PSE, APA, Elite, Bowtech, Prime or Bear
 

Having owned a Hoyt Nitrum, and HPX recurve, I'm now searching for a used compound in the 30-40# or 40/50# range with 29-29.5 DL and ATA of 34+. I don't hunt, nor do I compete, but I do expect top quality comparable to that of the Hoyts. I've narrowed it down to the following....

PSE Laser or Evoke
APA Black Mamba
Elite Kure
Bear Legit
Bowtech Specialist II

If anyone has or had experience with one of these - would greatly appreciate your comments and suggestions.

Only bow I can speak on this list for is the bear legit. So far it’s been a fairly straight shooting bow that I haven’t had any major issues with. A couple things I’d point out from my experience. If you buy the RTH package expect to change the sight, it’s very hard to make minor adjustment and the pins are pretty bulky taking up most of the target at 60 yards I find. Other thing is I’ve had issues with hardware backing out, especially the bolts holding the cam to adjust draw length. I opened my case one time drew back the bow and the cam dropped to the floor, inspected and found both bolts in the top cam missing, one in the bottom missing and the last bolt half backed out. I have since installed new hardware but still have this issue. Just means tightening the bolts up any time I finish shooting at the range. Not a huge deal more of an inconvenience. Lastly the bow is loud out of the box. I’m sure there’s ways to quiet it down but if you ever decided to hunt with it that’s something that could be a big problem. My best advise is to go to your closest archery shop and shoot as many bows as you can. That’s the only way you will find what works best for you.

Mamba
 

I have a 2016 Edition Mamba

No real issues with it. it's a great bow and very shootable. I love the ease of tuning and adjustment without the need for a bow press. It is very touchy in terms of cam timing. as my string and cables broke in I found it needed some adjustment and it took a bit of effort to get it there. Once set it's very stable. My minor beefs are that it's a bit on the loud side, and it has an abrupt draw cycle. They dont seem to have made any huge changes in the riser design (which is a good one). Im always using the fang when calling elk to hang up the bow and the handle makes it nice to cary in the field. Using it WILL subject your string to more contact with brush so you must check to make sure the peep is locked in. Unlike other companies, you can call them up and talk to the designer (which I've done for support. I've enjoyed my experience and will upgrade to another APA soon.

I’ve got a 2021 apa mamba 28 , I don’t have any experience with the other bows you listed but I am quite happy with my apa. The short ATA makes it great to carry but I little more jumpy to draw and less forgiving. Aside from that, the features on APAs are awesome and I really appreciated that they are Canadian , and if you call them you can actually speak to someone knowledgeable or even the owner

I have had pse bear bowtech and now i shoot a prime logic by far the best bow of the ones I’ve owned.

I have an APA Mamba Air, which I bought in 2015 and prior to my most recent injury, I loved it. I still feel that APA makes a great hunting bow, which is user serviceable, in the field. That said, the draw cycle is harsh and I agree the cam timing can be touchy. Prior to my shoulder injury last year, I had no real complaints but I'm slowly beginning to realize that it may no longer be the right bow for me if I'm to continue with archery.

All that said, if you're looking for a target bow, there may be better options.

Like everyone eventually says in any archery thread, go shoot a few bows and see what you like.

APA draw cycle
 

Sorry to hear you have an injury. I will echo the sentiment that the draw cycle is rough. I feel like the cams are jumpy and the bow could be more quiet. I came from the trad world, so any wheel bow is an abomination regardless. I elected to go with the 60lb limbs to reduce potential of injury. I have called apa a few times for advice timing cams and tech stuff. They are super helpful.

thanks for the info

When I was living in Saskatchewan, I actually drove up to Biggar to have, at the time, the new RDS cams installed on my bow. Great vibe, great company, I like supporting local when I can. It's just unfortunate that it may no longer be the right fit for me.

I hunt with a PSE EVL 34 and shoot 3D and spot with a PSE Evolve 35. I feel the Evolve cam is the best cam on the market, even though it is several years old. Just the right mix of smooth and performance. If you are looking at the Evoke 35, that is the model year between the EVL 34 and Evolve 35. Heck of a nice bow.

I just got back from Jim Bow's, I shot the Bowtech CP28 and the SS34. At this stage and with my injury, I'm looking for a smooth draw and the SS34 did not disappoint. I had some trepidations about the long ATA, as I have a short draw. I would have liked to have tried a Solution SS, but it appears I missed the boat on those. But I do really like the SS34 and I gave them my info for when they receive more in stock.

After two weeks, I cracked and "settled" for one of the camo Bowtech SS34s that Jim Bow's had in stock.

I shoot an elite enkore and I absolutely love it.
I’ve shot all the high end bows and they all do what the are supposed to do in my opinion. What it comes down to for me at least is feel and I felt the enkore was the best in my hands. Everyone is different and everyone has there opinions. Shoot as many of them as you can if possible and go with which ever feels best for you.