Speed in a bow is never free. It can be relatively low in cost, though. On the spectrum that runs from ice-cream smooth and not so fast to blisteringly fast, but not so smooth, Obsession is known for producing very fast bows that sacrifice only a very small amount of shootability. One of 10 bows in Obsession’s current lineup (no fewer than seven of which are new for 2017), the Turmoil takes a new and slightly different direction for Obsession in the form of the Hybrid Cam DE, a true hybrid-cam configuration as opposed to the two-track eccentric designs driving Obsession’s other bows. All cam designs have their advantages and disadvantages; among the advantages cited by shooters who prefer hybrid cams is the ease of fine-tuning the bow by twisting one or another leg of the yoke. The Turmoil is a little unusual in one respect for a hybrid-cam bow in that it offers limb stops as opposed to the cable stops that are more commonly seen on hybrid-cam bows. For the increasing number of shooters who prefer a very firm back wall, that’s an important design element. As is the case with several other Obsession bows, this cam system is adjustable in module-specific half-inch increments.

The Turmoil offers several other design features that set it apart from other Obsession bows. The most obvious of these is a thinner, more conventional riser design, as opposed to that of most other Obsession bows, on which the riser flares to become wider at both ends where it meets the limbs. New for Obsession this year, and featured on the Turmoil as well as other Obsession bows, is a flexible cable guard with a Teflon slide. The slide replaces a once somewhat standard roller guard.

The grip on the Turmoil is a side-plate-style grip, skinny by most standards but slightly squared off at the back. It promotes a comfortable, low-wrist grip. In terms of appearance it differs from other Obsession bows primarily in the aforementioned thinner riser profile. Other features include past-parallel limbs, a side-plate grip, limb silencers between the limbs, a single string stop, and the flexible cable guard and slide. Probably as a cost-cutting measure (the Turmoil is touted as Obsesssion’s “price-point” bow), finish options are limited to Realtree Xtra Green or Black. The test model was the Realtree option. The finish was durable (passed the scratch test) and offered no visible machining marks or other flaws. In terms of overall appearance, many shooters will prefer the narrower profile of the riser.

Shooting the Bow

Limb bolts were very stiff, requiring application of WD-40, after which they turned smoothly if not easily. Set up was otherwise accomplished without difficulty. The Hooter Shooter showed everything to be in sync, with limb stops arriving at the limbs simultaneously. At 3.9 pounds the Turmoil is neither super light nor heavy. Grip is very subjective, but this one struck me as more comfortable than many side-plate-style grips.

The draw is relatively smooth, but it does stack pretty quickly and maintain peak weight through much of the draw cycle. (As I mentioned previously, speed is never free.) It drops off fairly quickly to a hard, but not uncomfortable, stop. The valley is not particularly wide, but not so shallow as to be grabby, assuming the shooter maintains proper shooting form. At the release the bow does not pop forward sharply into a loose grip as faster bows tend to do. There is a slight amount of vibration, and while the Turmoil is not the quietest bow on the market, it’s in the same neighborhood as most other bows with a similar weight/speed ratio.

The Turmoil is not Obsession’s flagship model, and folks at Obsession have referred to it as a “price-point” bow, which naturally raises a question: at what cost are the savings achieved? The thinner-profile riser may result in some savings, as might the new flexible cable guard, though many shooters believe the new cable guard is superior to the previously used roller guides. There are fewer customizable features on the Turmoil, including the more limited finish options, and this undoubtedly results in some cost savings. It’s unlikely that any of these significantly affects performance. All of that is to say that the Turmoil is a great addition to Obsession’s lineup, providing a less expensive alternative that in terms of performance is very close to, and probably the equal of, Obsession’s higher-end bows.

How we test

Each bow is carefully inspected out of the box for fit and finish and for any visible defects in workmanship. Axle-to-axle length, brace height, mass weight and draw length are measured and compared with stated specs. Minor discrepancies in draw length are corrected or noted. A QAD UltraRest is installed, and each bow is equipped with a TruGlo sight, a TruGlo stabilizer, a G5 ¼-inch Metapeep and a D-loop. Test arrows are Carbon Express Maxima Red arrows at weights of 385 and 440 grains, fletched with Bohning Blazer vanes and fitted with QAD Tune-A-Nocks.

Peak draw weight is established, and draw force curves, along with letoff, are determined using an Easton Bow Force Mapping System.

Using a Spot-Hogg Hooter Shooter bow-shooting machine and a ProChrono chronograph, arrow speed and kinetic energy are measured at point of launch and at 20 yards.

Sound is measured with an NM102 Sound Level Meter with mic positioned 3 feet in front of the bow and 18 inches under the arrow flight path.

All bows are pressed on a Buckeye Archery Solutions Bow-A-Constrictor bow press.

For more information, call (478) 945-3340 or visit www.obsessionbows.com.