TRX

There is a lot of talk about the TRX.

There is a lot of talk about the Fred Bear TRX bow, and for good reason. It is a super nice bow. Good-looking camo, reasonable speeds and quality construction, just to name a few of its features.

Having shot this bow a few times, I new find that it is well built and is of great quality, but I was a little disappointed in the speed. I thought it would be a bit faster … assuming speed is factor in buying a new bow, you should know the speed ratings. Personally, I do not think arrow speed is a factor, but others do. Trying to compare a dual-cam bow to the TRX is unfair because inherently dual-cam bows are faster. 

The quality of this bow does deserve to be mentioned. From its great RealTree HD camo to its bronze limb pockets and cams, this bow is very sharp in looks. Its axle-to-axle length of 36 inches concerned me, since I am a finger shooter, but after a few shots that factor left my mind. I adjusted the quality modular one-cam system to 27 inches of draw length and then tweaked it with the fine-tuning adjustment feature. It drew back to a rock solid 27 inches with no play.

The limb dampening system can be adjusted with supplied metal weights; however, my test bow did not any adjustments. While this bow comes with the shock-stop for finger shooting, I took it off. I thought it might give me some hand-shock, but it proved not to do so. I also thought it might be a bit noisy. I was wrong in this area as well. I adjusted the high quality limb mounting system to the max at 60 pounds and the bow drew back silky smooth. Letting it down easy, there was no large thump that we usually experience with single-cam bows. That means less jump, less nock travel and less vibration.

I installed my usual gear on the bow — A Timberline X-hair sight, Golden Key Funnel Rest and a Shurz-A-Peep. No string silencers, stabilizers or any other extras to dampen noise and vibration.

With the 75 percent let-off installed (65 percent is optional) and I proceeded to the range. The wooden grip felt comfortable and the grip area fell in my hand nicely. As I stated before, the 27-inch draw was smooth with a rock solid wall. Shooting 27-inch, 2213 arrows with feathers and 100-grain tips, they came zipping out of the bow. The bow did not jump nor did the bow have any noticeable noise. 

Next, I decided to chronograph the bow with the new Radar Chrony, which mounts to the bow's stabilizer hole, for some speed testing. Using my Saunders tab, I shot five arrows. The frist was 219, then 222, 219, 221 and 221, for an average arrow speed of 220.4 f.p.s. Not a barnburner but a nice quiet accurate release. 

All arrows were in the yellow part of the bulls-eye for an incredible forgiving and consistent shot placement the first time I shot it. Now remember 27 inches at 60 pounds and shooting fingers — not the best way to get high speeds. But what I did notice was a great hold so I could stay on an animal for a long time with fingers with out tiring out ...and no noise!

Then I decided to up the ante. How about shooting some carbon arrows? So I shot some Beman Hawk 500s with the same bow set-up. The results were the same every arrow touching one another and the speeds were — 237, 240, 238, 237 and 237 for an average of 237.8 f.p.s. 

Maybe other bows shoot faster and other bows cost more, the TRX averages $500.00 and it can perform! This bow has a good feel to it, along with good looks, and it is dependable, backed by high quality craftsmanship and materials.
I really don't have a comment about the Shock Stop, but this bow has the features and benefits that will harvest game.

So take a look at it and consider it as well as other manufactures and models — maybe this will be the bow for you.