It’s difficult to track just how far bow technology has come without looking into the past, so jog down Memory Lane really quickly with me, if you will. Remember the Mathews Q2, which was launched in 2000? As I recall, its Harmonic Dampers were the first innovations of their kind, and the vibrations and hand shock they reduced were monumental. Here we are, 24 years later, and we’re looking at an entirely different level of innovative wow factors that shatter everything we could’ve possibly dreamt up back in 2000.
To set the stage, here are some noteworthy highlights from 2024’s new bows. A few companies, including Mathews and Xpedition, have lightened up their bows without sacrificing riser stiffness and dependability. Companies such as Athens, Bowtech and Prime have new cam-tuning features. As if bows weren’t stealthy enough, companies such as Hoyt have further reduced hand shock. And then there is APA Archery, which has 30 integrated features in its newest model. And let’s not forget PSE, which has launched a 30-inch carbon bow that has a string angle comparable to a longer bow to optimize comfort and overall performance. Those are just a few teasers to pique your interest.
With all of the purposeful new features in 2024’s flagship bows, it’s a great year to buy a new compound bow. However, choosing just one model from the many available will involve a big decision on your customer’s part. But, you can guide them along by drawing some selling points from the written descriptions below. Let’s review.
APA Black Mamba Pro
APA Archery’s Black Mamba Pro moves the innovation needle to the next level. Featuring new Pro-Connect Technology, compatible dovetail sights mount flush with the bow riser via a recessed dovetail track. In turn, it allows a quiver to mount closer than ever to the riser. It also shifts the accessory weight closer to the center of the bow to optimize balance. Pro-Connect has also been applied to both of the front stabilizer mounts, allowing for fast stabilizer connection and removal. Even with a 6 1/16-inch brace height, this high-performance bow unleashes a scorching-hot 360-fps IBO rating. The Pro-Connect Sling is another new-for-2024 feature; it can be quickly attached or detached from the Black Mamba Pro for convenient and comfortable carrying in the field. Purposeful APA staple features such as Riser Fangs, Tool Center, Carrying Handle, Stability Control System and Rotating Draw Stop — just to name a handful — yield tons of in-the-field functionality and deadly performance. Despite all of the integrated technical features, the Black Mamba Pro weighs only 3.9 pounds, making it one of the lightest premium non-carbon bows available. It is hands down APA’s most technologically advanced bow to date, and it will floor you and your customers. All told, the Black Mamba Pro has 30 different features, and never has a bow loaded with so many details been so streamlined. Until now.
MSRP: $1,692 (USD)
Bear Persist
Persistence often sets successful bowhunters apart from the rest, but high-quality equipment helps, too. Bear Archery’s aptly named Persist makes an ideal fit in the hands of bowhunters who demand dependability and performance that will go the distances required to find success. Notable features are a Picatinny sight mount and Integrate rest mount. Silent Shelf Technology is a molding over the riser shelf designed to silence arrow contact, while the rope loop through the upper limb makes an ideal connection for a tow rope when treestand hunting. The Persist includes two grips, and riser weight/dampener combos address shock to deliver a pleasantly smooth and quiet shot. The EKO Cam blends speed and smoothness, while a long riser with intricate bridging throughout provides stiffness and balance that translate into unreal strength and uncompromising stability. Bear’s latest rendition of the Hinge Guard is adjustable laterally and back and forth with reference marks to track adjustments. With a 340-fps rating, it rubs shoulders with the market’s other high-end bows. Enjoy a forgiving 6.5-inch brace height, maneuverable 31-inch axle-to-axle length and up to 90% let-off. KillerWave limb dampeners and a reimagined string cushion add touches of stealth to the deadliest Bear yet.
