Compound Bow Comparator

The Hoyt Torrex XT LD is the long-draw answer in Hoyt's value lineup - a $749 bow-only hunter that takes the Torrex XT's fast, refined chassis, fits a long-draw module for a 30-to-31-inch window, and opens the brace height back up to a forgiving 7 inches so the tall shooter gets clearance and margin without losing speed; it still rates 336 fps because the longer draw pays back what the longer brace costs. It carries the parts that make the whole Torrex line punch above its price - the RX-1 X-Act grip, the Cam & 1/2 system, the easy 80-percent hold, the roller guard and Limb Shox for a quiet shot - and the proven Torrex real-world output in the high 260s to low 290s fps with hunting arrows. What stands out to me is simply that it fits: for a long-draw archer, reaching a true, comfortable 31-inch full draw on a bow this capable and this affordable is rare. It is an excellent bow for the dedicated long-draw hunter, particularly strong as a treestand and western hunting rig for a 30-to-31-inch shooter who has been short-changed by other value bows. Buyers inside a 30-inch draw should look instead at the standard Torrex or Torrex XT; long-draw buyers who want the widest possible adjustment range should also consider the Diamond Infinite Edge Pro. 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 Infinite Edge Pro came back for a reason: it does one thing better than almost anything at its price, and that is stretch to fit whoever picks it up. The 2026 Legacy edition keeps the formula - 13 to 31 inches of draw, 5 to 65 pounds, an 80-percent let-off and a smooth, quiet shot - and wraps it in a complete ready-to-hunt package at around $330, less than the model cost at its 2015 launch. It gives up five pounds of peak weight and ten fps against the original, trades that are invisible to the beginner, youth archer, and shared-family buyer this bow is built for. In my time around bows like this, the ones that get a household actually shooting are rarely the fastest or the quietest - they are the ones that fit everyone and are cheap enough to shoot without worry, and the Infinite Edge Pro is squarely that bow. It is an excellent choice for youth archery, new adult hunters, and any family that wants a single adjustable rig, particularly strong as a first bow that will still fit years later. Buyers who want more top-end poundage or speed for big game should also look at the Bear Cruzer G3. Read full review...

• A true long-draw hunting bow - fits 30-31-inch shooters at a full 70 pounds with no youth-bow or non-adjustable compromise
• Keeps the Torrex XT's roller cable guard and Limb Shox dampers for a smooth, quiet shot
• Runs a forgiving 7-inch brace, an inch longer than the standard XT, giving long-draw shooters more clearance and margin while still rating 336 fps
• Same flagship X-Act grip and Cam & 1/2 system as the rest of the line, at a sub-$800 price

• 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

• One set of limbs covers 13-31 inches of draw and 5-65 pounds of weight - genuinely one bow for a young beginner and the adult hunter that beginner becomes
• Smooth draw cycle that rolls over the peak with no lope and settles into an easy valley against a solid back wall
• Quiet, low-shock shot for the price tier - the arrow is in the target before the riser finishes settling
• Forgiving to tune thanks to a double-yoke setup - cam lean comes into line quickly and a bullet-hole tune is easy to reach
• Complete ready-to-hunt package - sight, rest, quiver, stabilizer, peep and sling - at a price below both its main rivals and below its own 2015 launch

• The 30-31-inch draw window only fits genuinely long-draw shooters - anyone shorter wants the standard Torrex or Torrex XT instead
• The slick plastic X-Act grip surface divides owners - a few dollars of grip tape gives a surer hold for cold or wet hands

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

• Changing draw length means pressing the bow to reach the module screw and re-timing the cam afterward - set it to your draw once at a shop and it is a non-issue day to day
• Some owners find the grip a touch bulky in the hand though the shape stays comfortable - an aftermarket grip is an inexpensive swap for anyone who wants a slimmer throat