Champion Bows

[Marcus]

Just went and checked out some new Champion bows at Bows Arrows and Bits and I must say the Stratus model is a very impressive bow. Not much to look at from the outside, this milled riser, single cam split limb bow is very stable and very light. At full draw it set almost perfectly and there was little kick after the shot. I fired some shots at 54# wih no stabilizer at all. I also features the ability to change draw lengths by 8 inches.
This is a top class bow and is only about $750-$800 with a Lifetime warrenty! That's about the same price as the PSE Thunderbolt which has a one year warrenty and is known to break limbs.

Worth a definite look!

[Eberbachl]

mmm...sounds interesting:)

What would be your opinion when the Champion is stacked up against, say somehing like the Hoyt Magnatec, which in my opnion is an incredibly good value for money hunting bow, quite fast, not too aggressive, so you still retain some of that all important forgivness, cast magnesium riser whith that ooh so nice I beam .

I can speak from first hand experience, as my hunting bow is a 2000 model Magnatec, PFX Limbs, command cams. It is very reliable and durable in the bush. Heck, when I was desperate ('cause I was too lazy to make new strings for my target bow:))I even shot it in ABA 2 day shoots and have put in some 370+ barebow scores. Not too bad for a hunting bow with heavy alloy arrows :eek

I've not as yet shot anything as good as the Magnatec for the price, admittedly a bit cheaper than the Champion you're talking about, I think at last look it was in the $650 price range. IMOHO it's streets ahead of the PSE Nova.

I'd like to get a closer look at the Champion, the only Champion bows I've seen are the ones we recently bought at the club for the beginners...

;):p:eek

[Marcus]

That I cannot say as I have not shot the Champion bow in a setup situation, nor have I shot a MagnaTec at all.
While I can not compare to the Magna tech, it does sport a milled riser (that may be good of bad, depends who you talk to) and excellent variation in draw length as you can change a module on the wheel for just $15.
Against the Nova it looks far ahead, especially with a lifetime warrent. PSE use the same set of limbs in their Nova as they do in their Mach 11 VC. This is not a good thing and I have seen em break for no apparent reason before.

The MagnaTec looks like a very nice hunting bow and from what I've seen of them am fairly impressed.

[Eberbachl]

mmm...I'm pretty impressed by the sound of a draw length that is adjustable up to 8 inches with the purhcase of a fifteen dollar module!

That's gotta be great for juniors who are going to grow out of alot of other bows...:)

[Marcus]

exacly, it's also great for adults as we get alot who are sold bow 4" too long or short. Plus the resale of the bow is easier, doen't fit, just buy another module!
I would love to try one in a setup situation, might have to borrow one and shoot a ABA comp with it, do well and everyone will want one.

[Eberbachl]

hey, do they come in any arget colorus, or are they all camo?

[Eberbachl]

hey, do they come in any target colorus, or are they all camo?

[Eberbachl]

hey, do they come in any target colours, or are they all camo?

[Eberbachl]

OOPS:confused , anyone hear an echo???

[Marcus]

No just Camo..camo..camo..camoooooo

[bubba the hunter]

:confused AFTER LOOKING AT THE POST ,im wondering why the prices of the bows are so high?? i hope some 1 will e mail me & let me no,as i bought a new pse baby g with acc. for 450.00 thnks :D :confused in the usa

[Marcus]

The prices quoted are Australian $ which is worth 50 US cents. So your Baby G would cost just over $900 here.

[Reed]

Hi Guys I have been shooting champion bows for years, and you can't go wrong buying one of these bows. as for the stratus vs the magnatec, it would be a close call. I have shot both, and feel that they fill similiar roles in the market place. I will admit that I like the dual track idler wheel of the hoyts, from a string creep point, but since champion has started making their own strings, not a problem for me.( The string on the contender is 108" long and no problems even after 2000-2500 shots)
I have the chance to shoot some the prototypes so you can tell where my alegence (sp) is but I do have hoyts, and pse and dartons so I can offer a good opinion.

Good Shooting
Reed Fowlie

[Marcus]

I'm very interested in seeing a Contender, what are your thoughts on it. I know it's a hard question to answer. Any negatives. How does it stack up to the Mathews bows? (looks similar). Many returns on limbs?

