December 2019

Technology to the company’s collection of fps. The -inch . -pound evolt inch package. Setup and tuning is made
of notable compound-bow innovations. has a -inch brace and propels
The DeadLock Cam System allows deal- easier through s new adjustable
ers to set up bows faster and more arrows to fps I . It is available in
efficiently. The system provides simple - - and -pound draw weights icro Tune able uide allowing you
and precise two-step tuning to create
repeatable accuracy through cleaner ar- and - to -inch draw lengths. • Check to easily tune your bow on the range or
row ight. y turning a screw the bow s them out at bowtecharchery.com.
string path is adjusted left or right on its in the field with no tools re uired. The
axle allowing you to precisely place bow-
string energy transfer directly behind Mamba 28MT is offered in draw weights
the arrow nock. Once the desired setting
is found a second screw locks the cam in APA Archery from 40 to 80 pounds and draw lengths
place guaranteeing permanent reliable
accuracy. Todd nader owtech s brand from to inches all with percent
manager says the eadlock am ystem
takes some of the smoothest drawing The king of speed rchery has let-off and a forgiving -inch brace
most accurate bows around and adds a
whole new level of tuning ease. brought even more speed for 2020. The height.

Revolt series DeadLock cams pro- new amba T with a fps I rat- lso new for is s lack
vide silky-smooth draw cycles. Each
cam is strategically weighted to can- ing was designed for bowhunters who amba which was made to dominate
cel vibration minimi e shot noise and
propel arrows to 335 fps. The DeadLock like to hike in light and pack out heavy. the 3-D course or provide taller or long-
Cam System works in unison with
DeadLock limb pockets to fuse the entire This Mamba’s compact design delivers range shooters with a more compatible
bow structure into a super-stable shoot-
ing platform eliminating unwanted smooth and quiet performance in an option. The lack amba sports s
accuracy-robbing component vibra-
tions. The DeadLock cable containment ultra-light and compact . -pound - newly engineered lack amba iser
system with bearing-equipped rollers
reduces lateral riser torque at full draw APA
for maximum forgiveness. Archery
Mamba
The Revolt has compact 30-inch axle-
to-axle dimensions that are ideal for 28MT
stand or blind hunters as well as bow-
hunters trekking into remote locations. Bowtech
The 4.4-pounds Revolt has a forgiving 7 Revolt
.25-inch brace height and can be
ordered in - - and -pound peak
draw weights and - to -inch draw
lengths. It includes an I speed rating

DECEMBER 2019 INSIDEARCHERY.COM 51

2020 COMPOUND BOW Sneak Peek

with a replaceable grip handle. Its Micro Axius Alpha wears a highly advanced, now included, and the entire package
Tune Technology allows users to tune high-performance aircraft-grade ma- has effective noise-dampening tech-
the bow without tools, and APA’s new chined aluminum Tec riser. Both of nologies. A new part of this is a damp-
weight distribution system (WDS) these 29.5-inch models post IBO arrow ing system found just above the lower
allows shooters to customize bow feel speeds of 342 fps via 6 1/8-inch brace limb pocket, which also contributes to
and in-hand balance. The 4.4-pound heights. The biggest difference is mass. balance. There are also wedge-fit limb
Black Mamba 35 promises a super The REDWRX RX-4 Alpha hits the scales silencers, a string stop and integrated
smooth draw cycle, accuracy, stability, at only 3.9 pounds, and the Axius Alpha rubberized arrow-shelf pad. • Check
forgiveness and at trajectories. It is weighs a respectable 4.3 pounds. them out at hoyt.com.
offered in draw weights from 40 to 80
pounds and draw lengths from 26 to 32 Advanced technologies include a Gearhead Archery
inches, with 80 percent let-off and IBO buttery-smooth ZTR Cam system
speeds pushing 345. and Zero-Tolerance Limb and Pocket Gearhead Archery’s 2020 Disruptor
Interface. The torque-destroying Roller Series offers custom options that blend
Both bows are compatible with APA’s Guard has sealed bearings for energy some of the best features from the com-
Mass Transfer Module (MTM), a compact conservation and minimal buss-cable pany’s other successful models—all with
and innovative string-stop-mounted wear. A new integrated rest system is a price tag that is easy on customers’
stabilizer engineered to control front to
back and side to side bow balance. This
minimizes hand torque and maintains a
sleek profile. inally s new patented
Micro Tune Cable Guide provides precise
tuning/cam timing in seconds—without
tools or a bow press. • Check them out
at apaarchery.com.

