What launched this week.
Press releases turn into something readable. AI does the first draft; an editor reads it before it goes live. If you want the unfiltered announcement, every page links back to the source.
Compound hunting bow buyer's guide for the 2026 season
The 2026 hunting compound landscape: six flagships, three price tiers, and the actual differences that matter once you're past the marketing. With links to spec breakdowns on every bow mentioned.
What changed in compound bow design from 2022 to 2026
Four years of evolution: press-free tuning went mainstream, cam families turned over twice, carbon risers refined, and the speed-vs-forgiveness tradeoff settled at 340 FPS with longer ATAs.
Bear Legit MAXX RTH: the ready-to-hunt package, broken down
Bear's 2026 Legit MAXX is a 30-inch axle, 14"–30" draw length range, ready-to-hunt package with Trophy Ridge accessories. The case for an entry / family hunting bow that doesn't pretend to be a flagship.
Elite Victra: a 37½-inch target bow with a 90% let-off and the new SPX2 cam
Elite's 2026 target flagship runs a long 37½-inch ATA, 7-inch brace height, 328 FPS, and a 90% let-off ceiling — the highest in the current target compound category. MSRP $1,799.99.
Hoyt Carbon RX-10 Ultra: the 2026 flagship, broken down
Hoyt's 2026 carbon-riser hunting flagship runs 33½-inch axle-to-axle, 340 FPS at ATA spec, and a press-free tuning system Hoyt's calling XTS. MSRP $2,199.
Mathews ARC 34: spec breakdown of the 2026 hunting flagship
Mathews retired the V3X and Phase4 platforms and launched the ARC family. The ARC 34 runs a 34-inch ATA, 6½-inch brace, 343 FPS IBO, and a brand-new SWX-2 cam. MSRP $1,569.
Prime FORM 30: the center-grip aluminum flagship, 47.5% stiffer than the predecessor
Prime's 2026 aluminum platform — 30" ATA, 6.25" brace, 4 lbs, 331 FPS at 29.5". Center-grip riser design Prime claims is 64% more stable than off-center grips.
Mathews TITLE 36: the competition-line target bow, broken down
Mathews's TITLE platform is the dedicated competition bow line. TITLE 36 runs 36" axle-to-axle, 6.5" brace, 333 FPS IBO, and Limb Shift micro-adjustment without a press. MSRP $2,129.
Bowtech Alliance 33: 334 FPS, DeadLock cam, $1,499 — the sleeper flagship
Bowtech's longest hunting platform runs 33-inch ATA, 6.062-inch brace, 4.25 pounds, and 334 FPS — with DeadLock cam timing that doesn't drift. Starting at $1,499.
Hoyt Carbon RX-9 Ultra: the 2025 flagship that set up the RX-10
The Carbon RX-9 Ultra was Hoyt's 2025 carbon-riser hunting flagship — 33½-inch ATA, 6½-inch brace, and the bow that introduced the HBX Gen 3 cam family before XTS tuning landed on the RX-10.
Prime RVX 32: the 2024 center-grip flagship and the nock travel argument
Prime's 2024 flagship — 32" ATA, 6.25" brace, ~330 FPS IBO, center-grip riser geometry. The platform that pushed Prime's nock-travel reputation to a wider hunting audience.
Elite EnVision: the 2024 hunting flagship and the S.E.T. tuning argument
Elite's 2024 hunting flagship — 31" ATA, 6" brace, 332 FPS IBO, and a riser-based tuning system that didn't require a press. MSRP $1,299 at launch.
Hoyt Carbon RX-8: the 2024 carbon flagship and what it changed from the RX-7
The Carbon RX-8 was Hoyt's 2024 carbon-riser hunting compound. 33" ATA, 6.625" brace, HBX Pro cam, 334 FPS. The platform that bridged the RX-7 era and the RX-9/RX-10 generation.
Bear Refine EKO: the 2023 mid-tier flagship that punched above its price
Bear's 2023 mid-tier hunting compound — 30" ATA, 6" brace, ~338 FPS IBO. Sub-$900 at launch. The case study in what a mid-tier hunting flagship can be when the manufacturer doesn't cut corners.
Elite Ethos: the 2023 platform that proved S.E.T. tuning belonged on a hunting bow
Elite's 2023 hunting flagship — 30" ATA, 6" brace, 332 FPS IBO. The bow that introduced S.E.T. tuning to mainstream hunting and shipped a usable grip without aftermarket changes.
PSE Mach 34: PSE's 2024 flagship and the EZ-Glide cable system
PSE's 2023 hunting flagship — 34" ATA, 6" brace, 342 FPS IBO. The EZ-Glide cable roller system meaningfully reduced cable wear and torque. MSRP around $1,599.
Mathews Phase4: the 2023 platform that ran parallel to the V3X
The Phase4 (29" and 33") was Mathews's 2023 hunting flagship parallel to the V3X. Quieter, more dampened, less aggressive cam — for archers who prioritized post-shot feel over raw speed.
Bowtech SR350: the 350 FPS flagship that bought speed without giving up tunability
Bowtech's 2022 hunting flagship hit the magic 350 FPS IBO at a competitive $1,199 MSRP. 31.5" ATA, 6" brace, DeadLock cam, and surprising forgiveness for the speed class.
Mathews V3X: the platform that defined Mathews hunting from 2022 to 2024
The V3X (29" and 33") was Mathews's hunting flagship platform from 2022 through 2024. SwitchWeight cam, Crosscentric geometry, 342-345 FPS IBO. Replaced by Phase4 then ARC.