I am brandnew to bow hunting so I hope I am phrasing these questions correctly. I know that compound bows improve in performance every year (speed, smoothness, size, etc.). But isn't there a ceiling to this technology? I mean, how much can you change the shape of a cam and how many ways can you add wheels and pulleys to this system? For example, do you foresee a compound bow reaching speeds of 500 fps? What has the trend been in the last few years in terms of increased arrow speed and has it begun to plateau? As always, thanks everyone for your expert knowledge, Jerry
With bows as we know them, yes I think it is getting close to the peak if it hasn't reached it performance wise. I think they will continue getting these great speeds will decreasing noise, vibration, increasing brace height, these things. It would take nearly PERFECT energy transfer efficiency, a tiny brace height, a draw curve that is at its peak weight the entire draw, and other design changes to even reach 400 fps. 500 is a pipe dream that isn't reachable. Here is a great write up on the subject. http://www.huntersfriend.com/bow-review-400-fps-bow/400-fps-compound-bow.htm
personally i believe they will hit 400 , 500 is stretching it , even if they do hit 400 to there ibo the average speed coming from that bow will be around 380 anyways , anything beyond that i believe they will have to completly redesign the actual mechanical functions and geomentry , the speed doesnt all come from the design of the cam as some thinks , the draw modual has alot to play into it .
I hope it has plateaued, all we can do is pray that they are done....this speed thing has already gotten pretty ridicules.
I believe its peaked for a while. I think you'll continue to see similar designs to what we've seen, only refined some, making them quieter, less vibration, etc. I think the real gains will be made once materials advance. I believe the short coming in current materials is what is truly holding most designers back.
I would agree with that. If you look at bow specs over the past 5-6 years you'll notice they haven't changed much. Sure, there's a few raw speed bows out there pushing the limits each year but your average flagship bow for the big companies has generally been the same for awhile now. Axle to axle lengths from 28 to 32 inches, brace heights from 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 inches, and IBO speeds of 320-330 have been the norm for quite awhile. I certainly don't think we've seen the peak performance from a design and engineering standard yet, and perhaps we never will. As technology evolves and improves they're always coming up with new ways to make things better. Maybe not faster, but certainly more efficient, smooth, quiet, etc.
I believe for the short term it has almost maxxed out. You'll see small gains here and there but nothing to push things over the 400 mark. As muzzyman states, materials is the main hold up, if the cam is more aggresive, the string may not be able to hold up, it may be too much shock or flex in the limbs... It's that type of issue that will things up in the short term. However, my experience with large corporation manufacting and r&d has me can't help but thinking, some company may be on the verge of solving some of these issues. Even if they did figure out a 400+ fps let's say this week design wise, they're still probably a few years from release to the public.
I am also new to bow hunting and I did a little research, not much just a little, on the Mathews site recently and on their primary hunting bows over the past 17 years they have only gained 12fps IBO rating and .05lbs yes .05lbs. The biggest imprvement was the ATA. It was shortened by 11". Then there was let off. If i remember correct it was 65% then and now 80%-85% now. I don't think many hunting bows will be reaching 400fps in the next couple of years. The speed bows like some of the PSE and Bowtech models may make it there in the next couple years but, I don't think the average hunting bow will make it in the next 5 years maybe even longer unless some company figures out some outrageouse new design. I believe they have somewhat peaked out for a while atleast. The features will probably become more refined, draw cycles smoother, maybe even a higher let off, longer brace heights and the bows better looking heck ,maybe even more adjustable but, I really don't see huge increases in speed. I think the biggest changes will be in the accessories. Sights, rest, stabilizers and maybe even quivers. Arrows seem to be making leaps and bounds in technoligy now from what I have seen in the past year. Thinner, stronger, more stable and more ballanced. Thats just what I think though.
