Compound Bow Comparator

The Athens Summit 6 launched in 2020 at $824 for the base finish, rising to $874 across the standard finishes, with the 2021 edition moving up to the $949 to $999 range - direct-shop pricing for a hand-built, deeply configurable hunting bow. What the money buys is unusual for the tier: a 345 IBO that a chronograph actually confirms, 75 foot-pounds of energy at a 70-pound hunting setup, and a 30.5-inch bow that stays quiet and dead in the hand through beyond-parallel solid limbs and factory LimbSavers. Drawing and shooting it, what stays with me is the calm - a fast bow that does not roll over hard, holds long on a firm back wall, and forgives the wait on a deer that will not step clear. Back that up with Athens's transferable lifetime warranty and the Save the Hunt program, which ships a set-up replacement bow to a hunter whose bow fails mid-hunt, and the small-builder ownership case is strong. This is an excellent bow for the short-draw whitetail and mule deer hunter who wants real speed and a genuinely quiet, low-vibration shot from a custom-built rig, particularly strong from a tight treestand where its short length and maneuverability pay off. Buyers who draw longer or who prioritize maximum forgiveness for spot and 3D shooting should look at its 7-inch-brace sibling the Athens Summit 7, and those wanting the widest adjustability just under the price at a major dealer network should also look at the Bear Divergent EKO. 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...

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• Advertised 345 IBO holds up under a chronograph - a small custom shop whose speed claim survives the arrow-weight test
• Super-smooth draw that settles and holds a long time, with a firm, defined back wall
• Dead in the hand - low post-shot vibration and a quiet shot for a short, fast hunting rig
• Deeply customizable - riser and limb colors ordered separately across about sixteen finishes, plus wide draw-weight and draw-length modules
• Ships hunt-ready with factory LimbSaver dampeners, GAS strings, and redundant limb and cable stops that guard against overdraw

• 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

• Built for short-draw speed: the 6-inch brace height and 29-inch draw ceiling favor shooters at or under 29 inches who want velocity - longer-draw or forgiveness-first hunters are a better match for the 7-inch Athens Summit 7 sibling
• The 6-inch brace height rewards clean form and can punish a torqued or punchy release at distance - a consistent grip and steady follow-through keep it grouping

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