So I thought I'd take a few minutes to put my initial thoughts on paper for my new 2011 BowTech Specialist. The short version of my initial impression, is that this bow is the best target oriented platform that BowTech has made to date. It would also be ideal as a hunting bow for those that prefer a longer ATA as well. Available specs on the bow are as follows: 40, 50, 60, 70lbs Draw Weight 4.1lbs Mass Weight 65% to 80% Let Off 26" to 30.5" Draw Length 37.5" Axle to Axle 330fps IBO Speed 7.5" Brace Height. My personal bow is setup to the following specs: 57lbs Draw Weight 30" Draw Length (measured AMO - string to throat of grip, plus 1.75") ~80% Let Off (11.8lbs holding weight) 37.5" ATA 7.5" Brace Height I haven't shot it through a chrono yet, but based on the sight tape I've built for shooting out to 70 yards, I'm guessing it's shooting around 306-307fps right now. This is with a 315 grain Victory XRinger HV. Not too shabby considering I'm about 30 grains over the IBO limit on arrow weight, and I'm also shooting roughly 80% letoff. My first thought when handling the bow was that it was light in weight. Now for target work, you don't want a bow that's light when setup, but what I like is a light platform that allows me to add the weight where I want it. This really helps to get the neutral front/back and side/side balance your looking for when setting up a longer front stabilizer rod, and also side rods or rear weights. One other thing I'm really happy about is that BowTech put a rear stabilizer insert on this bow, something they haven't done for quite a few years since introducing the Carbon Rod String Stop. This is something that is critical in my opinion for someone setting up a serious target bow, to properly add the weight where you want it. The other thing I noticed immediately after setting up the bow is that it settles down extremely fast after the draw. Almost like a Center Pivot style bow. This is due to the straight riser geometry. It actually settles down faster and points better than my beloved Constitutions, and those of you who have followed my posts over the years, know that the Constitution have been my target platform for quite a few years. I really love the option of the OverDrive Binary cams as well on this bow, I'm thrilled that they have made it to a true target bow platform finally. They offer you all the benefits of a traditional Binary cam, yet still give you the ability to fine tune like the traditional dual cams of yesteryear. I was easily able to tune the cams so they were laser straight at both rest and full draw, and was also able to creep tune the bow to hit the same spot anywhere in the valley out to 40 yards. The FLX guard also prevents the bow from building torque through the draw force curve. These are all things are critical for those of us that shoot further than the typical 30/40/50 yards. The final and probably favorite thing I like about this bow is the draw curve. I truly love the Constitution, but the draw curve was always something I wish I could change. Instead, I always show very low poundage so that I could manage a smooth fluid draw cycle while maintaining dynamic back tension through the cycle and into my anchor point. I used to shoot the Constitution at around 48lbs for indoors, and 53lbs outdoors, and now I'm able to shoot 57lbs out of the Specialist and it still feels smoother than the Constitution at 53. The addition of HardCore Limbs, and the OverDrive Binary cams are what allow them to get such a smooth draw cycle out of this bow despite the super forgiving straight riser geometry, yet still get great speed. I'm anxious to get this bow in it's final stages of tune, I still need to play with it a bit with the front/back and side/side weights. I'll likely keep it setup with the fat/light XRinger HV's until mid June to shoot in a couple local 3D shoots, but after that I'll be setting it up and tuning it for skinny/heavier Victory VAP's for field archery and FITA. For the first time in years, I plan to try and compete a bit this year and plan to attend our state field archery championship. I can't wait to really shoot this bow at some distance out to 90 meters, as that is truly my favorite venue of shooting and I really think this bow is the best platform that BowTech has made to date for the longer range shooting. For those interested, here is a few pictures of her all dressed up.
Glad you like it. It sounds like it's right up your alley. Looking forward to it sitting next to some awards.
One other thing I forgot to cover in the review.........the grip. This is absolutely the best grip BowTech has ever made. They always have had a pretty good grip, but this one is really good, and it's machined into the riser. Kinda reminds me of the Apex 7 grip. The angle, thickness, and sharp lines on the back of it are perfect for consistent placement for someone like me with a low wrist grip.
Nice review. I heard from a few "target " shooters at the shop that they love their specialists. They too said it is the best target bow they ever owned.
Nice review. I am doing some major remodeling projects in and around my home this year or a Specialist would be in my rack. In fact if I eventually buy a bow in '11 or '12 it will be my next hunting bow. I miss shooting the 36" and longer bows.
