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Although archers expect to see brand-new compounds sporting drastically improved performance each season, the reality is that compound-bow capability has largely peaked, at least until some radical new technology is introduced. That’s why, instead of cranking out all-new bows every year, many manufacturers are now putting their efforts into fine-tuning and updating existing designs.
For bowhunters, that’s actually a pretty good thing. The flagships of the past few years from all of the bow companies have been outstanding, and sometimes there’s no reason to change what’s working. This year, it seems we’re seeing many existing designs nipped, tucked, and slightly improved to make them a bit handier, lighter, faster, or more compatible with today’s accessories. Even so, there’s just enough new technology—particularly with this year’s Mathews—to keep things interesting. Here’s a first look at the latest flagship compound bows for 2024.
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Top New Bows of 2024
Bowtech Core SR
The new Core SR is one the fastest new bows for 2024. Bowtech
Specs
Axle to Axle Length: 33″
Weight: 4.5 lbs
Brace Height: 6″
Available Draw Lengths: 25-30″
Available Draw Weights: 50, 60, 70 lb
Speed: 344 IBO
Price: $1,399
promises to be another smooth shooter from Bowtech that helps you put the pin on the target and then keep it there without much fuss. The CenterMass Technology system is designed to help stabilize the bow in hand and at full draw. The Core SR features the DeadLok Cam system and FlipDisc, both of which are proven technologies in the Bowtech stable. The FlipDisc allows shooters to adjust the draw cycle from a soft one that’s easy to pull and hold, to a slightly more demanding cycle that offers maximum speed. The DeadLock system is for at-home tuners to adjust cam positioning on the axle with just the turn of a few set screws.
As for performance, the Core SR offers a significant velocity boost, at 344 pfs IBO over last year SS34. The riser is dovetailed for all rests with the Integrated Rest Mounting system, a feature that’s rapidly becoming standard on today’s top-end compounds.
Elite Ethos
Even at 340 fps IBO, you can expect the new Ethos to be smooth shooter. Elite Archery
Axle to Axle Length: 33″
Weight: 4.5 lbs
Brace Height: 6.75″
Draw Length Range: 25.5-31″
Available Peak Draw Weights: 40, 50, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80 lbs
Speed: 340 IBO
Price: $1,299
Elite Archery has a good thing going with their Simplified Exact Tuning (S.E.T.) system, a feature that allows users to adjust cam lean and easily paper-tune their bows without a press and without moving the rest. It’s an intuitive, easy-to-use system that’s been on all Elite flagships of the past five years. More recent models have also incorporated a beefy caged riser system, which is seen again on this year’s Ethos. With a 6.5-inch brace height and measuring 33 inches axle to axle, the new Ethos
promises to be a smooth shooter (which you’d expect from Elite) while still providing competitive speeds of 340 IBO. It sports the same SP Cam used on last year’s speedy Omnia, as well as the V3 Performance mod for fine tuning the draw length in quarter-inch increments, as well as the back wall, valley, and let-off, up to 90 percent. The Ethos in both right-hand and left-hand versions.
Hoyt Alpha X 30
Hoyt focused on reducing noise and vibration with the new Alpha X series. Hoyt
Specs
Axle to Axle Length: 30″
Weight: 4.55 lbs
Brace Height: 6 3/16″
Available Draw Lengths: 25-26, 26.25-28, 28.25-30″
Available Draw Weights: 50, 60, 65, 70, 80 lbs
Speed: 344 ATA
Price: $1,349
Hoyt upgraded last year’s HBX Pro binary cam system to the new HBX Xact on the Alpha X
aluminum flagship bow. The HBX Xact allows the shooter to tailor the draw length to quarter-inch adjustments, customize the back wall and let-off, and maximize efficiency at any draw length.
The Alpha X also promises to be lighter than last year’s VTM series while maintaining its soft-shooting properties (the VTM 34 was our quietest bow of 2023, but also the heaviest). In fact, Hoyt claims the Alpha X series is 25 percent quieter than the VTM series, and with an 18-percent reduction in vibration. The bow is built to accept the newest in accessories with a dovetailed IRM rest mount, in-line picatinny rail sight mount, and QD Quiver system compatibility.
