Hoyt helix questions

[merv]

A while back when the helix was new to the market i recall that quite a few forum members had bought one,what i would like to know are your opinions of the bow now that you have been shooting it for a while.
Do you think it was worth the money to upgrade and are you still happy with it.
If you upgraded from an aerotech what do you feel was the difference between the two bows either better or worse.
Has there been any downside that you have only discovered now that you have had it a while.
I am seriously considering buying one myself so any input would be appreciated,even if you dont actually own one but have shot the helix i would like to hear from you.
thanks

[JohnK]

I've had mine for a little while now. The reason I wanted it was because of the shape of the grip, and it still fits my hand perfectly.

I've shot an Aerotec on a few occasions. The ones with slow limbs - such as W&W Focus - felt okay, if nothing special. The ones with fast limbs - Border ML2s as it happens - where loud, sharp and sent a shock right up my bow arm. The Helix does none of these things; it feels entirely different. No shock, but it still maintains some punch towards the target.

[SLOWHAND]

I changed about a month ago from a W&W Infinite/Synergy's (long) to a Helix/G3(medium) set up. From the moment I picked up the Helix I wanted one, it just felt so 'right' in the hand. After a month of shooting it my first impressions have been confirmed and then some. I thought it might take a couple of months before I felt ok with the new set up but in the first three weks I shot two pb's (594 portsmouth and 575 FITA 18). The Helix is an absolute joy to shoot. I think that the Infinite is a very good riser but the Helix has a better grip (the best I have ever tried), it feels lighter in the hand and the lack of shock or vibration is almost unbelievable once the bracing height is somewhere right. It is also the quietest set up I have ever shot. There have been some negatives, the arrows go exactly where they are aimed but it seems slightly harder to keep the sight in the middle of the gold, I also feel that the new set up is not quite as forgiving as the old. I am pretty sure that these negatives are more the result of the limbs (especially the change in length). The only other thing to bear in mind is that because the grip of the Helix is narrower (front to back) than most, the bow in effect is closer to your body and the result of this is that your arrows appear to be at least half an inch longer. This may be a problem if you are already near your limit on the clicker, but getting the arrows cut down is a small price to pay(providing the arrows are still tunable) for shooting such a great riser.

[Field Archer]

I’ve had a Helix now for about six weeks and haven’t regretted buying it. I wouldn’t describe the Helix as an upgrade to either the Aerotec or Matrix, all three risers are as good as each other, they just feel different to hold and shoot.
I have been using a Matrix for the last two and a half years, but I have shot an Aerotec with Hoyt FX, Border ML2 and TX40 Gold, like JohnK, I found all combinations noisy, regardless of bracing height.
You have to try the Helix because it feels very different from the other two. There is no after shock and very little noise. It is slightly lighter than even the Matrix, the grip is very comfortable and seems to suit most hand sizes.

I have been sent a wood grip to try, this is very different again and probably won’t suit everybody. It is not the usual Hoyt medium, it is a little higher with a flatter and angled surface at the pressure point. When I first saw it, I was very doubtful that I would like it, but I did, it feels very natural and I think it helps to rotate the bowarm to its correct position.

[greydog]

A guy at our clubs just bought one and he's very pleased, especially with the new thinner handle.

[Leigh_cambridge]

Had my helix since January and i love it best decision i ever made.

since i have had mine one guy in our club is changing from aerotec to helix
i am fairly sure another member will change to a helix from a matrix

It sounds to me there will a fair few cheap used Matrix & Aerotec risers going on ebay....It seems to me the grip and the damping of the new Helix is the selling point. I would have thought a new custom grip and some dampers on a Matrix / Aerotec wold give a similar result? And save a lot of cash too..

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by rgsphoto

It sounds to me there will a fair few cheap used Matrix & Aerotec risers going on ebay....It seems to me the grip and the damping of the new Helix is the selling point. I would have thought a new custom grip and some dampers on a Matrix / Aerotec wold give a similar result? And save a lot of cash too..

The problem is that the riser in the grip area on the Helix is thinner than the Matrix or Aerotec, and therefore it is impossible to modify the grip to match the Helix. As for damping, I've shot an Aerotec with fast limbs and I'm pretty certain I'd have to add a stupid number of dampers to take the shock out.

I suppose Hoyt could redesign the Aerotec a little to thin down that area and beef the riser up in other places, but I doubt they'll bother.

Originally Posted by JohnK

The problem is that the riser in the grip area on the Helix is thinner than the Matrix or Aerotec, and therefore it is impossible to modify the grip to match the Helix. As for damping, I've shot an Aerotec with fast limbs and I'm pretty certain I'd have to add a stupid number of dampers to take the shock out.

I suppose Hoyt could redesign the Aerotec a little to thin down that area and beef the riser up in other places, but I doubt they'll bother.

I see your point. I had an Aerotec for a while and found it very heavy. I suppose the Helix may have been designed to iron out the shortfalls of the Aerotec. I must say I have yet to hear anyone say a negative word about the Helix.

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by rgsphoto

I see your point. I had an Aerotec for a while and found it very heavy. I suppose the Helix may have been designed to iron out the shortfalls of the Aerotec. I must say I have yet to hear anyone say a negative word about the Helix.

Heavy? That's odd. It's about the same weight as the Avalon was as I recall, which was generally regarded as a mid-weight riser. Mind you, it's funny what the balance of the riser will do to the perception of whether it's heavy or light. The Best Zenit/Border Talisman is on the heavy side, but is so well-balanced it doesn't feel it.