Compound Bow Comparator

The Hoyt Concept FX is the family's specialist - the full Concept X target platform shrunk into the smallest, lightest frame Hoyt builds, for the short-draw archer the 37 and 40 can't fit. At a $1,899 launch price it is the most affordable Concept, and it gives up almost nothing to reach that size: the same all-new SCTR cam with 2.5% let-off adjustability, the same wide TXL limbs that resist torque, the same Modular Grip System, and a 332 fps ATA rating that is genuinely quick for a 34-inch bow. In my experience the wide-limb torque resistance is what sets it apart from most compact target bows, which usually trade away exactly that stability. Its short 6.25-inch brace and 29.5-inch draw ceiling make it a purpose-built short-draw tool rather than an all-rounder, and that focus is the point. An excellent choice for the indoor spot and 3D competitor whose draw runs under 29.5 inches and who wants flagship target tech in a light, handy package; archers needing more draw or poundage should look at the Hoyt Concept X 37, and those who prize a dead-quiet hold should also consider the Mathews TRX 34. Read full review...

The Mathews TRX 34 is the target bow for the archer the rest of the TRX line skipped - the short-draw shooter, the growing teenager, the crossover hunter who wants one quiet, accurate bow for the whole calendar. Launched at $1,849, it pairs a 334 fps IBO speed rating with the smooth, humpless C3X draw and the dead-in-hand shot that is the Mathews signature, all wrapped around a draw length that reaches down to 23.5 inches. What I keep coming back to is how a bow this compact still holds like a longer rig - the stiff bridged riser and near-parallel limbs give it a steadiness that belies its 34-inch frame. The three-mod let-off system lets a shooter dial the valley from aggressive to lazy, and the shared C3X cam means it tunes and feels exactly like its bigger TRX siblings. It is a bare bow at that price, so budget for a rest, sight, and bars on top. An excellent bow for short-draw target and 3D archers who want genuine speed and a rock-steady hold in a compact frame, and it is particularly strong as a do-it-all crossover for the archer juggling summer competition and fall hunting. Buyers who draw longer and want maximum on-the-line stability should also look at the TRX 36 or the Hoyt Invicta 37 SVX. Read full review...

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• Packs the full Concept X target platform - SCTR cam, TXL limbs, modular grip, adjustable let-off - into the shortest 34-inch frame
• Fast for its size: a 332 fps ATA rating from a 34-inch bow, where a short axle-to-axle usually costs real speed
• Wide TXL limb stance resists left-right torque even in the compact chassis, holding the pin steady
• SCTR cam tunes let-off in 2.5% steps (65/70/75%, or 67.5/72.5/77.5% with the Tweener mod) to dial holding weight
• Lightest in the family at 4.45 pounds and the easiest Concept to handle indoors and on a tight 3D course

• Quiet, low-vibration shot that settles dead in the hand - only a light forward surge that dissipates instantly
• Smooth, humpless draw from the C3X cam, without the sharp speed spike hunting cams build in
• Long, stiff bridged riser that holds rock-steady on the pin at full draw
• Reaches down to a 23.5-inch draw length, giving short-draw and younger archers real target speed
• Crossover-ready - quiver mounts and a hunting-rest option let it double as a hunting rig

• Purpose-built for short draws - it maxes out at 29.5 inches and isn't offered above 60 pounds, so long-draw or heavy-poundage archers want the Concept X 37 or 40
• The 6.25-inch brace is the shortest in the line, trading a little release-error margin for the compact speed - it rewards clean, repeatable form

• Some owners find the Engage grip round-ish and prone to torque - flat aftermarket side plates ($30-75) are an easy drop-in fix
• The 70V mod runs aggressive with a short valley - archers wanting a deeper, more forgiving hold should choose the new 75% or the 80% mod