Prime bows are known as some of the most balanced bows in the world, however, their desire for 2021 was to make a good thing even better, delivering an even more comfortable shooting experience in their latest series of bows.
Their lineup for 2021 includes the all-new Nexus, available in Nexus 2 (32″ ATA), Nexus 4 (34″ ATA), and Nexus 6 (36″ ATA). This review will cover our experience and demo of the Nexus 2. It was chosen because of its more compact and hunter-friendly size.
As we get started, take a closer look at what you’ll find in the new Nexus bow in the video below…
Prime Nexus - Where Accuracy Meets Comfort
One of the biggest wins for the new Nexus bow is the major reduction in vibration from what we’ve seen in the past. In fact, Prime says the 2021 flagship has 50% less vibration than previous models.
The bow still rivals any bow on the market for balance at full draw, but now it’s cut the excessive vibration, resulting in a quieter and more accurate shooting experience. Prime also says the bow is faster and more comfortable than than anything they’ve yet to produce.
The mission with the Nexus series was to design a bow with the focus on speed, comfort, and shootability. And as you’ll see below, they seem to have done just that with the Nexus 2.
First Impressions
I received the Nexus 2 test bow in a 28″ draw length, cranked down to 70 pound draw weight. It came in the new Army Green camo pattern. It’s a popular finish color that a number of bow manufacturers have been making available in the last year or two. It’s honestly one of my new favorites in a bow finish for all my personal bows.
The new bow grip certainly caught my eye, and I was a bit skeptical at first glance. But as we’ll discuss in a moment, it’s a nice addition to this new bow design.
The bow draws really smooth. You’ll feel a gradual stack on the back end of the draw cycle, and just about the time you’re expecting a sudden roll over of the cams, you hit full draw. No obnoxious bump or aggressive roll over. It’s really smooth.
The bow is noticeably quiet. The sound of the arrow slapping the target in my office was the bulk of the noise that came from my shots with this bow.
And as we’ve seen in the past, the bow is as balanced as anything you’ll ever find. It just doesn’t move when you’re on hold at full draw. If there’s one thing Prime has done right over the years, it would be the balance built into their bows.
Specs on the Prime Nexus 2
Speed: 341 fps
Axle-to-Axle: 32″
Mass Weight: 4.2 lbs
Brace Height: 6″
Draw Length: 23″-30″
Draw Weight: 40, 50, 60, 65, 70, 80
Let-Off: 80%
Price: $999
The R2 Cam System
The Parallel Cam’s of the Prime bows are obviously the most unique feature you’ll find on these bows. But for many, the question is, “What purpose do they serve?”
And the short answer is, the parallel cams are designed to eliminate cam lean. It helps in the way the bow tunes, shoots, and performs overall.
The Nexus is built with the all-new R2 Cam system. It’s what Prime says is their fastest cam yet. And they are not just blowing smoke. There is a bump in speed with this latest offering compared to what we’ve seen in the past.
The R2 Cam features a rotating mod that’ll cover draw lengths from 23 -30 inches, so it fits a wide range of shooters. The mod adjusts quick and easy for on-the-fly setups and changes – all without the need for a bow press.
Why the Swerve?
The riser on the Nexus features 82X aluminum. Prime says it’s the perfect blend of strength and lightweight maneuverability. It’s one of the toughest risers on the market.
But what about the Swerve design built into the riser? What’s the point?
The role the Swerve plays is to add stiffness to the riser. But it doesn’t stop there. The design also helps sync the top and bottom half of the riser. The end result is a system that reduces variations in nock travel. It helps the bow work in unison, from top to bottom.
Nano Grip
As mentioned above, I wasn’t sure what to think about the new grip on the Nexus. At first glance, I figured it might cause some subtle distractions in the hand. However, after spending some time with it, I’ve come to realize it’s a really nice design that fits great in the hand and was built to keep you comfortable, no matter what the weather and temperatures throw your way.
The new grip is built with Aerogel Aerospace technology.
What does that mean?
Basically, it’s the same Aerogel technology NASA uses to protect astronauts from extreme temperatures.
So how does it work for the bowhunter? When applied to the Nexus bow grip the Aerogel creates an insulated barrier between the cold aluminum and the composite grip. No more freezing hand while you’re clinching your bow, waiting out a big buck in bow range.
Flexing Roller Guard
The Nexus features an adjustable flexing roller guard designed for better tuning and accuracy.
The advanced engineering of this cable guard system helps eliminate side load caused by the cables. The end result is a reduction in torque in the riser, causing better nock travel out of the bow.
Adjustments are quick and simple with nothing more than an Allen tool for small increment adjustments giving you the perfect tune.
How it Performed
Again, the test bow we received was set up with a 28″ draw length and had the limb bolts bottomed out at a weight of 71 pounds. The test bow weighed in at 4.6 pounds, bare bow.
I shot 3 different hunting arrow weights to give you a look at what you might expect in real-world hunting performance.
Here’s a look at what we got when shot through the chrono:
Arrow 1 – 399 Grains – 300 FPS
Arrow 2 – 455 Grains – 283 FPS
Arrow 3 – 544 Grains – 261 FPS
The Prime Nexus 2 is a sweet shooter, no doubt. It’s easily one of the top 5 bows for 2021. It draws smooth and shoots quieter and more vibration free than ever before. Be sure to check out the 2021 Nexus 2, Nexus 4, or the Nexus 6 at your our local Prime dealer, or online at www.g5prime.com.
