Compound Bow Comparator

The Hoyt Avenger earns its "sleeper" reputation honestly: it took Hoyt's TEC aluminum riser, XT1000 split limbs, and the smooth Cam & 1/2 system, wrapped them in period dealer pricing of around $599 in camo (target-color risers ran roughly a hundred more), and delivered a quiet, forgiving 309 fps IBO hunter that most shooters can draw all day. Its standout trait is range - the wide 40-to-80-pound and 22-to-30.5-inch adjustment window means one bow genuinely fits a growing teen through a full-sized adult. On the used market today it is one of the more sensible ways to get into a real Hoyt hunting bow, provided a buyer budgets a fresh string set. In my experience it never feels like a compromise bow - just a quiet, honest hunter doing everything asked of it. The 2009 Avenger Plus refined the same platform with the Cam & 1/2 Plus system if you want the last iteration. An excellent bow for the value-minded whitetail or hog hunter, and for the household that wants one adjustable bow to share, particularly strong as a quiet, forgiving, do-everything setup. Buyers prioritizing maximum out-of-the-box performance should also look at the Bowtech Allegiance, while those who just want the simplest affordable hunter can consider the Bear Truth. Read full review...

The Bear Truth is a quality bow at a very affordable price. While the factory strings might not last long and could be of better quality, this is a high-performing and quiet bow for the money. While it does not produce super fast IBO speeds, its single cam eccentric system delivers a smooth draw cycle and solid back wall but with a narrow valley. The Truth would fit average shooters who like smooth drawing rigs, are not very passionate about IBO speeds, and are used to narrow valleys. According to multiple reviews from archers and experts, the Bear Truth is a good value for money. Read full review...

The Bowtech Allegiance is a high quality all around bow with an easily adjustable shooting style. Each Allegiance bow is available in smooth or fast modules to deliver extremely smooth draw cycle or faster speeds. In addition, the let-off can be adjusted easily from 65% to 80%. No bow press is required to change the draw length or adjust the let-off. When it comes to shootability, the bow has a smooth draw cycle and is pretty quiet on the shot even with the speed modules. Ideal for hunting, the Allegiance can also be used successfully for 3D shooting and indoor competitions. Read full review...

• Genuinely smooth Cam & 1/2 draw that owners consistently describe as easy to pull and hold
• Quiet, low-vibration shot for its price tier thanks to AlphaShox and RizerShox damping
• Light and compact at a 32-inch axle-to-axle length, so it carries and points easily on a treestand
• Wide 40-to-80-pound, 22-to-30.5-inch fit range lets one bow follow a shooter from a growing teen to a full adult hunting setup
• Real Hoyt riser-and-limb engineering at a value price - the "sleeper" of its era's Hoyt lineup

• quality single cam bow with a smooth draw
• wide draw length range
• draw length can be adjusted without a bow press
• great value for money

• Easily adjustable shooting style: fast or smooth modules + adjustable let-off
• Very solid back wall
• Quiet bow for the speeds it generates
• Modular-adjustable eccentric system (except 2005 version)
• Draw length can be adjusted easily without using a bow press (except 2005 version)
• Great hunting bow also suitable for 3D shooting

• The 40-pound minimum draw weight makes this a teen-and-up bow, not a starter for a small child - younger kids need a lighter youth bow such as a dedicated growth model
• As a discontinued 2007-2008 bow it now sells only used, so budget a fresh string-and-cable set and a tune shop visit - the original FUSE strings on surviving bows are long past service life

• factory strings could be of better quality
• narrow valley - not suitable for all archers

• Draw length specific eccentric system in 2005 (2006-2008 versions are adjustable)
• The grip on the 2005-2006 modifications could be a bit narrower