Martin Lithium LTD Review

The Martin Lithium LTD at First Glance

Welcome to our Martin Lithium LTD compound bow review. A quick glance at Martin’s new bow reveals that it features one of the new, ultralight, skeletonized, risers made from machined aluminum with a bridge at the pivot point (the weakest part of the riser) to provide both strength and rigidity.

See the Martin Lithium LTD on Amazon.com

Also, it features one of the new hybrid cam designs which aims to provide shooters with the accuracy and ease of tuning of a single cam bow while, at the same time, providing the speed of a double cam system.

However, at 4.4 lbs., it is one of the heavier compound bows on the market and, unlike many others, it is only available in black and Mossy Oak Infinity camouflage pattern.

The Martin Lithium LTD Riser, Grip, Limbs

The Martin Lithium LTD features their “Wide Riser” design which is one of the new style of bridged risers in which the width of the riser has been expanded and then skeletonized in order to provide greater rigidity for increased accuracy as well as to help direct vibration away from the shooter’s hand.

Also, Martin has incorporated three harmonic dampeners in both ends as well as the center of the riser to further reduce vibration in order to create a compound bow that is so quiet and smooth to shoot that it is like shooting a recurve bow!

In addition, as is the vogue these days, the Martin Lithium LTD features a molded, aluminum, grip that is specifically designed to reduce bow torque along with a carbon fiber cable guard and cable dampener and an included string dampener.

Last, the Lithium LTD is powered by Martin’s X4 Twin Limbs which are made from long fiber Gordon composite material and which consist of set of matched, quad, limbs, that are specifically designed to eliminate cam lean.

Martin Lithium LTD Cam System

The Martin Lithium incorporates their Nitro 3 Hybrid Cam System which is a cross between a single cam and a double cam that endeavors to deliver the speed of a double cam bow while also providing the smoothness and accuracy of a single cam bow.

Also, this cam system features a rotating cam module that enables the draw length to be easily adjusted from 26.5 to 30 inches without the need for a bow press.

But, it should also be noted that unlike many bows on the market today, this cam system does not feature an adjustable draw weight and the bow must be purchased with either 60 lb. or 70 lb. limbs.

The Martin Lithium LTD’s Draw Cycle

Due to the Nitro 3 Hybrid Cam System combined with the medium cam design, the Martin Lithium actually has a very smooth draw cycle and release.

Also, it features an adjustable draw stop that provides the archer with a rock solid wall and not only is this bow very smooth to draw, it’s also very accurate to shoot.

See the Martin Lithium LTD on Amazon.com

The Martin Lithium LTD’s Noise and Vibration Level

Due to its wide, bridged, riser and incorporated harmonic dampeners as well as the included string dampener combined with the lightweight, quad, limb design and hybrid cam system, the Martin Lithium is amazingly adept at reducing and eliminating vibration in the bow!

Consequently, not only is the Martin Lithium LTD a very quiet bow to shoot, it has almost no perceptible vibration in the riser to distract you and interfere with your shot placement.

Martin Lithium LTD’s Shooting Speed

Although the Martin Lithium LTD is not the fastest bow on the market (that title presently belongs to the PSE Full Throttle), it is one of the faster bows with an IBO speed of 330 FPS.

It is important to be aware that IBO speeds are somewhat deceptive because they are based on a draw weight of 70 lbs. shooting a 350 grain arrow but, they have no standard for draw length.

Bow manufacturers automatically use the longest draw length available in any given model. Therefore, your actual arrow speeds will likely be somewhat less than IBO speeds if you shoot a shorter draw length, a lighter draw weight, or a heavier arrow than the given IBO criteria.

Martin Lithium LTD’s Kinetic Energy Levels

It should be noted that the kinetic energy generated by the Martin Lithium LTD will greatly vary depending on your draw length, draw weight, and arrow weight.

But, here are some close estimates of what KE levels to expect from a couple of different parameters:

• 70 lbs. / 30″ draw / 350 grain arrows: 84.7 ft-lbs KE
• 70 lbs. / 30″ draw / 425 grain arrows: 102.8 ft-lbs KE

Important: please note that the results listed above are measured at a point-blank range. In order to determine the Lithium LTD’s kinetic energy output at different distances, you will need to subtract approximately 1.8 ft-lbs. for every 10 yards of distance from the target.

Using the Martin Lithium LTD for Hunting

Specifically designed as a hunting bow rather than a dedicated target bow, the Martin Lithium LTD is an excellent choice for the avid bow hunter.

In fact, with an IBO arrow speed of 330 FPS, this bow delivers plenty of kinetic energy for hunting even the largest North American and African game species.

Plus, with an axle-to-axle length of only 33 inches, it is an easy bow to maneuver when hunting from a tree stand or ground blind and, with its smooth draw cycle and smooth, quiet, release, the game will never know you are there until the arrow strike the target.

Kinetic Energy: You Can Hunt:

< 25 ft-lbs Small Game (groundhog, rabbit, wild turkey) 25-41 ft-lbs Medium Game (Antelope, Whitetail deer) 42-65 ft-lbs Large Game (black bear, wild boar, elk) > 65 ft-lbs Largest Game (Grizzly bear, Cape buffalo, Musk Ox, African elephant)

So, although the Martin Lithium LTD is one of the more expensive compound bows on the market today, it does incorporate a whole host of new and innovative technological advancements that make it one of the top compound bows available.

For instance, the bridged riser provides extreme rigidity and, when combined with the incorporated harmonic vibration dampeners, it greatly reduces vibration while greatly increasing accuracy.

Also, the quad limb design eliminates cam lean and, the hybrid cam system provides both the smoothness and accuracy of a single cam bow with the blazing speed of a double cam system.

All things considered, the Martin Lithium LTD is a good value for the money.

See the Martin Lithium LTD on Amazon.com