For 2012 Winchester Archery has released two new bows, the Lightning and the Minx. As the names would seem to suggest, the Lightning is a bow for speed freaks with an IBO rating of 350 fps while the Minx caters to women who want a high performance bow in a small package.
This year Winchester is introducing the new 4TracSS Cam on both the Lightning and the Minx. The cam is designed to minimize cam lean by having a split harness on the cables with both ends hooked on opposite sides of the came. Because the harness wraps around a ring, it is able to balance the pressure to reduce the chance of lean.
The Lightning model also has two other new innovations for Winchester this year. The Ultra Slide Guide is a roller guide that can be adjusted laterally to give just the right amount of clearance for fletchings, while minimizing the sideways pull of the cables.
Perhaps most interesting of all for the Lightning is the introduction of the Pro Link Pocket System. This new feature eliminates the limb bolts and replaces them with a turn buckle for adjusting the draw weight of the bow. Because the traditional limb bolt is eliminated, there is no stripping or freezing of the bolt! It appears as if and allen wrench or similar can be inserted into the hole in the turn buckle to adjust it. Sounds pretty interesting.
2012 Winchester Archery Lightning$
Speed: 350 FPS
Axle Length 32 1/2″
Brace Height 6”
Draw Length 25” to 30″
Peak Draw Weights: 50, 60, 70 lbs.
Weight 4.0 lbs.
Let-Off 80%
MSRP $???
2012 Winchester Archery Minx
Speed: 300 FPS
Axle Length 31″
Brace Height 7”
Draw Length 24.5” to 29″
Peak Draw Weights: 40, 50, 60 lbs.
Weight 3.4 lbs.
Let-Off 80%
MSRP $???
Other posts you may enjoy:
- 2011 Winchester Archery
- 2012 New Breed Archery: Eclipse, Lycan, Horizon, Double Helix and Spawn
- 2012 Bear Archery – Anarchy, Siren, Legion, Encounter, Outbreak, Apprentice 2
- 2012 APA Innovations – All New Cobra, Sidewinder, Mamba and Viper versions
- 2012 Obsession Archery: Lethal Force, Addiction, Obsession SS and Sniper XS
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Think about it, instead of one ,you have 2x the threads to strip or freeze.
It’s not about the threads; I’ve never seen the actual threads strip. It’s the head of the limb bolts that people damage because they don’t get the head of the hex wrench seated properly or they don’t turn it with the wrench perfectly perpendicular to the hole. With this system, you stick a rod/wrench through the turn buckle, giving you lots of torque and virtually no way to to slip. The idea seems great, we’ll have to see how good the implementation is as these get into people’s hands.
Looks like you did think about it,never had that problem, but that is a good point. Love to see real life speed on the lighting, and the elite answer, looking for new bow for next year.
Jeff, I can’t speak to how well it works, but it’s a clever idea. I’d love to get my hands on one of these bows and check them out in person some day. Hopefully I can soon.
I shot the Lightening! I currently shoot the Mathews HeliM, I’m going to sell my HeliM, the Lightening is smoother, much faster, quieter and better balanced. The Winchester Lightening is definately the nicest bow I’ve ever shot, hands down! Great job Winchester!
I think some of the thread problems that all compound bows have is that you’re using stainless steel threaded bolt in an aluminum threaded housing. That is a recipe for a problem especially when you add the amount of extra pressure applied to the steel bolt everytime you draw the bow. I think Winchester is on to something here because these bows contain stainless steel bolts in a stainless steel housing like a turnbuckle. Very clever, and very ingenious, Kudos to Winchester!