Strother Vs Elite

[JTeLarkin08]

So whats the deal with the two?? Isnt the creator of elite now the creator of strother??

Im starting to look into a new bow for next summer.. Just wondering which i should go for.. They look very similar cosmetically. Im sure they shoot similar too.

[Cajun Blake]

JT .... FYI - Kevin Strother is no longer with Strother Archery

(lots of drama on AT and SAF if you want to weed through the posts/replies and make your own decisions on what went down)

it should also be noted that KS left Elite in April 2009, over 18 months ago

if you have an interest in both bows ( SA and EA 2011 models) , you need to go shoot all the new model bows and decide for yourself. Elite will announce their new line of bows on Friday 10/8.

I'm not sure about the SA bows as VorTexan can chime in and give the skinny on new models and release dates

just b/c 2 bows look alike, it doesn't mean they will shoot or feel alike .......riser geometry, limb pocket angle, limb material , brace height, and cam design all influence how a bow feels and reacts after the shot


If you decide to purchase a used bow , it's a no-brainer as Elite has the best warranty in the business..... LIFETIME warranty, regardless of owner.


Strother Archery makes a quality bow that shoots great. I really hope they stick around as only time will tell. I'm expecting some people to jump ship and sell their SA bows and follow KS to his future business endeavors.

[mchildress]

Blake did a good job get you caught up on the skinny. I don't believe anybody touches Elite's warranty. Like Blake said play with them all and see which feels the best.

[doudle d]

I belive the biggest difference between the two is the Elites have a much better valley than the strothers other than that they both are sweet shooters.

[DaveC]

Do y'all think the Elite brand will be around for the long haul?

(just thinking out loud, a lifetime warranty is only good for the duration of the company's lifespan)

[*DW*]

Go with Bear and avoid the possibilities. Proven day in and day out. Just my opinion.

[Traildust]

So whats the deal with the two?? Isnt the creator of elite now the creator of strother??

Im starting to look into a new bow for next summer.. Just wondering which i should go for.. They look very similar cosmetically. Im sure they shoot similar too.

I shot both of them, I went with the SA Vanquish....I like a shorter A2A than the Elite....The draw was identical,, the elite had a small bump compared to "0" with the vanquish.......the vanquish is DEAD silent.....

Dont worry too much about if the company with be around forever.....I shot High Country for years......never had an issue with the company closing, selling out or changing names.....because I never had a failure.....

Kevin Strother worked for bowtech, then elite......as you can tell, those companies have done well........SA will do the same......check out their new line for 2011......They got a new Youth/ Womens bow called the Valor....I'm waiting to order for my wife.

They should have some nice bows coming out as well

Go with what make you feel warm and fuzzy

Rumor is Kevin might be heading to Athens Archery.....

[Txjourneyman]

You may also want to check out the G5 Quest line. G5 has been producing cams for Elite and make a pretty fine bow as well and I'm pretty sure G5 will be around for a while.

[rocky]

I shot both of them, I went with the SA Vanquish....I like a shorter A2A than the Elite....The draw was identical,, the elite had a small bump compared to "0" with the vanquish.......the vanquish is DEAD silent.....

Dont worry too much about if the company with be around forever.....I shot High Country for years......never had an issue with the company closing, selling out or changing names.....because I never had a failure.....

Kevin Strother worked for bowtech, then elite......as you can tell, those companies have done well........SA will do the same......check out their new line for 2011......They got a new Youth/ Womens bow called the Valor....I'm waiting to order for my wife.

They should have some nice bows coming out as well

Go with what make you feel warm and fuzzy

Rumor is Kevin might be heading to Athens Archery.....

I sell Bowtech and Athens bows, and actually am shooting the Athens Accomplice 32,(2 of them) because of the draw-cycle and lack of parts. Athens uses a slide instead of a rollerguide which I think is still the most trouble free system.
Very simple bow.
Kevin did not design the Binary cam, another engineer/designer came to Bowtech with the design, and I think it was Craig Yeahl (sp?).
Darton actually has the patent, but their binary design would not work without Bowtech's modification, so there is an agreement in place.
The 2 track binary that Athens uses, is Kevin's modification of the Binary cam to avoid patent infringement, but still requires a licensing agreement with Rex Darlington.
After shooting all cam systems, I like the 2 track best due to lack of cam lean, and coupled with Barnsdale limbs, and their torsional stability, this is as bombproof design as there is in the industry.
All this being said, the 2010 Athens bow was priced at $699, while the Bowtech Destroyer was priced at $899, and even though as a shop owner, my choice of bows is very influential, the lack of advertising by Athens kept this bow in the shadows, making it nearly impossible to sell because nobody has heard of Athens. This year,Bowtech has dropped the price of the Destroyer to $799, seperating the two bows by only $100, making which bow the public will purchase a no brainer. Athens still has no advertising out.
I surely hope that Athens stays far,far away from Kevin Strother.
As far as Elite is concerned, I can't believe dealers are happy trying to sell new bows against used bows that have the same warranty.

[JTeLarkin08]

Man I shot the z28 last year and loved it. I hate the wall/draw cycle of bowtechs. That's why I liked the elites so much. It has speed but doesn't have the harsh breakover. I know I would get used to it in time but I have shot a mathews for the last 15 years. I want a bow I can shoot out to 50-60 yards and my Mathews just isn't fast enough.

[VorTexan]

Some good points here. Kevin has done some great things no doubt and has produced some really nice bows and he does have an internet following but as mentioned he is no longer with the companies listed (still in business) nor is he with Strother Archery.


As far as Strother Archery is concerned they WILL be in it for the long haul. Brian Park is an avid bow hunter and moreso a business man that believes in quality and precision as his other company IAD does work for the auto industry and the military to name a few. SA did get behind this year (first year company) as they took more orders than expected at the ATA show and general growing pains.

Yes the Valor will be released in about a week. This bow will give archery shops in Texas and Louisiana (Blake) the opportunity to offer a quality product and compete with major box stores. It is an 8.25 BH bow shooting 320's and will retail around $599. The limbs come in 60, 65, 70, and adjust from 27-31" DL. It comes in Predator camo only with Stage 1 strings. I have been shooting one for a week now and will be hunting with it as soon as my freezer comes in (lol). I rigged this bow up with $ 50 or less on each accessory to show how one could have a GREAT hunting bow and not spend $ 1400-$2100 to do so. It will kill anything on the planet and you can have some money left over to get on a plane or buy an elk tag or two.

Strother Archery has some major announcement coming soon. You can see these fine bows at :

Cinnamon Creek Archery
Double G Archery
Triple Edge Archery

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[Bearkills]

The GT500 is a great bow, I really recommend the Elite's over the Strother line currently as the new Rev Cams have not had problems like the nock travel issues with the Strother hybrid. However, if you can wait, I would recommend it and shoot all the 2011 bows. Also, Kevin Strother may have a new bow out quicker than people realize.

[mchildress]

Do y'all think the Elite brand will be around for the long haul?

(just thinking out loud, a lifetime warranty is only good for the duration of the company's lifespan)

Dave I was worried last year and stocked up on parts having four Elites. But have been very impressed with the way Elite has handled any problems and warranty work. They have gone the extra mile as far as customer service and they are going strong.I really would have no problem buying another and will be watching what they have coming out for 2011. They are making an announcement 10/09.

[Poop-and-Snoop-Archery]

I shoot an Elite Fire and think it is hands down the best bow I have ever owned. No need to change.

[rhodes520]

I shoot an Elite GTO and GT500. Man, they are great bows !