Ethos. Merriam-Webster defines it as “the distinguishing character, sentiment, moral nature, or guiding beliefs of a person, group, or institution.” Elite Archery’s 2024 aluminum flagship hunting bow perfectly conveys the company’s ethos. For years, Elite has staked its claim on “shootability” — virtually any archer can pick up an Elite bow, get comfortable with it fast, and start pounding bull’s-eyes. The Ethos, by name and its distinguishing character, embodies shootability in every way. 

Fact: Elite Archery was founded in 2005, which makes the company quite young when you consider that some bow brands date back to the 1930s. But, “young” isn’t synonymous with inferior or inexperienced. Far from it. All I’ve seen from Elite Archery in relation to its youngness is an unstoppable energy that keeps pushing technology forward, and the result is a bow that can perform right next to any other bow.

Speaking of energy, one thing about well-known bow brands is loyal customers tend to remember favorite models from years past. One Elite bow model that most Elite fans fondly recall is the Energy 35, which launched in 2014. What does a 10-year-old bow have to do with the Ethos? Well, Elite engineers harnessed a feature that made the Energy 35 a fan favorite and wove it into the Ethos. More on that soon.

Test Bow Specs

• Axle-to-Axle Length: 33 inches
• Brace Height: 6.75 inches
• Draw Length: 28 inches
• Draw Weight: 70.5 pounds 
• Let-off: 70-90% (tested at 90%)
• Bow-only Weight: 4.5 pounds 
• Accessorized Total Weight: 6.5 pounds (including sight, rest and front stabilizer)
• Velocity: 275 fps (with 468-grain Easton 6.5mm Acu-Carbon 340 arrow); 278 fps (with 456-grain CX Maxima Triad 350 arrow); 280 fps (with 441-grain Victory VAP SS 350 arrow)
• Kinetic Energy: 78.61 foot-pounds (Easton); 78.27 foot-pounds (CX); 76.79 foot-pounds (Victory)
• Test-Bow Finish: Outdoor Green
• MSRP: $1,299.99
• Contact: www.elitearchery.com

First impressions

One of the first things archers will notice about the Ethos is it holds rock solid with target bow stability. I noticed it when I drew it back fresh out of the box, and that attribute really cemented itself into my shooting experience once I was launching arrows from longer distances. It feels absolutely outstanding. 

The stability is thanks to features such as a long riser with Dual Riser Cages, advanced riser geometry, stout 4.5-pound mass weight, and a Delta VRT weight/dampener combo mounted just above the bottom limb pocket. Let’s not forget the oversized limbs and pockets, which widen the bow’s working platform. 

Now, let’s discuss where the Energy 35 from 2014 comes into play. Longer bows have a less acute string angle, and most archers find it easier to settle in with longer bows for that reason. Whether Energy 35 fans knew it or not, its bowstring angle was largely why it was so comfortable to shoot. By tweaking the amount of flex in the limbs and the cam size, Elite engineers achieved the Energy 35’s string angle on the Ethos. That’s a fancy way of saying a 33-inch bow feels like a 35-inch bow. Pretty amazing attention to detail if you ask me.

Draw Cycle Options

With most bows, you’re stuck with a certain draw cycle and sometimes a specific let-off, too. The Ethos flaunts the proven SP Cam, which is compatible with a few different modules depending on the feel an individual archer prefers. It’s almost like having a few bows in one. 

I fell in love right off the bat with the Performance Mods, which come standard on the Ethos. Of the module options, these deliver the most velocity because they store more energy throughout the draw cycle. This also means they increase draw effort, but I felt right at home with the draw cycle, even at 70.5 pounds. The draw weight stacks nice and evenly, and is very smooth. 

As for the Ethos’ velocity with Performance Mods, I tested it at 28-inch draw length with midweight hunting arrows. It was right around 280 fps, which is similar to most of the bows I’ve tested, but the Ethos has a 6.75-inch brace height, which is more generous than the brace heights of most flagship bows from other companies, making it more forgiving.   

