I never really noticed how heavy my Z7 was until yesterday when I was practicing. It was cold and I haven't shot in a few weeks. The bow just felt heavy in my hand. Practice didn't go to well either. My groups were not good and I only went out to 25 yards. I'm not blaming this soley on weight of the bow, Itwas probably do to lack of shooting and sitting around the house the last couple of weeks. I think alot of the weight comes from the sight and mainly the quiver. The ArrowWeb fixed position quiver is heavy, especially with the arrows in it. My thoughts for the bow this next season include new string, new axcel armortech sight, and a drop away style rest. I am also intrigued with the hyper-lite bow. The specs are very similiar to the Z7, but it is over a half-pound lighter with no accessories. I want to shoot one pretty bad to see how it compares first, but my bow shop doesn't have one in stock. What do you guys think? Assuming I like the hyper-lite, would you put the money into the Z7, or would you get the hyper-lite? With the difference in retail price I think you would still be close to even if you got rid of the Z7 and left everything on it. I would also get a detachable quiver on the hyper-lite to save some more weight. I just think that the lighter the bow with all the accessories on it the better. Of course I won't know until I shoot one. I just wanted to get some more thoughts and opinions on the matter. What are the odds that the bow shop will order a hyper-lite with no gaurantee that I will buy it?
I'd say the chances of a shop special ordering you a bow with no committment to buy are about slim to none. If you're looking to drop some weight, there's plenty of ways to do that without getting a new bow. Most bows these days are right in that 4 lb range, with is what your Z7 weighs. If you're shooting with the quiver on and arrows in it, that's the easiest place to trim some fat. Take that thing off!
Justin, thanks for the input. I am assuming most guys who have a detachable quiver practice and hunt with it off. When I got this bow I never put any thought into how much that dang thing weighs. Anyone in the market for a ArrowWeb fixed position quiver????? haha I will go to my shop this weekend and look at some different quivers. I'm thinking that going from the vital gear sight to the axcel armortech isn't going to save or gain much weight either way, but what about the difference in weight from an Apache to a Whisker Bisquit?
What stabilizer are you using? Taking it off and shooting without a quiver attached could greatly decrease the weight of your bow.
I use a Limbsaver S-coil 4 1/2 stabilizer. I have never shot with it off, but I am not one against trying something new. What kind of difference should one expect without one? The Z7 is already very quiet and vibration free, so maybe it won't be that big of a difference. Thanks for the input!!!!!
Well, this may just add to your weight dilemma. The Axcel Armortech is a very heavy sight, compared to others. I own the armortech HD. It made a very noticeable difference in the over-all weight of my bow. That's a personal choice. Lighter bows are generally more accurate, for me. Other people like a bow with a little additional weight. The detachable quiver is a good idea. As for a shop ordering a bow with no commitment to buy, my shop does it all of the time. No deposit required. This is obviously up the to discretion of the shop managers/owner in your shops, though.
Thanks for the input. It is a little discouraging about the sight, but I think what I'll loose there will be made up big time in taking off the quiver with the arrows in it. I will have to talk to the shop owner and just see what he thinks too. Also taking the stabilizer off should help. I wont know until I shoot it though. I agree on being more accurate with a lighter bow. It just feels more comfortable to me holding something in my hand that is light while my arm is fully extended.
How much u want for that quiver? =] seriously lol And if you shoot a simple sight it will reduce weight..i shoot a 9oz hha sight And you can get a detach quiver that you could put on your stand or a tree while hunting...and you could get a smaller lighter stabilizer which would still take vibration out
Lighter bows aren't always more accurate. Since they're lighter they're easier to "float" around while at full draw. A heavier bow tends to be more steady, which may help increase your accuracy. Given your current setup I can't see it being that heavy that its effecting your performance. A heavy quiver that's full of arrows is a huge weight on any bow. I think by removing that you'll see a dramatic difference in weight and overall shootability. Honestly, I don't think weight is a huge concern with your given setup. The people who are generally most concerned with weight are those guys lugging gear around high altitude mountains for hours on end. In those situations, every ounce counts. For most of us Midwestern whitetail guys, a few ounces isn't worth getting worked up about.
Ive always shot a 5lb bare bow wtih a quiver with 6 arrows in it with a heavy stabilizer and have never had a problem...(im not the best shooter tho =[]) Im just now getting a bow under 4lbs =] I walk 500yds and im in my stand lol =]
Your reasoning makes very good sense Justin. I will start by taking off the quiver and see what that does. Its just a couple bolts and if I like that I can just change out the quiver to a detachable one. Thanks again for the help and advice, it is much appreciated!
That's the way I always looked at it. The lighter something is the easier it is to move it around (intentionally or unintentionally). The heavier it is the harder to move. I don't think the weight of the bow is the reason for the bad shooting.
Exactly, that was the original reason for stabilizers, add weight to the front to "stabilize" the bow.
Weighed my bow this morning. With four arrows in the quiver I'm sitting right at six pounds even. I have a feeling this is about average for most new modern bows. What is the weight of some of your guys setups?
There are some light bows out there if you want to sell your Z7 and then go for one. Archery is all about personal choices. One mans treasure is another ones trash It makes it nice when you are looking to sell some personal equipment and change a little. It always cost a little. It just depends on how Bad you want a lighter bow and how much you are willing to accomplish that goal. Only you can answer that question? Dan
As Justin has pointed out you can shed some serious weight cutting that quiver, and as he also said, lighter bows don't "necessarily" help you shoot any better. And to add to what he said, if you shot fine with the weight before its time to get off the couch! turkeys are only a couple months away! That may be the most hypocritical thing I've ever said because yours truly has only drawn his bow 3 times since November, probably cant find the paper right now!
HAHA!!! I know, but this winter has seemed too long and cold. The thought of spring turkeys is hitting the spot right now. Thanks!!!
I actually poured lead into the limb pockets of my first target bow back in the early 90's to increase the weight of it. The only reason I'd want a lighter bow is for lugging it around in the mountains. If it were strictly a treestand or blind bow I'd want it heavier for the better stability and resistance to wind drift.
Amen to that, every time i turn around we are getting 4-12 more inches of snow. its getting old... QUICK!
