If ‘Robin Hooding‘ the primary two arrows out of a bow is an indication of success, the Bowtech Eva Gen 3 is about to take your cash. Positive, my arrow-splitting antics might have been a fluke. Nevertheless it occurred and was fairly an auspicious begin for a brand-new bow.
Because the identify implies, the Bowtech Eva Gen 3 ($1,199) is the third technology of the favored girls’s compound bow. Named for Eva Shockey, the daughter of famed hunter Jim Shockey and a legend in her personal proper, the bow has discovered its place as greater than only a one-off novelty namesake bow. This little powerhouse has a stable observe report of efficiency within the woods.
As a die-hard Mathews shooter, I used to be skeptical about how I’d really feel buying and selling in my older, heavier, however silent and environment friendly bow for this shiny new one. I imply, with how technically superior bows are lately, would I discover a useful distinction?
I didn’t doubt it was the good bow; I simply had my reservations, you recognize? Investing in a brand new bow is some huge cash when your bow from 5 years in the past works and works properly.
So … what did I believe?
Briefly: The Bowtech Eva Gen 3 is a flagship bow for ladies. Obtainable in 40-, 50-, and 60-pound fashions, it feels regular within the hand and presents a lighter carry weight than a number of comparative fashions. It’s fast and constant and is now one in every of my favorites. It’s an ideal choice for hunters who might have a decrease draw weight or shorter draw size however nonetheless need loads of knockdown energy.
Bowtech Eva Gen 3 Overview
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Mass weight
3.9 lbs. -
Draw weight
40, 50, 60 lbs. -
Axle-axle
28″ -
Draw size
24″-29″ -
Pace
326 fps -
Brace peak
6.125″ -
Shade choices
Black, Forest, Smoke Gray, Mossy Oak Nation DNA
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Light-weight -
Clean draw cycle -
Quick, constant, correct -
Succesful for a variety of smaller-framed hunters
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Restricted draw weights/lengths for bigger archers -
Some (minimal) shot noise as in comparison with a heavier bow
Specs, Choices, and Functionality
At its most elementary, it is a bow designed for ladies with a large weight vary, all in a compact, light-weight construct. As a result of it carries Eva Shockey’s identify, it additionally is available in some fairly colours — as a result of that’s simply on model.
With a flat weight of three.9 kilos, it’s ethereal in comparison with many different bows available on the market. The 24-29-inch draw size ought to match many ladies, my borderline excluded, and the 40-, 50-, and 60-pound functionality means there’s a configuration for nearly anybody and any chase.
So far as velocity goes, I at all times take the famous velocity functionality with a grain of salt. I imply, she’s fast, however you received’t be seeing speeds over 300 fps except you’re taking pictures on the very prime finish of the heaviest limbs. I assume most of those that are taking pictures this bow usually are not.
In case you like the concept of creating your personal cam changes, you’ll love the truth that you don’t want a bow press for this arrow slinger. The TimeLock design permits fast positioning changes with an Allen wrench.
The GripLock deal with (which I’ll talk about in a bit) permits for some tilt adjustment, making your grip match extra comfortably.
The Eva Gen 3 is appropriate with IMS (Combine Mounting System) arrow rests, which is slick.
Preliminary Testing, Constant Outcomes
After getting the bow arrange with a sight I’d used beforehand, I deliberate to ship three arrows from 45 yards. I do know it appears odd, however I had a 45-yard pin set particular for the realm I hunt. I wish to shoot in teams of three when sighting in my bow initially earlier than I even start to make changes.
Aiming dead-center with that oddly set pin, the primary arrow hit most likely 10 inches excessive. I knew going into this tune that it probably would, with further poundage on this bow over the earlier bow that sight was on.
I despatched the second arrow, nonetheless aiming dead-center to get a constant image, and heard essentially the most nauseating whack. At first, I assumed I’d missed the goal fully. I couldn’t even see the second arrow from the place I stood.
