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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Echo62 on August 02, 2013, 10:17:00 PM

Title: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: Echo62 on August 02, 2013, 10:17:00 PM
Looking for input from guys that have shot both. I'm wondering how they compare in shooting characteristics? I'm going to buy one or the other and it is a tough decision. Some experienced insight would be very helpful. I draw 28" so I don't think that would be an issue.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: damascusdave on August 03, 2013, 01:29:00 AM
Not sure why, at today's prices, you would not have one of each...you should be able to get a Hunter for about 200 dollars even and a Super Diablo for maybe 50 dollars more...if you really decide you prefer one over the other, which I doubt, then just resell the one you do not like...I have a Hunter and will one day own a Super Diablo when the right deal comes along

DDave
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: Fanto on August 03, 2013, 02:58:00 AM
ive shot the Mamba not the Super Diablo, but they are very similar in limb design, just that the SUper D is 2" longer.

the hunter does not stack at all to 29, it actually feels like it eases up a bit at 27 or 28.

the mamba pinches a little a 28. it also stacks beyond 28

all beautiful bows. unlike bear bows, they are hand shaped. they are "factory" bows but the factory is more people than robots
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: JamesV on August 03, 2013, 03:35:00 AM
My wife owns a mint super diablo and I liked it so much I built myself a knock-off. Both shoot great but mine is prettier.
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: GoBow on August 03, 2013, 08:53:00 AM
Had a Hunter, it was a very good bow.  It was my first recurve after my compound relapse... Although I wasn't crazy about the 62" length, can't think of any situation where it caused a problem.  Have had two Super Ds, one 60# and one 55#.  Don't know that they were noticeably any faster than my Hunter was.  But they sure are prettier...  

I'd hold out for a SD if you can find one; but the Hunter is still a fine bow.  Best of luck to you in your search!
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: Rob W. on August 03, 2013, 11:43:00 AM
The Hunter is the smoothest bow I have ever shot. Fast and stable as well.

I think I will be exploring the rest of the Martin line in the future.


Rob
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: ChuckC on August 03, 2013, 12:38:00 PM
I have a Martin / DH Super Diablo, my friend has the Hunter, both 60#.  They both shoot great.  I haven't used mine in years because I went off to liking other bows, especially long bows.  It was fast, it was pretty and it shot really good.  It was a favorite bow for a while.

I think either one will be a fine bow for you.
ChuckC
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: Steve Jr on August 03, 2013, 12:55:00 PM
I had the Hunter also, that was in the early 90s and from what I remember it was a fast , smooth, stable and easy to shoot bow. X2 damascusdave
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: damascusdave on August 03, 2013, 01:07:00 PM
I was just doing some shooting this morning and came to a decision on which bow I am going to hunt this fall...it will be my 1992 Hunter, marked 55 pounds it measures about 63 at my draw length...with that bow I can hunt deer, elk and moose and I shoot it as well as any of the much more expensive bows that I own...I think everyone with a 28 inch draw or longer should own at least one Hunter

DDave
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: el greco on August 03, 2013, 01:10:00 PM
I have owned both in the past,my vote goes towards the hunter.
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: jackdaw on August 03, 2013, 01:47:00 PM
Love em' both......love the look of the Super-D's, but love the 62" length of the Hunters...both were fast and smooth...the 62"er a tad smoother...cant pick wrong..
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: KOOK68 on August 03, 2013, 02:00:00 PM
I shoot a Mamba and have no desire to shoot anything else
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: Echo62 on August 03, 2013, 02:14:00 PM
I have the opportunity to buy a rosewood Howatt Hunter that has been professionally refinished and looks like new. I think I will go with that for now and maybe pick up a Super Diablo later like ddave suggests. As ddave says I don't think anyone with a 28" or greater draw could not go wrong with a Hunter. I just measured my draw again and it was 28.5. Thanks for all the input. It is always helpful to hear what you guys with more experience than myself have to say.
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: iohkus on August 03, 2013, 05:20:00 PM
Question, .......... why the 28" or longer draw length recommendation? Does shorter draw length performance suffer? I ask because my DL is less than 26", and I've always wanted to get a Super D. This is the first I've heard about the DL caution.
Will
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: jhg on August 03, 2013, 05:42:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by damascusdave:
...I think everyone with a 28 inch draw or longer should own at least one Hunter

DDave
Agreed. Owned two and they both showed only 2.5lbs gain an inch over 28.  They both scaled 3# over stated weight also.

Joshua
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: mahantango on August 03, 2013, 05:42:00 PM
I think he means a longer draw length shooter might be better off with the 62" Hunter. I have a 54" '72 Hi-Speed and a '80-something 62" Hunter. On the lookout for a Super-D. IMO three of the best mass-produced recurves ever. You couldn't possibly go wrong with any of them.
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: Echo62 on August 03, 2013, 06:36:00 PM
Bill, I think it is because the Hunter is smoother at longer draw lengths because it is a longer bow.
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: VictoryHunter on August 03, 2013, 06:38:00 PM
Never shot the diablo but I have shot the hunter on several occasions and it is awesome!
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: ksbowman on August 03, 2013, 06:40:00 PM
I have had and shot both. They shoot very similar, but I like the Super D best mainly because of the great looking wood. I traded my Hunter for another bow or I would still have it.
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: Whip on August 03, 2013, 06:49:00 PM
Will, no worries at all with shooting a Hunter with a shorter draw length.  Longer draws on the shorter bows like the HiSpeed might result in some finger pinch and/or a bit of stacking.  But a Hunter for a guy with a shorter draw would be smooth as butter and other than the obvious lower holding weight no lack in performance.
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: Hatrick on August 03, 2013, 08:08:00 PM
ECHO62, good choice. I have both, love both, like the Hunter a bit better and I draw 27". IMO, the older brazilian rosewood Damon Howatt models are superior to anything that went out with the Martin name on it.

