Hoyt 08 Recurve User manual

Congratulations! You have just purchased the world’s finest
recurve bow. Hoyt’s recurve bows have been designed for the
serious recurve archer. Hoyt bows have brought home more
Olympic and World medals than any other bow in the world.
For 77 years, Hoyt has led the way in recurve bow technology
- for 2008 we are proud to continue the tradition. With nearly
three-quarters of the top archers around the globe shooting
Hoyt recurves, no bow is more thoroughly tested and compe-
tition proven than a Hoyt. Now more than ever, you can shoot
your shot and let your Hoyt do the rest.
The following information provides helpful instruction on the
various parts and components of your new bow as well as a
helpful guide to getting your bow set-up and ready to shoot.
543 N. Neil Armstrong Road
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
[phone] phone
[phone] Fax
www.hoyt.com

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
1. NEVER DRY FIRE YOUR BOW. Dry fire means to draw
and release your bow without an arrow. Shooting without an
arrow, which absorbs most of the bow’s stored energy, could
cause severe damage to the bow and possible injury.
2. NEVER EXPOSE YOUR BOW TO EXTREME HEAT
OR PROLONGED MOISTURE. Excessive heat, such as that
experienced on a sunny day inside of a closed vehicle, could
cause limb failure. Prolonged storage in a hot, dry attic or damp
basement could also be damaging and will void your warranty.
3. CAREFULLY INSPECT YOUR BOW BEFORE AND
DURING EACH SHOOTING SESSION. Carefully note condi-
tion of bowstring, limbs and riser before you shoot. Frayed bow-
strings should be replaced. Damaged or suspect limbs should
be reported to the dealer where you purchased your bow.
4. INSPECT ALL ARROWS FOR DEFECTS BEFORE
SHOOTING. Replace cracked nocks and loose fletchings
and discard fractured or dented arrows.
5. BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET. Make sure that there
are no persons, livestock, buildings or other objects behind
or near your target. Be absolutely sure of your target in low
light conditions.
6. ALWAYS BE SAFE. Never shoot straight up.Wear safety
glasses when working on or shooting your bow. Only shoot in a
safe direction. Always use a bow stringer to string a recurve bow.
Do not use the step-through method to string this or any recurve
bow. Never point or aim a drawn bow at another person.
Warning: This bow is a deadly weapon.
Always abide by all safety advisements.
Children must be supervised by an adult.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Important Information/Safety .................................. 1
Bow Owners Personal Record.................................. 2
Bow Terminology ............................................................ 3
 •BowLength .................................................................. 4
 •DrawWeight ................................................................ 4
Bow Assembly.................................................................. 5
 •InstallingLimbs ............................................................ 5
 •AdjustingWeight......................................................... 6
 •AdjustingTiller.............................................................. 6
 •Helix&NexusAlignment ........................................... 7
 •EclipseAlignment........................................................ 9
 •AdjustingBraceHeight ............................................. 9
 •ChoosingtheCorrectStringLength....................10
 •AdjustingPocketAlignment....................................11
 •DovetailSystemInstruction ....................................11
 •AdjustingthePocket ................................................12
 •ApplyingaNockingPoint........................................13
 •SettingYourCenterShot........................................14
Fine Tuning ......................................................................14
Limb Maintenance........................................................14
Warranty............................................................................15
1

Understanding recurve bow terminology and measuring tech-
niques is very important in setting up your new bow. Please famil-
iarize yourself with the following terms and measurements. Refer to
them as needed. (Bow shown from sight window side of bow.)
UpperLimb
Bow String
Tiller Measurement Point
Weight/Tiller Adjustment Bolt
Weight/TillerLockingScrew
Alignment Adjustment
Brace Height
Grip
Center Serving
Top Stabilizer Mounting
Weight/Tiller Adjustment Bolt
LowerStabilizerMounting
Center Stabilizer Mounting
Clicker Extension System
Plunger Hole(s)
Clicker Mounting
Tiller Measurement Point
Alignment Adjustment
Weight/TillerLockingScrew
LowerLimb
“Back” Side of Bow
“Face” or “Front”
Side of Bow
BOW OWNER’S PERSONAL RECORD
Fill in the following personal bow record for your later reference.
Riser Serial Number
LimbSerialNumber
Hoyt Riser Model
Purchased From
Purchase Date
Length   Weight
Important Notes:
Save your sales receipt and serial number for your
bow. The sales receipt, as well as your serial number, is your
proof of date-of-purchase. Proof of date-of-purchase will
be required should your bow ever need warranty ser-
vice. The following space has been reserved for you to staple
or tape your sales receipt for safe and convenient keeping.
IMPORTANT!
Staple or tape your sales receipt
here for safekeeping.
(Located in top pocket)
(Located on limb label)
2 3
RECURVE BOW TERMINOLOGY

