
Technohunt
Archery Systems
The
screen says, "Timed out, no points!
The deer is standing 20
yards away and behind a tree. Should you shoot or should you wait for a
better shot? The birds are chipping and the limbs are blowing in the
breeze. Another deer comes into view, a doe, and it is a clean shot. Which
should you take? You only have seconds to choose. The blood is rising in
your head and the choice is yours. Then the screen says, "Timed out,
no points!
You have just been blanked by one the most realistic,
heart stopping, backslapping, high tech experiences in archery, the
Technohunt video system from Advanced Interactive Systems.
The other two hunters beside you made their choice.
One had a body shot and the one on the left had a bull's-eye (heart shot).
All at the same deer. The hunter on the left was shooting a recurve
the one in the center was shooting a compound and the one on the right
shooting a longbow. They
could shoot at the same animal.
Adaptability
The Technohunt system is one that allows shooters a
lot of versatility. After logging into the system with the shops computer
you are in there for good. The
Technohunt allows three shooters to shoot at the same time and at the same
animal if you choose to do so. In many scenes you have the ability to
choose the animal in which to shoot at. In some cases there are two or
three animals to pick from. Some in back of trees, some in back of
blow-downs, some in the open and some in open fields. From gophers to
polar bears and every thing in between.
Also you can change the range from 20, 40 or 60
yards. Want the wind blowing leafs and branches in front of you? No problem, just tell them at the start and it can be
programmed.
How about target shooting?
That is no problem either. Want to shoot at floating balloons?
How about red and white targets, again just ask.
Bow hunt around the world
Depending on what the shop has in stock one can shoot
African game, North American game, Alaskan game or a wide variety of game
that are stored on large, laser discs. The ten by twelve screen brings the
animals to life along with the noise and the realism that puts you right
in the middle of it all.
Speed
What we have found at Big Als Archery is that the
speed at which the arrow hits the screen, approximately 20 yards down
range is 20 fps less then that when it leaves the bow. That is
approximately one foot per second, per yard either carbon or aluminum.
Think of that when you shoot outside. Arrow speed should drop faster the
farther out you shoot.
Score
The system is set up to shoot five arrows. Special
cone tips are installed on your arrows before you enter the range. The
tips come in weights from 75 to 145 grains.
After shooting at five targets the screen informs you to pick up
your arrows and tighten tips. Five more targets will come on the screen
individually to shoot at. After each scene you will see your score for
that scene, your individual cumulative score to that point, the arrow
speed for that shot and the actual impact point on the animal
miss,
body shot, bull's-eye, obstruction or vital area. The score depends on
where you hit the animal.
Bows
Like I said earlier, any bow will do. I have shot my
longbow, my recurve and my compound at the system all work. You will be
amazed at the speed at which they shoot, some good, some not so good.
One of my older longbows did 120 fps while my teardrop compound did
220 fps while my Fastflite set at 50 pounds did 200 fps. One of my recurve
bows set at 47 pounds did 145 fps.
Cost
Depending where you shoot, the cost varies. An hour
shooting time usually runs anywhere from eight dollars an hour to twelve
dollars an hour. Figure half of that for half an hour to one quarter of
that for 15 minutes.
Leagues
The system allows the shop to set up leagues. Summer
leagues in an air-conditioned setting are nice. The winter leagues are
very popular. Spring leagues and fall leagues are great in getting ready
for 3-D and keeping your form in shape for hunting.
Computer sheets
Want to keep track of your progress? Well the system
does it for you. After an hour or half an hour of shooting it reads out
your score and also your average for that time frame.
Week after week you can see your progress so you always know what
you are doing in relation to your own Shooting skills and equipment.
|
Ratings 1 is lowest, 5
is highest |
| Versatility |
5 |
| Ease of use |
5 |
| Realism |
5 |
| Fun |
5 |
| Scenes |
5 |
| Scores |
5 |
| Challenge |
5 |
| Cost |
5 |
If you want to sight in your bow this is the system
to do it at twenty yards. If you want challenge at all conditions of
hunting this is the system to do it on. If you want to do the system alone
that is an option. If you want to challenge your hunting partner(s) for
some incredible competitive fun, bring them in to shoot this system.
And, this system is a challenge. If you want to have fun, shoot,
laugh and enjoy the Technohunt you will find that Advanced Interactive
Systems has a winner with this great means of hunting all year round in
rain, snow, heat or cold.
Call-up your nearest pro shop and see if they have
Technohunt. If they do don't miss it. This is high tech archery fun at its
best.
Visit Tedchnohunt on the Internet at www.bowhunting.net/advancedinteractivesystems
Arthur Champoux has years of experience in the outdoors.
He is has served on many advisory staffs and is a member in good
standing of many outdoor organizations. Art currently works for Big
Al's Archery in Seabrook, NH and writes for several publications.