Switchback XT/Outback Comparison

[Buckfever]

I got to shooting the XT a little and compared the XT and the Outback a bit.
Both bows are 28.5" draw but I've had the factory draw stop on the Outback replaced with umbilical tubing which widens the valley and lengthens the draw, still though the actual measured draw comes in with the Outback a sixteenth longer, close enough. I shot both the bows bottomed out, the Outback bottoms out at 73lbs and the XT at 75lbs. I did not put a stab on the XT as I wanted to feel what it sounded and felt like without one. It is absolutely amazing how quiet the bow is and how you do not feel or hear anything at the shot. I shot it a bit and it definitely holds better than the Outback. The draw cycle was extremely smooth. Definitely smoother than the Outback and the 05 Switchback. Back wall is better than the 05 Switchback and almost as good as the Outback.

But I was concerned because it didn't seem like the XT was launching them all that fast. So I brought down the Outback and did some side by side comparisons. Now okay the XT is a few lbs heavier draw, 75lbs versus 73lbs, but definitely I would not say that the draw is easier on the XT. To be more precise the Outback is easier on the front end of the cycle and then builds, the XT is heavier on the front end but then is smooth all the way through and falls off into the valley much smoother than the Outback. Not that it matters the 75lb draw on the XT feels like a toy to me, just not an issue, but I wouldn't say that the draw is easier than the Outback.

I shot identical arrows and I alternated them. I shot them into an unused portion of the Yellow Jacket target. The XT consistently buried them deeper. It is just that it is so quiet and there is nothing at the shot so that it doesn't seem like it is kicking them out that fast.

Comparing the 2 bows, the XT is definitely a better bow. It is quieter, even without a stab there is nothing at shot, it holds better, balances better, is more accurate and it appears to be as forgiving. It is a smoother draw although depending on what kind of draw cycle you like I would say that it is a slightly harder draw than the Outback. It is lighter but because of the balance feels much lighter. I think that is an individual thing, I might give the edge to the Outback.

I am very impressed with the XT, it is an unreal bow. But I remain impressed with the Outback. We'll see as I spend more time with them side by side.

And really the distinctions are much more subtle. If the XT scores 97 out of 100, the Outback is 93 out of 100. Both are outstanding bows. I'm well pleased that I traded out the one Outback, not sure I want to give up the other one.

[SCtrkyhntr]

Although i have not hot them very much, I have shot the outback, 05 switchback, and the XT. I too thought the xt was a little better than the others but the outback was runing a close second. The 05 switchback did not impress me much for hunting.

I'm glad you like the new bow, now i got an itch for something new.

[Buckfever]

"now i got an itch for something new"

Well if you're going to stick with Bowtech, I'd get the Tribute. It is amazing how compact they make these bows yet with these long risers they have the stability approaching that of a target bow.

[eshoremd]

i am very interested in shooting the tribute too. looks very impressive.

[dbowers]

Congrats on the new bow..
I hate making decisions when the running is so close. My new bow on oreder also, should be here at the end on the month. Newberry Sabre XL

Oh you fellas lookin at the bowtechs..great bows, just watch the limbs. I hear there having some problems with them cracking.

[Buckfever]

"I hear there having some problems with them cracking. "

No question they were having problems with the limbs however it is my understanding that they made changes to reinforce the limbs. So the incidence of limb failure has dropped. The other thing is that their finish leaves something to be desired.

Every manufacturer from time to time has issues, to me it's more a matter of how they respond to them. On my Outback I stripped the limb bolt. They basically gave me a new bow and it was probably my fault for over tightening them. We were advised and now my dealer marks them bottomed out so that I won't go over. However on the XT they've gone with a coarse limb bolt so that Gorillas like me, can't strip it out.

I think the Hoyt quality is top notch and the Trykon looks damned good.

I can't speak to the Newberry, haven't seen one. Let us know about it.

[dbowers]

Buckfever no doubt and let me just say I wasn't trying to start some bow bashing or anything.

As far as Newberry, heres a link for yeah.. www.newberrybows.com They are a small company outa Tenn. they make very nice bows.

[SCtrkyhntr]

I shot the tribute and my bro-in-law just bought one. My bow is fine for thise year, deer season is almost over and I got some custom turkey calls to order for the spring, but i hay get one this summer.

[eshoremd]

sctrkyhntr said:

I shot the tribute and my bro-in-law just bought one. My bow is fine for thise year, deer season is almost over and I got some custom turkey calls to order for the spring, but i hay get one this summer.

