Just made a few more calls today and it truly looks like I may have to drive out of state just to shoot the Sentinel. Most of the bow shops I've asked stated they didn't order that particular model because they didn't think it would sell? What up wit dat? :huh: Anyway, couple of questions for you guys. Is there really that much of a difference between the Sentinel and the Captain? One is nearly 3" longer. Is that going to be a significant difference? It doesn't seem like it would be? Also, say I picked up the 60/70 pound model Sentinel. Would I be able to adjust the DW to the mid 50's with the longer limb bolts? Would I be sacrificing accuracy or the bow itself? Feel free to add any other reviews or opinions that may sway me one way or the other.
The Sentinal pulls smoother and has less feedback in your hand after the shot than the Captain. Yes, you could get mid 50's (not suggested however) but why on earth would you just not get a 50-60 pounder?
That is a legitimate question and I have a couple answers. I've been having some problems with my left shoulder which I'm currently trying to resolve. Once resolved, I could increase the draw weight. Secondly, I want the bow now and with the supply being so low...I doubt any shop close to me that EVEN would have A sentinel would offer the 50/60 model. Maybe I should just get a 50/60 anyway. I always told myself that I would consider it for my next bow. I just like the fact of having that 65-70 # capability. What weight does a 50/60 truly max out at?
There are plenty of shooters that prefer the Captain but I'm like Scott, I prefer the Sentinel. I think also, in a 60-70 lb model, you'll be surprised how well/smooth it's going to pull at 60 lbs that you wouldn't need to go lower, but could slightly and still have the 70 lbs you may want later. I'm almost sorry I didn't order the Sentinel when I ordered my Admiral and while in Erie, I couldn't stop shooting the Sentinel. I contemplated ordering one and Scott sorta talked me out of it, only because I'm shooting my 82nd so well right now. I don't think the Sentinel would gain me anything significantly so I opted out. I'm still waiting on the Air Raid. I am however, a big fan of the Sentinel.
From the factory probably 61-62 pounds. You have a good shot finding it in 50-60 pounds because a lot of guys unjustifiably consider this a target bow. It is fast, smooth and only 36.75 inches axle to axle (a mere 5/8's longer than an airborne). I would say 70-80% of the guys who shoot all 3 CP bows at the booth say the Sentinel is their favorite.
Thanks to Scott and Rob I bought a Sentinel after shooting all 3 center pivot Bowtech's at the Erie show. I was perfectly happy with my Admiral I had just bought a few weeks before the show. Then like Rob, Scott talked me into shooting all the bows in a row. First the Admiral, then the Captain and finally the Sentinel. You could feel the gradual change in draw and increase in speed as you went from one to the next. All three are extremely shock free and dealy quiet. The draw actually got smoother as I went up the line too. Rob your gonna regret not picking up a Sentinel when we're all shooting them at the GTG and Scott takes your title away this year.
Protect the shoulders Donnie. Whether or not you are confident you can pull 65-70 once healed, I know I have battled with reoccuring shoulder problems from being overbowed. Bows are performing better now than ever before. 50-60, with the possibility of maxing at 62 lbs would be more than suitable for hunting. I know for certain, my next bow will not be 60-70, regardless of how well it pulls. I just know, I am going to spend a majority of my time shooting 60 lbs, so why handicap my bow from the start by not maxing it out? Just some food for thought buddy. Good luck in your search. Hope you are able to seal the deal on the Sentinel.
Thanks guys. I might take a little trip tomorrow and put a few shots through one. Dave, I've heard that bows do perform best at their max DW but I've also heard that with today's technology that it's not that big of a deal. Which is it?
I challenge anyone to prove that a 70-lber shot at 62 is less efficient than a 60-lber bottomed out at 62. Today's bows. MAYBE Jon Silks could, but it'd take someone of his caliber... so what I'm saying is I'd agree with your latter assumption: it's not that big a deal.
My thing is the geometry on a cp and not necessarily effecincy... On a center pivot bow... It takes so many turns to drop 10 pounds let alone 15 (20 full turns?). You would have around 2 inches of limb bolt showing out of the riser. I do not think this bow would react the same as a conventional riser bow that only takes 4 or 5 full turns to back your poundage down that much. To me, it does not seem like a good idea taking your bows geometry that far out of factory spec (re center pivot design). Just my .02.
Greg So whats your opinion of what Scott just said? I'm just curious. Would it be safe to say (if I indeed wanted to adjust a 60/70 bow to 55lbs) that it would perform just the same as if the bow was bottomed out? One of the Captains I saw in a shop was set at about 60 and there was a noticeable gap in the limb pocket, of course. Nothing hideous. Isn't it true that by adjusting the DW you are affecting the bow's specs? I mean the A2A would change and possibly brace height as well. Am I close or completely wrong?
Well, I'll tell you this... Scott's the MAN ... but... I've got a special-edition Admiral that maxes out at 75 lbs. (a precursor to the idea of the 65- and 75-lb. limbs which would later be implemented on the Air Raids). I'm shooting it at 65 lbs, and it's WHISPER quiet. I guarantee you that 100 people standing side by side me shooting mine and someone shooting a normal 70-lb. model bottomed out couldn't tell a gnat's fart of a difference between the two being shot. Seriously. Now to Scott's point, I do have a bit more limb bolt exposed than normal by having it backed out 10 lbs off peak weight, but from a shooting perspective it hasn't proved detrimental at all. Take that for what it's worth, but that's my own personal experience.
You are absolutely correct that changing draw weight will have a slight effect on axle to axle and brace height. That is what I am getting at, kind of... By taking your bow 5 pounds outside of it's weight rating you are also now shooting limbs with an incorrect deflection for the poundage you are shooting. This changes the bows over all geometry (ie cam rotation). It is no longer shooting where it was designed to be at and I feel could potentially cause some sort of issues. I feel the bow is rated 60-70 pounds for a reason and not 50-70 or 55-70 etc.... I see no real problem getting a 60-70 pound bow and shooting it at 60 pounds, I just would not personally take it 5 pounds out of the factories spec range. Again, just my opinion.
Here's my take and well, R&D will also agree... Every bow on the market is designed to be used at their peak setting (I'm talking from a design viewpoint), not to say they won't shoot or perform well at less draw weight. Whenever any bow (insert brand here) is altered from the specs it was designed at, the efficiency is affected, however some more than others. When you turn limb bolts out you're going to change the geometry of how the bow was designed which will add to the brace height, take the cams out of their optimum timing position and take pre-stress (stored energy) out of the limbs. Just my 2 pennies worth...