Hoyt Archery Gearhead
Archery
Hoyt’s 2020 REDWRX RX-4 Alpha and Disruptor
xius lpha are the company s first-ever Series

premier hunting bows that measure less Hoyt
than 30 inches between the axles. They REDWRX
were specifically engineered for bow-
hunters who operate from treestands RX-4
and ground blinds, where maneuver- Alpha
ability is paramount. They’re also great
for those packing into rough-and-tumble
backcountry, where every ounce counts.
The REDWRX RX-4 Alpha includes Hoyt’s
renowned 1.2-pound hollow carbon tube
riser, which offers the ultimate strength-
to-weight ratio and vibration absorption.
It’s also warmer to the touch in freezing
temperatures encountered on stand. The

52 INSIDE ARCHERY DECEMBER 2019

budgets. The Disrupter employs a Zero Prime Archery The 31-inch Black 1 has a 7-inch brace,
Gap limb pocket to provide 15 pounds of weighs 4.2 pounds and has an IBO rating
draw-weight adjustments. Draw-length- The Black Series from Prime Archery by of 332 fps. The 33-inch Black 3 has a 6.5-
specific cams deliver an ultra-smooth G5 Outdoors includes four new models inch brace, weighs 4.3 pounds and has a
draw cycle, and limb stops provide an for 2020. Each one offers precise adjust- 337 fps IBO rating. The 35-inch Black 5 has
adjustable let off and solid back wall. ment capabilities to help dealers meet a 6-inch brace, weighs 4.4 pounds and
individual customer needs. New mod- propels arrows to 343 fps IBO. All of these
Disruptor bows are highly customiz- els include the Black 1, Black 3, Black 5 bows can be ordered in 25.5- to 31-inch
able. Online drop-down menus allow and Black 9. Each is powered by Prime’s draw lengths and with 40, 50, 60, 65, 70
customers to build their dream Gearhead revolutionary ROTO Cam technology, or 80-pound peak draw weights. The 39-
from a wide variety of options. There which includes rotating modules for inch Black 9 has a 7-inch brace, weighs
are six “Pick a Grip” menu options for easy and precise draw-length adjust- 4.6 pounds and pushes arrows to 325 fps
micro-tuning draw length, brace height, ments with nothing more than an Allen IBO. It is available in draw lengths from
hand torque and comfort. The Flatback wrench. Dealers aren’t required to stock 27.5 to 33 inches and peak draw weights
grip creates a 6-inch brace height, and additional cams or modules or spend of 40, 50, 60, 65, 70 and 80 pounds. •
Standard and Carbon grips provide a 6.5- time with a bow press while swapping Check them out at g5outdoors.com.
inch brace. Slider Grips allow for brace- cams or modules to accommodate cus-
height adjustments from 5.5 to 7 inches. tomers’ needs. Furthermore, the ROTO Prime
An array of colors and dipping options Cam allows you to set draw lengths in Black
make each Disrupter unique. Series
-inch increments with nearly infinite
The Disrupter 20 is Gearhead’s most cable-stop adjustments to create a pre-
compact model, making it ideal for ferred let-off feel. The Black Series still
ground blinds, tight treestands or pack- includes a center-grip design for perfect
ing deep into the wilderness. It has a out-of-the-box balance and shooting
maneuverable 20.625-inch axle-to-axle comfort. An Easy Tune Shim Kit allows
measurement. The Disrupter 24 offers bow technicians to shift cams left/right
a Gearhead ideal for carry size, weight, for improved tuning to accommodate
balance and performance. It measures individual shooters styles and form. The
24.625 inches between the axles. Finally, four Black Series bows hold riser bevels
the Disrupter 30 is made for those with for increased strength.
taller stature or shooters who are look-
ing for more forgiveness and stability. Black Series bows are separated by
It has 30.625 axle-to-axle specs. Each axel-to-axel specs. The Black 1 measures
bow comes with a black hard-coated 31 inches between the axles; the Black 3
anodized, shoot-through riser milled is 33 inches; the Black 5 is 35 inches; and
from 7075 grade aluminum. They also the Black 9 is 39 inches. This provides an
include the “Pick a Grip” options detailed option for every bowhunter—from stand
above and an ST-2 Stabilizer mount. hunting for whitetails to long-range,
They are easily converted to accom- spot-and-stalk pronghorn or mule deer
modate right- or left-handed shooters. hunts. Each bow carries Prime’s Shield
Custom colors and dipping are available Warranty Program, a lifetime warranty
at an additional cost. • Check them out for the original owner that includes free
at gearheadarchery.com. strings and cables every two years for as
long as the bow is registered.

