Any Experience with Centaur, Carbon Elite?

[bcwilly2003]

Those of you who have or had a Centuar, Carbon Elite, what's been your experience? Good or bad. Is it a bow you would recommend?

[4dogs]

I have had several of Jim's bows including a couple triples. My personal favorite is his glass bow. Just sounds better and feels better to me. Is it a good bow? YES...one of the best and Jim is great to work with. I would be very surprised if you find anyone that says otherwise.

[South MS Bowhunter]

I have had as many as 4 with one being a Triple Carbon. I currently own 2 Chimeras and only sold the Triple Carbon due to grip (my fault as I had Jim do some things different on it and didn’t work out in real life).

No doubt the Triple Carbon lives up to it well deserved reputation as fast, stable, and quiet. The quiet may be subjective as Carbon has a different tone to it but it’s a whisper when the shooter does his part with a good release.

Highly recommend Jim and any model of his bows!

[TradBrewSC]

I have never owed one personally.

I am a converted lefty that switched about 15 years ago, but can still shoot and get a feel from a right handed bow.

My two best hunting buddies own Centaurs.. One a Chimera (glass, one layer of carbon and glass) and the other a triple carbon elite all dark matter take down.. They are both 60" and within 2# of one another (around 52#)..

I have shot both side by side, but we haven't actually chrono'ed them.. I would say that the triple carbon seems to have a little more zing (speed) to it as well as a more abrupt hand feel, but not shock at all. The Chimera just feels a bit more soft and fluid.. I think the more carbon you add the "snappier" it gets upon release. Draw cycle is very similar but think it all comes down to the feel on release.

With that being said lets move on to sound... We were shooting both in a garage (will mimic a basement for the northern folk). The Chimera has a longer tone which gives the perception of being more quiet. The triple carbon is much more sharp but less drawn out..

We then took the two outside, having one person sit halfway to the target (20 yards) and listened.. Yes they are two different sounds but not one is louder than the other.. The triple doesn't resignate as long and the Chimera carries on a bit longer, but there is not one louder than the other and both are super quiet.

There has been a lot of talk about the perceived noise of carbon, which we as humans may be able to hear in confined situations, but when it boils down to the woods, and what a critter hears you are literally talking apples to oranges.

No matter what you get from Jim at Centaur, you are getting a creampuff of a bow, it really just boils down to the feel you prefer on release.

I personally prefer the triple carbon.. I like the quick response and would love to have one of his dark matter triple carbon bows. I just haven't been able to put down the payment and wait yet!

[bcwilly2003]

Thank you all for your insights. I feel much better about ordering a triple carbon. Now it's just the waiting, ugh!