4
BOW LENGTH
Bow length is the distance from the tip of the top limb to the tip
of the bottom limb of an unstrung bow with the tape following
the limbs. Depending on which riser length and limb length you
choose, you can tailor your bow to your specific needs. Refer
to the following chart to determine your bow length.
Riser Length Long Limbs Medium Limbs Short Limbs
Short Riser (23") 68" 66" 64"
LongRiser(25") 70" 68" 66"
Note: Short riser will result in an approximate 2 lb. increase
over the marked limb weight.
DRAW WEIGHT
To determine the weight on your Hoyt
bow, refer to the limb specifications locat-
ed on each limb. Example: a 25” riser with
a long limb produces a 70” bow with a
draw weight of 34 pounds at a 28” draw
length.Iftheselimbs are used on a 23”
riser, the combination would produce
a 68” bow with a draw weight of 36
pounds at a 28” draw length.
The weight marked on the limb is measured at a 28” standard
A.T.A. (Archery Trade Association) draw length. A.T.A. draw
length is measured at 26 1/4” to the throat of the bow grip
plus 1 3/4”. This produces an industry standard by which
recurve bows are measured.
Note: Your draw weight will change due to draw length.
Add or subtract approximately two pounds for each inch your
draw length is over or under the 28” standard.
BOW ASSEMBLY
INSTALLING LIMBS
All Hoyt competition recurve bows use the patented Hoyt
dovetail mounting system. This reliable and proven system is
quite simple:
1. Carefully align the limb dovetail bushing with the corre-
sponding slot in the riser pocket. Push the limb into the locket
until the detent button engages. You will feel or hear a light
“click” when this occurs, and the limb will stay in place under
itsownweightwhenfullyseated.Itisnormalatthisstagefor
there to be considerable movement possible with the limb
2. String the bow using a bow stringer.
3. Pull the bowstring about two inches and let go to “seat”
the limbs. This completes the assembly procedure.
5
Standard Hoyt
Dovetail (A)
LimbButt
Pocket
Weight/Tiller Adjust Bolt
Weight/TillerLockingScrew
Standard Hoyt
Dovetail (B)
Weight/Tiller
Adjust Bolt

6
ADJUSTING WEIGHT
Helix, Nexus and Eclipse: These bows are adjustable over
a range of approximately 10%. Factors which affect this
include limb length, limb construction, and limb design and
brace height.
1. Using one of the two supplied Allen wrenches; loosen
the tiller bolt locking screw (see Standard Hoyt Dovetail (B)
imageonpg.5).Ifyouplantoincreaseweightyouwillneed
to loosen this screw by more turns than you plan to add to
the tiller screw.
2. Unstring the bow.
3. Turn the weight/tiller adjustment bolt clockwise to increase
bow weight. Turn it counter-clockwise to decrease bow weight.
4. Using both Allen wrenches, and holding the tiller bolt in
place, re-lock the tiller bolt locking screw.
5. Restring the bow.
TILLER ADJUSTMENT
Tiller is a measurement which indicates the weight relationship
of the top and bottom limb. This static measurement has some
effectonbowreactionandaiming.Itiseasilymeasuredbynot-
ing the difference between the top limb butt to the string, and
the bottom limb butt
and the string. The
difference (if any) is
the tiller.
The degree of
desirable tiller will
vary from archer to
archer, depending
upon factors such as
grip pressure, finger
pressure, desired
Warning: Do not adjust weight on any
adjustable bow beyond the limit shown
in the drawing above. The weight/tiller
bolt should never go above flush with
the riser. There must be at least six
threads of engagement between the
riser and weight tiller bolt.
7
tuning patterns, desired aiming arc, desired bow reaction
and more. As a starting point, it is usually easy to tune a bow
with 0 to 3/8” of tiller (distance from bottom limb to string is
equal to that of the top limb, or less, by up to 3/8”).
Normally, for most shooters with normal
finger and hand pressure, anywhere from
0 to 3/8” of tiller is going to yield a bow
which aims easily without “pulling” high
or low, and which shoots more quietly.
SETTING TILLER
Measure the tiller as shown in the dia-
gramtotheright.Ifyouwishtoincrease
tiller without affecting bow weight,
unstring the bow and add turns to the
bottom limb tiller bolt, then subtract the
exact same number of turns from the
top limb tiller bolt. Re-lock the bolts and
restring the bow.
Do the opposite to decrease tiller. You can increase both tiller
and bow weight by adjusting the bottom limb only.
HELIX & NEXUS ALIGNMENT ADJUSTMENTS
The Helix and Nexus limb pocket design is the most precise,
reliable pocket system available today. This system will main-
tain correct settings in the most severe conditions. Out of the
package, the Helix bow is factory pre-aligned and adjustment
is optional when used with Hoyt limbs. In general, the vast
majority of setups do not require alignment adjustments.
To make an adjustment, follow these directions:
1. Refer to the diagram on page 8 and note the condition.
STRING
Top
Tiller
Bottom
Tiller
Brace
Height

