Compound Bow Comparator

The Bear Strike is a complete, forgiving, ready-to-hunt bow that knew exactly who it was for - the budget-minded hunter or weekend 3D shooter who wanted to be shooting this season, not saving for next. At a $399.99 launch MSRP bow-only (about $499.99 for the full Trophy Ridge RTH package), it delivered a module-less 26-to-30-inch draw range, a forgiving 7.75-inch brace, an 80-percent let-off, and a listed 302-310 fps - all wrapped in a quiet, steady-holding single-cam platform that owners still speak well of more than a decade later. It will not out-run a modern speed bow and it is not a grow-with-the-child youth rig, but inside its lane it is honest and easy to live with. In my experience the thing that ages best about the Strike is its no-press adjustability - the feature that made it friendly in 2010 is the same feature that makes a used one worth fitting to a new shooter today. An excellent bow for the entry-to-mid hunter who values forgiveness and a complete package over raw speed, and particularly strong as a close-to-mid-range whitetail and 3D rig. Buyers who want the lowest entry price on this platform should look at the Bear Charge, and those who want a longer, more tunable chassis should look at the PSE Stinger. Read full review...

At a $299.99 bow-only launch MSRP, the Bear Charge delivered about as much hunting bow as $300 could buy in 2010 and 2011 - a light, forgiving 30-inch single-cam hunter with a smooth draw, an 80-percent let-off, and the genuinely useful ability to adjust its own draw length from 26 to 30 inches in the field without a press. Its published speed of up to 305 fps IBO lands in the more realistic 260s at a typical setup, which is plenty for close-to-mid-range whitetail work where its 7.75-inch brace keeps shots forgiving. What I keep coming back to is how little it asks of a new shooter: set the draw with a hex key, add ten dollars of dampeners to quiet the shot, and you have a bow that flatters a beginner instead of punishing one. It is an excellent first or backup bow for the budget-minded hunter learning the craft, particularly strong for treestand and blind work inside 40 yards. Buyers who need the draw range to start smaller for a young shooter should also look at the Diamond Razor Edge, while those chasing a bit more speed with a full 70-pound top can weigh the PSE Stinger. Read full review...

The Stinger is a simple bow. It does not have all the bells and whistles the higher end bows do but it will get the job done. However, adding a couple inexpensive components will help this bow shoot like one that costs a lot more. Combine its price point with its shootability and you have a great bow for beginners and experienced archers alike. This rig can also be a great fit for teens because it has 6 inches of draw length adjustment to grow with the shooter. Because of its affordability and shootability some hunters, especially those that travel to hunt, purchase the Stinger as their back-up hunting rig. All in all, this bow is a bow that does not cost "an arm and a leg" and will do what you need it to do. Read full review...

• Draw length adjusts from 26 to 30 inches in one-inch steps with no bow press - an owner can re-fit it on the kitchen table
• Quiet shot for a budget single-cam, thanks to the dual arc string suppressors damping the string at the shot
• Forgiving, steady-holding platform - the tall 7.75-inch brace and flared quad limbs keep it on target even in gusty wind
• Complete Trophy Ridge Ready-to-Hunt kit in the package - a lot of hunting bow for an entry-tier price

• Smooth, forgiving draw cycle that belies the entry price - the single cam rolls to peak without a harsh hump
• Press-free draw-length adjustment from 26 to 30 inches in one-inch steps - an allen key and about two minutes, no bow press
• Light and compact at 3.7 pounds on a 30-inch axle-to-axle frame - easy to carry all day and to swing inside a blind
• Wide draw-weight span across the 50, 60 and 70-pound modules, each backing off a full 10 pounds - one bow covers 40 to 70 pounds
• Complete Trophy Ridge ready-to-hunt kit in the RTH package - rest, sight, quiver, stabilizer and loop, sighted-in the same afternoon

• Forgiving brace height
• adjustable (6 inches of draw length adjustments)
• Good Shootability
• Inexpensive

• Draw starts at 26 inches and 50 pounds peak, so it fits adults, not small children - families wanting a grow-with-the-kid bow should look at a wider-range platform
• As a discontinued 2010-2011 model it is a used-market buy - a used unit may want a fresh string wax and a setup check, which any pro shop handles inexpensively

• Bare bow carries some shot noise and hand vibration - a set of limb dampeners and string leeches (roughly $10) quiets it down, as most owners do
• Fit and finish can run rough - some owners have noted the camo chips or shows thin spots, a cosmetic point on an otherwise solid budget hunter

• Wide grip
• Does not come with String Stop
• Slightly noisy without adding vibration dampening components