Bowhunting.com Forums - Equipment Reviews http://forums.bowhunting.com/ Let us know what you think of your latest bowhunting gear purchase. Whether you love it, hate it, or have suggestions for improvement post your bowhunting equipment reviews here. Brought to you by Lone Wolf Portable Treestands en Sun, 19 May 2013 07:05:38 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forums.bowhunting.com/images/misc/rss.png Bowhunting.com Forums - Equipment Reviews http://forums.bowhunting.com/ Video: 2013 Winchester Quicksilver 31 SS Bow Review http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?48099-Video-2013-Winchester-Quicksilver-31-SS-Bow-Review&goto=newpost Fri, 17 May 2013 22:50:23 GMT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fojKZ6vpRtw ]]> Equipment Reviews TheFieldArcher http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?48099-Video-2013-Winchester-Quicksilver-31-SS-Bow-Review <![CDATA[Sight recommendations for "slow" bows]]> http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?48024-Sight-recommendations-for-quot-slow-quot-bows&goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 23:11:04 GMT I have a Kronik bow that due to Heath issues I've turned down to about 45# and I'm looking to upgrade the sight that came with it. Most of the sights I see offered, seem to brag about adjustability for high speed bows. I'm not looking to put "racing slicks" on a "daily driver" and wondered what suggestions you might have to help me get the most out of my "slow bow". ]]> Equipment Reviews bfr5 http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?48024-Sight-recommendations-for-quot-slow-quot-bows Looking for some new binos http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?48017-Looking-for-some-new-binos&goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 18:18:24 GMT First off my budget is under $100. Second I'm specifically looking for something with 7x35,8x40, or 8x42. And while I'm on the subject my old pair are about 40 years old that were a hand me down. It would be nice if one of you old timers could shed some light on them. They are a 7x35 Atco Seymor, I've tried looking them up and can't find anything about them. Now like I said they are old but still work ok, they are gas filled for anti-fogging, but because they are sealed all the corrosion dust is trapped in and the lenses have dust in the inside and when you look through them, there are spots. Just curious if there is anyone still using sizes like 6x30 and 7x35? ]]> Equipment Reviews Matr138920 http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?48017-Looking-for-some-new-binos Plano AW Bone Collector Case http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?48008-Plano-AW-Bone-Collector-Case&goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 06:11:24 GMT Attachment 29249 (http://forums.bowhunting.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=29249) Attachment 29251... IMG_3183.jpg IMG_3185.jpg

Well as you all know I got my bow and everything in. Well to ship it to Afghanistan, I wanted to make sure that it was in a case because you never know what GI Joe will do to your box. Anyways it was shipped via the Plano AW Bone Collector Case (Amazon $89) and with a box wrapped around it. Pretty good idea as the case did not come scratched up.

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My first complaint was going to be the pillar locks (black with red things pictured), whenever I opened the latch it would latch down at the bottom and that was really frustrating. I came in today and realized, wow, if I flip the case over, it won't latch on and have me pull open the latch twice. Its something that is hard to describe, but easy to do, other than that for the latches, my only complaint would be that it is plastic. A good kick to the locks, or the correct angle of fall would have that broken in no time. There are places to put in padlocks if you so desire as you can see in the picture near the handle, and the last 2 latches on the case on either side, does come with keys to lock. However, like I said, it can easily be broken.

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Next thing would be that my DNA does not fit well into the case. My DNA had to be shifted up to accomdate for the blue pillars sticking up in the middle of the case. My biggest gripe with that was that now my stabilizer could no longer fit. It was mostly the way the strings in the DNA were set up that did not allow the bow to fit in perfectly, I do know that my friend bought a 2007 Hoyt Matrix? Vector? and it fit perfectly.

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Another gripe would be that the quiver attachment, something which Plano provides to mount your quiver to the case does not come with this case. It has to be bought separately. So what I did was I just mounted the regular arrow mounts, and then stuck one bar from the tight spot quiver into it, and used the velcro strap(provided) to latch down the other side. It worked pretty well. Also one has to be careful screwing in the velcro straps to the plastic case, the whole thing is plastic so overtightening it will ruin the threads.

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These pictures show how the velcro straps down the bow, I don't think there is a need to do the string side strap down as the velcro strap is not only too long, but cinching it down at the limbs seemed like it was enough.

