Hoyt Contender versus Hoyt TurboHawk

[Chelle]

Dear all,

I am currently looking at buying my very first compound bow and have come to a stale mate between the Hoyt Contender and the Turbohawk.

I have looked at all the numbers including weight, brace length, axle to axle and forgiveness rating and the Contender pretty much comes up tops.

However this was done with the XT3000 limbs which has great stats. I was informed though that if I wanted to do long distance shooting I would have to go for the shorter XT2000 arms on the Contender which brings it more into the same range as the turbo limbs (which is considerably cheaper and a lot lighter). Although the Contender still has a better forgiveness rating.

If anyone has any light to share on this just to help me make up my mind I would be uber grateful

Thanks in advance

Chelle

[bimble]

Have you tried them both yet?? Most shops realise that archers like to try out bows before you buy them (you'd test drive a car wouldn't you??), so if you're really torn give your local shop a call and see if you can compare the two bows. That way you can see if you prefer the feel of one of the bows.

[Chelle]

Yeah I am going to go shoot them both this weekend hopefully. But I have been told that the bows I will try out will be at a more "saleable" weight other than my puny peak 40 pound draw weight. So I just wanted to get the general consensus out there just as an extra on making an informative decision Thanks

P.S I love your quote!!

[niceguy]

Originally Posted by Chelle

Dear all,

I am currently looking at buying my very first compound bow and have come to a stale mate between the Hoyt Contender and the Turbohawk.

I have looked at all the numbers including weight, brace length, axle to axle and forgiveness rating and the Contender pretty much comes up tops.

However this was done with the XT3000 limbs which has great stats. I was informed though that if I wanted to do long distance shooting I would have to go for the shorter XT2000 arms on the Contender which brings it more into the same range as the turbo limbs (which is considerably cheaper and a lot lighter). Although the Contender still has a better forgiveness rating.

If anyone has any light to share on this just to help me make up my mind I would be uber grateful

Thanks in advance

Chelle

Firstly the comments about needing 2000 limbs for long distance is absolute rubbish, never heard this before and it's daft, the limb length has nothing to do with distances. Secondly why are you planning to lay out huge sums of money on a Contender for a first bow, in my opinion there are better Hoyts than the Contender available on the used market with much lower cash outlet and less risk of getting it wrong. For example, 737, Protec, Proelite, Ultraelite, Ultratec, all as good as the Contender if not better. The Contender is just the latest rehash of the Ultratec/Protec and is no better than previous generations of Hoyts no matter what Hoyt say. Give me a used Proelite/Ultraelite any day.

[Chelle]

Originally Posted by niceguy

Firstly the comments about needing 2000 limbs for long distance is absolute rubbish, never heard this before and it's daft, the limb length has nothing to do with distances. Secondly why are you planning to lay out huge sums of money on a Contender for a first bow, in my opinion there are better Hoyts than the Contender available on the used market with much lower cash outlet and less risk of getting it wrong. For example, 737, Protec, Proelite, Ultraelite, Ultratec, all as good as the Contender if not better. The Contender is just the latest rehash of the Ultratec/Protec and is no better than previous generations of Hoyts no matter what Hoyt say. Give me a used Proelite/Ultraelite any day.

Okay I'll take that on board with my inquisition on saturday.

Thanks

[Stash]

I'm agreeing with niceguy on this.

It's ultimately up to you what you want to spend, but you certainly don't need to fork out the money for a Contender. You can get a used Hoyt target bow for less than half the price of a new one and it will do you just as nicely.

The Turbohawk is designed as a hunting bow and in a different class entirely.

As for the limbs, the XT series limbs are all the same quality - you pretty much decide what limbs you need depending on your needs and draw length. The XT3000, all things being equal, will give you a longer bow with a higher brace height than will shorter limbs on the same riser, so if you have a longer DL and don't mind losing about 10 fps in speed, pick them. Otherwise, the XT2000s are the most popular among the target bow crowd on bow models where you have a choice, like the Ultra and Pro Tec/Elite models.

[Adam]

What's your draw length? If it's under 28 inches, I'd go for the 2000 limbs without hesitation. The extra bit of speed will help with your low draw weight and they will give you a great string angle. There's less limb deflection at full draw on the Contender than on the Ultra Elite (which has otherwise very similar specs) due to the redesigned limb pockets, so the string angle may be a bit flat if you have a short draw length - especially with 3000 limbs - and you may have trouble getting a good reference point - depends a bit on exactly how you align yourself and whether you like to contact your nose (which I do).

There are lots of ladies (I'm assuming you're a lady?) shooting the UE with XT2000 limbs very well indeed, so the Contender with the same limbs should be a winner.

Adam

[bimble]

Don't be too fast to dismiss the Turbohawk just because it's a "hunting bow". The AlphaMax is also classed as a hunting bow, and yet has proved to be very popular on the target line. There are a number of archers on this board who use them and have no intention of ever going hunting.

If it shoots accurately and feels good there's no need to not consider it.

