Hi all,
Im thinking about a new Centaur longbow and was wondering if the XTL lam is worth the extra $75? Does it add any speed at all or just improve stability? Any pros or cons?
Any input appreciated, thanks!
I have a Chimera, carbon elite, and a carbon elite with the xtl lams. I will say that I can't tell much for speed but I think it is much quieter than the other two. It may just be me. I justified it like this, what is another $75 bucks in the scope of things. If you have to wait that long to get a bow made you might as well go "all in". That was my thinking anyway. Jim says it does add speed and stability. He is a pretty smart, no nonsense guy. It's in his bow too, that was enough for me.
I was at Jim's shop last year and he was able to show me the differences in the type of carbons that he uses for his bows. Essentially, Jim uses three different types of carbon lams, one designed for tension (front), one designed for compression (belly), and one designed for torsional stability (the XTL lamination). Jim then proceeded to show me the difference in the torsional stability in the XTL lam compared to a regular wood lam. There was a noticeable difference between the two, the carbon used for the XTL had much more torsional resistance compared to a wood lam.
Long story short, if you have a perfect release and do not have to worry about the torsional stability of the limb then you probably do not need it; however, if your release is not perfect and you want something more forgiving you might consider it.
Jim has put a lot of thought and engineering into his carbon laminations in order to provide the best make up possible. It sure looked to me like the XTL lam had been well thought out and designed.
X2 what Paul said, had a long conversation with Jim on what i wanted in my last Centaur and according to Jim the biggest benifit was the side to side stability. Has Paul said this was to aid in therory to a more forgiving bow unless you shoot like me and my handicap cancel any benifits :laughing: I also agree that since you've decided to make the commitment to buy a Centaur get what you want the first time out and don't nickel and dime it.
I'm not sure I shoot good enough to tell the difference in stability, but it's definetly quieter than the ones I've had without it. don't know why, it just is. my advice would be to get it.
larry
I agree with Larry. The one I owned With the XTL lam seemed alot quieter , and was the usual Centaur fast !
I would spend the $75, no doubt.
I want another Centaur, and would love the XTL. Maybe if all the centaur lovers call Jim and tell him to make a take down again I can get one.
ALDO
Just can't believe he doesn't make the takedown any more.
Wait!?
Jim stopped making his two piece take down?
I wonder why? It seemed like a very convenient system. I wonder if he was having issues with it.
My last one has the XLT Lam in it. I don't notice any noise difference but it does seem to shoot a little flatter than my chimera does. I also seem to get better penetration with this bow.
Do we have a confirmation!?! No takedowns anymore?
thx
Thanks for the feedback everyone, it seems the XTL lam is the way to go!
I didnt notice any information or pricing on the Centaur website regarding a take down option. Pity as that would be a great option.
The xtl is quieter for sure. Have it on my triple carbon, and it's much quieter than the Elite I had a few years back.
Also, I talked to Jim about a take-down for my last Chimera, and he stopped making them because of some minor issues with squeaking when drawing the bow. Not all the time, and not every bow, but I suppose he was uncomfortable with the possibility it would spook game.
I would love to see him use the bow bolt takedown system. We should send him a petition! :D
MRD, I tried to convince him of the bow bolt, he is not confortable with the system. I did send a one piece out to Ted Fry and he retro fit a bow bolt, came out well as long as you are going to use a grip cover, cosmetically he can't match the bow finish but operationally it worked great.
Thanks ALDO, may need to consider that. Any changes in the feel of the bow after adding the bow bolt? I'm not sure why I'm even worried about it. They are such great bows, the takedown option is a minor detail in the scheme of things.