Tinkering and Tuning

Aside from the different module options, you as the bow technician have the latitude to really dial in the Ethos to each individual customer. And, all of the tuning features are straightforward enough that your more technical customers should have no trouble using them. Let’s discuss some of those features.

First, the SP Cam ends with a nice and solid back wall right out of the box, but optional draw stops are included and can be attached to the let-off adjustment module for those looking for a different feeling back wall. Speaking of the let-off module, it can be adjusted from 70-90% in minute increments. As well, the draw length can be tweaked in 1/4-inch increments, making it the ideal bow for perfectionists.

With tuning, the most impressive feature is the proven S.E.T. Technology (Simplified Exact Tuning). Two bolts are located at each end of the riser on the inside edge of the limb pockets. While paper-tuning a bow, a nock-left or nock-right paper tear is common, and a lot of folks try to adjust the rest to correct these tears. Well, if the rest is properly set, the issue is more likely cam lean. In the past, fixing cam lean was a matter of shimming the cam on the axle or twisting or untwisting the buss cables (if applicable). 

With S.E.T., addressing a left or right paper tear by adjusting cam lean is as simple as loosening the locking bolt, micro-adjusting the S.E.T. bolt, and then tightening the locking bolt. It’s in small print, but a guide for adjusting based on the type of tear you achieved is located right by the adjustment bolt for easy reference. It’s a stupid-easy system that eliminates a lot of the guesswork. 

Another worthwhile mention is the LTR (Linear Tuning Roller) roller-guard system. Beyond smoothing out the draw cycle, it is laterally adjustable in fine increments. This allows for cable clearance with large-profile vanes and an extra level of tuning by increasing or decreasing lateral cable torque.

Range Remarks

I already articulated my satisfaction with the Ethos’ comfort and stability, so let’s get into the rest of the shooting experience. It is pleasantly quiet and vibration-free due to the silencing and vibration-dampening features, not to mention a robust riser designed to avert flexing. The dampening products decorating the Ethos are VibeX Limb Dampers, a bowstring cushion outfitted with an extra dampener, and the Delta VRT that I mentioned earlier.  

Accuracy? Well, it’s exactly what you’d expect from a bow so stable. I spent some time shooting the Ethos out to 70 yards in a crosswind. If I do my part and execute good shots, my arrows hit home every single time. Because the bow is so comfortable, acquiring the target is fast, which allows me to begin executing the shot faster than with some bows. 

Final Thoughts

The Ethos doesn’t have a Picatinny sight mount or Integrate Rest Mounting System as many bows now do. I could give it a strike for that, but it feels so good — even when accessorized — that I see no reason to complain. Elite rigs its bows standard with a Winner’s Choice bowstring-and-cable set, which is pre-stretched to deliver positive peep alignment and virtually zero creep after the first few shots. The finishing touch is the Precision Grip. This isn’t new, but worth noting because it is one of the most comfortable grips out there. Oh, and one more thing: The Ethos is available in 19 camo and solid finishes — there’s something for everyone. 

To tie the bow on this report, don’t forget about Elite’s Hunt Guarantee. If you’re unfamiliar, in the event of an unfortunate bow breakdown while hunting, Elite will send a loaner bow the very next day so the individual can finish his/her hunt. 

If all of the positives I’ve noted in this report don’t convey Elite Archery’s ethos as a company to your customers, put the Ethos bow in their hands and it will.

Additional Notes: The Elite Ethos was set up using a Last Chance Archery EZ Green Bow Press and EZ Green Bow Vise, and the draw weight was calculated using Last Chance Archery’s Digital Bow Scale. A Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph measured the arrow velocities. Other products used were Easton’s Nock and D-Loop Pliers and Pro Hex Fold-Up Allen Set. Arrows were weighed on Last Chance Archery’s Pro Grain Scale.

In-the-field photos by Becca and Darron McDougal