Other than that, the plastic seems sturdy, but now I need to find places to put my release and stabilizer.I think I am going to make some kind of paracord pouch to mount to the empty brackets near the arrow tips on the top part of my case. I also found that my stabilizer fits quit nicely underneath the foam padding. I had the choice to get the Double bow SKB case for real cheap on here or from my friend who works for the pro staff but when I saw it in person, it just seemed too big. In hindsight, this thing is quite gianormous, and the SKB only had more depth but more solid metal pieces.

My initial thinking was, why would I ever need anything more than one bow? Well now that I got mine in, I want more. It also would have cost 3x as much retail though, my next purchase will be the SKB case along with more bows. But for $89, this should work just fine and with the hours of research I did, the price can't be beat for what you get. I also heard that if the latches break, Plano will send you out free latches. I dont know if any of you can see it in the pictures, but around the edges of this case, they have foam to make it dust proof and water resistant. There were also complaints about it being heavy, I dont know what all the complaining was about. Its just like any other plastic case with a bow inside.
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]]> Equipment Reviews chopayne http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?48008-Plano-AW-Bone-Collector-Case Which model Slick Trick http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?48003-Which-model-Slick-Trick&goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 01:31:26 GMT With all the positive reviews about them I plan on trying slick tricks soon. I hunt pigs and deer, any suggestions on what model slick trick to try? With all the positive reviews about them I plan on trying slick tricks soon. I hunt pigs and deer, any suggestions on what model slick trick to try? ]]> Equipment Reviews Chris1982 http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?48003-Which-model-Slick-Trick Tru Fire Hardcore 4 Finger http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?47934-Tru-Fire-Hardcore-4-Finger&goto=newpost Sat, 11 May 2013 03:55:26 GMT Hi all!!! I have been using a wrist release for a few years now - TrufFire Hardcore Max currently - and I have always been interested in trying a... Hi all!!!

I have been using a wrist release for a few years now - TrufFire Hardcore Max currently - and I have always been interested in trying a thumb release. I recently purchased a few releases to experiment with. My personal preference has always been the single caliper release due to the ease of attachment to the d-loop. Here in Wyoming I do a lot of spot and stalk hunting and quick and easy access to the d-loop is critical. I started with a few Carter releases and when I first held a Carter I could tell they were machined well and the trigger was smooth. I were a med\large glove so there were quite a few that were obviously too big for my hand and felt a bit bulky. Afer a few weeks of testing and experimenting and almost deciding to give up on the thumb release idea, I came across an add for the new TruFire Hardcore 4 Finger.......sweet name:p
I had to run down to my local shop and they had two in stock - camo and carbon.
Grabbed the carbon, of course, and headed out to the range.
I pulled the release out of the package, and the first thing I noticed was the lanyard attached to the release. I like this beacuse this can free up my hands without having to put my release in my pocket, or setting it down somewhere and then realizing I left it about a half mile back in the opposite direction. The finish on the release itself is smooth, and if you shoot for a few hours at a time your fingers will appreciate the rounded edges. The fit in my hand was PERFECT! The slim profile allowed me to get the string very close to my face. Trigger barrell is adjustable but I didnt have to move it because it was set where I like it out of the box. I love the deep groove in the caliper for spot and stalk. I can attach to my dloop without any trouble and the hook can be reset with the push of the trigger. Stand hunters will appreciate the string loop retainer. The adjustable trigger tension is nice, you can adjust it to 3 settings - 6, 24, and 50 ounces. It comes preset in the 6 ounce setting and after shooting the Carters, I didn't feel I needed to add any weight to the setting. Might be a nice option in the late season with gloves. After a few rounds, I decided this is the release I am going with this year, and it has made the transition to the thumb release much smoother than I expected. I paid 115 for it at the local shop, and although I feel thats a lot of money, that is less than half of some on the market currently. It has all the features I wanted and even matches my bow.:p
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]]> Equipment Reviews jmorgan http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?47934-Tru-Fire-Hardcore-4-Finger delta archery company? http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?47931-delta-archery-company&goto=newpost Sat, 11 May 2013 00:45:50 GMT This place has pretty inexpensive arrows.anybody try `em? This place has pretty inexpensive arrows.anybody try `em? ]]> Equipment Reviews chainsaw http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?47931-delta-archery-company Martin X150 price? http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?47919-Martin-X150-price&goto=newpost Fri, 10 May 2013 17:00:59 GMT Hi,I did a little searching,probably too little,and couldn`t come up with a price tag for Martin`s X150 recurve bow.Can anyone here give me a price... Hi,I did a little searching,probably too little,and couldn`t come up with a price tag for Martin`s X150 recurve bow.Can anyone here give me a price and a short review?I swapped a Hi-Point .40 pistol for the bow and was just curious if it was an "even"trade value wise.Thank you for any help. ]]> Equipment Reviews chainsaw http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?47919-Martin-X150-price Smackdown Pro reviews? http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?47809-Smackdown-Pro-reviews&goto=newpost Mon, 06 May 2013 13:52:47 GMT Looking at setting up my Hoyt with Trophy Taker Smackdown Pro. Anybody used them? Pros? Cons? Looking at setting up my Hoyt with Trophy Taker Smackdown Pro. Anybody used them? Pros? Cons? ]]> Equipment Reviews Nick_P http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?47809-Smackdown-Pro-reviews good rangefinder http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?47774-good-rangefinder&goto=newpost Sun, 05 May 2013 05:47:47 GMT anybody have a good rangefinder they recommend? picking up my first one and really want some input anybody have a good rangefinder they recommend? picking up my first one and really want some input ]]> Equipment Reviews Ricpac http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?47774-good-rangefinder Strothers bows http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?47748-Strothers-bows&goto=newpost Sat, 04 May 2013 03:31:07 GMT I'm here to do a little write up on strothers archery for everyone. Most people are not to sure what strothers archery even is, so I'm gonna try and fill everyone in on them a little.