Mathews Lift 29.5
Mathews all-new Lift has the fastest IBO rating of any new 20204 bow, at 348 fps. Mathews
Specs
Axle to Axle Length: 29.5″
Weight: 3.99 lbs
Brace Height: 6″
Draw Lengths: 24.5-30″
Available Draw Weights: 50, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80 lbs
Speed: 348
Price: $1,329
Not every new bow for 2024 is a line extension, and one of the most notable flagship upgrades is the new Mathews Lift
, which debuts a new cam called the SwitchWeight-X; it’s the most notable cam change in the Mathews’ lineup since the CrossCentric Cam was introduced on the Halon in 2017.
The Lift borrows technology from last year’s Phase 4 flagship, including the Resistance Phase Dampening limbs. But there are noticeable differences in the cam system, including to both the geometry and cut-outs. But the biggest change is the axle system, which is now mounted on the outside of the limbs instead of through them. Mathews claims this design change results in more working surface area for the limbs, improving stability. At 348 IBO, the Lift also has the fastest factory specs of any bow on this list.
Prime RVX 32
The new RVX is more adjustable than previous models and features a new no-press tuning system. Prime Archery
Specs
Axle to Axle Length: 32″
Weight: 4.4 lbs
Brace Height: 6.25″
Draw Length Range: 26-30″
Available Peak Draw Weights: 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 lbs
Speed: 340 IBO
Price: $1,299
We were impressed with the Core Cam system on last year’s Prime Revex. It was smooth shooting and fast. This year’s RVX
uses an updated version of that system that allows for more adjustability and tunability, with let-off that can be tweaked from 75 to 85 percent, and draw lengths that can be adjusted shorter by ¼ inch. Furthermore, the RVX has Quik Tune technology that allows the cams to be shifted left or right (similar to the Bowtech system, I’m assuming) without a press.
The RVX retains Prime’s outstanding Nano-grip, and the Swerve Technology helps make a steadier shot by controlling riser torque and improving stability. Also new for 2024 is an updated accessory mounting system that includes a dovetailed riser for IRM rests and a picatinny rail for mounting a variety of applicable sights.
PSE Mach 30 DS
The new Mach 30 DS is the lightest bow in PSE’s carbon-riser lineup. PSE Archery
Specs
Axle to Axle Length: 30″
Weight: 3.6 lbs
Brace Height: 6″
Draw Length Range: 24.5-30″
Available Peak Draw Weights: 50, 60, 70, 80 lbs
Speed: 338 IBO
Price: $1,799
Lightweight and a joy to handle, PSE’s carbon bows justifiably have a loyal following. The new Mach 30 DS
is by far the lightest bow among them, and it’s handy, too, at just 30 inches long. It sports the dual EC2 Cam System, which won good marks from our test team on last year’s carbon Mach 34. The Mach 30 DS also sports the Full Draw Stability System, which counters induced torque and helps maintain balance and alignment at full draw. Additional features of the Mach 30 DS include a picatinny sight rail and dovetail riser for IRM rests, limb and riser-mounted dampers, and the EX.220 System that uses snap-in spacers for easy and precise cam lean adjustments.
Xpedition Xlite 29 and 35
Caption Xpedition Archery
Specs
Axle to Axle Length: 29″
Weight: 3.65 lbs
Brace Height: 6″
Available Draw Lengths: 24.5-30″
Available Draw Weights: 50, 60, 65, 70 lbs
Speed: 340 IBO
Price: $1,949
The Xpedition Xlite 33 was the winner of Field & Stream’s 2023 annual bow test, and the compound that I personally hunted with all last fall. (I tagged three whitetails with it, if you’re wondering). The bow’s riser is made of a proprietary material called Magnite, which is ultra lightweight but, according to Xpedition, stronger than aluminum or carbon. Cerakoted hardware makes this compound impervious to weather, and the XB1 dual-cam system is smooth and quiet. Everyone on our test panel shot the Xlite 33 exceptionally well. This year sees a line extension to the Xlite series
in both a handy 29-inch model that weighs just 3.65 pounds, and a 35-inch model that will accommodate shooters with up to a 32-inch draw length. Both bows claim slightly faster speeds than last year’s Xlite 33, too, at 340 IBO.
