Read Archery Report’s full review of the Destroyer 350
Bowtech has some nice surprises for 2010 including a new bow series and three new technologies.
The Destroyer 350 and 340
Bowtech’s new bows for 2010 are the Destroyer 350 and Destroyer 340. Following their naming conventions, the bows are rated at 350 and 340 fps respectively. Full specs on the Destroyers and all Bowtech bows can be found below.
Before the release of the new bows, Bowtech stirred up a lot of attention with a couple of videos that they “leaked” on YouTube about someone breaking into the Bowtech labs and giving a sneak peak of the new bows:
While the videos may be cheesy and full of less than Oscar worthy performances, they nonetheless were a big hit and generated a lot of attention for Bowtech before the official release date. It was fun to watch these videos and pick them apart for little details about the bows.
An official video was released showing off the new Destroyer:
New technology for 2010
Overdrive Binary: The new Overdrive Binary consists of an entirely new axle system that is mounted on the outside of the limb. The axle is actually a cam shaped mechanism that rotates with the cam itself and flexes the limbs a small amount more over a large portion of the draw cycle (see the video below). In theory this gives a speed boost while at the same time smoothing out the draw cycle. A split yoke is attached directly to the axle to equalize the pressure across the limbs and help prevent cam lean. Because the cables still slave the cams together, the system is technically binary even with the split yoke.
HardCore Limbs: Previously to 2010 Bowtech had not used laminated limbs and has often been criticized for not doing so. This year that changes with the Destroyer bows sporting the new HardCore limbs. Traditional laminated limbs have a foam core with the carbon/fiberglass layers on the outside of the limbs where they take most of the stress and pressure of being flexed. Bowtech has added an inner layer of carbon to the center of the limb (viewed as the red layer) that is claimed to share some of the load and create a more efficient limb.
FLX Guard: The FLX Guard cable containment system is certainly an interesting concept. In 2009 there were many alleged issues concerning the ability to tune the Bowtech bow because of the pressure the cable guard put on the cables. With the addition of the FLX Guard to the 2010 bows, Bowtech has made a cable guard that flexes inward as the cables are loaded and releases upon the shot. The video below shows the FLX Guard in action.
The rest of the 2010 lineup
The remainder of the Bowtech lineup remained largely unchanged with the exception of the Sentinel and the Admiral which both now incorporate the FLX Guard. Time will tell if the change will have an effect on the shootability and tunability of the bows and if the past criticisms and detractors will be quelled. One notable absence from the new line is that of the 82nd Airborne which has been retire for 2010. The 82nd had a great run and has many fans; Bowtech is banking on the Destroyer picking up the mantle and carrying them into the future.
Loading ...
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Can’t wait to get the 350 this year. Elk hunting with bow in AZ will be well worth the destroyer
I’ve shot a bowtech for 10 years now. I decided this year was the year I needed to update my equipment yet again. I shoot some 3D for fun, and mostly because a good 3D course is the best practice you can get to prepare for the season. When ever I buy a new bow I go in with an open mind, and am not dead set on a bow because of its name. Though I am a pretty dedicated bowtech shooter, I shot the new Z7, Hoyt AlphaMax, PSE XForce & Oman, the new Bear Attack, and a few others. I have to say the Bowtech stood its ground once again. Its sometimes difficult to get the true feel for a bow when you go in to shoot them. Being indoors, sometimes shooting someone elses bow that doesn’t fit perfect, all these add up when your used to the fit that is best for you. I bought the 340 simply because of the 7″ brace, more forgiving in the woods. Thats the only difference between the 340 & 350, the 350 being a 6″ brace. Each individual bow from Bowtech comes chronographed from the factory. My particular bow was stickered at 338 fps. When all said and done and I had it set up just the way I wanted it I was still shooting 308 fps. Shooting a 29-1/2″ draw, 410 gr. Carbon Express Maxima Hunter with the 2 blade Rage. There is no need for string silencers on these bows. My string has a peep, double nock, and a kisser….did I mention I bought the 60lb. Destroyer? Yes, at 60lbs. and the above specs, I am still shooting 308 fps. with a pure hunting set up! Why pull 70lbs. when you can get that performance out of 60lbs.? I can hold the bow back for literaly minutes…..how many times have we had to do that in the woods? Against my local shops advise I went ahead and put a set of Limb Savers on, and a 4″ Doinker stabilizer. Sometimes its hard to tell how your bow sounds when your the one shooting, so I had my cousin shoot it just so I could listen from a different angle. I have to aggree with everyone else that has heard my bow and say its the quietest bow I’ve ever heard…..or not heard! I can’t say enough about my 340. And again, before I bought it I went in with a totaly open mind when checking out all the new models from all the bow makers! Its by far the best hunting bow on the market…..period!!!
I really appreciate your view on the Destroyer 340. I love Bowtech/Diamond bows. I shoot the Diamond Justice with 71 lb 29.5 inch draw (with loop) and I have killed several deer, hogs, and smaller game with this bow. I wanted to step it up a notch and purchase a new bow . I was looking for speed, smoothness, and kinetic energy (want to hunt in Africa soon) at several bows such as Mathews Z7 AND REEZEN(6.5 & 7.0), PSE XFORCE, Bowtech Admiral, Destroyer 340 and 350. I had a chance to shoot the REEZEN, ADMIRAL, AND DESTROYER 350. All of them are great bows but the destroyer stood out to me. It felt as though the bow had a purpose when I shot it. Even though the Admiral was the quietest it made the decision tough.
Reading your article I need to go back and shoot the Destroyer 340 and compare it with the 350. Once I do this I will be leaving out the store with one of these bows. I have never owned a black bow and the one I purchase will be this color.
Thanks
Lou Hill
MyHuntingBuddy.com