What the spec comparison is
Some of our pages carry a block headed How it compares on specs. That block ranks a product against the others of the same type in our catalogue, using manufacturer-published specifications only. It is a desk comparison of published numbers. It is not a range test, and it does not describe how a product performed for us in the field.
Where the numbers come from
Every figure is taken from the manufacturer’s own specification sheet, or where the manufacturer does not publish one, from a major archery retailer listing the product. We re-check figures against at least one independent source before publishing them, and we date the check on the page. Where two sources disagree, we use the manufacturer figure and say so.
Why we do not publish an overall score
A single star rating built from specifications is arbitrary, because the result depends entirely on how you weight the inputs. Weight speed heavily and flagship bows win. Weight adjustability and mass heavily and a beginner bow beats every flagship on the market. Neither ranking tells you which bow to buy, and both look authoritative. So we rank each specification separately, show you the range across the category, and let you weight what matters for your own hunting.
What the rankings mean
- Speed is the manufacturer IBO or ATA rating. It is measured under a standard that almost no hunter shoots, so treat it as a comparison figure, not a promise.
- Forgiveness is brace height. A taller brace height keeps the string on the arrow for less time, which makes form error matter less.
- Carry weight is the bare mass weight without accessories. Sights, rests, quivers and stabilisers all add to it.
- Draw-weight and draw-length range describe how far the bow adjusts. A wide range matters if the bow is shared or if a young shooter is growing into it, and matters very little otherwise.