Compound Bow Comparator

At a $949 launch MSRP for the 2021 base finish, rising to $1,099 for the 2022 edition, the Vista 35 sits in the semi-custom conversation rather than the budget-hunter crowd, which is exactly where a made-to-order Athens belongs. What that money buys is the longest, most forgiving bow in the Vista family - a 35-inch, 4.4-pound platform that draws smooth and linear, settles genuinely dead in the hand, and sets up entirely without a bow press thanks to the RT-X rotating cam. Its 330 fps IBO trails the shorter siblings by design, and real-world readings land where they should: 276 fps with a 480-grain hunting arrow, 295 fps with a lighter shaft on a 29-inch draw. The 2023 Rev 2 cam is the one to seek out for infinitely adjustable draw length, a firmer back wall, and 70-to-90-percent let-off, while the no-upcharge premium finishes and lifetime warranty are the kind of thing you normally pay extra to get. In my hands this is the Vista I would reach for first - the one that does everything on the 3D range, in the mountains, and in a stand, and does it steadily. It is an excellent bow for the archer who values a rock-steady hold and a flat, deliberate shot across every discipline, and who wants a semi-custom bow built to look and fit like exactly their own. Buyers who shoot mostly paper and 3D and want maximum axle length should look at the Bowtech Specialist, and those who want a shorter, more maneuverable premium hunter should look at the Elite Kure. Read full review...

The Bowtech Specialist is a very high performance up and coming target bow. A long axle to axle, a good brace height and great IBO speed are all ingredients that make a great target bow that is very forgiving and capable of competing with some of the top target bows of the world. The Specialist uses a binary cam system making it a smooth drawing bow that is easy to adjust and has virtually no timing issues. Tuning may need to be done by a professional but once it is set up there should be no problems keeping it that way. With a number of color options to choose from, it's a bow that can look good while putting great numbers up on the score card. Read full review...

The Kure adapts to each shooter, without the need for a bow press, to match exactly how shooters like their rigs to feel. The 31 13/16- inch axle-to-axle is somewhat compact, while still maintaining some stability. The mass weight is a bit heavy, but the Kure carries the weight well, and never feels unbalanced or uncomfortable. For those wanting a solid performing hunting bow, the Kure is competitively priced with other flagship hunting models, and offers more customization than elite has ever provided on a hunting bow. It would be nice for Elite to offer some additional camo patterns, although the three included look great. It may take some getting used to seeing the cable in the sight picture. The bow may be too slow for some shooters, and may be too heavy for others. However, all these are personal preference items. The Kure is a flat out shooter, and that is not based on personal feeling. For those on the market for a flatout hunting bow, the Kure has a comfortable shot and is easy to hold on target. For an MSRP of $1099, the 2020 Elite Kure is worth a test shot for anyone interested in a top end hunting bow with interest in tinkering to get the desired set up personally outfitted to each shooter and their equipment. Read full review...

• Longest, most stable Vista - the 35-inch riser and 6.5-inch brace steady the pin on its own and give a comfortable string angle at full draw
• Even, gradual draw with no hard hump or sudden dump; a 65-pound peak pulls closer to what a 60-pound bow feels like
• Genuinely dead in the hand - past-parallel split limbs plus Mountain View X-Out dampeners leave no felt vibration and a quiet shot
• Set up entirely at home without a bow press - the RT-X rotating module dials draw length in half-inch steps and slides to fine-tune let-off and length
• Semi-custom value - solid-color risers and premium camo carry no upcharge, with durable Kolorfusion finish, American GAS strings and a lifetime warranty

• No timing issues after initial setup
• Virtually no riser torque
• Minimal Vibration
• No bow press needed to adjust draw length
• Smooth drawing
• Fast IBO speed rating

• Newly designed cam system
• Everything is adjustable
• Compact 31 13/16 - inches axle-to-axle measurement
• Great looking finish options
• MSRP of $1099 is competitive for flagship hunting rigs

• The heaviest, longest Vista at 4.4 lb and 35 inches - hunters working cramped treestands or shorter-draw shooters may prefer the shorter Vista 33 or 31; a rear back-bar balances the mass on the 35
• Cable-stop back wall with no limb stop - buyers stepping off a flagship limb-stop wall may notice a touch less dead-solid; setting 80% let-off firms it, and the 2023 Rev 2 cam adds 55% more draw-stop surface for a harder wall

• Limited draw lengths (no option for longer draw shooters)
• Some shooters complain of small valley
• Limb color limited to black only

• The top cable can be seen in the sight picture
• 4.6-pounds bare bow weight is a bit heavy for a compact bow