holds real weight at a 65 percent let-off, and stops against a hard, defined back wall - and the long riser turns all of that into the steady hold owners consistently praise, with real-world speeds in the high 280s to low 290s on hunting arrows and near 348 fps on a light target load. The cost is honest and up front: a stout, front-loaded draw and a short valley that demand disciplined form, plus a short brace on the Short configuration that rewards a clean release. Sold across 2001 and 2002 in Short and Tall brace configurations before becoming the BlackKnight Dually in 2003, it meets buyers today only on the used market, where a fresh string set matters more than the original price. In my experience a bow that holds this steady while shooting this fast is a rare combination, and it is exactly why the Black Knight 2 kept showing up on the target line. It is an excellent bow for the disciplined target and 3D shooter who wants speed without a twitchy hold, and a capable hunting bow in its Tall configuration. Buyers who want a softer draw and a more forgiving, self-correcting shot should look at the Mathews Switchback, while those chasing maximum velocity should also weigh the PSE X-Force. Read full review...

The Mathews Switchback entered the market in 2005 and continues to be one of the best smooth bows ever since. Many hunters strongly agree this bow is one of the smoothest bows available on the market. With the very low levels of vibration and noise, the Switchback is smooth and fast at the same time. Having received a lot of extra positive reviews and comments from archers throughout the world, this legendary bow has been the most popular and most selling Mathews rig for a long time. Read full review...

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• Genuinely fast for its era - the dual "Dually" cam rates 342 to 350 fps IBO, putting it among the quickest hunting bows of the early 2000s
• Holds like a target bow - the long riser lets it settle and aim rock-steady, the trait owners praise most consistently
• Firm, defined back wall - the dual cam stops hard against a real wall, giving a repeatable anchor shot after shot

• smooth and fast single cam bow
• low noise and vibration
• great value for money

• Very fast
• Quiet (for a speed bow)
• Has modular-adjustable eccentric system
• Draw length can be adjusted without using a bow press

• Aggressive, front-loaded draw stacks weight hard in the first third of the pull - shooters coming off a smooth single cam should draw one before buying, and the Tall configuration softens it slightly
• Short valley and short brace height demand disciplined form - the minimal valley wants to creep forward and the low brace can catch a loose sleeve on stand, both eased by choosing the Tall 6.25 to 6.5 inch config for hunting

• non-adjustable eccentric system

• Aggressive draw cycle
• Little to no valley - if you creep it wants to go