PETE WARD

"WELCOME TO MY OUTDOOR WORLD"

FIREBRAND BOWS  IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS  

 



GEAR REVIEW
"INTENSITY BOW"
FIREBRAND TECHNOLOGY LLC
1546 County Route 45
Fulton,
NY 13069 USA

www.discoverybowhunting.com
E-MAIL discoverybow@alltel.net
Phone (315) 598-5348
Fax (315) 593-8225


INTENSITY in the New Fall Special Camo

Specs:

Tip to Tip: 43"
20 strand Dyneema Cables
Vibration Free
Mass Weight 4lbs.
12 Strand 450 Plus Strings
Whisper Quiet
Draw Length: 25– 27”, 28"-30", 30"-32"
Firebrand Carbon limb pockets- NEW!
Extra-Wide Sight Window -More Visibility!
Weight Range: 25/45 or 50/70 lbs.
Carbon Cable Rod
Machined Black Walnut Wood Grip
Brace Height: 63/4"-7"
Saunders Roller Slide
Perfect Balance
IBO Speed: 300fps @ 30"
Weight Forward Riser Technology
  
Firebrand Carbon Composite Limbs


This is the first part of an extended test of the Intensity bow from Firebrand technologies. Although it is sometimes confused with the "Oneida", the similarities stop with the double limbs.

I received the Intensity as requested in good time considering the Post Office was chosen to be the carrier. The customs declaration was in order, which expedited the delivery to Canada. The model I chose to test was the Intensity, 70# at a draw length of 28 to 30 inches.

The test bow was supplied without the optional sights arrow rest and stabalizer, so a quick look in my spares box was needed to begin shooting. Paper tuning, and sighting in took only ½ hour. This was the easiest to setup bow that I have encountered to date. Its consistent shooting characteristics make tuning a breeze.

The "Intensity" was set for 28” draw and scaled with the limb bolts turned fully down and it produced 75# of pull with an amazing let off to 12 pounds. It feels like no other bow that I have drawn. The initial draw is extremely smooth while the letoff graduates into a rock hard wall. I tested the performance at this maximum setting with a 395-grain arrow thru a known reliable chronograph and recorded a speed of 273 fps. Not bad for a bow that is rated at 300 fps. At 30” draw and a 350 grain arrow. The release is crisp and hand shock is nonexistent. As for noise, this bow is "QUIET".

As this is a gear review it seemed logical that others should be able to try it out so when a friend from out of town came to the range I invited him to use the intensity. Bill settled on a draw weight of 65 # and required a shorter draw length than what I shoot so the adjustments were made and re sighting was done in no time, followed by a good shoot on the 3D course. After the day's shooting ended he wanted to buy the Intensity on the spot.” Sorry Bill, this one isn't for sale."

The “short string method” was tested here to move the peep sight and twist the string/cables and it works flawlessly. The short string resembles a common recurve string that is slipped over the draw stops when the bow is drawn allowing the string and cables to be removed and or serviced. There is no need to have a press to work on this bow. It can also be completely disassembled by backing out the limb bolts, something that cannot be done on conventional compound bows.

Next my wife decided to take up archery and wanted to shoot the "Intensity". I was doubtful that I could make the necessary adjustments for her but tried anyway. Draw weight was reduced to 30 #, and by changing the twists on the string and cables and turning the draw stops it is now set at 26” draw, pulling 30 pounds, with a letoff to 12 pounds, which can be adjusted up or down from here. By using the short string this was all done in minutes, on a bow that will turn up to 75 pounds at a 30 “ draw! I have not seen a bow that is so user friendly before. The Intensity shoots beautifully at these lower settings and Pat is shooting 4” groups at 20 yards after only about 2 hours. Not bad for a complete novice. Even at these settings it produces 180fps with a 395-gr arrow. It shoots so well at her settings that she shot at the local 3D shoot this weekend, scoring on targets at up to 50 yards, finishing ahead of some experienced shooters. This was after only shooting a bow 3 times before. This is a forgiving bow to shoot.


40 YARD 3D WHITE TAIL SHOT

I also to try some full-fletched flu flu‘s with blunts next and the Intensity shoots them like darts at all speeds. This was in spite of the feathers dragging on the cables and riding the bottom of the arrow rest.

