This year’s lineup of hunting bows from Hoyt features both carbon and aluminum models. You can see them here: 2025 HOYT lineup.
I chose to test out the Carbon RX-9 Ultra, a 33.5” axle-to-axle version of their 30” Carbon RX-9. The RX-9 Ultra has an ATA speed rating of 340, is just a touch over four pounds, and has a 6 3/8” brace height. I will not bore you with all the little details; you can see them here. Instead, I want to share the parts of the new RX-9 that made me want to try it out and how it performed for me.
Hoyt RX-9 Ultra Review
At the heart of this year’s Hoyt bows is the new HBX Gen 4 cam, and there are a couple of improvements for 2025 that make it more customizable, as well as maximizing the cam’s efficiency. The cam works with five different modules for draw lengths from 26-31 for the ULTRA, 25-30 for the standard RX-9. Each cam is adjustable in ¼” increments, my bow has a 3 module and can go from 28 ¼” to 29”. See what mod you would need for your draw length here: Hoyt white papers.
More Improvements
Besides making the cam more adjustable to an archer’s draw length, this also gives us the ability to have a cam that puts each draw length in the most efficient end of the cam’s rotation. In years past, depending on your draw length, you might be in a position that would not give the best performance. Now, all draw lengths are maximized. The new cam also has let-off options of 75, 80, and 85%, and two different backwall options: hard and harder. Even with the increased performance, the bow draws smoothly and doesn’t drop into a harsh valley.
The riser on the Carbon RX-9 is hand laid carbon and has the standard mounting points for quiver and stabilizers as well as Hoyt’s In-Line mounting system. A dovetail mount for rests and a pic rail up front for sights that mount to a rail are standard on all models, as well as a standard mounting option.
The side stabilizer mount is lower now to help balance better. Each bow comes with Hoyt’s two-inch Short Stop Stabilizer, and the riser has two stab mounting locations. I like the grip more than I thought I would and of course the carbon is nice to handle when the temps start dropping. I like the way the carbon feels at the shot.
I ordered my bow at 75-pound max; they are available with peak weights in 10-pound increments from 50-80, with 65 and 75 being added this year. I have shot 70-pound bows for the last three decades, but after shooting the new bows at 70, I went 75 because the new cam feels like you are pulling less weight.
I may have to build new arrows to get my speed down to where I like it. The arrows I have been using for the past few years are 460 grains, and this bow is shooting them at 298 FPS! This is a little faster than I like to shoot fixed broadheads, so a heavier shaft or expandable broadheads will be needed. (Edit; the Ultra is shooting my Iron Will heads downrange in tight little groups, so I guess 298 fps isn’t too fast!)
The bow at shot is very quiet, and if I do decide to build heavier arrows, it will get even stealthier. The carbon riser really mutes the feeling of any vibration at the shot–it feels great in hand. They are available in a handful of different camo patterns and a few earth tone solid colors. Hoyt has an online Bow Builder so you can see different options before you buy one.
Like the Hoyt bows of the past, each model is put through a rigorous dry-fire test before they make it to final production. Hoyt Dry fire testing
Conclusion
Overall, I am really liking the new RX-9 Ultra and the performance of the new cam. I am happy I choose the 75-pound limbs as I will get a bit more energy down range or speed depending on what weight arrows I choose to hunt with. I am looking forward to hunting with the RX-9 and give it my full endorsement, Hoyt has raised the bar again!
Comment or ask Tony questions here.
As a bonus, you can check out this awesome video Tony put together!
