Bowhunt America

Article Topics

Parker Compound Bows has a reputation to uphold. Since the company’s inception, Parker has stood for agreeably priced compound bows that are lightweight, smooth, quiet and as dependable as the day is long. Bowhunters love them.

Given all that, it was understandable that when Parker set out to build a really fast bow for 2008, that task presented a bit of a dilemma. Fast bows, after all, have often been expensive, heavy, harsh, noisy and maybe even a bit unreliable.

“We pulled out all the design stops,” says Parker President Bob Errett. “We set high performance goals, but we didn’t stop there. We wanted this new Parker bow to also look better, remain lightweight, draw as smoothly as possible given its speed, deliver a dampened shot and still be affordable.”

That’s a lot to pack into one bow, but Parker Compound Bows seems to have pulled it off with the new-for-2008 Parker BlackHawk XP.

“This is probably the finest bow we’ve ever offered,” adds Bob Errett.

There’s a lot to talk about with the new Parker BlackHawk XP. It is a fast bow, ranking right up there with many of today’s best––and much more expensive––bows. But the BlackHawk XP is also wonderfully light in the hand at just 3.85 pounds. Some of that surely comes from the bow’s innovatively machined-aluminum riser and trim limbs. In addition, the new BlackHawk XP features a state-of-the-art one-cam system, a below-the-grip string silencing system, integrated Sims riser and limb dampeners, a comforting broadhead shelf, high-grade Stone Mountain strings and a camo, black and dark bronze color scheme that sets it apart.

Of course to complete the picture, you have to add to all of those performance and cosmetic attributes the fact that the new Parker BlackHawk XP has a suggested retail price of just $649.95. Given all that, it’s no wonder that the crew at Parker, Parker dealers and bowhunting Parker fans from coast to coast are excited. The 2008 Parker BlackHawk XP is clearly one heck of a bow.

How It Shoots

There is no free lunch when it comes to arrow speed. The arrow can only absorb the energy that the archer puts into the bow and that the bow transfers to the arrow upon release. It’s only those things that create speed with a particular arrow. So it is that a large portion of the formula falls to the bow’s eccentric system and how that system captures the archer’s muscle energy and transfers it to the arrow when the shot is made.

The draw cycle of the Parker BlackHawk XP makes it clear that this bow is playing the speed game especially well. Peak weight hits early and is maintained nearly all the way to full draw. Letoff, however, is surprisingly smooth and subtle, although the valley is fairly short. A firm back wall is evident and pulling into that wall helps overcome the short valley. What this draw pattern does is pack more energy into the bow for the shot. In total, it’s a very reasonable speed-bow draw cycle. It’s stout, but amazingly smooth. I would think that any able-bodied archer could get comfortable with it in no time. I know I could.

Shot noise and shock, for such a light and fast bow, is reasonable. Accuracy, I found with repeated shooting, is excellent. I had no problem stacking arrows both near and far.

Key Features and Benefits

BlackHawk ARC Cam

The new Parker ARC Cam System was engineered to draw smoothly and yet maximize arrow speed. A somewhat hidden benefit is its articulating-module system. That system makes draw-length changes a
snap. Simply loosen three screws and rotate the
module to the desired position. My test bow was adjustable from 29 to 31 inches. The adjustments are clearly marked on the module and cam.

Cross-Vent Riser Design

Most machined-aluminum risers feature cutouts drilled from side-to-side through the riser. The BlackHawk XP’s innovative cross-vent riser is drilled both from side-to-side and from front-to-back. That further reduces weight and bulk.

Broadhead Shelf Design

To keep sharp broadheads away from your bowhand, the BlackHawk XP sports an add-on safety shelf. Good idea, Parker.

String Silencer System

Parker’s below-the-grip String Silencing System is trim and adjustable for centered bowstring impact. It’s designed to blunt bowstring shot noise and dampen any residual bowstring vibration.

Integrated Sims Riser and Limb Dampeners

Sims is the first name in bow dampening. Incorporated right into the BlackHawk XP’s riser are two sets of Sims riser dampeners. Sims LimbSavers are affixed to the bow’s parallel limbs to further squelch shot vibration and noise.

Classy Two-Piece Grip

The wood-grained side plates on the bow’s grip are a classy touch and help sculpt that grip for a comfortable feel.

Stone Mountain Dakota Strings

High-grade Stone Mountain Dakota bowstrings and cables dress up the Parker BlackHawk XP and deliver consistent shot-to-shot performance.

Enjoy this article? Share it!