MSRP: $1,249
Bowtech Core SR
CenterMass Technology on Bowtech’s Core SR accepts Bowtech’s CenterMass Pro Hunter Sight, which slides through the riser and locks down with just one mounting bolt, creating a solid, direct connection to the riser with fewer parts. The Core SR also features an innovative adjustable grip with GripLock, giving archers the versatility of several grips in one. Possibly the most exciting feature is TimeLock, which allows the cable pegs on the cams to be adjusted in precise increments to synchronize the cams using a simple hex wrench — no bow press or cable twisting required. Proven DeadLock Technology provides lateral cam adjustment on the axles. Orbit Dampeners on either riser end cause vibrations to quickly fizzle, while a bowstring cushion stops the bowstring at brace height to minimize oscillation and virtually eliminate twang. The Core SR’s long riser exudes stability (33 inches axle to axle), and FlipDisc gives users two different draw cycles with a simple flip of the Rotating Modules. A wide limb stance and robust Dual Lock Pockets add the finishing touches. The hunt for a blend of smooth, fast, quiet, stable and accurate ends here.
MSRP: $1,399
Bowtech Eva Gen3
Eva Shockey’s latest Bowtech bow is the Eva Gen3, and it packs tons of technology into a lightweight and maneuverable 28-inch axle-to-axle platform. Just like Bowtech’s 2024 CORE bows, the Eva Gen3 features TimeLock, which are adjustable cable pegs on the cams that let the user make precise and calculated adjustments to synchronize the cams without a bow press or twisting the cables. That along with DeadLock Technology, which provides lateral cam adjustability on the axles, makes this bow a breeze to tune. The multi-position grip featuring GripLock allows every archer to find a grip position that fits their individual shooting style. The Eva Gen3 is compatible with IMS-equipped rests. FlipDisc provides two different draw cycles, while the Rotating Modules offer a 24- to 29-inch draw range. Peak weights are 40, 50 and 60 pounds. The FLX Guard Cable Containment reduces cable torque to smooth out the draw cycle and reduce stress on the riser, and Orbit Dampeners address vibrations on the riser ends. Dual Lock Pockets lock the limbs to the pockets and the pockets to the riser for the dependability that wild places demand. Choose from three solid finishes or Mossy Oak Country DNA.
MSRP: $1,299
Darton Sequel Series
At the helm of Darton’s 2024 lineup is the Sequel, offered in 31- and 33-inch models and built entirely from the ground up. It flaunts Darton’s most advanced riser design complete with three pass-through tunnels to optimize weight distribution and bolster strength and stability designed to tackle the wildest bowhunting places. The Sequel isn’t light and isn’t meant to be. Beyond the pre-stressed forged 7075 T-6511 riser, the Sequel utilizes beefy 1/4-inch axles and .870 limbs and pockets to substantiate the fact that dependability is more important than weight savings when the demands of the hunt are stacked up on every side. 7075 BBS Dual Sync Cams deliver hard-hitting speed, unbelievable smoothness and advanced adjustability. A roller guard reduces friction during the draw cycle, and a string cushion tames shot noise. A new yoke system ensures cam balance and synchronization to deliver the truest arrow flight possible. Both models share a 6.3-inch brace height for maximum forgiveness while producing actual velocities of 334-335 fps. With nine attractive finishes, robustness and dependability never looked more tantalizing than they do on the Sequel.
MSRP: $1,199
Diamond Pro 320
Affordability and no-nonsense performance converge in Diamond’s Pro 320. Geared with a rainbow of adjustability, it is ideal for beginner archers, especially youths who require a bow that will grow alongside them. But, don’t be fooled. This bow will fit most adult archers and bowhunters, too. Its range is 7-70 pounds and 15-31 inches (half-inch increments). Yes, you read that correctly. Draw length adjustments are easily made by rotating the module on the proven Binary Cams, with all draw lengths being well-marked for easy reference. Draw weight adjusts with the top and bottom limb bolts, and adjustments can be tracked with a reference guide near the limb bolt locations. The 32-inch platform weighing only 3.6 pounds (bare bow) handles easily regardless of the archer’s stature while also providing plenty of stability to keep bowhunters on target. The Pro 320 is offered in bow-only and accessorized options. The accessorized option includes the following Octane accessories: sight, peep, rest, stabilizer, wrist sling and quiver. The Binary Cams are paired together to maintain synchronization, and a 320 fps list velocity packs a nice punch.