So yesterday me and a couple guys got invited to come out to strothers factory (Sandusky, Michigan) to check everything out and to see how they do everything and learn the history of the company. Well Strothers started 4 years ago so they are fairly new but climbing fast forsure! They are also more than just a bow company as well. They make machines that would make parts if that makes sense, so half of there factory is a CNC shop. The machines they make are really impressive and they are actually one of the two company's in the USA that have the capability to do what they do in the USA, which is make machines to make parts. So pretty much thats how it was explained to us they have that shop to help them stay in business just in case if things started going bad. We were ensured by them that they will not be going anywhere in the near future what so ever. So it's nice to know for people that shoot there bows or for anyone that might be interested in there bows some day.

Now on to the archery side of things! We got to tour the factory and even build a few bows, which was awesome and a good experience. To be specific we built the Strother Rath. That bow it self is one of the most quietest bows out there naked, it's also fast and it felt great in the hand! We actually had one of are guys there get one while he was there. He got the Rath Xt in 80lbs, 29 inch draw, so he got to build it. For some reason they had a 750gr arrow there. So he decided he was going to shoot it through the chrono to see what he would get and he was shooting 250fps with a 750gr arrow which is pretty fast. Well after that he knocked a legit hunting arrow which came out to 402gr and he was getting 329.8 to 330 flat consistently and it never went under 329.8. For the kinetic energy he was at 98. So it packs a real hard punch. So overall it was a good bow it is a little bit on the aggressive side for draw but other than that I had no other complaints.

We also got to go to lunch sit down with everyone and talk about different ideas and let me just say keep an eye out for the bow this coming November we gave them a great idea and it was an instant hit for them. It isn't anything any bow company has on there bows yet. Also we were there with the Easton rep and we gave him an idea for a new arrow so that will be a new thing to if they can make it happen.

This is my first legit write up about a bow company from seeing it from the factory. Since we plan on going to a few more I want to do more to let you guys in on the factory side of things. So any ideas from you guys would be helpful as in what would you like to see on a bow, or what would you like me to review more on pretty much anything will be helpful.

Sorry this one isn't the greatest but I'm doing this off my IPhone and my hands keep cramping.

If you have any questions about there bows feel free to ask ill be more than happy to answer questions! ]]> Equipment Reviews bauer6 http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?47748-Strothers-bows Lacrosse aerohead boot http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?47686-Lacrosse-aerohead-boot&goto=newpost Wed, 01 May 2013 04:15:47 GMT Hey everyone, I know these boots are fairly new, but does anybody have them? I'm looking at the 3.5mm and the 7mm

http://www.lacrossefootwear.com/perf...ing-boots.html

http://www.lacrossefootwear.com/perf...ing-boots.html

I'm looking for something I can wear for spring turkey and then in the fall for deer. Which ones would you get and why? Thanks. ]]> Equipment Reviews chester33 http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?47686-Lacrosse-aerohead-boot Nimrod Pack Systems http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?47676-Nimrod-Pack-Systems&goto=newpost Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:59:31 GMT Here are two really great offerings by Nimrod Pack Systems: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9OA-ZcE4k8... Here are two really great offerings by Nimrod Pack Systems:


]]> Equipment Reviews ikesoutdoors http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?47676-Nimrod-Pack-Systems 2013 BowTech Experience - My Thoughts.......... http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?47548-2013-BowTech-Experience-My-Thoughts&goto=newpost Thu, 25 Apr 2013 03:35:56 GMT Well brown visited me today and dropped off a long awaited box from my friends in Eugene Oregon. Image:... Well brown visited me today and dropped off a long awaited box from my friends in Eugene Oregon.



