Hoyt Nitrum Compound Bow Review

Hoyt Nitrum Compound Bow Review

Hoyt Nitrum Bow Review, iReviewgear best Bow of the year 2015

Just the Facts:

Specifications
Model Nitrum 30 Nitrum 34 Nitrum Turbo Nitrum LD

Limb XTS Pro Arc XTS Pro Arc XTS Pro Arc XTS 1000
Cam Z5 Z5 Turbo Z5
Draw Length Options for Each Cam Size 24-25.5″,

FPS (ATA) 332 FPS 330 FPS 350 FPS 340 FPS
Brace Height 63⁄4″ 63⁄4″ 6″ 71⁄2″
Mass Weight 3.9 LBS. 4.2 LBS. 4.2 LBS. 4.4 LBS.
Axle-to-Axle 30″ 34″ 33″ 341⁄2″

The Story:
A few weeks ago I walked into my local bow shop to check out some of the newest gear for 2015. Specifically, I was intent on looking at a bow that I had heard a ton of press about. Every magazine I have picked up this year seems to feature this bow, whether in advertisements, or reviews. Heck, almost every hunting show on the Outdoor Channel is advertising this new bow. “New technology, innovative design , smooth draw and very forgiving” seem to be the common descriptions. So I met the manager at the door and asked to see this new creature. After setting the bow up with a rest, we walked to the back of the shop where I shot the bow about a dozen times. Smooth? Yes…, but something just didn’t seem right. In my gut I was not enamored with this piece of equipment as much as I thought I would be. Much less all of the hype surrounding it. So I left the shop without a purchase and somewhat puzzled as I did not see that much of a difference between the new bow which I had heard so much about and the bow (same brand, different model) I was currently shooting.

Fast forward a few days later. My interest was still peaked, however something was just not right. I was shooting my old bow pretty fair, as I am no competitive shooter. However I wanted something a bit different. You see, I have to be conscious of my previous shoulder injury from 30 years ago which nags me from time to time. So, with my mind set on forcing my self to like this bow, I forced myself back to the shop with every intent on talking myself into the purchase. This time however I decided to make my purchase by the process of eliminating other potential candidates. I was looking through the new inventory when I placed my hands on something that would radically change my perspective on shooting a bow.

The very first thing I noticed about this magnificent piece of engineering was the fact that this bow was extremely light compared to the bow I was shooting at the time. Given, this bow was not decked out with a sight and other accouterments , but this thing bonded with me the moment I took it off of the rack. I asked the manager if I could shoot this bow, and he immediately smiled as if he knew something that I didn’t and agreed. Back to the range again, where he quickly installed a rest that would do the job. I hooked the release, and drew back expecting to have a similar experience as I did a few days ago. “Wow”! I exclaimed. “This thing is smooth!”, were the exact words out of my mouth. So was the release as well as the lack of vibration as the arrow released. Just to make sure that I was not dreaming, or delusional, I shot it over and over again. Each time tuning my senses to anything that would be out of the norm. Each time, the bow grew on me. I had to leave… Immediately or I would violate my own personal policy of not being an impulse buyer. “I will be back in a few days”, I said as I walked out the door.

Two days later I went back to the shop with my current bow to compare a few things. First off I wanted to chronograph my arrow to get an accurate report and compare this data to the bow which I could not get out of my mind. My current bow was drawing 75 pounds with a 28.5” draw length and pushed an Easton FMJ 340 at 259 FPS. I tested out the new bow and measured the draw weight to 61 lbs. What happened next was amazing. With a 14 pound lighter draw the new bow pushed this same arrow 251 FPS! Amazing since the draw weight was 14 lbs lighter than my current bow! As a former football player I was inoculated with the concept that there is no substitute for speed. Well, for football and sprints that may be true, but when it comes to archery, speed is great, however shot placement is a non-negotiable factor.

I”’ll take it!” was my response. “Lets set it up!”. The bow tech and I spent about an hour setting this thing up and I walked out with this amazing piece of engineering in hand. The manager assured me that I would shoot this bow better than my current bow. I would have to discover this for myself.

Home on the range! After calibrating my new HHA Kingpin sight, I quickly found out that this bow was not only lighter, faster per pound of draw weight, but extremely forgiving and accurate.

The bow that I am describing is the new Hoyt Nitrum 30. Wow! What a piece of engineering and design. The all aluminum riser is light. Very light. The balance and feel of this bow is solid as a rock. As mentioned earlier, the draw cycle is smooth compared to what I have been accustomed to in the past. When holding into the back-wall of my draw I have very little pin movement on the target. I credit this to the balance, weight and offset riser structure design.

I am also very fascinated with something the Hoyt calls it’s “ZT (Zero Torque) Cable-Guard System”. Hoyt advertises that it eliminates side-loaded torque applied to the riser when the bow is drawn. It works like this according to the company: The patent pending ZT Cable-Guard System is a flexible arm that pivots from the rear to direct the cable torque in the opposite direction as compared to a normal system, thereby canceling out and neutralizing accuracy-robbing torque. For me, this means a much more forgiving and accurate bow. This was evident the first time I shot the Nirtum on my home range. I normally practice at 50, 60 & 70 yards. Immediately my groups tightened up. Let me stress again that I am a hunter, not a competitive shooter. Shooting sub 5” groups at 70 yards for me was impossible with my old bow. Not so with the Nitrum.

A few other things worth mentioning; the bow is super quiet, with very little vibration. Did I mention that it was light? The Nitrum is also fitted with Hoyt’s XTS Pro Arc split limbs, which have gained a well-earned reputation for their durability and strength. The Pro-Lock X-Lite pivoting limb pocket provides a broad base and precise limb-to-riser interface. The Nitrum has plenty of flexibility with regard to draw lengths and weights. Cam 1 covers draw lengths from 24-25 1⁄2 inches, Cam 2 covers draw lengths from 26-28 inches and Cam 3 from 28-30 inches. Each cam also has a series of modules that cover that specific cam’s draw-length range in half-inch increments. Brace height on the Nitrum 30 is 6.75 inches which aides in forgiveness. Bare bow weight is 3.9 pounds. For the a custom feel the Nitrum can be ordered in a variety of colors and accents along with custom grips.

Listed on the Hoyt Website are the following features worth mentioning:
• PRO-LOCK POCKET SYSTEM
• SILENT SHELF TECHNOLOGY™ – kills noise at the arrow rest
• MULTI-LAYER LAMINATION™
• SHOCK-ROD™ TECHNOLOGY
• PERFECT BALANCE STABILIZATION SYSTEM
• AIRSHOX™limb dampeners
• Z5 CAM & 1/2™

After about 400 shots of break-in, I took the bow back to the shop for a few adjustments. We paper-tuned the bow and made a few adjustments to the rest. I am currently shooting the best I have ever shot a bow and I have tremendous confidence in this piece of equipment. So much confidence that I sold that old bow

What they could do better:
We think with the Nitrum line up, Hoyt has hit another Home RUN, We at iReviewGear.com believe it is the best set of bows in 2015