All good stories and reviews came with a little history and background. So that's your warning this will be a wordy experience.
When I came back to bowhunting after college, I started with a Reflex Grizzly. Looking back that bow was rough around the edges, but it put some meat on the ground and rekindled my passion for the sport. Shortly thereafter I purchased a Mathews Switchback XT. That was 2006. I've been a through a few sights, releases, rests, etc, but until today its been the one and only bow I've used. The Switback XT is, in my humble opinion, one of the best bows ever built by any manufacturer. Until this year I never even had an itch for something new. The XT was fast enough, buttery smooth, and quieter than a ninja. So what changed? I think the biggest thing was just the urge to try something new. Second was to see if there was a legitimate performance upgrade out there waiting for me. The XT was bought when I hunted areas you could rarely see over 20 yards, now I hunt West Texas. The game has changed. I was also looking to up my shooting poundage as I wasn't getting the penetration I wanted on big pigs on our place. So that's what has come before.
Once it was fixed in my mind I "needed" a new bow the how came pretty easily. I've used Syracuse for my processing for 3 years now, and I've attended a couple of TBH events at CCR. Above and beyond that, one of the shop guys was a groomsman in my wedding. CCR was an easy choice. I setup a plan with Jeff(FishnDadio) to come out and shoot several bows. First let me say that the service at CCR is fantastic, and you feel like you're actually a valued customer while there. Second every bow I wanted to try was patiently provided to shoot, even if they had to do a quick setup on it for me to do so. No pressure, no acting annoyed, just solid service from a top notch staff.
While I had been happy with Mathews I wanted to be open to other possibilities. On my list: Mathews Chill R, Elite Energy 32, Hoyt Faktor Turbo, PSE DNA SP. I had shot a PSE Premonition on a previous trip and was unimpressed. My criteria were an ATA 32" or greater, comfortable draw curve, dead quiet, good aim/holding, and the ability to let the bow down without my arm being ripped out of its socket. The below are MY OPINIONS and feelings on equipment.
Let's get the ugly out of the way first, the PSE DNA SP.... I seriously shot it twice and handed it back. PSE, you have a LOT of work to do. Vibration on the shot, a draw cycle that I would describe as crunchy, and a short enough valley I'd almost put it in the dangerous category. Relax a little and that sucker is gonna suck your release hand through the cams! For what its worth the Premonition I shot before this trip, was easily a better feeling and shooting bow.
The Hoyt Faktor Turbo. I had high hopes for this bow. The positives: smooth draw, good performance, quality feel. The downsides: vibration on the shot, and an odd some noise. I shot it a couple of times, and I felt underwhelmed.
Now we're getting to the two that from research, I had equally high hopes for. First up was the Chill R. This bow is set at what draw weight? Really? Yes the draw was to me that deceiving. It felt a solid 5# lighter than it was. The bow held well, it was quiet, and vibration free. The Chill R is definitely in the speed category with an IBO rating over 340 fps, but it didn't feel like it. Yes the draw cycle is a more pronounced curve than my XT, but its not so much its an issue. The bow had a decent valley and a solid wall. I really paid attention to the wall as I had read a few reviews that it was soft or spongy. I can't say that I got any impressions of that. I shoot a Chocolate Addition thumb trigger with back tension off the wall... it felt sweet.
Here is where things got interesting. Next up was the Elite Energy 32. I have nothing negative to say about this bow. It was a tad smoother on the draw than the Chill R, but on the shot they were comparable on noise and vibration. Both were dead, and silent. The quality/finish on the bow was impressive. The bow shot well for me.
So I had to weigh the pros/cons of the two favorites, and I went back and forth shooting them for a few groups. The Chill R won me over. The Energy held its own, but its draw curve was not different enough to give up a decent amount of performance/efficiency. A few weeks ago I really thought I'd end up with an Elite. Honestly I think I would have been happy with either bow, but the Chill R just made me smile a little wider.
There you go, if you are in "need" of a new bow, make the trip to CCR. Their selection is awesome, and the service is great. While you're there try out the Elite Energy and the Mathews Chill R... then maybe you can battle with the same decision I had to make!