BTW the Falcon is an awesome Junior bow. One of our juniors has been shooting exceptionally well with one. (was shooting 4-5 in the gold on a 80cm face at 55m with one. At 12 years old.) The Badger was a bit of a let down, the grip is not as nice as the Falcon's.

[Reed]

MarcusI like the contender very much, as nice a shooting bow as I have had. Although I did have to make some adjustments to my form to get comfortable with the bow. I have shortend my draw slightly to acomadate the longer ATA of the contender right now here are the spec that I have set the bow at:

41 2/8 ATA
8" bh
27 3/4 " draw
57 lbs
309 grain arrow at 270 fps.

Some of hte things that I had to change was I added a raised mounting fro my stabilizer ( I shot in the bowhunter class here and 12 " is the max) It aimed better for me with the raised platform with the short stabilizer

I am testing some carbon limbs. Not much in a change of speed, but they offer a different feel to the shot.

I was at the factory last week and as far as I know there has only been I of the rst limbs that have failed, but I beleave that was a result of a mistake in the bow press, but it is very early in the life span of the limbs to make a concrete guess as to future problems with the limbs. My current set is running in the 2000-2500 shot area with no problems.( we are starting our outdoor fita shoots now so that number should rise quite fast now.

I would go wiht the Eclipse over the badger anyday. I have played with both, and like the Eclipse way better, but again they may fofill different roles in archery.

Personaly I am a dual cam guy myself, and can't wait for a solid wall on the dual cams.

If I missed anything let me know and I will try to answer, or if you would like to see something for the furture, let me know and I will bring it up with the factory. Never hurts to ask.

Later

Reed

PS the contender is a little slower than the mathews C2, but it has a softer cam and higher bh. the C2 has a little more of a thud filling at the shot then the contender, but it is pushing a little faster arrow to.

[Reed]

MarcusI like the contender very much, as nice a shooting bow as I have had. Although I did have to make some adjustments to my form to get comfortable with the bow. I have shortend my draw slightly to acomadate the longer ATA of the contender right now here are the spec that I have set the bow at:

41 2/8 ATA
8" bh
27 3/4 " draw
57 lbs
309 grain arrow at 270 fps.

Some of hte things that I had to change was I added a raised mounting fro my stabilizer ( I shot in the bowhunter class here and 12 " is the max) It aimed better for me with the raised platform with the short stabilizer

I am testing some carbon limbs. Not much in a change of speed, but they offer a different feel to the shot.

I was at the factory last week and as far as I know there has only been I of the rst limbs that have failed, but I beleave that was a result of a mistake in the bow press, but it is very early in the life span of the limbs to make a concrete guess as to future problems with the limbs. My current set is running in the 2000-2500 shot area with no problems.( we are starting our outdoor fita shoots now so that number should rise quite fast now.

I would go wiht the Eclipse over the badger anyday. I have played with both, and like the Eclipse way better, but again they may fofill different roles in archery.

Personaly I am a dual cam guy myself, and can't wait for a solid wall on the dual cams.

If I missed anything let me know and I will try to answer, or if you would like to see something for the furture, let me know and I will bring it up with the factory. Never hurts to ask.

Later

Reed

PS the contender is a little slower than the mathews C2, but it has a softer cam and higher bh. the C2 has a little more of a thud filling at the shot then the contender, but it is pushing a little faster arrow to.

[Marcus]

Do Champion plan to move into the competitive archery side more or stick to mainly bowhunting stuff? The colours are a good move.
Thanks for the info on the Contender. Looks good, but I havn't seen one in the flesh yet. Any plans for a Deflex 41" dual cam bow?
Also dies Champion have a Store Shooter program going? Best way to improve sales out here would be to get them into the hands of some top shooters.

[Reed]

I beleave they are going to stick mainly to the hunting side archery, as that is where the majority of sales are. Not sure about a deflex riser, but I can ask. Have a look at the 2002 firehawk, any thougths. I think I may try one for fita. I have tought about putting a set of dual cams on the contender to see what I would end up with, but that is for a later date. I will check o the store shooter programs, and get back to you. I would ask the store owner if he has one going adn start from there.
Just out of courisity, what are the popular bows in OZ? I would assume the same as here depending on price and availablity.

