Single vs. dual cam vs. binary cam

[tef]

Considering a new bow. Need tech. advice,pros and cons on each type of cams. I've shot single and dual and can't really notice a difference. Never shot the binary type cams. Every bow I've owned (3), were all single cam. I know there are alot of opinions on brands but I'm looking for technical knowledge on cam systems. Thanks for any help.

[Hot4huntin]

More info can be found at Hunters Friend

Cam Type

Modern compound bows generally come with a choice of 4 different types - or styles - of cam systems. While they all accomplish a similar mechanical goal, they each have a unique set of attributes and respective advantages and disadvantages.

Single Cams

Often described as a Solocam or One Cam, the single cam system features a round idler wheel on the top of the bow and an elliptical shaped power-cam on the bottom. The single cam is generally quieter and easier to maintain than traditional twin cam systems, since there is no need for cam synchronization. However, single cam systems generally do not offer straight and level nock travel (though the technical debate continues), which can make some single-cam bows troublesome to tune. Of course, all single cams aren't created equal. There are good ones and bad ones. Some are very fast and aggressive, others are quite smooth and silky. Some offer easy adjustability and convenient let-off choices, others don't. But most single cams do offer reasonable accuracy and a good solid stop at full draw. Overall, the smoothness and reliability of the single cam is well respected. And the single cam is today's popular choice on compound bows.

Hybrid Cams

The Hybrid Cam system has gained considerable popularity over the last few years. The hybrid cam system features two asymmetrically elliptical cams: a control cam on the top, and a power cam on the bottom. The system is rigged with a single split-harness, a control cable, and a main string. Though originally invented and marketed by Darton Archery as the C/P/S Cam System, Hoyt's introduction of the Cam & 1/2 (a variation of the original C/P/S System) in 2003 brought hybrid systems into the limelight. Hybrid cams claim to offer the benefits of straight and level nock travel, like a properly-tuned twin-cam bow, but without the timing and synchronization issues. Indeed, hybrid cams require less maintenance than traditional twin cams, but it's probably a technical stretch to say that hybrid cams are maintenance free. They too need to be oriented (timed) properly for best overall efficiency and performance. There are several hybrid cam models available which are impressively fast and quiet, rivaling the best of the single cam bows.

Twin Cams

A twin cam system is sometimes described as a Two Cam or a Dual Cam. The twin cam system features two perfectly symmetrical round wheels or elliptical cams on each end of the bow. When properly synchronized, twin cam systems offer excellent nock travel, accuracy, and overall speed. However, twin cams do require more maintenance and service to stay in top shooting condition. But thanks to today's crop of advanced no-creep string fibers, they are becoming increasingly easier to maintain. Many hardcore competition shooters are quite loyal to the twin cam concept. And it's probably worth noting that the twin cam bow is dramatically more popular outside of the US and Canada, where there is less advertising to hype the single and hybrid systems. Aside from maintenance issues, the only true disadvantage to twin cams is the tendency for increased noise (compared to typical single and hybrid cams). Nonetheless, the twin cam is still the cam system of choice for many serious shooters. Twin cams are also very popular choice for youth bows.

Binary Cams

Introduced by Bowtech Archery as a new concept for 2005, the Binary cam is a modified 3-groove twin-cam system that slaves the top and bottom cams to each other, rather than to the bow's limbs. Unlike single and hybrid systems, there is no split-harness on a binary system - just two "cam-to-cam" control cables. This creates a "free-floating" system which allows the cams to automatically equalize any imbalances in the limb deflections or string and control cable lengths. So technically, this self-correcting cam system has no timing or synchronization issues and should achieve perfectly straight and level nock travel at all times. The only drawback is that without split harnesses to equalize the limb tips, slaved cams can be subject to cam lean - which realistically causes little to no shooting drama - but it stirs a lot of debate and complaint. Since 2005, many bow companies have licensed the slaved/binary concept through Darton, who has their own patented version of the slaved cam system. Only time will tell, but we strongly suspect that the binary cam and its variants will continue to gain popularity.

Cam Type Hype

Cam technology (and its licensing to other bow companies) is the financial bread-n-butter for some bow manufacturers. So it's no surprise that they focus much of their efforts on marketing and promoting their particular cam style(s). As a result, this is one area in particular where CBT often gets out of hand. For example, if a cam is designed to feature an unusually deep string groove, the consumer won't see an ad that says "Now with deeper grooves in the cams". You're more likely to see something like, "Now featuring the CoreTrack™ XS4 Cam with Accugroove Technology". So don't be too swayed by high-tech sounding cam advertisements. Manipulating the geometry of a small piece of machined aluminum isn't exactly a clean-room technology.

Cam Parity

While the technical subtleties and respective merits of the various cam systems could be debated in perpetuity, in the real world there is an obvious performance parity among them all. This isn't to say that they all perform exactly the same. But to say that one cam style really offers a crucial field-advantage over another would be something of a stretch. They all accomplish the same basic mechanical goals and there are great-shooting bows available in all of the cam style categories. As such, we recommend you not be too cam-monogamous when doing your bow shopping. The cam system you choose probably has more to do with who gets the check than who gets the deer.

[tef]

Very good info., thanks alot. One of the bows I'm considering is the Assassin which has the binary cams. I want a trouble free system (as best as possible), but want the best performance also. I'm not real technical and usually prefer simplicity where available. Its amazing to see the advances in todays bows, its somewhat overwhelming when you are looking to spend that much money and have so many choices!