The Nitro is advertised as a "tough-looking bow, long on power and lean on shock and vibration".  Another goal for the PSE engineering team was to produce a rig that was a smooth shooter.  Throughout this report, we will evaluate and rate the Nitro based on these claims.  First, let's get into the basics and cover this bow piece-by-piece.

The Basics:
 The new Nitro is centered on a robust reflex riser, CNC machined from a 6061-T6-aluminum block.  The weight is kept to a minimum through a slim design and many cutouts.  Standard AMO mounting holes are provided for any accessories you may choose to add.  Also included on the riser is PSE's 3-phase grip system, which allows the bow to be shot with standard side panels, optional full grip, or with no grip at all.  The model I received came with a good-looking two-piece wood grip attached by two 5-40 slotted fillister head screws.  The Nitro can be purchased in one of four finishes:  PSE Brush, Python Red, Blue Marble, and Good Vibrations (you've got to see this one!).  The three competition colors are applied with PSE's Color-Tech process, which fuses a high definition finish into the underlying powder coat.  The Brush Camo finish is applied through a 4-step/color process and then clear coated for durability. Also, through the PSE custom shop, the Autumn Brush Color-Tech finish may be special ordered.  This is  true with all PSE bows.

 The Nitro is equipped with matched limbs fashioned out of a proprietary spec fiberglass purchased from an outside source.  These limbs have PSE's Slimline design and are laminated for power and strength. The limbs are attached to the riser via PSE's new slim-line pivoting limb-pockets, which are CNC machined from aluminum.  Also at work at this interface is the patented limb isolation system, which is designed to prevent noise and vibration.  The limb bolts on the Nitro secure the limbs to the riser but they are also the attachment mechanism for PSE's NV System.  The NV System was created through a joint effort with SIMS Laboratory and utilizes SIMS Lab's proprietary NAVCOM material housed in a machined aluminum case.

 Attached to the lower limb is the PSE Ultimate 1-Cam.  The Ultimate 1-Cam is coated with non-reflective Teflon, which reduces friction and wear on the string and cable.  The 1-Cam provides a total of 6.5" of draw length range through the use of six separate 1" adjustment modules.  Further versatility is achieved through ¼" post adjustments.  Modules are available from 25 to 30 inches.  Standard let-off with the Nitro eccentrics is 80%, however, a 65% let-off module is also available.  The 1-Cam comes with a built-in solid draw stop.  The axle-to-axle length is 36 inches.

 Attached to the Nitro's eccentrics, is a 95-inch, sixteen-strand BCY 8125 string.  Also attached is a 39", 16-strand BCY 450+ buss cable.  Both are stretch resistant and designed for many trips to the range.

Testing:
 As always, testing began with a thorough quality inspection of the finish, machining, mechanics and overall workmanship.  The machining was in good order with no visible scars or marks. The PSE Brush Camo finish on both the riser and limbs appeared flawless in application, however, there was a slightly different appearance between the two.  The riser is first anodized in the base color and then sprayed with acrylic lacquer in a 4-step process before receiving a protective clear coat. The limbs however, are made of fiberglass and therefore not anodized or clear coated giving them a slightly different "shade" than the riser.  Mechanical operation of the pivoting limb pockets and eccentrics was smooth and showed no signs of binding.  The quality of the Nitro was top-notch from tip to toe.

 The Nitro was rigged with my standard set-up for bow testing - string loop, Muzzy Zero Effect arrow rest, Stealth 8" stabilizer, peep sight, kisser button, 65 lb. pull, and twenty-eight inch draw length.  All shooting was done with a Scott Little Goose release aid.  Also, standard to the testing set-up is Easton's XX78 SuperSlam aluminum shaft, equipped with a 100-grain point and four-inch feathers.  The shafts are cut to 27 inches and have a completed arrow weight of 445.98 grains.  The next step was paper tuning, which took a little longer than I'm used to, however, once a perfect paper tear was achieved, the Nitro shot well and packed an impressive punch.

 My next task was to evaluate the maneuverability, quietness, and shock, so I headed off to the one place where these things matter most - the woods.  This is, of course, a subjective test since my ears and hands are not calibrated instruments and on any give day could interpret the results differently.  However, in the interest of maintaining some basis for comparison, I took three other top-of-the-line bows with me as well.  At a 36" axle-to-axle length, the Nitro was average in maneuverability, which you might expect.  Another factor that I consider while testing maneuverability is the mass weight.  This may not be a big factor while tree stand hunting, but the importance of a light bow becomes obvious in the middle of a stalk in thick cover.  The mass weight of the bow without the NV dampening system is three pounds, ten ounces, which is certainly acceptable.  The NV system, however, adds almost one pound to the basic weight before any accessories are attached.  [As a side note, I also shot the Nitro with
out the NV system.  The performance with original limb savers attached was almost identical to that achieved with the NV system - and much lighter!]  In the area of hand shock, the Nitro performed well.  Only a very slight jump was felt when the arrow was released.  The noise level, while not the quietest of the bows shot, was kept to a minimum by the NV system.  For a bow with the speed and power of the Nitro, the noise level was well above average.

