Compound Bow Comparator

The Alpine Frontier was the value hunting bow in Alpine's catalog from 2006 through 2010, and its whole identity fits in one line: machined-aluminum hardware at a plastic-hardware price. Sold in the ~$299 range as a bare bow and near $400 as a complete package, it paired a simple, low-maintenance Advantage One single cam with a forgiving 35-inch axle-to-axle geometry, a tall 7.25-inch brace, 80% let-off, and a genuinely useful 50-to-70-pound weight span - a 3.5-pound bow rated at 300 fps IBO. It is not fast and it is not a modern parallel-limb hunter, but it does the hard thing a budget bow is supposed to do: give a new archer real metal hardware and forgiving geometry that build confidence quickly, the way one first-time owner was hitting the target at distance in his first session with it. In my experience that combination - durable machined parts, a cam with nothing to time, and a shape that forgives a developing release - is exactly what a first serious bow should offer. An excellent entry bow for the new adult hunter who wants machined hardware rather than a molded package rig, particularly strong as a build-your-form-and-hunt-whitetail first bow. Buyers who want the widest one-bow adjustment range for a whole household should also look at the Diamond Razor Edge. Read full review...

Designed with small to medium archers in mind, the Diamond Razor Edge is a universal bow known for a great blend of speed, forgiveness, and quietness. Ideal for the youth and women, this bow is also a great choice for many small to medium men. Experts say many shooters will grow with this bow without spending extra money. Read full review...

The Bear Truth is a quality bow at a very affordable price. While the factory strings might not last long and could be of better quality, this is a high-performing and quiet bow for the money. While it does not produce super fast IBO speeds, its single cam eccentric system delivers a smooth draw cycle and solid back wall but with a narrow valley. The Truth would fit average shooters who like smooth drawing rigs, are not very passionate about IBO speeds, and are used to narrow valleys. According to multiple reviews from archers and experts, the Bear Truth is a good value for money. Read full review...

• Approachable for a genuine first-timer - an owner bought his as a first bow and was hitting a target at 125 feet while still sighting it in

• great universal bow for the youth or small/medium frame archers
• forgiving bow with low shock and vibration
• draw length can be adjusted without a bow press
• enormous application range - from training to serious hunting
• excellent value for money

• quality single cam bow with a smooth draw
• wide draw length range
• draw length can be adjusted without a bow press
• great value for money

• Longer 35-inch axle-to-axle - more bow to maneuver in a tight ground blind or on run-and-gun public-land sets, so the mobile hunter should weigh whether the forgiving length suits how they hunt

• not suitable for large frame shooters

• factory strings could be of better quality
• narrow valley - not suitable for all archers