When I came back to bowhunting after college, I started with a Reflex Grizzly. Looking back that bow was rough around the edges, but it put some meat on the ground and rekindled my passion for the sport. Shortly thereafter I purchased a Mathews Switchback XT. That was 2006. I've been a through a few sights, releases, rests, etc, but until today its been the one and only bow I've used. The Switback XT is, in my humble opinion, one of the best bows ever built by any manufacturer. Until this year I never even had an itch for something new. The XT was fast enough, buttery smooth, and quieter than a ninja. So what changed? I think the biggest thing was just the urge to try something new. Second was to see if there was a legitimate performance upgrade out there waiting for me. The XT was bought when I hunted areas you could rarely see over 20 yards, now I hunt West Texas. The game has changed. I was also looking to up my shooting poundage as I wasn't getting the penetration I wanted on big pigs on our place. So that's what has come before.
Once it was fixed in my mind I "needed" a new bow the how came pretty easily. I've used Syracuse for my processing for 3 years now, and I've attended a couple of TBH events at CCR. Above and beyond that, one of the shop guys was a groomsman in my wedding. CCR was an easy choice. I setup a plan with Jeff(FishnDadio) to come out and shoot several bows. First let me say that the service at CCR is fantastic, and you feel like you're actually a valued customer while there. Second every bow I wanted to try was patiently provided to shoot, even if they had to do a quick setup on it for me to do so. No pressure, no acting annoyed, just solid service from a top notch staff.
While I had been happy with Mathews I wanted to be open to other possibilities. On my list: Mathews Chill R, Elite Energy 32, Hoyt Faktor Turbo, PSE DNA SP. I had shot a PSE Premonition on a previous trip and was unimpressed. My criteria were an ATA 32" or greater, comfortable draw curve, dead quiet, good aim/holding, and the ability to let the bow down without my arm being ripped out of its socket. The below are MY OPINIONS and feelings on equipment.
Let's get the ugly out of the way first, the PSE DNA SP.... I seriously shot it twice and handed it back. PSE, you have a LOT of work to do. Vibration on the shot, a draw cycle that I would describe as crunchy, and a short enough valley I'd almost put it in the dangerous category. Relax a little and that sucker is gonna suck your release hand through the cams! For what its worth the Premonition I shot before this trip, was easily a better feeling and shooting bow.
The Hoyt Faktor Turbo. I had high hopes for this bow. The positives: smooth draw, good performance, quality feel. The downsides: vibration on the shot, and an odd some noise. I shot it a couple of times, and I felt underwhelmed.
Now we're getting to the two that from research, I had equally high hopes for. First up was the Chill R. This bow is set at what draw weight? Really? Yes the draw was to me that deceiving. It felt a solid 5# lighter than it was. The bow held well, it was quiet, and vibration free. The Chill R is definitely in the speed category with an IBO rating over 340 fps, but it didn't feel like it. Yes the draw cycle is a more pronounced curve than my XT, but its not so much its an issue. The bow had a decent valley and a solid wall. I really paid attention to the wall as I had read a few reviews that it was soft or spongy. I can't say that I got any impressions of that. I shoot a Chocolate Addition thumb trigger with back tension off the wall... it felt sweet.
Here is where things got interesting. Next up was the Elite Energy 32. I have nothing negative to say about this bow. It was a tad smoother on the draw than the Chill R, but on the shot they were comparable on noise and vibration. Both were dead, and silent. The quality/finish on the bow was impressive. The bow shot well for me.
So I had to weigh the pros/cons of the two favorites, and I went back and forth shooting them for a few groups. The Chill R won me over. The Energy held its own, but its draw curve was not different enough to give up a decent amount of performance/efficiency. A few weeks ago I really thought I'd end up with an Elite. Honestly I think I would have been happy with either bow, but the Chill R just made me smile a little wider.
There you go, if you are in "need" of a new bow, make the trip to CCR. Their selection is awesome, and the service is great. While you're there try out the Elite Energy and the Mathews Chill R... then maybe you can battle with the same decision I had to make!
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