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Prices are up. Gasoline is at an all-time high. Groceries, building materials and more have all seen dramatic price increases of late. The world is more expensive, which is exactly why it’s so remarkable to now be able to purchase a quality Hoyt bow for less.

Hoyt has long been known for top-of-the-line bows, the kind of high-tech, high-performance bows that discriminating archers covet and save for. That’s not changing. But what is changing is that Hoyt is now launching an exciting new lineup of mid-priced bows. In effect, while McCain and Obama are talking about future price relief, Hoyt is already delivering.

Within the last 60 days, Hoyt has announced the introduction of two brand-new bows. Of course, new bows from an innovative leader like Hoyt are, in themselves, not startling. But what is startling are the twin facts that these are 2009 bow models and that their suggested retail prices are especially low.

The two new 2009 bows are the Hoyt SuperHawk and the Hoyt PowerHawk. The primary difference between the models is that the slightly more expensive SuperHawk features Hoyt’s legendary laminated limbs, while the PowerHawk sports standard solid-glass limbs. The MSRP on the SuperHawk is $599. On the new PowerHawk, the MSRP is $499.

Both the SuperHawk and the PowerHawk will be available only through independent Hoyt pro shops. It’s impressive that you will now be able to purchase a bow with the breeding, quality and performance of a Hoyt, but at those prices.

In spite of overwhelming initial pro-shop demand, Hoyt was able to highjack a SuperHawk for me, and I quickly put the new bow through its paces. There’s a lot to like about the 2009 Hoyt SuperHawk.

How It Shoots

The lion’s share of the performance characteristics of any compound bow come from its cam system. The cams largely determine how a bow draws, tunes and shoots. The 2009 Hoyt SuperHawk is equipped with Hoyt’s brand-new M4 Cam & ½ Performance System. This is a 75-percent letoff, hybrid cam system that all but eliminates cam-timing issues, is especially easy to fine-tune for draw length, draws with an uncommon smoothness and delivers sound and sufficient arrow speed.

When drawing the SuperHawk, weight builds up evenly and the transition to letoff is smooth and controllable. You’ll like that. I certainly did. The back wall of the draw cycle is of a comforting firmness that promotes a consistent draw length and anchor point. In addition, the SuperHawk’s eccentric system features pivoting inner cam modules. To change draw length, you simply loosen or remove the appropriate module screws and pivot those modules to the desired settings. Nothing could be simpler or faster. My bow came set at 29 inches, but I tried it at both 28.5 and 29.5 inches to see which of the three settings shot best for me. With the M4’s inner cam adjustment system, that was easy.

Given the SuperHawk’s generous 7.5-inch brace height, I expected this new bow to be forgiving to shoot, and I wasn’t disappointed. Using appropriate carbon arrows, and with just a few tweaks to the position of my arrow rest, I was able to quickly get perfect arrow flight and first-rate accuracy. All shots were reasonably quiet and shot vibration was minimal.

Key Features and Benefits

Hoyt TEC Riser

One of the signature features of current Hoyt bows is the TEC riser concept. That unique riser design––complete with its flying supports, small grip and airy appearance––is much in evidence on the new, mid-priced Hoyt SuperHawk. The TEC riser structure is unusually strong and bend-resistant, and that makes it a superb shooting platform for any bow. On a mid-priced bow, like the SuperHawk, it’s a welcome dash of unexpected technology.

Hoyt M4 Cam & ½ Performance System

In the very same vein is the SuperHawk’s new M4 Cam & ½ Performance System. It’s a pretty sophisticated cam system for such an affordable bow. It’s smooth-drawing with a firm back wall, compliments of a nicely shaped draw stop with rubber bumper on the lower cam. Then there’s the M4’s pivoting inner cam modules. This is a splendid draw-length adjustment system for any bow, allowing for quick and easy draw-length changes without the need for additional parts. To fine-tune draw length on the 2009 Hoyt SuperHawk, all you do is loosen/remove one screw on the lower cam and two on the upper cam and then pivot the inner cam modules on both cams to the appropriate settings. Those settings are clearly marked with engraved letters on the inner cam. Once at the desired settings, replace and/or tighten the screws. It really is that easy.

RizerShox and AlphaShox Dampeners

Integrated right into the SuperHawk’s TEC riser, and located just below the grip, is a dual-sided RizerShox dampener made of Sims LimbSaver NAVCOM material. That dampener squelches riser vibration. Aiding that effort are two AlphaShox limb dampeners. Those NAVCOM dampeners are located between the SuperHawk’s advanced split limbs. There are also dampeners in the bowstring. The cumulative effect makes the 2009 Hoyt SuperHawk as quiet and shock-free as possible.

Hoyt XT 500 Laminated Limbs

Some confusion may exist over the advantages offered by a laminated glass limb as opposed to a solid glass limb. Solid glass limbs are very durable and less costly to produce. Laminated glass limbs are even more durable and are also a bit more consistent in their bend pattern. Think of a solid block of anything. Within that block are likely to be some small imperfections, and those imperfections may influence how that block performs. Now, take that block, cut it into precise layers and then bond those layers randomly together. By doing that, the imperfections in the solid block are negated and the composite piece acts more consistently. Hoyt’s advanced XT 500 laminated limbs are superior bow limbs.

Pleasing Price

It would be easy to imagine that all this technology should cost more. But it doesn’t with the new Hoyt SuperHawk, nor does it with the new Hoyt PowerHawk. In a world gone crazy with higher prices, these two 2009 bows from Hoyt offer instant relief.

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