I’ve been waiting for this one in anticipation for a few weeks now. While I tend to get at least one new bow every year, the last few years I’ve elected to order target bows. This is my first new hunting specific bow in a while. Many of you know that I can get a bit picky about what I hunt with, when I find one I really like I tend to buy a matching pair of them and then hang onto them for a few years. I haven’t upgraded my hunting bow since 2010 when I got a Destroyer 340 because I liked that platform so much. Before that my favorite was the 2007 Allegiance with smooth mods, and before that it was the 2004 Patriot. While I've had a LOT of hunting bows between these specific favorites, those were the old standby hunting bows I just couldn't get rid of.

With all that said, much like I did that day in 2010 when I first got my hands on the Destroyer 340........I’m pretty sure today I just got my hands on my new favorite hunting platform.



So…….first things first. When I first pulled it out of the box, I got nock points and a loop tied on it level with the berger holes. Then I got a rest on it and eyeballed for center shot and set the nock height to completely level using a Medicine Stone and levels. On my hunting bows I like simple, and I’ve been hunting with a biscuit for years because of that……..so that’s what went on it. I suppose I might try something else before season for the first time in years, but for now that is what I happened to have in the shop. Just like every BowTech I’ve ever setup it ended up at about 7/8” centershot.

Next I shot about 15 arrows through it to settle the strings, and then pressed it to add my peep sight and change the draw length. I did not check the draw length before adjusting mods and should have……hindsight is 20/20. I have a 30”-30.5” draw length depending on if I’m setting up a hunting or target bow. I decided to set this one up at 30” to help me stay stable at odd angles, etc since this is purely a hunting bow. I set the DL module and stop peg at #3 per the manual, and then threw the bow on the draw board. I was fairly impressed with the accuracy of the draw length on the bow, it had a true draw (throat of grip to string) of exactly 28-3/8”. When you add 1-3/4” to come up with how AMO draw length is measured, it’s 30 1/8”. Pretty darn close to real world draw lengths which is EXTREMELY rare these days in the world of exaggerated advertised bow speeds and specs.

Also of note, the timing of the cams were absolutely dead nuts on the draw board right out of the box, pretty unusual of any new bow. According to my Pelouze digital scale on the draw board, the bow hit a high point of 62.8lbs (BC said 63.2) during the draw cycle. At full draw it held 13.2lbs, almost exacly 80% letoff. I will also try and get some arrows through a chrono at some point, that's the only thing I don't have at my home shop right now but I’m shooting a 435gr VAP. I'm very anxious to see what type of speed she is putting out.

I shot a couple arrows through paper after this first eyeball and draw board tune, and all produced bullet holes without further tuning. I then creep tuned it at 10 yards and the initial cam tune held up without any cable twisting, etc. I’ll have to get outside and stretch the distances out a bit to finalize the creep tune on it and see if I can get broadheads and field points hitting the same spot, but overall this was one of the easiest/fastest setups and initial tunes I’ve done in a few years.

Overall perception………..I really like it. I guarantee it will replace my Destroyer 340 as my new favorite hunting bow. It’s everything the Destroyer 340 did well, plus it’s quieter and a bit more dead in the hand. It’s balanced extremely well, has a firm back wall, and overall fit and finish is what you would expect from BowTech......simply top notch.

I hope to put a couple thousand arrows through this one in the next few weeks. Once I get a chance to spend more time with her at longer distances and stretch her legs out a bit outside, I’ll post another update with my thoughts.



]]> Equipment Reviews Rick James http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?47548-2013-BowTech-Experience-My-Thoughts Finally bought a Thermacell http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?47483-Finally-bought-a-Thermacell&goto=newpost Tue, 23 Apr 2013 05:12:45 GMT picked one up today after seeing everyone talkin so highly of them on here. bugs can get pretty bad in october on them warm days here in southern il.... picked one up today after seeing everyone talkin so highly of them on here. bugs can get pretty bad in october on them warm days here in southern il. i started reading on it and it says not to use in a tent. does this mean a blind too? has anyone used theres in a blind? or do i need to only use it while in a tree? ]]> Equipment Reviews Pearce92 http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?47483-Finally-bought-a-Thermacell