DECEMBER 2019 INSIDEARCHERY.COM 53

MARKET TRENDS BOW REPORT

Mathews VXR 28
BY PATRICK MEITIN

M athews needs no introduc- yet again. Without fail, Mathews’ bows two larger edge-to-edge cut-outs at
tion. Matt McPherson’s com- become faster and inherently more accu- each riser bend and six through the
pany has become famous in the rate, while also offering smoother draw “sight-window” section. Side cut-outs
cycles and added shooting forgiveness. are supported by a series of cross hatch-
es that provide extreme rigidity and
archery industry for leading the This has really come to the forefront keep mass to a minimum. The design
with the introduction of Mathews’ provides exceptional balance that helps
way in compound-bow technology. rosscentric am system. It was first this compact, maneuverable hunting
bow behave more like a much longer
With each new model from Mathews, found on the 2016/2017 Halon series, target bow.

one is tempted to declare that com- continuing with the 2018 Triax and 2019 The design also holds now-familiar
3D Damping. This is a lower riser protru-
pound-bow technology can be elevat- Vertix, and now the 2020 VXR series. The sion, just above the lower limb pocket,
holding an EHS Harmonic Stabilizer in a
ed no further, but every year we wait Crosscentric Cam combines impressive rubber web. It pulls residual vibrations
from the three axis points of the bow
with anticipation, knowing Mathews arrow speeds with remarkably smooth and also improves overall balance. Right
out of the box, the system balances in
will somehow manage to raise the bar draw cycles, while also actively con- the hand without the addition of a sta-
bili er. To refine that balance the bow is
trolling torque and cam synchroniza- equipped with an improved aluminum
insert stabilizer bushing, as well as a
tion for improved accuracy potential. lower-rear stabilizer bushing insert for
rear stabilizer mounts.
The system is ultra easy to tune, highly
Finally, the VXR 28 riser holds the
forgiving and packed with real-world company’s Engage Grip interface. The
system is designed to promote consis-
bowhunting performance. tent and repeatable hand placement for
all sizes of hands, and it helps elimi-
The 2020 Mathews VXR series takes nate torque for tighter arrow groups.
I found the ergonomic grip—with its
the proven models of the past 3 years rubberized, textured surface—extreme-
ly comfortable and conducive to intui-
and introduces still more stability and tive hand placement. Shooters can also
choose Engage Grip Side Plates for a
noise reduction. Mathews owner and thinner interface.

CEO Matt McPherson says the overall Crosscentric Refined

design was inspired by the company’s The VXR 28 (and longer VXR 31.5)
is fueled by the industry-acclaimed
target line, which has been dominating Crosscentric Cam system. This incred-
ibly efficient and accuracy-enhancing
archery tournaments around the globe. cam design provides raw speed without
a rough draw cycle. In fact, Mathews
Mathews engineers took the extended Crosscentric bows are considered some

bridged riser design that resulted in

record podium spots and applied it to

their hunting line. The company offers

models that measure 28 and 31.5 inches

between the axles. The shorter of those,

the VXR 28, is under discussion here.

