REVIEW: PSE ODIN

In recent years, PSE have releases a string of perhaps the most talked about bows on the market. Their MACH lineup used a unique carbon layup - that was 100% made in America - and featured incredibly popular cam systems built for a wide array of archers. Those bows hit incredible speeds and, thanks to their carbon makeup, were incredibly lightweight.

Those bows culminated in the recent release of the Sicario - a bow designed solely around the concept of speed clocking a nearly 360FPS IBO rating. 

Now, though, PSE have brought us a line of carbon bows that blow the rest of them out of the water. Enter, the Odin. 

Just a quick glance at the Odin and you will see that PSE has updated their carbon riser shape from previous bows. This new riser - still the only carbon bow to be hand made in the USA - showcases a stable and more repeatable presence over all other PSE carbon bows. 

Each Odin also features PSE's new limb pocket tuning system, which is essentially a macro-adjust EZ.220 system found beneath the base of the limbs. This allows you to adjust large tears out of your paper tune, while the tried and true EZ.220 axle system is reserved for your micro-adjustments. 

For 2027, PSE have announced five versions of the new Odin, and there is well and truly one for everyone. 

PSE Odin FDS

Beginning with the 'standard' Odin (if you can really call any of these bows standard), we have the Odin FDS. The FDS of course refers to the cam system found on the bow, which is a fine place to start. 

The FDS cam from PSE is renowned for being incredibly stable and incredible forgiving, resulting in 'tighter groups and more predictable shots.' Any cam that can help eliminate micro-movements and variations in my hold and shot is a winner in my book. The inherent full draw stability, which increases the effective brace height from 6.5" to a whopping 8", keeps your shot stable and massively forgiving. 

In addition to the updated limb tuning, and the new riser design, PSE has kept all of the technology and features that we have come to know and love. The PBTS tuning, integrated rest and sight mounts, Limb Vise pocket system, KillShok stabilizer, and more have all been brought over to the Odin platform from previous carbon bows. 

PSE Odin FDS Specifications: 

PSE Odin FDS XL

Much like with the Odin FDS above, the Odin FDS XL derives its name from the cam system found on the bow - the FDS XL Cam. 

The Odin FDS XL still retains the same technology and riser as the Odin FDS. With everything else being the same, the one difference is the cam system. The FDS XL cam is, as you might've guessed, bigger. With that size - approximately 1.5" of extra power stroke - it delivers increased performance and more options for longer-draw archers.

Greater full draw stability - with 8-3/8" of effective brace height - and an improved string angle enhance shooting comfort with the Odin FDS XL. A smoother draw force curve provides an easier draw, even at overlapping draw lengths with the FDS cam. You'll also note that the 'long draw' claim is true, as the Odin FDS XL reaches up to 33" of draw length (and speeds up to 366FPS). 

PSE Odin FDS XL Specifications: 

Odin Sub 30 FDS

Here is where things begin to get truly interesting. It has seemed that recently many high-end compound manufacturers have been moving away from focusing on short axle to axle bows. The inherent stability and forgiveness in longer platforms may be the pursuit, here. 

Over at PSE, however, they have been hard at work developing one of the most promising 'short' bows in recent memory. This is the Odin Sub 30. 

The Sub 30 in the title refers to the 29.5" axle-to-axle length - plus 'Sub 30' sounds cooler than simply writing 29.5. This ensures that, in conjunction with its carbon design, this bow is incredibly maneuverable and lightweight. Does this mean it is necessarily only for treestand and saddle hunters in the East? The FDS cam might have an answer for that. 

Largely, the Sub 30 keeps all the tech and features outlined on the Odin FDS that was first in this list. The primary difference being the axle-to-axle length of the bow - which of course makes it lighter. This lightness, combined with the Full Draw Stability of the FDS cam system, means this bow is just as viable as an option for backcountry bowhunters who want to stay light and stay mobile. 

Oh, and it is a proper speed machine, too. 

PSE Odin Sub 30 FDS Specifications: 

Odin Sub 30 FDS XL

The Odin Sub 30 FDS XL is a unicorn in the modern archery world. Though it only has a 29.5" axle-to-axle length, it is capable of reaching long draw lengths thanks to the powerful FDS XL cam system. 

It shares the same platform and tech as the Odin Sub 30 FDS, so you are still receiving all of the tuning, shootability, and performance features as you would on any other Odin. The real place this one shines is the draw length to size ratio. 

Like we stated above, you can reach 'long draw' lengths of up to 31.5" out of this sub-30 inch bow. Not only that, but it is rated to shoot at a blistering 357FPS when at that 31.5" draw length. If there was ever a carbon bow - or any bow really - built for the taller saddle/treestand hunter, it is this one. 

That FDS XL cam really uses all of its magic, here, and you can reap the rewards. Experience true stability at full draw in a short axle to axle bow with the Sub 30 FDS XL. 

PSE Odin Sub 30 FDS XL Specifications: 

Odin Specialist

Forgive me, but this bow is quite special. 

The Odin Specialist was specifically designed to bring performance, comfort, and truly adjustability to shorter-draw hunters. Keeping the same features and technology as all other Odin variations, the Specialist stands out with its unique cam system. 

The FDS M Cam system is comparable to each of the FDS cams above, except it has a few extra tricks up its sleeve. This cam allows archers with draw lengths from 24-1/8" to 28-1/8" to have a uniquely dialed bow, tuned to them - it features 1/4" draw length adjustment. 

Not only that, but it also manages an incredibly 330FPS rating at its max draw of 28-1/8". That is mind-blowing performance. The 29.5" axle-to-axle length ensures the bow is as mobile as they come, while the tech packed into that cam promise stability and efficiency at all draw lengths. 

PSE Odin Specialist Specifications: 

Overview of the Odin System

On the surface, it could be said that the Odin series of bows from PSE are very good at three things: being fast, being stable, and being light. Dig a little deeper, though, and you'll find that is absolutely correct. Not only that, but they have a more robust and clever tuning system than any PSE before them, and perhaps the most advanced cam systems, too. 

Across the five bows, you'll find a draw length range of 24-1/8" all the way up to 33", and these come from axle-to-axle lengths of 29.5" and 34" Those are very good numbers at face value, but where these specs really start to shine is in the fact that one of their 29.5" bows can reach a draw length of 31.5", and that you can get 33" of draw length out of a bow that only weight 3.8lbs total. 

In addition to those frankly amazing cam system achievements, the tuning systems found on these bows are as precise and rock-solid as they come. Just a quick spacer into the limb pocket and you can watch a larger paper tear diminish, while the original EZ.220 system found on the axles will make your tears disappear completely. The best part is that, once you have the tuning adjusted, it can never move from its position - you can always 100% rely on it to remain set. 

The FDS, FDS XL, and FDS M cam systems found on these bows are works of art - there are no two ways about it. On top of the incredible draw length ranges outlined above, these cams have a built-in stability system that can go toe-to-toe with anyone and come out on top. The Odin FDS XL has a resting brace height of 6-3/4", but the arrow is released from the string with the dynamic brace height at 8-3/8" - that is larger than most target bows. With that dynamic brace height comes the inherent, unmatched forgiveness that these bows will surely become known for. 

Oh, and one more time, these bows are fast, too.