We often end up buying a "starter bow" for a youngster and realize that in a year or two it has been outgrown and a lot of money will need to be spent again. From what I have seen so far the Intensity will fit the requirements of a starter bow that can grow with you to old age. When draw weights can be dropped to 30 pounds and gradually turned up to the 75 pounds and 300 fps[IBO] as the shooter grows the term starter bow just bight be obsolete. If the youngster/wife decides that archery isn't for them you can simply turn up the "Intensity" for yourself, eleminating the beating that you will suffer when "starter bows" are sold. This is the first part of the review, more will be coming in the weeks to follow .We will be hunting this fall in Alberta with the "Intensity" and I expect to see temperatures in the - 30 range and colder. I am looking foreword to completing this review with some “success photos” to finish off with, along with more comments on how it performed under extreme bow hunting conditions.
Pete Ward
“welcome to my outdoor world”





************** UPDATE…. DECEMBER,2002 **************

,
As promised this review is now being updated. Although I wish I had some harvest Photos to accompany this update, The Man behind the string didn’t do his part. However the Intensity was my bow of choice to shoot this fall. I spent a lot of time in the woods with the intensity and developed a fondness for it. The bow has a number of features that I discovered only after hunting with it.

The one feature that stands out the most is the ease of draw, This became apparent while on a moose hunt when a cow moose kept hesitating on coming into the clear for a shot. Several times I drew on her and had to let down as she meandered back behind the willows. The ease and smoothness of drawing and letting down was appreciated here. Unfortunately the cow never presented a shot.

On another moose trip I came to full draw on a large bull only to discover that I dad not cleared enough bush from the ground blind for a Kneeling shot. This was discovered as the Bull turned to stare at me. BUSTED!. With nothing to loose the extremely high letoff, at this time 8 pounds was all I was holding from a draw of 76 pounds I was able to stand up while at full draw and take a shot. Somewhere between kneeling and standing I decided that he was farther than I originally estimated and watched in amazement as the normally invisible arrow flight arced over his back. This was an example of what adrenaline can do. Still the point here is how easy the high letoff makes a bow a more forgiving weapon. This is the first bow, set at 76 pound range that I could go from kneeling to standing while at full draw. The high letoff and rock solid wall are to thank for this.

On still another moose trip I was able to hold full draw on a nice bull for 10 minutes waiting for him to take 1 more step and provide a 30 yard shot from my tree stand. He never took that step and I decided not to try to shoot thru a clump of willows he was browsing on. Darkness finally ended this hunt. Again the point I am making is that I was able to hold a 76 pound bow at full draw for 10 minutes., all the time I was wondering if my knees would keep supporting my body weight.

I carried the Intensity for many miles this fall, thru brush, willows and open trail, During these hunts I found it to be a comfortable bow to carry and well balanced. The lack of a large cam proved convenient when I would slip the lower limb tip into my belt or jacket pocket while on stand or to give my arm a rest. {This can’t be done with a cam bow.}The tapered limb tip easily slipped out when needed, without a tangle or sound.

As for tuning I shoot every Sunday through out the fall to keep skills up and confirm sights tuning etc. The intensity never needed tuning as there are no cams to worry about. settings never changed and accuracy was always there. As fall in Alberta progressed we had some cold weather to contend with and the intensity handled the cold with ease. Draw weights stayed the same and it still shot extremely quiet. The finish is still in good condition and nothing has come loose.

Pete Ward
“welcome to my outdoor world”


Pete Ward
“Welcome to my outdoor world”



****UPDATE FALL 2003****



The 2003 season started with an almost instant success. On the second day of my hunting I took a nice 14 point velvet moose with my "INTENSITY”. Again the ease of drawing when under pressure was really appreciated. The smooth draw cycle allowed me to pull the 75 pound draw weight effortlessly. There was no sound at the shot and this guy never really reacted to the double lung pass thru from 40 yards. He just walked off and lay down after 30 yards.
Darkness was falling and I walked up on him to soon, resulting in the moose taking a short walk again before going down again. After going for my pack gear and frame I tracked him until he raised his head at 10 yards from the waist high grass. I placed 3 more arrows into him at this distance to finish him where he stood. They consisted of another double lung pass thru that exited the shoulder, a skull shot that penetrated 3"into bone but missed the brain and a neck shot at the base of the head intended to break his neck.
With all of these arrows he never reacted to the shot,{to my amazement!} and seemed to not know where the arrows were coming from. The smooth and easy draw of the INTENSITY along with the silent release was a big help in being able to finish this moose where he was. Under this type pressure we can loose the strength to make follow-up shots but I never came close to this happening. Every arrow was placed where it was aimed and the Intensity came thru with every shot.
I hope that you can learn a valuable lesson from this. I made the mistake of walking up to soon on what should have been a one shot kill. It resulted in a much longer pack trip to the truck and easily could have cost me this moose.

Pete Ward
“Welcome to my outdoor world”





Copyright © 2004 PETER WARD
 
Click Here to Visit!