Originally Posted by Stash

The Turbohawk is designed as a hunting bow and in a different class entirely.

[Heed]

Originally Posted by niceguy

Firstly the comments about needing 2000 limbs for long distance is absolute rubbish, never heard this before and it's daft, the limb length has nothing to do with distances. Secondly why are you planning to lay out huge sums of money on a Contender for a first bow, in my opinion there are better Hoyts than the Contender available on the used market with much lower cash outlet and less risk of getting it wrong. For example, 737, Protec, Proelite, Ultraelite, Ultratec, all as good as the Contender if not better. The Contender is just the latest rehash of the Ultratec/Protec and is no better than previous generations of Hoyts no matter what Hoyt say. Give me a used Proelite/Ultraelite any day.

Find a used UltraTec, still one of the best bows Hoyt has made. There's nothing wrong with the Contender, it's a good bow but niceguy is right, there would be little to nothing between the bows he's listed and the new Contender.

[Stash]

Originally Posted by bimble

Don't be too fast to dismiss the Turbohawk just because it's a "hunting bow". The AlphaMax is also classed as a hunting bow, and yet has proved to be very popular on the target line. There are a number of archers on this board who use them and have no intention of ever going hunting.

If it shoots accurately and feels good there's no need to not consider it.

I don't disagree that a "hunting" bow can't be use as a target bow, and if the archer likes it, they should go ahead and use it. And I didn't exactly "dismiss" it - I just pointed out that it's a different bow. I've shot AM35s and they are a very nice bow, and I'm sure I'll end up with one a few years down the road when I can afford one.

But I generally don't suggest short axle-to-axle bows for an inexperienced target shooters simply because the sharp string angle allows for a lot of side-to-side torque. A longer ATA bow in the 37-39" range works well as an all-around length for most people in the under 28-29" DL range, so that leads to what niceguy listed.

Chelle: Whatever bow you end up with, as long as YOU like it and it's properly set up for you, it's the right choice.

[Chelle]

Originally Posted by Stash

But I generally don't suggest short axle-to-axle bows for an inexperienced target shooters simply because the sharp string angle allows for a lot of side-to-side torque. A longer ATA bow in the 37-39" range works well as an all-around length for most people in the under 28-29" DL range, so that leads to what niceguy listed.

Chelle: Whatever bow you end up with, as long as YOU like it and it's properly set up for you, it's the right choice.

Thanks Stash this is useful since my draw length is 27.25" so if I do go for the Contender I will go for the XT2000 limbs which has a ATA of just over 38". The Turbohawk ATA is only 32" but the brace height is a bit bigger than the contender. SOme food for thought I guess.

I love compound bows, the way they look and the way it feels to shoot them, its great fun!!!

Thanks to all for your comments, I'm grateful

[Heed]

Originally Posted by Chelle

Thanks Stash this is useful since my draw length is 27.25" so if I do go for the Contender I will go for the XT2000 limbs which has a ATA of just over 38". The Turbohawk ATA is only 32" but the brace height is a bit bigger than the contender. SOme food for thought I guess.

I love compound bows, the way they look and the way it feels to shoot them, its great fun!!!

Thanks to all for your comments, I'm grateful

Chelle,

Also consider the Bowtech Equalizer. NZ's top female shooter uses one, and it has has proven good enough for her to win a World Cup gold medal (team event). It is a good bow for short drawlengths and low poundages. You may be able to find one for a good price too.

[sunmouse]

I have to say that I shoot with a short ATA bow - the AlphaMax 32 and think its great. Made my PBs on this bow!

I wouldn't rule either bow out without shooting either and giving them a thorough try out. Look for mass weight if its an issue for you (the Contender seems like a heavy bow compared to the Turbohawk) and don't be put off by short draw length or shorter axle. I know a young woman who is taller than me who shoots with a shorter ATA than I do - the Diamond Cutter bow from Bowtech and shoots very well with it. Don't rule anything out.

Its up to you whatever you prefer, but I'm sure you'll find the perfect bow for you in the end!

[Chelle]

Originally Posted by sunmouse

I have to say that I shoot with a short ATA bow - the AlphaMax 32 and think its great. Made my PBs on this bow!

I wouldn't rule either bow out without shooting either and giving them a thorough try out. Look for mass weight if its an issue for you (the Contender seems like a heavy bow compared to the Turbohawk) and don't be put off by short draw length or shorter axle. I know a young woman who is taller than me who shoots with a shorter ATA than I do - the Diamond Cutter bow from Bowtech and shoots very well with it. Don't rule anything out.

Its up to you whatever you prefer, but I'm sure you'll find the perfect bow for you in the end!

Thanks. There is soooooooo much to choose from and I feel like a toddler in a candy store

[bimble]

Yeah, and we've not even talked about arrows, rests, sights, scopes, release aids and everything else that comes with compound bows!!

Originally Posted by Chelle

Thanks. There is soooooooo much to choose from and I feel like a toddler in a candy store