I've never owned a Diamond or a BowTech for that matter, but I shot an Iceman and fell in love. It has an extremely smooth draw cycle, a firm backwall, and is virtually shock free. I just wanted to get your opinions before I buy one. Are there any benefits to buying a Bowtech over a Diamond? I was under the impression that Diamond was a low end product.
I suggest you shoot as many models as you can. Everybody likes something a little bit different. The IceMan is a really nice bow, but I preferred the BowTech Captain. A lot of guys I have talked to preferred the Black Ice over the IceMan. Go shoot several models and one will just seem to be made for you. You also should try to get your hands on a New BowTech Destroyer. They are very Impressive! Dan
I did see a Destroyer at one dealer, it was already sold so I didn't ask if I could shoot it. I'm going to try to make it to the pro shop on Monday. I want to shoot a Black Ice, I've heard a lot about it. I've been shooting every bow I can, but so far the Iceman feels the best to me.
I am all for shooting a lot of bows but if you have already found one that "feels like it fits perfectly" then why not just get that one?
IMO, the Black Ice is a smoother, more shootable bow than the Iceman. While the Iceman is nice, It's a very similar bow to the Bowtech Admiral, with slightly less speed, in my experience. I prefer the draw cycle of the Admiral to the Iceman and the difference in price isn't significant enough to steer me away from the Admiral. That said, I would be buying the Black Ice over the Iceman as well. It's no speed demon, but nearly everyone that shoots it can't deny that it's a sweet little bow. In your search, I would also check out the Stud, whatever shop you are at will likely stock it as well. I have no first hand experience with the bow, I suspect it's a sleeper and would think that it might be something like a single cam'd Ally. (that'd be cool huh) I plan on shooting one shortly to find out. As far as Diamond being "less" of a quality line than Bowtech, that thinking would be flawed too. It's Diamond by Bowtech. Every Diamond that I have seen has been of great quality and finish, they are just single cams vs Bowtech's binary.
I shot an Admiral and the draw cycle felt harsher than the Iceman.(to me) I'm not sure on the terminology, but when the cams break over on the admiral, it has a very sudden thump into the back wall.(valley??? like I said, I'm not to good with terminology) I like a bow that I can draw with a smooth motion. Both bows were set at 29" 70#. I definitely want to shoot a Black Ice and a Destroyer. So far I've shot a Z7, DXT, Alphamax 32, Cardiac, Quest, Monster, and I'm sure I'm forgetting others.
Huck, I recently saw, not shot a Quest Primal. (I think) Where does the Quest bow that you shot stack up against the rest? The fit and finish was pretty nice on the one I saw. It had a Carnivore like grip on it. I am intrigued by the I Glide and would like to hear from someone that has shot the snot out of a Quest with it on.
A local pro shop is a Quest dealer and all of the guys that work there swear by Quest. IMHO. The I Glide looks cheap, but the guys that own the shop are also outfitters in IL. They should know what works. It shot just as good, if not better than my old Switchback.
I shoot a Mathews and have for a long time. But if anyone were to be accused of trying to fit in, its the Mathews fanboys.
One of my Good friends here local shoots Mathews. He buys the latest and greatest they have to offer every year. Last year he bought 2, 1st the Monster, and then the Reezen 7.0. Do we badger each other? Sure do!! but it's all in Good Fun! I dare Not say somethings on a forum we say to each other. You would think someone tried to rape their mother. I shot his Z7 (I shoot all his bows) and I think it is Nice! Smooth Draw! very nice at the shot. It's what I would expect from Mathews. I don't care for the Look, but like many things looks always seem to grow on you. He hasn't shot my Destroyer yet. I don't have it! :-) Do I think he will run out and buy one once he does? Nope! After all we need something to razz each other about ;-) Dan
I've had Mathews, Hoyt, Pearson, PSE, HCA, Bear and probably a couple more that I'm forgetting about. I'm not what you would call a fanboy of any bow. They all have their up's and down's. I will say that Mathews has set the bar for customer service. It's outstanding. I think that the industry is so competitive now that any bow you buy will be good, it's all according to what fits you the best. Having said that, a good ribbing now and then is all in good fun.:D
I highly recommended going to a proshop.. maybe two or three. find a bow that fits you, not all bows feel the same in the hand,the feel ,weight or draw force curve,letoff and valley are different on most models. try them all, then shoot them... the bow will find you. I am not a brand guy, i buy what fits me and my hunting style best period. i have been shooting a bow for 40 years and this is how i pick my bows. if a shop wont let you pull it back or shoot it go somewhere else. try as many brands as you can and dont let someone choose your bow for you! I was at small concert venue some time ago last year and a unknown guitar slinger was absolutely nailing it, after a set he came over and had a few he was a older player but what got me although he had a very good guitar he had a piece of black tape covering the name so i asked him why, he told me people would judge his ability to play by the brand of his guitar. and all he wanted to do was play. so it"s not the bow it's the shooter... and shoot what makes you happy and confident.:D
Quest is made by G5, they are the old ROSS bows. You can get a Quest/Ross Cardiac for 349 bucks right now. I would stick to 4 companies for bows. Hoyt Bowtech Mathews PSE Those are in no order, my last two bows I bought were from lesser know companies. Elite(sold) and ROSS(out of business)
