Compound Bow Comparator

The Hoyt SuperHawk was Hoyt's mid-priced answer for the bowhunter who wanted the brand's engineering in a traditional laminated-limb bow, and judged on that brief it delivers. You get a compact, easy-handling 31-inch hunting bow at a light 4.1 pounds, the most forgiving brace in its class at 7.5 inches, a smooth-leaning M4 Cam & 1/2 at 306 fps IBO and 75% let-off, and the quiet appeal of a proven XT 500 laminated limb that has a fifteen-year track record behind it now. Drawing one, what stands out is how undramatic it is - a rounded cycle, a settled wall, and a brace that quietly forgives a rushed shot - which is exactly what makes a bow like this easy to shoot well in the field. Because it left production after a single 2009 season, today's buyer is shopping the used rack and should budget for fresh strings and cables, but the underlying hardware is sound Hoyt engineering that has aged gracefully. It is an excellent value hunting bow for the whitetail and hog hunter who prizes a forgiving, no-drama shot and a compact frame over chasing the speed chart. Buyers who want the most velocity in this class should look at the PSE Bow Madness, and those who want the widest tuning and let-off adjustability should look at the Diamond Black Ice. Read full review...

Being in the mid-price range, the PSE Bow Madness is a great quality bow that can easily outperform more expensive competitor bows with similar characteristics. Outfitted with a highly efficient single cam system, this bow is smooth to draw and hold. With the pre-loaded limbs and comfortable grip, this bow has minimal shock and vibration and is nice to shoot. While being lightweight and stable, this bow is a great choice for those shooters who cover a lot of ground or who prefer light and stable rigs generating fast speeds. Read full review...

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• Traditional XT 500 laminated limbs - the proven, time-tested solid-limb build Hoyt has run for decades, simple to live with and long on durability
• Light 4.1 lb mass on a compact 31-inch frame - easy to pack into the backcountry and quick to swing on and steer inside a treestand or ground blind
• Forgiving 7.5-inch brace height, the most generous in its class - gives a slightly imperfect release real margin, which suits a newer or casual hunter
• Honest 306 fps hunting speed from a smooth M4 Cam & 1/2 at 75% let-off - a manageable draw and a hunting-friendly hold rather than a speed-cam fight

• low hand shock and vibration
• no bow press is required to adjust the draw length
• comfortable grip
• great value for money

• accurate bow with a very smooth draw cycle
• quiet bow with little hand shock
• lightweight yet well balanced
• draw length can be adjusted easily without using a bow press

• Discontinued after a single 2009 season, so today it is strictly a used-market buy - budget a fresh set of strings and cables from any pro shop, which also refreshes the aging factory string
• Draw length is set by rotating the M4 module rather than a modern tool-less dial - a straightforward pro-shop adjustment, not the turn-a-dial-at-home change that current cams allow

• standard strings could be of better quality

• could be a faster bow