 Speed was measured using an Oehler Research Inc. M35 Chronograph.  Through thirty shots, the average reading taken was 247.7 fps.  This may not sound like a great score until you consider the draw length, poundage, and arrow weight (445.98 grains) used to generate the results.  With that in mind, the Nitro produced impressive speeds.  Out of curiosity, I also shot thirty rounds through the M35 Chrono with twenty-seven inch Carbon Epic arrows (378.85 grains).  The average speed was 268 fps.  Again - good speeds for this set-up!

 The Nitro is indeed a good-looking bow that packs a punch, spits arrows out at high speeds, and produces minimal hand shock and noise.  Only two detractors were found during all of the testing - mass weight with the included NV system, and arm slap.  The arm slap is most likely the result of the short brace height, six inches, and grip position.  The weight can be taken care of by replacing the NV system with original limb savers, and the arm slap can be eliminated by ordering a bow that allows for ½ to 1-inch shorter draw length than you are used to.  The shorter draw length allows you to slightly bend your bow-gripping arm enough to get out of the way.  PSE has once again entered a solid contender into the archery arena with the introduction of the Nitro.

Rating Chart:
The rating chart is designed to aid the reader in disseminating the mountains of influences and information concerning a bow purchase and boil it all down into a quick reference guide.  This rating chart is intended to help you investigate a single bow by reviewing its key features, and also compare it to other models you may be interested in. A rating system of "1" through "10", in ½ point increments, will be used with "1" being the lowest and "10" being the highest or best. Following is a list of the bow properties that will be covered and their definitions.

Grip:  This item will be rated on its "feel" and shape in regard to the effect it has on torque and the overall enjoyment of shooting. 

Maneuverability:  This rating is self-explanatory and will be determined through various field tests, including ground blinds and treestands.  Mass weight will also be a factor.

Speed:  The rating for this category will be based on the design and intended purpose of the bow.  For example, if the bow being tested is a youth model, it will not be expected to spit arrows out at 300+ fps.

Quality/Workmanship:  Again - self-explanatory.  This item will be based on attention to detail in the areas of machining, finish, and general mechanics.

Shock and Vibration:  Ratings will be based on the amount of "jump" felt upon release.

Noise Level:  Noise will be rated without any noise dampening devices installed other than what is standard on the bow.  This will allow the test to be based solely on the bow's out-of-the-box performance.  This category is closely related to that of the shock and vibration category.

Draw Cycle "feel": The perceived smoothness of the draw is the focus of this rating.

Shootability:  Many factors come into play here, including axle-to-axle length, brace height, and eccentrics.

Advantage: What makes this bow special? Why choose this bow over another?
 

Rating Chart
• Category Rating Comments
• Grip 8.5 Felt great in my hands
• Maneuverability 7.5 Heavy for some situations
• Speed 9 Good marks for this speedster
• Quality/Workmanship 10 Flawless!
• Shock/Vibration 9.5 Great performance in this area
• Noise Level 9.5 Just a dull thud!
• Draw Cycle "feel" 7.5 A little rough
• Shootability 8.5 Watch the arm-slap
• Advantage 8.0 Speed, SpeedSpeed
•  Average Score 8.66 Out of possible 10
• Total Score 78.0 Out of possible 90

• Draw weights: 60 or 70 lb. Max
• Draw Lengths: 25 to 30
• Axle-to-axle length: 36"
• Brace Height: 6"
• Mass Weight: 3 lbs 10 oz
• Let-off option: 65 or 80%
• Eccentrics: PSE Ultimate One-cam
• AMO speed: none given
• IBO speed: 314
• Available finish: PSE brush, Python Red, Blue Marble, and Good Vibrations
• Cable: Stretch resistant 16-strand 8125-BCY (39" length)
• String: Stretch resistant 16-strand 450+ BCY (95.0" length)
• Grip: PSE's 3-Phase System with standard side panels
• Riser: CNC machined 6061-T6 aluminum
• Limb pockets: Slimline, pivoting, CNC machined aluminum
• Limbs: Straight, laminated fiberglass
• Cable Guard: High-mount and offset. Held with patented cam lock system 

Precision Shooting Equipment, Inc. 
2727 N. FAIRVIEW AVE.
TUCSON, ARIZONA 85705
Telephone: 520-884-9065
Fax: 520-884-1479
Email:  skipper@pse-archery.com
Web Site: www.pse-archery.com/mainpage.htm
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