It wasn’t till I shifted my weight and adjusted my angle of view off to the facet a bit that I noticed I might very a lot test the consistency field. My second arrow pulled off the outdated “Robin Hood” trick, a feat I’d solely achieved just a few instances, fusing each arrows into one in a seemingly unattainable shot.
From there, tuning was clean, the bow was set, and I haven’t needed to meddle with it since.
Flinging Arrows at Foam
I’ve at all times shot a Mathews bow, so the swap to a Bowtech for the 12 months gave me a bit of hysteria. If it ain’t broke, don’t repair it, proper?
After getting issues dialed and hitting just a few 3D programs this 12 months, these fears have been comfortably laid to relaxation. In all the programs I shot this 12 months, I solely misplaced three arrows in complete.
I’ve been identified to lose a dozen or extra, so I’ll depend that as a win for the Eva Gen 3. I assume I’ll additionally take a little bit credit score for placing in far more work this 12 months. I shot loads of arrows, and each felt higher than the final.
Even taking pictures with skilled, paid aggressive shooters decked out with high-tech competitors goal bows, I held my very own with the little Eva Gen 3. I used to be content material strolling off the course as the one searching bow shooter in a sea of professional foam of us.
I even took this bow right down to Kentucky to shoot with the gal whose identify it bears, and although we have been all depressing within the insufferable warmth, all of us shot fairly properly at this 12 months’s Bowtech Rally.
Modifying for Measurement
This can be a present/ongoing mission that probably received’t apply to many shooters. I’ve a particularly brief draw size. If we’re to go by the numbers, I hit the 23-inch mark, which just about counts me out for many bows. With some severe string twist, the shortest launch I can discover, and a little bit of over-extension, I can shoot a 24-inch, however I’ve discovered it to be a little bit of a battle.
Happily, the GripLock construct of the Bowtech Eva Gen 3 deal with might supply me a extra easy resolution to relearning how I shoot. Due to the lean attachment characteristic, I plan to take away the GripLock deal with and 3D print a brand new deal with that’s at the least an inch thicker. That method, it’ll basically push my bow out in entrance of me additional, giving me a little bit of synthetic arm progress.
That is the precise reverse of what most bow shooters need, however I’m wanting so as to add bulk to my deal with.
I simply want to search out the tech genius who may help me generate that 3D file. As soon as my FrankenHandle involves life, I’ll replace this overview.
What the Eva Gen 3 Does Effectively
Pay attention, fashionable compound bows have grow to be so dialed that it’s arduous to distinguish between them. Fashionable bows carry out, however they solely carry out properly in the event you put the work in.
That being stated, the Eva Gen 3 delivers constant outcomes time after time with out pointless fiddling and tuning. The TimeLock design’s skill to regulate the cams with no bow press is a large plus for do-it-yourself bow-tuning of us.
To be trustworthy, for the smaller-framed hunter, it’s a stable choice. I’ve heard just a few guys declare they’d shoot it if it had over 60 kilos of functionality. Truthfully, if it had just a few extra inches and some extra kilos, it will be a stable bow for anybody, not simply (insert sigh) girls and kids.
The place the Eva Gen 3 Might Enhance
That is simply from a spot of comparability. I can’t say that the Eva Gen 3 is loud, however I can say that it produces audibly extra noise at launch than my earlier bow. However, it’s additionally greater than a full pound lighter than my final bow, with a barely longer draw size. Basically, that is me on the lookout for some flaws which might be actually arduous to search out.
A lighter bow will not be going to be as useless within the hand. I’ll most likely add Monkey Tails for the searching season to quell my noise frustrations.
The one flaw I can discover with the bow itself is a little bit of rubber peel on the edges of the deal with, which does catch on issues, however that’s a straightforward repair. I assume it’s a mix of utmost temperatures and humidity ranges, which is on the excessive different finish of the spectrum. Nothing a little bit dollop of adhesive can’t repair.
Who Ought to Think about the Bowtech Eva Gen 3?
The Eva Gen 3 would make an superior compound bow for any hunter that falls in its draw size and weight functionality. It’s light-weight, straightforward to tune, and, thus far, has held that tune for a number of hundred arrows with out having to tweak a factor.