MSRP: $549 (bow only); $649 (w/Octane package)
Elite Ethos
Elite drives technology to new heights with the Ethos. Despite an ultra-forgiving 6.75-inch brace height, it delivers a 340-fps IBO speed — plenty of punch for any type of bowhunting when rigged with the proper arrow. Elite’s Precision Grip delivers outstanding comfort, while the SP Cam allows every individual archer to achieve a perfect fit with 1/4-inch draw length adjustability, not to mention a customizable holding weight in 1% increments from 70-90%. A sturdy 4.5-pound mass weight anchors solidly in windy conditions to minimize pin movement, while the Dual Caged Riser enhances stiffness for uncompromising consistency, rigidity and stability. The Ethos comes with Performance Mods, but Smooth and 75% Mods are also available. Perhaps the industry’s simplest tuning system, Elite’s hallmark S.E.T. Technology provides cam-lean adjustments so that bowhunters can achieve a perfect paper tear and impeccable broadhead flight. Expect silky-smooth and whisper-quiet character, thanks to the Delta VRT, VibeX and Vibration Reduction Technology. Your customers can choose their favorite flavor from 19 different hunting and target finishes. From the treestand to the alpine, the Ethos is trustworthy and deadly accurate.
MSRP: $1,299.99
Elite Allure
Flaunting all of the high-end details and performance of Elite’s flagship bows is a bow designed for the dedicated huntress. The answer to popular demand, the 31-inch Allure pushes the envelope in the women’s bow category with an up-to-340-fps IBO rating and forgiving 6.25-inch brace height. The fiery yet smooth SPX Cam equipped with V3 Mods provides customization in the form of 1/4-inch length adjustability and 1% let-off adjustability anywhere between 70% and 90%. While Smooth Mods come pre-installed, Performance and 75% Mods are also available. Aligning broadhead and field-point flight is made easy with S.E.T. Technology, which allows a user with basic tuning knowledge to micro-adjust cam lean and center shot. The Allure features wide limbs and Elite’s Dual Caged Riser for the ultimate in stability and balance to speed target acquisition and shrink pin float during intense bowhunting moments. Elite outfits the Allure with the Delta VRT, and that combined with Elite’s VibeX and Vibration Reduction Technology thwarts shock and vibrations. Elite’s Precision Grip is comfortable and extremely difficult to torque, and 19 different finishes provide flavors for everyone.
MSRP: $1,249.99
Hoyt Alpha X Series
Attention: The Alpha X, which is available in 30- and 33-inch models, is the most efficient bow Hoyt has ever produced. With up to 18 percent fewer vibrations and 25 percent less sound, Hoyt engineers moved the stealth needle while reducing weight by removing AlphaShox limb dampeners. Because “close enough” doesn’t cut it, the smooth and powerful HBX Xact Cam offers draw-length adjustability in 1/4-inch increments while the 3,2,1 Mod System optimizes performance at every draw length. The completely redesigned TEC riser is aesthetically flawless and improves stiffness throughout. Comfort and consistency are the VitalPoint Grip’s keynotes, and the Drop Cord Slot shaves some weight from the riser while securing and guiding the drop-away rest cord. New WireWRX Bowstrings enhance the Alpha X’s performance and are rigged with HoleShot V2 Silencers to silence string twang. The In-Line System is back, seamlessly integrating accessories with the bow to improve balance and dependability above timberline or in the treestand. The built-in kickstand is ideal for stationary ground ambushes and keeps your bowstring up off the ground and away from dirt, brush and rocks. Tombstone and Kuiu Vias are two new finishes, and let-off options are 75%, 80% and 85%.