IMHO, the Martin Zebrawood Super Diablo's are one of the ugliest production bows ever made. Just an opinion.    ;)
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: damascusdave on August 03, 2013, 08:28:00 PM
Caution...those old Rosewood riser Hunters will just blow up for no apparent reason...please send me the seller's information so that I can take that bow out of circulation asap...how much did you say they were asking   :bigsmyl:    :bigsmyl:    :bigsmyl:    :bigsmyl:  

DDave
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: damascusdave on August 03, 2013, 08:37:00 PM
I was just saying that the 62 inch Hunter is the better choice for people with longer draws than the "standard" of 28 inches...if I had a shorter draw length I would own one of pretty much every Damon Howatt bow ever made...as has already been said;the best value in used bows today...not so big on the Martin label...maybe because of a Hatfield Takedown in an archery shop with an obviously twisted limb and a guy bringing a Dreamcatcher with a delaminated limb into the same shop while I was there...those situations could both very well have been caused by incorrect stringing but it left a bad taste in my mouth

DDave
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: Achilles1 on January 09, 2014, 12:06:00 AM
My Martin Super-D. If you have a beefy-grip,
you'll love-it. A Classic recurve, with no
bad habits. (//%5Burl=http://imgur.com/EyldRAm%5D%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://i.imgur.com/EyldRAm.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: reddogge on January 09, 2014, 02:06:00 PM
I bought a Howatt Super Diablo new in 1972 and it was one of the fastest shooting bows I had shot at the time. It's performance drawfed Bears. I have a '73 model now and also a '63 Hunter and an early 70s Monterey. All good shooters.
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: jrbows on January 09, 2014, 07:14:00 PM
Own and shoot both they are 55 pounders and to me the difference between the 2 is kind of hair splitting not enough for me to tell but I may overlook things sometimes that others may not. I will say that both of these bows are so fast that they will reveal any form or release issue I am having during a given practice session they are both smooth fast and visually appealing bows shoot both models as many times as possible before you decide. I don't think there's a wrong answer between these 2 good luck.
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: Dave Lay on January 09, 2014, 08:17:00 PM
are the newer DH bows FF compatible? I had a hunter years ago and it was a great bow...
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: Jack Whitmire Jr on January 10, 2014, 05:25:00 AM
I have a hunter model also great bow !
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: Bonebuster on January 10, 2014, 07:27:00 AM
I have owned both back in the early nineties.

The Super "D" was my favorite of the two, mostly because of looks. The Zebrawood made for a sharp looking bow.

Performance was exceptional from both...draw weights of BOTH were actually heavier than marked.

I wish I had the Super "D" back.
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: longbowman on January 10, 2014, 10:19:00 AM
Let's see.  I've killed Bull Elk, Black Bear, Mulies and a ton of whitetails with my Howatt Hunter.  I've killed a ton of whitetails with my Super Diablo.  The Diablo is prettier but both are great shooters.  If I could only have one....I'd stick with my Super D. only for looks.
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: reddogge on January 10, 2014, 07:29:00 PM
The Super Diablo when introduced was one of the sexiest bows in the world back then and I was in a fever to own one ever since I saw one in a magazine. Since there were no DH dealers on the east coast I ordered one directly from DH. Apparently it was sort of a west coat "thang". When it came with the soft leather cast and hunting stabilzer I was mesmorized by its beauty.
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: dragonheart on January 10, 2014, 09:04:00 PM
So how would a DH Super Diablo compare to say a Hoyt Buffalo as far as speed?  Close to the same?  

Does the SD point well at the target.  What were the shooting traits you guys really liked?
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: reddogge on January 10, 2014, 09:25:00 PM
Whew, that's a tough one to answer and I own one of each. I don't have a chronograph so there is no way I could reply. I just know back then compared to what I had been exposed to it was significant.
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: knobby on January 10, 2014, 10:18:00 PM
To me, the difference between the two bows is while the Buffalo is a wonderful, smooth-shooting hunting weapon, the rosewood Super Diablo is a beautifully hand-crafted piece of bowhunting's romance and history. They'll both get the job done for you.
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: Wudstix on January 13, 2014, 07:02:00 PM
I had a DH Hunter 65# that pulled a bit more at 27 1/2".  It was the Rosewood version don't know what year got it circa 1980 used.  One of the fastest/smoothest factory bows available.  Like a fool I traded it away.  Wish I had it for my son to shoot.
    :campfire:
Title: Re: Howatt Hunter vs. Super Diablo
Post by: on January 13, 2014, 07:11:00 PM
When a friend of mine bought a hunter, we had the chance to compare it to the diablo. In this case the same weight Hunter had the Diablo by 6 fps.