WELL? what did you think? like it more than the switchback?

[Buckfever]

So a little more side by side comparison. One note I compared the valleys and on the XT it is quite good and letting down is very smooth.
Then I went on to backing off the XT until it matched the penetration of the Outback. Backed off the XT a half turn which would put it around 72lbs it was still sinking them deeper. So I back it off a full turn, which my dealer had measured at 69lbs and it was sinking them about the same as the Outback. The near arrows are the Outback's and then I alternated arrows, again the near arrows are out of the Outback. I know this isn't very scientific but it's pretty close, the XT at 69lbs is providing approximately the same power as the Outback at 73. And at 69lbs the draw is much easier than the Outback's. Which seems about right given the differences in reported IBO.




To put this in perspective though, backed off a half turn the draw weights are about the same and there is a slight edge in performance to the XT. I'll take it but it is not why I bought the bow. I bought the bow to acheive a greater level of hunting accuracy, which for me is a matter of being able to shoot fast and loose and put it in there. It is a matter of several factors.
1. Accuracy
2. Forgiveness
3. Balance

Now I don't have a stab for the XT, the extra one that I have doesn't work right with it so I'm shooting the XT without one. I shot both bows fast and loose and compared groups. I was surprised that my groups with the XT were right there with the Outback. The forgiveness of the XT is impressive. Anecdotally though I busted nocks the last 2 days with the Outback.
Then I shot holding steady and while I don't have a good feel for the XT yet, it already seems more accurate. While I don't shoot any, for 3-D it will be the better bow.
Then I drew and tried to acquire the target quickly. Maybe this is an unfair test without the XT having a stabilizer and without having much time with it. But I still prefer the balance of the Outback.

Time will tell now. I'll shoot in the XT and get a good stab for it, I have the limbsaver modular coming, put it back to specs, tune it and then really set it up to fit me perfect. I'll report back then.

Here's a couple more side by side comparisons. In terms of compactness, they're about the same.

[ncboman]

bear with me as I play Devil's Advocate here.

I don't see how the balance can be compared without a stab on both bows.

I've found when getting down to the nitty gritty comparing bows, a stab makes a huge amount of difference. Even changing the weight and length of the stab makes large differences in balance and accuracy, two of your three areas of comparison analogy.

I bet you wish for a bow scale and a chronograph. Then you could really get busy. ;D

Lacking those tools, I think sighting both bows dead on at 20, and then backing off to 40-60yds and comparing arrow drop might be interesting ... if you put your stab on each bow for the tests.

Also I notice a wrist strap on one bow and not on the other?

[Buckfever]

nc,
good point. I'll shoot them with the same stab tonight. As far as the wrist strap, I don't use one, the dealer put it on. I tried it both ways, didn't seem to make a difference, the strap is oversized and doesn't provide any support/interference.

A chrono would be nice, but I think I'm too much of a tightwad to buy one. Particularly when I can use one over here for $5.

Yeah I think the real test will be at the longer ranges, but the outdoor range doesn't open over here till May.

[SCtrkyhntr]

eshoremd said:

sctrkyhntr said:

I shot the tribute and my bro-in-law just bought one. My bow is fine for thise year, deer season is almost over and I got some custom turkey calls to order for the spring, but i hay get one this summer.

WELL? what did you think? like it more than the switchback?

I personally liked the Tribute better but i am partial to bowtechs. The tribute was a good bit fatser though, at 61 lbs the tribute was only 4-6fps slower than the XT at 75 lbs.

[Buckfever]

Well I tried with the stab and I backed off the XT a half turn so they draws about the same. In terms of draw weight I'll probably keep it there. The Stab made a huge difference although it feels like the XT could use a little more weight. Now I'm still more comfortable with the feel of the Outback, but the principle difference between the bows is how the XT holds. It seems like the pin just stops or damned near close to it. With the Outback it floats, but I know what that bow likes, you just pull through the release and let her go. With the XT you feel like you can just hold it right on that spot and let her go. I think it's the longer riser and that there is a little less reflex in the riser.

Still like the feel of the Outback better though. We'll see after a couple of weeks.

So SC I kinda see where you're coming from. The Tribute will probably be a little better than the Defender, but by how much?

[SCtrkyhntr]

buckfever said:

So SC I kinda see where you're coming from. The Tribute will probably be a little better than the Defender, but by how much?

Not enough for me to run and buy one when I Spring turkey season coming up and deer season closing. ;D