Bowtech introduced a new bow last Thursday at the 2009 Archery Trade Association show in Indianapolis. The “Air Raid” is the bow that they have to answer the question of what do I use for large North American game and African Safari game.
This new arrow launcher has stepped away from the center pivot design that Bowtech has used on some their previous bows in the last couple of years and they went back to the limb pocket 
adjusting system of old. The Air Raid is also outfitted with Bowtech’s binary cam system that is equipped with a rotating module system. This rotating module allows the shooter to tune the draw length within a range of 7″ of adjustment in ½ ” increments. In the photo to the right you notice the two strings that lead to the metal “U” shaped bracket, this is the new system that Bowtech has devised to eliminate the perceived cam lean issue of the past.
The other specs on the Air Raid are a brace height of 7″ and an axle to axle length of 32 3/4″. The draw length range is from 26″ – 30″ and comes in peak weight limb packages of 65lbs., 75lbs., and 85lbs. It also has the capability of adjusting the let off from 65% to 80% to fit your shooting style. The speed is not lightning fast but isn’t too slow to get the job done either at a claim of 328-336fps IBO speed along with over 86 foot pounds of energy. Last but not least the Air Raid is trimmed out in the Advantage Timber camo pattern exclusively.
With all that said by Bowtech, I actually shot the Air Raid at the ATA show this last week. I was surprised by the bow’s performance. From the looks of the bow I guess I expected something heavy and bulky with not a tremendous amount of speed. I was wrong! It wasn’t exactly light, but it wasn’t heavy either. The best way I can describe the bow was solid! It felt comfortable in my hands and shot very smooth. It didn’t have any stabilizers or dampeners on it other than the standard STS and the traditional rubber limb suppressors that Bowtech puts on it’s bows. When I shot the Air Raid, it just set in my hand after the shot, there was no jump up or down. There was no buzzing in the bow what so ever and the back wall was very solid. Like I said, the best way to describe the bow was solid and smooth. The Air Raid should be a nice new seller in the Bowtech line this year.
Be sure to view the video below for an interview with Pat Dinan a regional rep for Bowtech that shows myself and my photographer Matt Woodbury from Compass Outdoors both shooting the new Air Raid.
