If you were being sent to a remote island populated by big game and could only bring one bow, the hoyt defiant 30 would be an excellent choice. It has a lot going for it: Hoyt's proven carbon riser design, DFX cam-and-half system, UltraFlex split limbs, Pro-Fit laminated wood grip and Offset riser design. Plus, it has Hoyt's new Dual-Rocker Pocket system, which provides more control of the split limbs throughout the draw cycle and shooting process.
The Defiant also features the new Dual Cable Stops, which offer a rock-solid back wall experience. And it's the first bow to feature Hoyt's optional limb stop option, which provides that no-play feeling at full draw.
This isn't a speed bow, but it was plenty fast when equipped with a QAD Ultra Rest drop-away rest and Trophy Ridge React H5 sight. Even with a 28 1/2-inch draw length and 65-pound draw weight, it clocked ATA-rated speeds of 331 feet per second and IBO rated speeds of 330 fps.
The Defiant is offered in a variety of configurations, including the Carbon Defiant 30, Xplorer SS and Defiant Turbo. The Xplorer and the Defiant Turbo are a bit faster than the Carbon Defiant. However, the Defiant 30 is one of the most maneuverable bows I've ever shot and, with an axle-to-axle length of 31 inches, can get into some tight places where other bows aren't. During the test shoot, it was very smooth to draw and shot with a good amount of power behind it.