8
2. Using a bow stringer,
unstring the bow and dismount
the limbs.
3. Before adjusting the Hardlock
dowels on the Helix/Nexus, note
the relationship of the dowel
and slot to the riser. This is the
factory zero point and by using
it during reassembly, you will find it quick and easy to re-set
the dowel to the factory radial settings. (You may use a paint
pen or pencil to mark dowel settings).
4.Inordertomakeariseralignmentadjustment,youwillneed
to use the two included Allen wrenches. Engage the hex
head broaches on both ends of the dowel (one of which is a
locking screw) and twist the lock screw counter-clockwise to
loosen the system. Note that under the washer that engages
this screw, there will be several brass alignment washers. A
factory-shipped riser will have two but if the riser has been
adjusted the number may vary.
5. Helix/Nexus hardware dow-
els have a radial locking feature
which prevents dowel rotation,
even under severe dry-fire con-
ditions. The next step in adjust-
ing the Helix Hardlock system
is to loosen the radial locking
screw by two complete turns
(as shown in figure to right).
Once the radial screw is loose, the entire dowel assembly
will easily slide out of the riser. Be certain to always install
the dowel from the sight window side, as the dowel is asym-
metrical and designed to mate with the recessed area on the
sight window side of the riser.
6. Refer to the condition chart on page 12. If your limb is
showing Condition A, add washers to the sight window
Dowel Radial Alignment
Locking/Unlocking
Dowel Radial Alignment
LOCK
LOOSEN
9
side of the alignment dowel. If your limb shows condition
B, remove washers from the sight window side and shuffle
them to the opposite side during re-assembly. Note that only
washers on the sight window side control the alignment, so
you can store unused washers on the non-sight window side
without affecting any settings.
7. Reassembly is accomplished by inserting the dowel into the
sight window side of the riser, and aligning the dowel radially
as shown in the figures on page 8. Then, snugly lock the radial
set screw to pin the dowel in place. Re-install any leftover
washers and the alignment cap, then using the two supplied
Allen wrenches; complete the reassembly by re-installing the
dowel cap washer and lock screw. Tighten snugly.
8. Re-check all locking screws for tightness and reassemble
the bow.
ECLIPSE ALIGNMENT:
Tiller and weight adjustments for the Eclipse follow the same
directions as those for the Helix and Nexus. The Hardlock
dovetail limb mounting system on the Eclipse is factory pre-
set and is not user adjustable.
ADJUSTING BRACE HEIGHT (“FISTMELE”)
Brace height, or “fistmele,” is the perpendicular distance from
the bowstring to the pivot point of the handle. This height is
an important aspect of tuning. The following chart gives you
the recommended brace height range for your Hoyt recurve
bow. (See chart on page 10)

