Archery is a thrilling activity that has been more popular in recent years. Due to their growing popularity, classic recurve bows have given way to more sophisticated contemporary bows, most notably compound bows.
You can never go wrong with compound bows, whether you want to practice target shooting for shooting competitions, game hunting, or just for pleasure.
The designs improve with each passing day, and even with contemporary bows, there is a vast variety to select from depending on personal tastes.
This article delves into the four different kinds of compound bows you’ll encounter in your search for the ideal bow for your shooting requirements.
We’ll go through the main differences, benefits, and drawbacks of each, as well as their preferred uses.
Types of Compound Bows
Compound bows are divided into four categories. Each bow has its own set of characteristics, which are generally enhancements over the previous model. The following section covers the various characteristics, benefits, and drawbacks of compound bows, as well as their greatest uses.
Single Cam
A single cam, often known as a single cam or solo cam, is the most basic compound bow.
A single cam system, as the name implies, uses just one cam to bend the bow, making shooting considerably simpler. The idler wheel on the other cam is still there.
Because there are fewer moving components in a single cam bow, it operates more quietly than other bow designs. Furthermore, single cam compound bows do not need synchronization, which makes maintenance considerably easier.
The bow features a single power cam on the lower limb and an idler wheel on the upper limb to aid in balance. While compared to conventional bows, the two wheels improve accuracy and smoothness when shooting.
However, obtaining level nock travel with single cam compound bows is a significant drawback. Due to the functioning of the system, an idler wheel and a rotating power wheel generate unequal pressure on the nock, halting nock movement.
Advantages
- It’s the greatest compound bow for novices since it’s simple to use.
- Requires extremely minimal upkeep
- Operation in complete silence
Disadvantages
- Some models are difficult to modify, resulting in let-off issues.
- Some users have complained of nock travel issues.
Twin Cam
Twin cam compound bows, often known as two cam or dual cam bows, were created to solve nock travel issues that plagued single cam bows.
The twin cam bow, unlike single cam system bows, has two equal-capacity wheels that enable it generate greater draw weight and therefore improved arrow propulsion.
Two cam bows with proper synchronization provide great nock travel, overall speed, and accuracy. The two cams feature elliptical or circular forms that function well with other mechanical connections.
The dual cam bow is simpler to use and has a balanced nock pressure, resulting in increased draw strength and arrow speeds.
Despite the fact that the two wheels of a two cam bow are similar, they operate separately, posing the danger of one operating slower or faster than the other. If this happens, synchronization problems may arise, affecting the draw weight.
Furthermore, the separate cam rotation may induce uneven bowstring stretching, resulting in a lower-to-upper limb imbalance. Consider getting a compound bow with thicker strings to lessen the impact.
Another disadvantage of the dual cam bow is the increased noise produced while operation owing to the numerous moving components. This is mostly a problem for game archers, since it may cause your target to get distracted, resulting in wasted shots.
Advantages
- Increased arrow speed
- More draw power is available with two cams.
- Superior nock travel and accuracy compared to single cam bows
Disadvantages
- If one cam rotates faster or slower than the other, synchronization issues may arise.
- Needs regular tweaking and requires a lot of upkeep.
- Noisy operation owing to a large number of moving components.
Hybrid Cam
Hybrid cam systems are an upgrade on twin cam bows, with a strong focus on addressing the latter’s synchronization issues.
The power cam is attached to the lower limb via a cable and links to the upper limb. Rather of attaching directly to the lower limb, the control cam connects to the power cam on the upper limb.
Instead of pulling on opposite limbs, cams in the hybrid arrangement pull on opposing cams. As a result, the upper control cam follows the lower limb motions, resulting in perfect cam balance on both sides.
The synchronization is improved by the co-dependence generated, which eliminates the issue of one cam moving slower or faster than the other, as is the case with twin cam bows.
It’s simpler to tune a hybrid cam, and synchronization is automatic. Furthermore, as compared to twin cams, they are easier to maintain. Arrow speed and accuracy have also been improved, although correct alignment is required to attain the necessary precision.
Advantages
- Simple bow tuning
- Increased arrow velocity and accuracy
- Requires extremely minimal upkeep
Disadvantages
- A little raucous
- Regular maintenance and adjustment are required to maintain it in peak operating order.
Binary Cam
Binary cam eliminates the flaws of twin and hybrid cams, making it the most sophisticated compound bow technology available today.
A pair of dependent power cams in mutual synchronization make up the binary technology. A cable links the upper and lower limbs directly. The lower limb power cam, on the other hand, links the upper limb cam.
For smooth part movement, the arrangement provides dependability and consistency between the cams.
With two power cams, you get greater draw weight, which means faster arrow speed and velocity. The automated balancing minimizes nock travel issues even further.
Advantages
- Significantly decreased nock travel issues
- Two power cams for increased draw weight and, as a result, higher arrow speeds
- Improved arrow speed and accuracy for big game hunting and competitive archery
Disadvantages
- A complex design requires ongoing maintenance and tweaking.
- Due to patent problems, manufacturers market binary cam as a hybrid.
What Compound Bow Should I Purchase?
Because there are so many compound bows on the market, choosing the right one may be difficult. The following are the most important considerations to make while buying for a compound bow.
Your Dominant Eye
Determining your dominant eye is the first and most important step before deciding on a compound bow type.
Because “shooting wrong-hand” is a real possibility when using a compound bow with a less dominant eye, use a compound bow with the dominant eye to prevent such disappointments. It’s OK if one hand is less dominant than the other.
Because the brain aligns with the dominant eye, it is essential to match the dominant eye. Important information, such as sighting your target, will be sent automatically to the dominant eye, resulting in a more precise shot.
Draw Length
The distance between the bowstring and your grip at full draw is called draw length. Talk to the dealer at your local pro shop about determining and adjusting the bow to your draw length.
To find out how long your draw is, stand with your arms straight out to the side and have someone measure your arm spread in inches from one fingertip to the other. Multiply the result by 2.5.
Draw Weight
The maximum poundage you’ll pull to get your bow to full draw is called draw weight. When the bow is completely drawn, many contemporary compound bows have a 65 to 80 percent let-off. That implies you’ll only be holding around 20% of the draw weight or slightly more.
The argument over the draw weight of your bow comes down to hunting requirements. For particular hunting purposes, several states have minimum draw weight restrictions.
For large game hunting, for example, you’ll need around 40% draw weight—enough to kill animals like whitetail deer. More draw weight – not less than 50 pounds – may be required for larger games like as moose or bear.
More draw weight equals a flatter trajectory, better kinetic energy, faster arrow speeds, and perhaps more target penetration.
Overall Bow Weight
If you want to use the bow for game hunting, the total bow weight is particularly essential. Consider a lighter bow to make it easier to navigate through the woods and to reduce vibrations, which will help you avoid confusing your targets.
For large game hunting, you may need to settle for a more complicated and accurate bow to achieve the required efficiency in taking down huge animals like moose.
Conclusion
Compound bows have evolved rapidly, from classic single cam systems to modern-day sophisticated and more powerful binary cams, and archers can only look forward to more improved methods in the future.
While individual preferences such as sports and game hunting requirements influence compound bow selection, some are better suited for particular purposes than others.
All of the bows, however, have one thing in common: they all need regular maintenance, which includes tuning to maintain the bow balanced.
Beginner archers should start with simpler bows, such as single cams, then work their way up to binary models as they acquire expertise.
