Compound Bow | Draw Weight | Draw Length | Brace Height | IBO Speed | Let-off | AtA Length / Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bear Traxx See Today's Price on Cabelas | 50 to 60 or 60 to 70 lbs. | 26.5" - 31" | 6.75" How To Choose Arrows | 338 FPS | 75 percent | 31.625" / 4.0 lbs. |
| Pros: - A very fast bow - A wide range of draw lengths - Parallel split limb design - Hybrid cam system | Cons: - Somewhat heavy - Only available in two draw weight ranges |
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The Bear Traxx at a Glance
Welcome to our Bear Traxx compound bow review. A quick glance is all that is needed to see that the Bear Traxx is not your average compound bow! For instance, the lightweight, machined aluminum, riser employs a cantilever system to support the limbs which are buttressed by two beams from which two string dampeners are mounted to the back of the riser. Also, it features a dual, hybrid, cam system that delivers a blazing IBO speed and does it all at a price that is within reach of the average bow hunter.
Bear Traxx Package Contents & Assembly
Like all Bear bows, the Traxx can be purchased as a bare bow or with a high quality Ready To Hunt (RTH) accessory package that includes a Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit arrow rest (the best hunting arrow rest on the market in my opinion), a Trophy Ridge 5-pin sight, a Trophy Ridge stabilizer and wrist sling, a peep sight, a string loop, and a Trophy Ridge arrow quiver.
The Bear Traxx Eccentric System (cams)
The Bear Traxx features Bear’s H13 dual, hybrid, cams which are specifically designed to store as much energy as possible without sacrificing the smooth draw that Bear bows are known for. Also, they feature rotating modules that enable the archer to adjust the draw length from 26.5 inches to 32 inches in one half inch increments without the need for a bow press.
Shooting Speed
The Bear Traxx is one of the new generation of super fast compound bows with an advertised IBO speed of 338 FP when firing a 350 grain arrow at a draw weight of 70 lbs. But, it should be noted that although IBO rules require at least 5 grains of arrow weight per pound of draw weight, they have no standard for draw length. Consequently, bow manufactures who list IBO speeds invariably use the lightest arrows that meet the necessary criteria combined with the longest draw length available on any given model in order to produce the highest possible arrow speeds. Learn more about what speeds to actually expect.
Kinetic Energy (KE) of the Bear Traxx Compound Bow
In order to be an effective hunting tool, any compound bow must fire an arrow with enough kinetic energy to reach an animal’s vitals. However, it should be noted that the kinetic energy of any compound bow will vary significantly with different draw lengths and draw weights. Therefore, below are some close estimates of what level of kinetic energy to expect from the Bear Traxx:
- 70 lbs. / 31″ draw / 350 grain arrows: 89.8 ft-lbs KE
- 70 lbs. / 31″ draw / 425 grain arrows: 107.8 ft-lbs KE
Please note: the values listed above are based upon arrow speeds measured immediately in front of the riser. Therefore, in order to determine the Bear Taxx’s kinetic energy output at different ranges, you will need to subtract approximately 1.8 ft-lbs. from the values listed above for every 10 yards of distance from your target.
The Bow’s Draw Cycle
According to Bear, the main goal of the H13 dual, hybrid, cam system was to create a cam that delivers blazing fast arrow speeds without compromising the smooth draw that Bear bows are known for and amazingly, they actually managed to achieve that goal! Because the H13 cam can best be described as soft to moderate, it provides a very smooth draw and release which contributes to its pinpoint accuracy. Yet, it also produces an extremely fast arrow speed and thus, it delivers the best of both worlds.
Noise Levels and Vibration
With hybrid cams, a split limb design, and dual string dampeners, the Bear Traxx can hardly be anything but both smooth and quiet to shoot. However, when you combine the total mass weight of 4 lbs. with a stabilizer, vibration and noise all but disappear. Consequently, it is very easy to shoot very tight groups with this bow.
Using the Bear Traxx for Hunting
The Bear Traxx seems to combine all of the attributes that every hunter wants in his bow such as a smooth draw and release, a complete lack of noise and vibration, a super fast arrow speed, and pinpoint accuracy. In fact, the only favorable attribute that it seems to lack is lightweight with a total mass weight of 4 lbs. Thus, while it is a very quiet, very fast, very accurate bow, it is not an easy bow to carry over long hikes or while stalking. On the other hand, with an axle-to-axle length of only 31.625 inches, it is easy to maneuver in tight quarters such as tree stands and ground blinds. Furthermore, the blindingly fast arrow speed delivers the arrow to the target almost faster than the eye can follow and thus, it does an excellent job of compensating for minor misjudgments in target distance. Naturally, it also generates more than enough kinetic energy to enable a hunter to hunt even the largest game animals. Therefore, the following Easton chart will provide you with some idea of how much kinetic energy is needed for hunting different game species:
| Kinetic Energy: | You Can Hunt: |
|---|---|
| < 25 ft-lbs | Small Game (groundhog, rabbit, wild turkey) |
| 25-41 ft-lbs | Medium Game (Antelope, Whitetail deer) |
| 42-65 ft-lbs | Large Game (black bear, wild boar, elk) |
| > 65 ft-lbs | Largest Game (Grizzly bear, Cape buffalo, Musk Ox, African elephant) |
Consult our “Kinetic Energy” section above to determine how much KE to expect from the Bear Traxx depending on your settings.
Limbs, Riser, & Grip
The Bear Traxx has a somewhat unusual riser design that uses cantilevers to support the limbs which are in turn supported by two buttresses to which string dampeners are attached at the top and bottom. However, this design is well suited to the high degree of reflex in the riser which is offset somewhat by the 6.75 inch brace height; all of which contributes to its extra fast IBO speed. Also, it features a quad limb design which is meant to eliminate cam lean by precisely balancing the limbs and last, rather than simply incorporating a rounded section into the riser, the Bear Traxx has an actual grip I personally find more comfortable than those bare riser grips.
Value for the Money
Considering the moderate MSRP compared to the level of technology incorporated into this bow, I would have to say that the Bear Traxx is a good value for the money since it performs like a far more expensive bow without breaking the piggy bank. Also, when purchased with the Ready To Hunt accessory package which includes everything you need to hunt with the bow right out of the box, it becomes an even better value.
Bear Traxx Compound Bow Review – Summary
Thanks for reading our Bear Traxx compound bow review. Although the Bear Traxx is a little on the heavy side, it is a compact bow that is both smooth to draw and quiet to shoot and which generates an almost imperceptible recoil. Plus, with an IBO speed of 338 FPS, it has a very flat arrow trajectory and generates more than enough kinetic energy to hunt any game animal you may choose to. Also, it has a moderate MSRP and is available with or without an accessory package. Thus, if you are looking for an extra fast hunting bow that is not too terribly expensive, then the Bear Traxx is a good choice. See Cabela's current price and customer reviews on the Bear Traxx if you’re interested.