MSRP: $1,349 (Alpha X 30); $1,449 (Alpha X 33)
Hoyt Carbon RX-8
Carbon snobs and bowhunters seeking a truly advanced carbon hunting bow will find plenty of reasons to love Hoyt’s RX-8. The RX-7 was the leader until Hoyt reduced hand shock by 38.5% with the RX-8. Bowhunters heading for the most unforgiving destinations will embrace the RX-8’s benchmark strength-to-weight ratio. At just 4 pounds, it’s easy to carry, but it can withstand the torment that hardcore bowhunters impose on their equipment as they crawl through gritty terrain toward their quarry. Like the Alpha X, the RX-8’s HBX Xact Cam provides 1/4-inch draw-length adjustability to maximize comfort, while efficiency is optimized at every draw length across three modules. The integrated kickstand keeps the RX-8 ready while hunting from the ground, and a roller cable guard harmonizes with the HBX Xact Cam to produce a liquid-smooth draw cycle. The In-Line System pairs accessories directly with the bow, eliminating the unnecessary weight of mounting brackets and centering the accessories with the riser. Long-lasting and ultra-reliable WireWRX strings and cables maximize the RX-8’s performance, while HoleShot V2 Silencers squelch bowstring vibrations. With a 342-fps listed velocity and the ultra-comfortable VitalPoint Grip, what’s not to love about Hoyt’s latest rendition of carbon mastery?
MSRP: $1,949 (RX-8)
Mathews LIFT Series
The Mathews LIFT 29.5 and 33 deliver a whole new level of deadly, thanks to key innovations such as the sleek new SwitchWeight X Cam, which produces ferocious velocities while stacking weight evenly throughout the draw cycle. At 3.99 pounds, the LIFT 29.5 is one of the lightest premium machined-aluminum bows available, the product of a new streamlined riser design and shorter limbs made possible by a new top-mounted axle. Although lightweight, the LIFT is tough as nails from top to bottom and designed for punishing bowhunting environments. Outfitted with all-new MATCH strings and cables, expect zero stretch with positive peep alignment. The Engage Grip is compatible with the new Shot Sense module (sold separately) to provide the shooter with informative shot data in the Shot Sense app, which can be used to identify and address flawed tendencies and improve consistency and accuracy. Resistance Phase Damping combats vibrations right where they begin — in the limbs — to deliver a vibration-free shot. Integrate and Bridge-Lock accessory mounts are back and yield tight connections while optimizing balance. The LIFT also debuts several new finishes, including Earth, Mossy Oak Bottomland and three Fade-To-Black options. With all of that and pinpoint accuracy, LIFT bows set the bar at a new level.
MSRP: $1,329 (LIFT 29.5); $1,429 (LIFT 33)
Obsession X6
Based on the award-winning Evolution of yesteryear comes the sleek and sassy X6 by Obsession Bows. It’s a bowhunter’s dream at just 31.5 inches between the axles and hits IBO velocities up to 350 fps. The bow is dead-quiet and vibration free while producing loads of stability. A caged riser design, which widens the riser’s working surface at key points, increases stiffness, durability and stability, which simplifies tuning and makes the bow aim extremely well. The X6 features Obsession’s Ghost 2 Track Cam with a rotating mod to change draw lengths. The SD module adjusts from 24-26.5 inches, while the LD module adjusts from 26.5-30 inches. The bow weighs a stout 4.8 pounds, anchoring well when the adrenaline hits or when the winds pick up. Many finishes are available, and cams are even available in three different options. The X6 is a truly outstanding performer.
MSRP: $1,099
PSE Mach 30 DS
PSE unveils its shortest carbon marvel ever as a response to customer demand. The Mach 30 DS, flaunting PSE’s proprietary Dead Frequency Carbon, is a nice tight package that is surprisingly stable despite its diminutive size. A string angle comparable to longer axle-to-axle bows makes it highly shootable, even for archers with 30-inch draw lengths. To enhance accuracy and precision, PSE rigs the Mach 30 DS with the revolutionary Full Draw Stability System, which mitigates torque and produces the most consistently accurate shot possible, regardless of the conditions. Equipped with limb dampeners and the Killshok 2.0 riser damper, this is a vibration-free bow you have to feel to believe. Its feathery 3.6-pound mass weight and 30-inch axle-to-axle length make the Mach 30 DS ideal for bowhunting in tight quarters. A very shootable 6-inch brace height and a manageable IBO rating of 338 fps blend power with easy fixed-blade broadhead tunability. Cam lean can be adjusted with the EZ.220 Spacer System, while Anchor Link allows fast securement to a backpack or bow sling connectivity. The EC2 Cam yields smoothness, power and precision accuracy that bowhunters can count on when things become intense. A Picatinny sight mount and IMS rest mount round out the sweetest carbon rendition PSE has delivered yet.
