If ‘Robin Hooding‘ the first two arrows out of a bow is a sign of success, the Bowtech Eva Gen 3 is about to take your money. Sure, my arrow-splitting antics could have been a fluke. But it happened and was quite an auspicious start for a brand-new bow.
As the name implies, the Bowtech Eva Gen 3 ($1,199) is the third generation of the popular women’s compound bow. Named for Eva Shockey, the daughter of famed hunter Jim Shockey and a legend in her own right, the bow has found its place as more than just a one-off novelty namesake bow. This little powerhouse has a solid track record of performance in the woods.
As a die-hard Mathews shooter, I was skeptical about how I’d feel trading in my older, heavier, but silent and efficient bow for this shiny new one. I mean, with how technically advanced bows are these days, would I notice a beneficial difference?
I didn’t doubt it was the great bow; I just had my reservations, you know? Investing in a new bow is a lot of money when your bow from 5 years ago works and works well.
So … what did I think?
In short: The Bowtech Eva Gen 3 is a flagship bow for women. Available in 40-, 50-, and 60-pound models, it feels steady in the hand and offers a lighter carry weight than several comparative models. It is quick and consistent and is now one of my favorites. It’s a great option for hunters who may need a lower draw weight or shorter draw length but still want plenty of knockdown power.
Bowtech Eva Gen 3 Review
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Mass weight
3.9 lbs. -
Draw weight
40, 50, 60 lbs. -
Axle-axle
28″ -
Draw length
24″-29″ -
Speed
326 fps -
Brace height
6.125″ -
Color options
Black, Forest, Smoke Grey, Mossy Oak Country DNA
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Lightweight -
Smooth draw cycle -
Fast, consistent, accurate -
Capable for a wide range of smaller-framed hunters
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Limited draw weights/lengths for larger archers -
Some (minimal) shot noise as compared to a heavier bow
Specifications, Options, and Capability
At its most basic, this is a bow designed for women with a wide weight range, all in a compact, lightweight build. Because it carries Eva Shockey’s name, it also comes in some pretty colors — because that’s just on brand.
With a flat weight of 3.9 pounds, it is airy compared to many other bows on the market. The 24-29-inch draw length should fit many women, my borderline excluded, and the 40-, 50-, and 60-pound capability means there’s a configuration for just about anyone and any chase.
As far as speed goes, I always take the noted speed capability with a grain of salt. I mean, she’s quick, but you won’t be seeing speeds over 300 fps unless you’re shooting at the very top end of the heaviest limbs. I assume most of those who are shooting this bow are not.
If you like the idea of making your own cam adjustments, you’ll love the fact that you don’t need a bow press for this arrow slinger. The TimeLock design allows quick positioning adjustments with an Allen wrench.
The GripLock handle (which I’ll discuss in a bit) allows for some tilt adjustment, making your grip fit more comfortably.
The Eva Gen 3 is compatible with IMS (Integrate Mounting System) arrow rests, which is slick.
Initial Testing, Consistent Results
After getting the bow set up with a sight I’d used previously, I planned to send three arrows from 45 yards. I know it seems odd, but I had a 45-yard pin set specific for the area I hunt. I like to shoot in groups of three when sighting in my bow initially before I even begin to make adjustments.
Aiming dead-center with that oddly set pin, the first arrow hit probably 10 inches high. I knew going into this tune that it likely would, with additional poundage on this bow over the previous bow that sight was on.
I sent the second arrow, still aiming dead-center to get a consistent picture, and heard the most nauseating whack. At first, I thought I’d missed the target completely. I couldn’t even see the second arrow from where I stood.
It wasn’t until I shifted my weight and changed my angle of view off to the side a bit that I realized I could very much check the consistency box. My second arrow pulled off the old “Robin Hood” trick, a feat I’d only accomplished a few times, fusing both arrows into one in a seemingly impossible shot.
From there, tuning was smooth, the bow was set, and I haven’t had to meddle with it since.
Flinging Arrows at Foam
I’ve always shot a Mathews bow, so the switch to a Bowtech for the year gave me a bit of anxiety. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?
After getting things dialed and hitting a few 3D courses this year, those fears were comfortably laid to rest. In all of the courses I shot this year, I only lost three arrows in total.
I’ve been known to lose a dozen or more, so I’ll count that as a win for the Eva Gen 3. I guess I’ll also take a little credit for putting in much more work this year. I shot a lot of arrows, and each one felt better than the last.
Even shooting with professional, paid competitive shooters decked out with high-tech competition target bows, I held my own with the little Eva Gen 3. I was content walking off the course as the only hunting bow shooter in a sea of pro foam folks.
I even took this bow down to Kentucky to shoot with the gal whose name it bears, and though we were all miserable in the unbearable heat, we all shot quite well at this year’s Bowtech Rally.
Modifying for Size
This is a current/ongoing project that likely won’t apply to many shooters. I have an extremely short draw length. If we’re to go by the numbers, I hit the 23-inch mark, which pretty much counts me out for most bows. With some serious string twist, the shortest release I can find, and a bit of over-extension, I can shoot a 24-inch, but I’ve found it to be a bit of a struggle.
Fortunately, the GripLock build of the Bowtech Eva Gen 3 handle may offer me a more straightforward solution to relearning how I shoot. Because of the tilt attachment feature, I plan to remove the GripLock handle and 3D print a new handle that is at least an inch thicker. That way, it will essentially push my bow out in front of me further, giving me a bit of artificial arm growth.
This is the exact opposite of what most bow shooters want, but I’m looking to add bulk to my handle.
I just need to find the tech genius who can help me generate that 3D file. Once my FrankenHandle comes to life, I’ll update this review.
What the Eva Gen 3 Does Well
Listen, modern compound bows have become so dialed that it’s hard to differentiate between them. Modern bows perform, but they only perform well if you put the work in.
That being said, the Eva Gen 3 delivers consistent results time after time without unnecessary fiddling and tuning. The TimeLock design’s ability to adjust the cams without a bow press is a huge plus for do-it-yourself bow-tuning folks.
To be honest, for the smaller-framed hunter, it’s a solid option. I’ve heard a few guys claim they’d shoot it if it had over 60 pounds of capability. Honestly, if it had a few more inches and a few more pounds, it would be a solid bow for anyone, not just (insert sigh) women and children.
Where the Eva Gen 3 Could Improve
This is just from a place of comparison. I can’t say that the Eva Gen 3 is loud, but I can say that it produces audibly more noise at release than my previous bow. But, it’s also more than a full pound lighter than my last bow, with a slightly longer draw length. Essentially, this is me looking for some flaws that are really hard to find.
A lighter bow is not going to be as dead in the hand. I will probably add Monkey Tails for the hunting season to quell my noise frustrations.
The only flaw I can find with the bow itself is a bit of rubber peel at the edges of the handle, which does catch on things, but that’s an easy fix. I assume it’s a combination of extreme temperatures and humidity levels, which is at the extreme other end of the spectrum. Nothing a little dollop of adhesive can’t fix.
Who Should Consider the Bowtech Eva Gen 3?
The Eva Gen 3 would make an awesome compound bow for any hunter that falls in its draw length and weight capability. It’s lightweight, easy to tune, and, so far, has held that tune for several hundred arrows without having to tweak a thing.