The VXR series has an extended, six-bridge riser VXR Riser
inspired by the company’s target-bow lineup.
The extra-long, heavily hollowed riser provides The first thing you ll notice about the
e ceptional in hand balance without sacri cing 2020 VXR 28 is its long riser and very
accuracy-enhancing rigidity. short, beyond-parallel limbs. Mathews
reconfigured the geometry of the entire
The 2020 Mathews VXR 28 has improved 3D EHS VXR to create a riser that is noticeably
Harmonic Damper vibration and noise reduction, longer than previous models. This cre-
and it has the option of a brand-new Silent ates a compact bow that modern bow-
Connect System (SCS) rope/sling. hunters prefer, and it also provides
improved balance and added stability
that’s normally found only with much
longer axle-to-axle dimensions. I typi-
cally shun bows shorter than, say, 32
inches because I’m taller than average,
but the VXR 28 works for me. I don’t even
notice its compact lines while shooting.

The VXR series has a new, extended
six-bridge riser. This means there are

54 INSIDE ARCHERY DECEMBER 2019

Specifications Arrow Speed

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Mathews VXR 28 set at 72.3 pounds at 30 inches (peep sight installed)

Axle-to-Axle Length 29-INCH ARROWS/ SHAFT *FINISHED KINETIC ARROW

inches 100-GRAIN TIPS GPI ARROW WT. ENERGY SPEED

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Brace Height . . ... .

inches –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BE . . ... .

Mass Weight –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

. pounds EJ . ... .

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Let-Off ES . . ... .

p to or percent –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– KK . . ... .

Available Draw Lengths –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

. to inches BJ . . ... .

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Available Draw Weights BES . . ... .

, , and pounds –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

he award winning athews rosscentric am system –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– B WO . . .. . .

has been re ned for and is found on the ultra fast, Available Colors –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

mbush reen, Stone, Black, Optifade . . ... .
Elevated and Subalpine, idge eaper
hard hitting and . . he uick handling, uiet –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
orest and Barren and ealtree Edge
and forgiving bow broke fps with some of the BE . . ... .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
MSRP
heaviest test arrows. . . ... .
,
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

. . ... .

of the smoothest drawing in the indus- –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

try. They are free of surprising bumps rrow speeds established using a aldwell Shooting Supplies hronograph . enotes steel inserts

and often feel - pounds lighter than FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (608) 269-2728, OR VISIT MATHEWSINC.COM.

their actual draw-weight specs. The

series also includes enhanced

cam efficiencies for improved speed and features include a Dead End String Stop,

energy delivery. Reverse Assist Roller Guard, and factory-

Last year’s SwitchWeight Technology installed Monkey Tail string silencers.

allows dealers/owners to change draw New for 2020 is Mathews’ Silent Connect

length in ½-inch increments and peak System (SCS). This optional kit allows

draw weight in -pound increments users to attach Mathews’ new bow rope

through a straightforward module system, and bow sling quickly and silently in the

without the need to swap limbs. Modules field. The series is com-

are available for and pound patible, thanks to threaded attachment

peak weights, each engineered to ensure points inside each limb cup.

maximum efficiency and a silky-smooth Another awesome feature is the

draw cycle at specific draw lengths and ltra est Integrate by uality rchery

weights. Modules are also offered with 80 Designs. The rest, found on Mathews’

or percent let-off allowing further cus- models since 2018, mounts directly to the

tomer customization. riser via a dovetail milled into the rear

VXR Stealth edge of the riser, eliminating mounting

The effects of the aforementioned brackets and additional mounting bolts
Damping system has been enhanced
for 2020, and this translates into even to create a streamlined connection and a
less vibration and shot noise than pre-
vious models. ther standard silencing compact, micro-adjust rest package.

Matt McPherson has done it again—

taken the peak of compound-bow tech-

nology and pushed that pinnacle higher.

