Compound Bow Comparator

The Bear Element is a value-tier single-cam hunting bow from 2006-2007 that has earned its reputation the hard way - by still being in the woods. It pairs a durable machined 6061-T6 aluminum riser and Bear's reliable compression-molded quad limbs with a fuss-free single cam, a firm draw stop, and a quiet, forgiving 75% let-off shot, all in Realtree green hardwoods camo across a wide 24-to-31-inch draw range and 50-to-70-pound weights. It was never fast - the 300-304 fps catalog figure rides a soft reference setup, and real hunting speeds sit below it - but speed was never the point. What I keep coming back to is the ownership record: buyers are still hunting these a decade and more on, several on the original string, which tells you more than any chronograph would. An excellent used buy for a first-time or budget-minded whitetail hunter, or for anyone who wants a dependable, low-maintenance backup that shoots dead in the hand, it is particularly strong at close-to-moderate treestand and ground-blind range. Buyers prioritizing more length and a little more speed should also look at the Bear Code, and those wanting the widest draw-weight adjustability for a growing shooter should consider the PSE Brute. Read full review...

The Bear Code is a long-riser, single-cam whitetail bow that chose forgiveness over fps and reliability over flash - a 34-inch, 7.38-inch-brace hunter with patented quad limbs, factory Sims damping, and a 306-310 fps IBO rating that was never the reason to buy it. It launched as a value bow in Bear's Fred Bear-tradition line for 2006 and carried into 2007, and it has aged into a genuine used-market sleeper, and the owner feedback that survives describes it the same way, as a durable, accurate deer bow that shrugs off hard use and asks for little beyond fresh strings. What I keep coming back to is how well the long geometry and single cam still serve their purpose - this bow holds on target and holds its tune, which is most of what a hunting bow needs to do. It is an excellent choice for the hunter who wants a forgiving, low-maintenance deer rig at used-market money and is willing to inspect condition before buying. Buyers who want a new bow with a warranty and the widest adjustment range should also look at the Diamond Edge 320, while those prioritizing a compact, budget entry hunter should consider the PSE Stinger Max. Read full review...

The name says it all, Brute. This bow is a great hunting bow especially if you are on a budget. The incredibly smooth draw and very forgiving brace height make this bow easy to shoot accurately. It is also virtually vibration free, giving it the feel of a much higher priced bow. It is hard to find anything wrong with this bow especially at its price point but that, in fact may be its down fall. Priced at such a low point, the Brute may actually be over looked by many hunters. It seems that over the years the industry has taught that you need an expensive bow to be a successful hunter. Well, the Brute definitely proves that theory wrong. Read full review...

• Owners consistently rate it a strong-shooting bow for the money - Bear's value single cam that punches at its price
• Long service life: multiple owners report a decade-plus of hunting, some still on the original factory string
• Quiet, smooth-drawing single cam that owners describe as easy and dead in the hand at the shot
• Wide 24-31 inch modular draw range adjusts in tool-simple one-inch steps, no bow press needed for the module changes

• Long 34-inch axle-to-axle plus a 7.38-inch brace makes it forgiving enough to hold groups at real hunting range - accurate to 40 yards in hands-on use, with does taken cleanly at 40 and 45-50 yards
• Single-cam simplicity keeps upkeep low - no cam timing to chase, and it runs for years on little more than a fresh string set
• Holds up to hard, careless field use - an owner who admits to abusing his gear says this one simply took it and kept shooting

• Incredibly forgiving brace height 8 1/8" to 7" depending on the model year
• Fast
• Inexpensive
• Well balanced
• Newer models have almost no noticeable vibration
• 6 inches of draw length adjustment

• A 2006-2007 value single cam, not a modern speed platform - hunters set on flagship fps should cross-shop a current bow instead
• Available used only now, so condition varies - budget a fresh set of strings and a quick pre-hunt tune, especially on well-worn examples

• Available used only today, so condition is the whole game - buy a clean example and plan on a fresh set of strings and cables, which is typically all one ever needs to replace

• Bow press is required to make draw post adjustments