10
BRACE HEIGHT RANGE CHART (STANDARD LIMBS)
Riser Length Long Limbs Medium Limbs Short Limbs
Short Riser (23") 8½–9 ¼” 8¼–9” 8–8 3/4”
21.5–23.5 cm 21–22.8 cm 20.5–22 cm
LongRiser(25") 8¾ - 9 ½” 8 ½ - 9 ¼” 8 ¼–9”
22–24 cm 21.5–23.5 cm 21–22.8 cm
Adjustments can be made to the string to adjust brace height.
Adding twists will increase the brace height while removing
twist will decrease the brace height. Generally, Hoyt does not
recommend less than 10 twists in a string. Optimum brace
height is one that gives a smooth bow action, good arrow
flight, tight grouping and often yields the quietest shot.
CHOOSING THE CORRECT STRING LENGTH
Depending on the length of your riser/limb combination, you
can use the following string lengths as a guideline. String
length is approximately three inches shorter than the bow
length. When ordering strings from Hoyt, use the bow length
as a reference.
STRING LENGTH RECOMMENDATIONS
Riser Length Long Limbs Medium Limbs Short Limbs
Short Riser (23”) 68” bow 66” bow 64” bow
65” string 63” string 61” string
165cmstring 160 cm string 155 cm string
LongRiser(25” 70”bow 68”bow 66”bow
67“ string 65” string 63” string
170 cm string 165 cm string 160 cmstring
11
ADJUSTING YOUR POCKET ALIGNMENT (SELECT MODELS)
An adjustable pocket system allows you to adjust the limb
pockets to achieve optimum limb/riser alignment. This allows
archers to more easily determine center shot, but has little
effect on accuracy or shootability. Alignment and radial angle
of the dowel are accomplished at the factory and there is
normally no need to change the settings.
IMPROVED HOYT DOVETAIL SYSTEM INSTRUCTIONS
Your 2008 Hoyt recurve riser is equipped with an improved
version of the Hardlock dovetail system. The redesigned
dowel allows you to make weight and/or tiller changes over
a larger range without the need for a radial adjustment of the
dowel. In addition, the stronger dowel material allows use
of a 3/16 Allen wrench (supplied), which makes locking the
system faster and easier.
The only additional consideration is that the ideal radial posi-
tion of the dowel is pre-set at the factory. We recommend
using a pencil or other marking tool to mark the dowel before
moving it to ensure a return to the optimal position.
A dowel that is not in the optimal radial position does not
affect accuracy, however, rolling the dowel too far may make
it difficult to remove limbs after shooting. A dowel which is
not rolled far enough may fail to allow the detent on the limb
dovetail to positively click into the dowel, complicating the
stringing process.
Remember that dowels are asymmetrical, and need to be
installed from the sight window side of the bow only.
Ifthepocketneedssomeadjusting,firststringthebow(riser
and limbs only). Check the limb alignment of both the top and
bottom limbs by viewing down the bowstring from end to end

12
on the face of the bow. While looking down the string line,
check the location of the tip you are holding to the face of the
limb in your hand. The limb tip should be reasonably close to
the center of the limb.
ADJUSTING THE POCKET
The Hardlock limb pocket alignment system maintains its set-
tings in all conditions. You can adjust your limb alignment to
make it perfectly compatible to the riser simply by removing
or adding the supplied washers to the alignment dowel.
To adjust your pocket follow these directions:
1. Refer to the diagram below and note the condition.
2. Unstring your bow and remove the limbs.
3. Unscrew the alignment locking screw and remove the align-
ment cap and washers. Pull the alignment dowel and washers
out from the sight window side of the pocket. (Do not lose
any parts!)
4. (Refer to the limb visual) IfyourlimbisshowingConditionA:
Simply add washers to the sight window side (maxium of 4)
ofthealignmentdowel.IfyourlimbisshowingConditionB:
removewashersfromthesightwindowsideofthedowel.Limit
your adjustments to one washer at a time. You can store any
Condition A
Need to adjust limb tip
to the right.
Condition B
Need to adjust limb
tip to the left.
unused washers between the riser and alignment cap because
the washers on the alignment cap (non-sight window) side of
the pocket do not affect the alignment.
5. To reassemble the pocket, first insert the alignment dowel
and washers in the riser (be sure to always put the alignment
dowel in on the sight window side of the riser). Place the
washers, alignment cap and alignment locking screw in the
dowel. Be sure washers are not caught on the threads of
the alignment screw, they
must be flat against dowel
shoulder prior to tighten-
ing. Securely tighten the
dowel locking screw with
the supplied Allen wrench.
APPLYING A NOCKING POINT
A nocking point marks the exact position of the arrow on the
bowstring for each shot. To apply your nocking point, slip an
adjustable nock set on the center serving, and slide it into
position.Initially,setthenockingpointatapproximately3/8"
above the level point of the rest. Close the nock set with
nocking pliers so it is firm, but do not over tighten the nock
set as it could break your serving.
Adding washers to the dowel moves
your limb tip to the right, as removing
them moves the tip to the left.
HARDLOCK POCKET
Alignment Cap
Alignment
Locking
Screw
(Opposite
Side of
Sight
Window)
Alignment
Washers
Alignment Dowel
(Sight Window Side)
13
Riser
Alignment Washers

