BowTech Tribute Bow Report

The basic difference between a normal two-cam system as applied to a compound bow and the binary system that BowTech uses on the Tribute and other compounds in their line is one of cable termination. On normal two-cam compounds, the cables run from the take-up tracks to the tips of the opposite limbs and are terminated on the axles or other fixed positions on the limb tips.

On the binary system, the cables run from the take-up tracks on the cams to another track on the opposite cam and, thence, to a peg or termination point also on the cam. This means that the two cams are tied together so that one cam cannot turn without causing the opposite cam to also rotate. The cams are permanently synchronized as far as rotation is concerned. This does not mean that the simultaneous action is perfectly timed with respect to the power stroke for optimum performance. The simultaneous rotation can still occur at some point other than the one that yields optimum performance.That is a function of the lengths of the shooting string and the cables that determine the relationship of the point of cam turnover to the power stroke. (More about binary cams later: For now, this should differentiate the binary system that BowTech uses from the standard two-cam system commonly employed on compounds.)

The Tribute is built on a decidedly reflexed, fully machined aluminum alloy handle with an overall length of 25 1/2 inches. The axle-to-axle length measures 31 1/2 inches and the overall length of the bow at brace height is just over 35 1/2 inches. The sight window has a usable length of 6 1/2 inches and is cut 3/4-inch past center with an additional clearance of 1/8 inch at the arrow pass. The bowstring is set 3/16-inch off center toward the bow hand side. I measured the reflex of the grip relative to a line through the limb pivot points at 3 1/4 inches.

The Tribute is furnished with a “hush” system that consists of two limb dampeners, a cable guard rod dampener, and four cable and string dampeners. Additional weight on the string is provided by two sets of speed weights and a pair of eliminator buttons. The test bow weighed 4 pounds, 9 ounces complete with the “hush” system and an APA Ultimate arrow rest. *Read the rest of the report by downloading the PDF