Reed

[Marcus]

I wouldn't think the Contender would be great with dual cams due to the short limbs. But I'ld be interested in what you think. The Cams on the Firehawks look a bit too radical, but you never know. Otherwise the riser looks like it has good shape.

Popular bows would be Hoyts and (not any model though they can't get enough TEC bows in, the MagnaTec is very popular) PSE's (Novas and Quantums). After that you see a few High Countries and Mathews. Australia traditionally swings between Hoyt and PSE, has done for the last 15 years that I've been in the sport. Sometimes you'll get a vurst from other brands (jennings took off a little, as did Alpine and Pearson).
I believe at the Nationals recently the top 5 places all shot different bow makes.
Victoria's top 2 target shooters shoot PSE Quantums right now.

[Reed]

Sorry for the dealy i responding, work had to come first for a few days. Asfor next year, there are some small changes comming. No deflex target style, but nothing that should stop you from buying a bow this year. Need to do more work on the contender and dual cam, yous you thought not a good combo with the short limb, but hay never hurts to play. I have not had a chance to check on the store shooter program, but I will chech tomorrow or the next day.

Reed

[Marcus]

Hi Reed
Any word on the 2003 Champion range? Any sneak peeks you could pass onto us?

seeya

[Reed]

Hi Marcus, what I can tell you ( I think with out getting to to much trouble) Please remember that some of this may change.

Look for a new wheel(double and single cam) more limbs along the line of the RST. Another riser with the piviting limb pockets. and some other stuff that I can't tell you about.

PS they may have a super fast bow come out, maybe.

Later

Reed

[robk]

hey guys from oklahoma here and i just put money down for a new magna tech i liked the feel of it and how smooth it shot. i don't know if it will be my 1st or 2nd bow. i have been shooting a pse thunderbolt and it has been a winner for the 3 years i have shot it. i am glad to hear someone say they really like the magnatech it's very tech in my book. i have looked the the champion bows but chose the magna tech over them and i couldn't believe the prices you pay vs's what we pay here but what is the money difference from austrailia vs's the usa
take care
rob k

[Reed]

robx I think you will like the magna tec. I had the chance to shoot one the other day. Hoyt have come a long way wiht mag. risers. I am from Canada , and in the shop that I used to work at the Champions ran from $350-700. That is close to $233 -466 in US$ The buck line was event cheeper at about 200 US.

Reed

[robk]

reed thanks for the reply i am real excited about the bow i like the way the bow reacts when shot and it's smooth from draw to release i had owned an old hoyt bow from many years ago that i gave it away but this is way different than what i shot back in the early 80's. am looking forward to doing some hunting with it
rob k

[HUNTER]

Hi im loking at buying a Champion Buck saber.
Some 1 told me that the draw lenght go from 35-50 pounds which will sute me perfectly but i think the draw lenght might be a bit long would i be able to buy a module from 21-25.
And if you have any infomation please tell me thanks.

[Get Serious, Get Hoyt]

The Champion Saber is the Adult version of the Badger. It does the longer draw lengths and heavier weights. The Saber is available in 50, 60 & 70 lb weight ranges and gives you about 15lb's of adjustment. The Modular Single cam system that Champion uses on both of these bows give you, a lot of adjustment. The Saber gives you 25-32" (i think or around that) and the Badger gives you 22 - 28".

BTW the Badger is available with draw weights of 35 or 45lb's.

Steve

[HUNTER]

But Would i be able to buy modules so it makes the saber 21-25 draw lenght.
YES OR NO.

[Get Serious, Get Hoyt]

NO, the Saber does not do the short draw length options. The Badger does.

[robbo]

Maybe you should look at the Eclipse, it's 23-26 inches I think.

Its looks like it would be a pretty good bow for a young teenager.

[Get Serious, Get Hoyt]

The Badger and Eclipse are both a good option for short draw. They both cater for the same draw lengths. The Eclipse is the more up market option but is more expensive. The Eclipse uses a different cam design so it is a bit different to draw, as well as feeling different to shoot.