SETTING YOUR CENTER SHOT
The final step of tuning is to position your center
shot. To start, position the arrow slightly outside
of the center of the bowstring. To do that, begin
by nocking an arrow and placing it on the arrow
rest. Do not draw the bow, but position yourself
behind the string side of the bow, looking down
the arrow. Align the string down the center of
the limbs and riser and check to see the posi-
tion of the arrow tip relative to this line. Adjust
the plunger or arrow rest until the inside edge of
the arrow shaft aligns with this line.
FINE TUNING
For advanced methods, see your local dealer. An additional
source of detailed information is the Easton Arrow Tuning
and Maintenance Guide, available for a nominal fee from
Easton Technical Products, 5040 W. Harold Gatty Drive,
Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 539-1400 or online at
www.eastonarchery.com.
LIMB MAINTENANCE
Hoyt limbs are very low maintenance. However, a few simple
actions can help keep them looking new and prevent minor
problems. The most common limb issue is loose hardware.
Over time, the stainless-steel button head screw holding
the limb detent system in the limb can loosen. Use an Allen
wrench to periodically re-tighten this screw. Do not over-tight-
en. The screw is designed to be removable to allow cleaning
in the event of water immersion. However, the components
are corrosion resistant and normal rainfall is not a problem.
Lubricant is not required on any limb component when the
limbs are used in Hoyt risers.
Hoyt foam limbs (such as 900 CX and G3) are water-resis-
14
tant. Occasionally you may apply a light coat of quality car
wax to the painted surfaces to keep them looking fresh, but
this is not required. Wood core limbs are potentially suscep-
tible to moisture infiltration if the protective finish is damaged
(by a deep scratch, for example). The use of clear nail polish
or clear automotive touch-up paint will help re-seal the wood
and prevent moisture problems. After use in wet conditions,
towel dry your limbs and riser to prevent water damage (do
not use a heat source).
WARRANTY
Hoyt recurve handles are warranted against defects in
materials and workmanship to the original owner for the
life of the product. Hoyt recurve limbs are warranted for
one (1) year. A dated proof of purchase is required for war-
ranty coverage. Products must be purchased through a Hoyt
authorized dealer for warranty coverage. Hoyt, at its discre-
tion, voids all warranty claims either expressed or implied
including but not limited to evidence of abuse, modification
to original design or use of attachments or accessories that
cause excessive stress.
WARRANTY SERVICE
To obtain warranty service, you should refer to the Hoyt
Dealer where you purchased your Hoyt bow. The dealer can
help you determine if Hoyt factory service is required or if the
repaircanbe completed by thedealer.If the bow mustbe
returned to the factory, the bow owner is responsible for the
return postage to Hoyt. Hoyt, in turn, will match the postage
for reshipping the repaired bow.
Before any bow is returned to the Hoyt factory for warranty
service, a Return Authorization Number must be obtained
through an authorized Hoyt USA pro shop. Bows returned to
the factory without a Return Authorization Number will be
sent back. (warranty info continued on page 16)
15

16
Write the RA number on the outside of the shipping
box and send the Hoyt bow requiring factory service to:
Hoyt
543 N. Neil Armstrong Road
Salt Lake City, UT 84116-2887
Any bow returned must have the following:
 •Mustbesentpostagepaid.
 •Mustincludeacopyofthedatedsalesreceipt.
 •Mustincludeashortnoteexplainingthenatureof
the problem.
 •MustincludeaHoytReturnAuthorizationnumber.
 •Shouldnotincludeaccessoriesunlessotherwiseinstructed
when the Return Authorization Number is obtained.
NOTES