27 replies to this topic

[Moon]

1

Edited by Moon, 10 April 2012 - 02:26 PM.

[Urban Legend]

Moon, any idea how many of them they sold?

[Moon]

They started with the push on 380's but the 350 is now catching on and it's been virtually bullet proof. More than one manufacturer will tell you they had the best selling crossbow. I have no idea how many they've sold but by talking to a few dealers that sell multiple brands, the SZ line was a very hot seller.

[randyxx75]

I wonder if serial # wouldn't give us some idea of how many ?

[Urban Legend]

I'm just wondering just how much of an impact these bows actually made.

[randyxx75]

looks like a heck  of a lot of people bought them ! would be interesting to see just how many they actually sold!!!!

[NJ Devil]

getting my 350 with black limbs tomorrow at 9 am!!! super excited about! its my first crossbow and theres still a couple weeks left in the season for me to get it bloody

[Jetster]

Record Xbow sales,and I bet another record for most disappointed customers!!!!All in one year,call Guinness...........

[deerboy]

NJ Devil, on 30 January 2012 - 10:16 PM, said:

getting my 350 with black limbs tomorrow at 9 am!!! super excited about! its my first crossbow and theres still a couple weeks left in the season for me to get it bloody

I wish there was a "Thumbs Up" button... I'd Give you one for "still a couple of weeks left...to get it bloody". Lovin that quote.  

[deerboy]

Moon, on 30 January 2012 - 08:41 PM, said:

Bowtech’s Stryker 350 and 380 took the market by storm in 2011, even with the 380 limb glitch. These crossbows’ overall package of design features raised the bar for other manufacturers to match and now, one year after their introduction, they have yet to be exceeded, in my opinion. The features I’m referring to are light weight, small length and width, exceptionally well balanced, unmatched trigger system, exceptionally quiet shooting, great ergonomics, secondary trigger and safety lock out, simple things like a soft rubber shoulder pad, premium long life strings and cables, precision non flexing barrel and, as virtually all owners will tell you, they just feel good in the hand. To top it off, these crossbows are priced at a point most folks can afford them. I think that’s a tall order to exceed.

So where does Stryker go from here? I would like to see them keep those great features and not change things just for change but, rather, fine tune a few things like the trigger safety so there is a slight resistance to moving the safety to prevent any chance of it being unintentionally pushed forward but at the same time keeping it silent in operation. Also move the rope cocking slot down ¼”, offer a built in crank cocker option, offer a portable limb press device option, offer a parallel to barrel double gripper quiver, and lastly, offer a Hawke Optics level of quality scope for each of the Stryker versions so that adjusting the 2.5 to 7 power range does not change the calibrated reticle spacing (image in the first focal plane). Once the scope is sighted in for 20,30,40,50 and 60 yards, the various power settings will have no affect on the sight-in of those distances.

I would recommend 2 versions of the Stryker crossbow, continuing the 350, and a new 400 fps Stryker using the same short light weight design, both using 400 grain arrows that are designed for maximum consistency and enhanced accuracy of these crossbows. For those that want to shoot in the 375 fps range, they will be able to do that with a slightly heavier arrow with the 400.

Finally, a premium quality airline approved lockable hard shell case would be nice.

After that, fine tune year after year, using state-of-the-art high tech materials with a focus on striving for 100% durability and an all around high performance hunting crossbow. Yep, that’s what I would do.

Moon if I hadn't spent the kids' first two years of college money on xbows I'd add a Stryker.  They oughta make you their sales-dude.

[whiterhino]

Jetster, on 30 January 2012 - 10:22 PM, said:

Record Xbow sales,and I bet another record for most disappointed customers!!!!All in one year,call Guinness...........

I haven't seen many threads for dissapointed customers lately??  Actually it's been quite awhile now.

[deerboy]

Urban Legend, on 30 January 2012 - 09:27 PM, said:

I'm just wondering just how much of an impact these bows actually made.

Urb... can you add a "thumbs up" button? It would give you some idea of folk's impressions. For instance I wuda voted for Moon's thoughts above... I think others wuda too.

[NJ Devil]

deerboy, on 30 January 2012 - 10:24 PM, said:

I wish there was a "Thumbs Up" button... I'd Give you one for "still a couple of weeks left...to get it bloody". Lovin that quote.  

you like that huh? hahahahahah will post pictures when i harvest a deer with it

[SPECIALIZED]

NJ Devil, on 30 January 2012 - 10:30 PM, said:

you like that huh? hahahahahah will post pictures when i harvest a deer with it

Congratulations on your new crossbow, and will be looking for pictures of your deer.     

[NJ Devil]

SPECIALIZED, on 30 January 2012 - 10:34 PM, said:

Congratulations on your new crossbow, and will be looking for pictures of your deer.     

[Moon]

Admittedly, there has been a love/hate relationship with the 380. The 380 took off like gang busters and then limbs started slivering. Tons of folks bought them 2 weeeks before hunting season came in and you know the reason for the gnashing of teeth. Unfortunately the 350 was thrown into that fiasco, especially since it has been a bullet proof crossbow. That bow has been as dependable (or more so) as any all new crossbow I've seen. The 350 is now getting lots of attention for very good reasons, IMO. The folks that have them love them for all the reasons listed above. I know of no hunting crossbow that I'd trade the 350 for right now. That may change in a few months but for right now... :-)

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[miked]

I have to say it is one of the best investments I have ever made. Everyone I know that crossbow hunts I let them look at mine and they all say how great it feels. Then you tell them the specs and they all have same answer"I want one"! The Bowtech page on this site and most other archery talk forums have lit up since its introduction. I would have to say the number sold wold surprise alot of people. Maybe Bowtech will release some numbers now that it is the new year?     

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[Arrowhead]

I think I'd do the 100% durability first and the other things you mention after that.

They need to take a close look at the cam design. The way the post hits the cables when they rotate around, will probably be an issue at some point. I like a safety to be an actual safety, I hate fumbling with a lock-out device and then the safety. Without the lock-out device, this bow feels like a grenade without the pin. It just feels scary dangerous to me. Is there a good reason for that web in the forearm? I hate that thing. Optics need an upgrade and I like Moons suggestion for that. I'd like to raise the comb of the stock so that I'm looking through the scope when I shoulder the bow.....that just makes sense to me and few crossbows are set up that way. Other than that, I like the bow.

[NJ Devil]

I just picked up my 350 and all i can say is wow!!! feels so good and light. hands down best crossbow ive held or shot and ive shot alot of them. cant wait to hit the woods tonight!!

[deerboy]

Arrowhead, on 31 January 2012 - 09:46 AM, said:

I think I'd do the 100% durability first and the other things you mention after that.

They need to take a close look at the cam design. The way the post hits the cables when they rotate around, will probably be an issue at some point. I like a safety to be an actual safety, I hate fumbling with a lock-out device and then the safety. Without the lock-out device, this bow feels like a grenade without the pin. It just feels scary dangerous to me. Is there a good reason for that web in the forearm? I hate that thing. Optics need an upgrade and I like Moons suggestion for that. I'd like to raise the comb of the stock so that I'm looking through the scope when I shoulder the bow.....that just makes sense to me and few crossbows are set up that way. Other than that, I like the bow.

"lock out" device??? Is that similar to sleeping on the couch? ... more laughter ... My xbow gets angry with me b/c I missed a doe and "locks me out"    ... oh jeez maybe I could call it with an ibow sight    

I'm just messin'. I want one. ... as long as i don't get "locked out"