MSRP: $1,799
PSE Evolve 33 DS
Bowhunters looking for maximum stability and downrange accuracy should give serious consideration to PSE’s Evolve 33 DS. The 33-inch axle-to-axle length, 7-inch brace height and straight, almost deflexed riser create the recipe for benchmark accuracy when a longer shot opportunity is on the line. Despite its highly stable character and shootable specs, it delivers a quick arrow, thanks to the deadly but smooth EC2 Cam. The proprietary new CGM cable guard reduces friction for a pleasant draw cycle, and it also has an integrated quiver mount. Like the Mach 30, the Full Draw Stability System manages torque so that the archer can focus and execute a great shot in even the most difficult scenarios. Micro-tuning is made possible by the Precision Buss Tuning System, which is crafted from proprietary materials for superior strength and longevity. Also available in a 30-inch version, PSE’s Evolve has a Picatinny sight mount and IMS rest mount to make accessory integration as seamless as possible.
MSRP: $1,199
Prime RVX Series
Please welcome Prime’s most tunable and accurate bow to date, the RVX, which boasts industry-leading nock travel, monumental efficiency and you-have-to-shoot-it-to-believe-it smoothness. The RVX includes 32-, 34- and 36-inch configurations, offering something for every archer. All-new Quik Tune Technology allows the cam to shift left or right in a precise, straightforward manner without pulling the axle, making it easier than ever to achieve a perfect tune. Featuring the hard-hitting CORE Cam, let-off can be adjusted from 85% to 75%, and the draw modules are length-specific to increase efficiency and performance. Prime RVX bows feature Center Grip Risers with Swerve Technology, which controls riser torque and improves aiming stability. When the mercury plummets, the Nano Grip provides warm-to-the-touch comfort, thanks to a NASA-developed Aerogel barrier between the composite grip and the riser. Also new for Prime is a Picatinny rail system for easy and reliable bowsight mounting along with QAD’s Dovetail machined directly into the riser for a rigid rest-to-riser connection. Let’s not forget the Angled Roller Guard, which provides more room for the arrow rest.
MSRP: $1,299 (RVX 32 and 34); $1,399 (RVX 36)
Xpedition Archery Xlite 29 and 35
Xpedition’s Xlite bow family adds two new members with the Xlite 29 and Xlite 35, rounding out a series that now offers every serious bowhunter, regardless of stature or hunting application, a model that suits them. A dual-bridged MAGNITE riser is the pinnacle feature of each model in the series. Trusted and used in the defense and aerospace industries, MAGNITE is 33 percent lighter than 6061 aluminum and stronger than commercial-grade carbon. It also dampens vibrations 20 times more effectively than commercial-grade carbon and three times more effectively than 6061 aluminum. The 29 and 35 have model-specific cams (XB29 and XB35, respectively) to advance efficiency and performance while delivering an icy-smooth draw cycle with a rock-solid back wall. The Xlite 29 weighs a feathery 3.65 pounds, rivaling most competing carbon models in the weight department. Even the Xlite 35 weighs less than 4 pounds! For all-out maneuverability, the Xlite 29 is the bow to beat, while the Xlite 35 redefines stability and long-range accuracy. The 29 and 35 offer adjustable 17- and 19-degree grip options for individualized comfort, preference and customization. Cerakote finishes provide class and long-lasting dependability that defies harsh elements.
MSRP: $1,949.99 (Xlite 29); $1,999.99 (Xlite 35)
