13 New Bows for 2012

July 10, 2012 By Doug Howlett

Bow openers are just around the corner and any one of these new bows would get the job done when the moment arrives.

Bear Anarchy

Bear designed the Anarchy to be forgiving with a longer package (35 1/4 inches) and brace height (7 1/4 inches). Features of this feathery 3.8-pound, 340 fps bow include Bear's new Flat Top Cam, Zero-Tolerance Limb Pockets, a skeleton idler wheel with stainless sealed bearings, a 4x4 roller guard, preloaded Quad limbs, dual arc offset spring suppressors, customizable grips and Contra-Band HP strings and cables. Peak draw weights can be set between 50 to 70 pounds, while draw length can be adjusted between 25 to 31 1/2 inches.

BowTech Insanity CPX

The Insanity CPX combines all the best features of the company's Destroyer and Invasion CPX models for a bow that is fast, accurate and smooth. Key features include BowTech's OverDrive Binary Cam; the FLX-Guard cable containment system, carbon rod string stops and seven-layer Hardcore Limbs. The bow launches arrows at 355 fps, is 32 inches long, weighs 4.3 pounds and has a 6-inch brace height. It's a close cousin of BowTech's other new 2012 offering, the Insanity CPXL, a 35-inch version of the CPX.

Darton DS-3900

Darton's top-billed 2012 offering is a compact 32 7/8 inches axle-to-axle and is capable of wicked speeds between 350-355 fps. The brace height is a tight 5 inches, which helps it get to such speeds, but is reportedly still extremely shootable. The bow is made with the Dual Sync Cam, EET Laminated Quad limbs and employs Darton's Bowstring Noise Suppression System for less noise and vibration. The bow weighs 3.9 pounds and is adjustable in 40-, 60-, 70- and 80-pound increments.

Elite Answer

The Answer blends smooth shooting with speed and stability all in a 33 1/2-inch, 340 fps package with a fairly forgiving 7-inch brace. Available in both left- and right-handed models, the Elite offers 80 percent let-off, weighs 4.1 pounds and can be set at 40- to 80-pound draw weights (in 10-pound increments). Modules can be switched out to accommodate draw lengths between 27 and 30 inches. Available in 10 camo or color finishes.

Hoyt Vector 32

The Vector 32 employs Hoyt's RKT Cam 1/2 technology for a super-smooth draw cycle. The 4-pound bow is 32 inches tall with a brace height of 6 3/4 inches. Features include an In-Line Roller Guard with the new Inner Race Bearing, the Pro-Lock X-Lite pocket, a Pro-Fit grip and Silent Shelf integrated technology for added silence when game is near. The Vector 32 is adjustable from 30 to 80 pounds and available with three eccentric options that allow draw length adjustments between 25.5 and 30 inches.

Mathews Heli-M

The Heli-M is billed as Mathews' 'smoothest, quietest and most technologically advanced lightweight bow ever, ' which says a lot since all of their models through the years have tested at the head of their class. The Heli-M is just 30 inches axle to axle with a forgiving brace height of 7 inches. It's capable of speeds up to 332 fps. Features include the new GeoGrid riser, Harmonic Stabilizer Lite and Reverse Assist Roller Guard. The single-cam bow weighs a mere 3.5 pounds. Draw lengths are adjustable between 26 and 30 inches; draw weight can be set between 40 to 70 pounds.

Mission Riot

Mathews-level performance from a bow any hunter can afford is found in Mission's new Riot. With a high-speed IBO rating of 310 fps, this 4.3-pound bow has a 7-inch brace height and is 31 inches in length. It features an extruded riser, Dead End string stop, dual adjustable cams, D-Amplifiers, carbon rod cable guard, Zebra Hybrid strings and a composite grip. Let-off is 80 percent and draw lengths are adjustable between 19 to 30 inches. Draw weight can be set between 15 and 70 pounds.

Prime Shift LR

The new Prime Shift LR by G5 combines improved stiffness with a 12-percent reduction in weight and features the manufacturer's 7000 series aluminum riser, which gives the bow a compact, lightweight feel. Perhaps most noticeable about the Shift are the parallel cams and Ti-Glide flexing cable system that virtually eliminates any cam lean. The 3.7-pound bow measures 30 inches axle to axle with a 7-inch brace height. Available in draw lengths ranging from 26 to 30 inches and in 50-, 60-, and 70-pound draw weights. The Shift is offered in Realtree AP, Optifade Forest, Optifade Open and Jet Black finishes.

PSE Dream Season EVO

The EVO from PSE allows for 1/2-inch inner cam adjustments for precision draw lengths. Other new tech features include the Planar Flex Riser and Centerlock Pockets, all of which aid in creating a smoother draw. Axle-to-axle length is 32 1/4 inches, brace height is 6 inches, weight is 4.4 pounds and the bow is capable of speeds to 345 fps. Draw length can be set between 25 to 30 inches, and draw weight can be set at 50, 60 and 70 pounds. It comes in three finishes including Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity camo, a black riser with Break-Up Infinity limbs and Skullworks camo.

Quest Bowhunting Torrent

An affordable bow that delivers speed and performance can be found in the Torrent, a 320 fps model that measures a compact 31 inches axle to axle with a 7-inch brace height. Quest's I-Glide system is designed to reduce cable torque, which combined with the Fluid rotating cam creates a smoother draw cycle. The bow weighs 4.2 pounds, can be set at draw weights of 50, 60 and 70 pounds and offers draw lengths, adjustable in 1/2-inch increments between 25.5 and 30 inches.

Ross Crave

The new Crave comes in two variations — the Crave 31.5 and the Crave 33.5 — each number representing the axle-to-axle length. Both feature new DRT Riser Dampeners, a fully machined skeletal riser, slim line grip, dual locking limb pockets, a 2-track dual sync cam system, modular draw length adjustments between 26 and 30 inches on the 31.5 and 27 and 31 inches on the 33.5 model and an integrated limb stop. The IBO speed for each of these bows is 335 fps, and both have a 6.5-inch brace height. Let-off is 80 percent and the bows weigh 3.8 and 4 pounds respectively. Both are made in the U.S. and feature Ross' lifetime warranty.

Strother Archery Wrath

What sets the Wrath apart from the rest of this year's class is its 8-inch brace height, which means less arrow travel across the contact points of the bow and less chance for a hunter's grip and form shortcomings to monk up accuracy. Even with such an extreme brace height, the 32-inch Wrath is still reporting measured IBO speeds of 330 fps. Other technologies incorporated in the bow include Strother's easy-tuning Badger Cam, Precision Limb Technology for improved dimension and deflection tolerances and the Super Glide cable slide, which reduces friction along the cables from standard rollers and slides. The 4-pound bow is available in black, Predator 3D Deception and Realtree AP.

Winchester Archery Lightning

Winchester's top-billed new bow is the Lightning, a 32 1/2-inch axle-to-axle model that features the 4Trac SS cam, for eliminating cam lean. The cam employs dual let-outs, which remove side pressure from the cam and channel it into a self-centering splitter ring. Other features include an Ultra Slide Glide for customizable fletching clearance, Pro Link micro-adjustable pockets and adjustable Sudden Stop String dampeners. Speeds of 350 fps can be had with this 4-pound model with a 6-inch brace height.

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