Compound Bow Comparator

The Hoyt Vantage X8 is the forgiveness-first half of the 2008 Vantage debut: a 41-inch, 8-inch-brace target bow on XT2000 limbs and the optimized Cam & 1/2 Plus, offered at roughly $919 US retail that year. It gives up a nominal 5 fps to its XT1000 twin the X7 and, in return, hangs steadier on the aim, quiets the shot, and opens the string angle wide enough to keep finger pinch off the table - three things owners of the era single out, several rating its aim as good as or better than the storied UltraElite. Real-world speed lands where a target setup lands, around 286 fps from a moderate 60-pound, 29-inch draw. Selectable 65 or 75 percent let-off lets a competitor tune hold weight to their own process, and the machined-aluminum TEC riser with its RizerShox and AlphaShox suite keeps the platform rigid and calm. What I keep coming back to with a bow like this is that its whole reason for being is the steady hold, and the X8 delivers it. It is an excellent bow for the spot, field, and 3D archer - especially the finger shooter - who prizes a dead-steady aim over chronograph headroom. Buyers who want a shorter, quicker target rig with a celebrated draw should also look at the Elite GT500, and those cross-shopping same-era long target compounds should compare the Mathews Conquest 4. Read full review...

The Elite GT500 is a very adjustable all around bow suitable for different types of archery. While first models were cam specific, the latest modification has a modular-adjustable performance system capable of generating respectable speeds. With wide ranges of draw length and draw weight adjustment, this bow will fit different shooters including big game hunters. This is a steady and great holding bow that is a fairly stiff (but smooth) on the draw with a little hump at the end. The back wall is rock solid due to the two draw stops the performance system is designed with. The valley is good and allows for creeping a little without the bow wanting to take off. Overall, the Elite GT500 is a great all-around bow suitable for all types of archery including hunting, 3D shooting, and spot shooting. Read full review...

In short, the Mathews Conquest 4 is a high end target bow with the long ATA and good brace height that is very capable of putting up great scores in stiff competition. Also one of Mathews' lightest competition rigs it isn't a bare to walk around the ranges all day. It is very customizable to the specific needs of most shooters; whether it is smooth drawing, fast shooting or forgiving as possible. A little on the noisy side but this bow is practically dead in the hand at the shot. With a good stabilizer this bow will become even more comfortable for most shooters and it is balanced very well at full draw so it won't take much before you can start pin-wheeling some targets. Read full review...

• Long 41-inch riser holds rock-steady on the target - owners rate the aim as good as or better than the UltraElite it sits beside in the 2008 line
• Extra 3/4-inch of brace height over the X7 buys real forgiveness, quieting bow-hand torque and stringing tighter groups for spot and field shooters
• Smooth, low-vibration release - the optimized Cam & 1/2 Plus draws and settles cleanly, with owners noting little shock at the shot
• Wide-open 41-inch axle-to-axle geometry suits finger shooters - the long string angle keeps finger pinch off the table at full draw
• Quiet on the shot, a trait owners single out and one that rewards the deliberate pace of target and 3D lanes

• excellent finish
• narrow style grip feels very comfortable to many shooters
• steady and holds very well
• good valley and rock solid back wall
• wide range of draw length and draw weight adjustment
• modular-adjustable eccentric system (2010 version only)
• relatively smooth (but a fairly stiff) draw cycle
• good all-around bow suitable for hunting, 3D, and indoor spots

• A very forgiving bow
• Pretty low amount of vibration in your hand
• 3 different cams make this a very customizable bow
• Conquest family has won more competitions than any other bow

• The 41-inch axle-to-axle and 5-lb mass are built for the shooting line, not the treestand - hunters wanting a packable rig should look at the camo-finish sibling only for open ground blinds
• Some finger shooters coming off a full-length recurve may still want more valley - the Cam & 1/2 Plus lets you dial 65 or 75 percent let-off to tune hold weight to preference

• earlier models (before 2010) were cam specific
• draw cycle is on the stiff side and has a hump at the end
• a bare bow could have less vibration (installing a good stabilizer helps to quiet it down)

• Choosing a cam can be a little bit confusing
• Draw length is cam specific - new cam needed for each draw length
• Lightest in the lineup but still feels a little bit heavy