With archery season just around the corner, it is time to drag out all the equipment and get it dialed in for the upcoming season. This is usually the time that you start looking at your old equipment as well and start maybe thinking about an upgrade. Each year, the new bows get faster, quieter and easier to draw.
This was a 60-yard "Robin Hood" shot out of the Primal. I think the consistency and grouping speak for themselves.
The Primal line by Quest is no exception. Everyone knows the name G-5 in archery accessories and they have quickly risen to the top as a developer of premium archery gear. They are now developing a line of bows that is second to none as well.
Our pro-staff put this bow to the test and here is our professional opinion on this top-end piece of equipment.
The first thing to look at when you pick up this bow is the finish itself. This is one of the cleanest and best designs that we have seen on any of the bows out today. The G-Fade™ camo blends from black on your riser to either Realtree Advantage Max1, Realtree Advantage Max4 or Realtree AP HD. This finish is baked on instead of being dipped as with many other bows, which means that this bow will look good for years to come. This setup is ideal whether you are on the ground, in a ground blind or even a tree stand. The overall weight of this unit tips the scale at a featherweight 3.9 pounds and is only an ounce more than the Hoyt Carbon Matrix, but at half the price. The bow is 32” inches axle to axle and with a 7 1/8 inch brace height, it is extremely forgiving.
The I-Glide System has no moving parts to break and makes for limited wear on your cables.
Speed seems to be the biggest topic of today’s bow conversations. The IBO on the 70 lb model is 330-332 feet per second, but our test bow was a 29” draw and set at 65 pounds during the testing. We launched a hunting arrow setup which is 386 grains and flew downrange at 290 feet per second. The two track binary cam system is a big plus in my opinion. One of the benefits to this system is that it allows for a shorter string length than a single cam bow. This, in itself will reduce string stretch and peep rotation. It will also give you more consistent knock height with less string stretch, causing your tuned bow to stay tuned longer. The two track cams are slaved together. So, when one turns, the other has to turn as well. There is one track for your string and the other track for your cables. This setup equates to more consistent draw length and draw weight.
The I-Glide™ system is another part of this bow that needs to be mentioned. This system replaces your standard cable slide or roller guard system which can have become noisy when it is carried in the field and gets fine particles of dirt on the cable slide rod. The I-Glide™ system is two ceramic holes in the cable slide rod which allows the cable to slide freely without any wear. This system proved to be extremely quiet and best of all it doesn’t have any moving parts to fail while in the field. The riser is 100% forged aluminum and comes equipped with 13” limbs which fit nicely into the machined aluminum pivoting limb pockets. The Primal comes in 50, 60 and 70 pound models, as well as left and right handed. The draw lengths can be adjusted from 26.5 to 30 inch draw lengths. This is done by changing out the modules instead of having to change out the cam itself. You will have to put the bow into a press to accomplish this.
The speed studs, which are included with each Primal, increase your speed approximately 10 feet per second. The aftermarket cat whiskers eliminated the last little bit of noise emitted from the bow during the shot.
Another point of interest is the grip. It is very comfortable and repeatable, making for more consistent shooting. I didn’t find myself adjusting my grip at all while at full draw. Your hand seems to find that same spot every time.
The Primal has proven to be a true performer with exceptional shoot-ability. It hits peak weight at about six to seven inches into the draw cycle. From there it transitions very well into a nice valley, with a rock solid back wall. The hold at full draw is very comfortable with that rock solid back wall. It makes for longer shooting sessions that don’t wear you out. How many of you have had a bow that wants to take your arm off at full draw? The Quest Primal will not be the case. As far as accuracy, it has proven to do very well. With the proper tune and set up, we were able to achieve 3” groups out to 60 yards. Not bad at all for a 32” axle to axle bow. The more I shoot this bow, the more I like it.
The baked on finish, which is black on your riser and fades into one of several camo options, was a great choice by the makers of the G-5
If you are in the market for a new bow, the Quest Primal by G5 should be at the top everybody’s list as a new bow to try. And at a great price point, I feel this is one of the best buys on the market today. You will not be disappointed.