The is super fast. ur -grain

athews Engage rip o ers super comfortable and ictory rchery I arrow even sur-
repeatable hand placement for added tor ue control
and accuracy. Optional Engage Side lates can also passed the advertised I speeds.
be chosen for a thinner interface.
It’s also hard hitting, producing 100-plus

pounds of Kinetic energy with some of

our heavier test arrows. Further, it is

extremely efficient maintaining -plus

foots pounds of energy with our lightest

arrows. In the field the will undoubt-

edly shine.

eb tra ■ Take a look at

the athews in action at

insidearchery.com/mathewsvxr28

55

INSIDE THE INDUSTRY INDUSTRY 5Q

Five Questions with Bear Archery

Industry-legend Bear Archery recently unveiled its 2020 bow models. The company’s latest Little tweaks along the way made this
technology even better than we could
flagship, the Status EKO, features remarkable new cam technology. We spoke with Jack have imagined. After we launched and
introduced this technology to the mar-
Borcherding, marketing manager for Bear, to learn more about this revolutionary new design. ket, I constantly heard about how happy
our engineer and product development
H ow would you describe “EKO,” without sacrificing performance at teams were with how the cam came out.
and how did Bear capitalize any point. Plus, thanks to the EKO Cam This cam is here to stay. One thing they
on this concept? ■ EKO stands System’s rotating module, users can were particularly proud of is how there
for Equalized Kinetic Orientation, and change draw-length adjustments with- is only 3 fps lost across all four let-off
it basically helps create perfect cam out a bow press. settings. That is truly amazing.
synchronization every shot. EKO Cam
Technology also gives any bowhunt- What was the design and production What will this technology mean for pro-
er the ability to dial-in their desired process like for the EKO Cam System— shops and bowhunters? ■ Pro-shops
let-off. They can switch between 75, 80, how did you get from the idea to design, will be able sell a Bear bow that has the
85, or 90 percent let-off. Since these cams testing and completion? ■ Well, the highest let-off capabilities on the market.
are a slave to one another, users are able seed of the idea had been in place for a When we think about Fred Bear being so
to achieve an incredibly comfortable 90 long time. Consumers have constantly innovative, this is the modern equivalent.
percent let-off. This technology results in told us that they wanted a high let-off If that bow is on their bow rack, they will
the most precise high let-off cam on the bow from Bear. We have heard this off be sure to fulfill the customers needs—
market, and it’s the only cam we know and on for a few years now. The EKO no matter what draw length they have,
of that can achieve four different let-off Cam is the answer to their suggestion, let-off they desire or price they want to
adjustments. but we didn’t want to completely aban- pay. EKO Cam Technology is available
don the consumers who like a 75 percent on two different bow models: the Status
What are the key benefits of Bear’s new let-off. EKO, which is in our dealer-only Legend
EKO Cam Technology? ■ The key benefit Series; and the Divergent EKO, which is
of EKO Cam Technology is that we are While I would like to say that the in our mainline that’s available to all
able to provide a product to customers development process was a long, drawn- dealers and retailers.
who want high let-off or low let-off with out process with years of development;
one bow. They are also able to explore that is just not the case. I firmly believe Bowhunters will be able to buy a bow
the four let-off percentages to discover we have some of the best engineers and select the let-off they want with
a preferred feel or achieve a particular in the business, and they were able to nothing more than an Allen wrench. This
goal. These settings can be made at every design, test, repeat and validate this technology means more bowhunters can
draw length between 26 and 30 inches, new cam technology within a little over shoot Bear bows, whereas before they
four months. might not have because they wanted a
high let-off bow.

What other features and technologies
make Bear’s 2020 compound lineup
special? ■ EKO Cam Technology is sur-
ly the biggest, but there is another fea-
ture on our new Status EKO called Align
Lok, which aids a dealer and consumer
during their set-up process. Align Lok
is a level that’s built into the bow riser.
When put into a vise, it will help a dealer
set the bow up faster at the shop. It also
works in tandem with the bow sight
to make it easier to fine-tune third-axis
adjustments.

WebXtra ■ Learn about the

Status EKO’s new cam technology at
insidearchery.com/bearekocam

66 INSIDE ARCHERY DECEMBER 2019

SEPTEMBER 2019 INSIDEARCHERY.COM 67