The Ibex from Evolution Outdoors is turning heads with its hinge-style function, multiple customizable features, and the ability to lock on the D-loop.
by Jace Bauserman
As a bowhunter for 26 years, I’m a gear fanatic. However, I only completely geek out over some pieces of archery tackle that hit the market. One of those gear pieces is the bow release. I love them all! From index finger to hinge to tension to thumb, they all demand my attention. It takes only a single ad in a magazine, a YouTube commercial, or a brief online review, and my credit card comes out.
Why?
I firmly believe that when you find a release you trust — one that you let fire the bow and not vice versa — you’ll experience success on the range and in the woods like never before. When you hook or clip on your D-loop, draw in a fluid motion, and your arrow replaces your sight pin no matter how high-pressure the shot situation, you’re letting the release fire the bow and operating at a high level.
I’d heard too many good things from accomplished archers and bowhunters to ignore Evolution Outdoors’ Ibex Hinge.
The leading accolade I read and was told about was that this hinge-style release could clip on the D-loop. Other must-note features that captivated me were caliper-style string retention, detachable thumb peg assembly, lanyard connection, and other features typical of a top-end hinge release.
First Impressions
The Ibex comes in a zippered foam case and sits in a padded, perfectly cutout slot. When I grabbed the release, I noted the lanyard and thumb-peg connections were in a separate plastic bag. That bag also held a pair of Allen wrenches. The aluminum handle felt light and airy in the hand. The total release weight without the thumb peg and lanyard tab attached is only 2.3 ounces.
I ordered my release in Medium/Large size based on Evolution’s recommendation. The process is simple. Measure across your index finger at the widest point. Evolution also offers a Small/Medium model.
Typically, I appreciate the feel of a heavy brass handle, but I didn’t mind the release’s lightweight in-hand feel. Flipping the release over, I noticed Black and Gray’s sear settings on the handle’s back. The smallest Allen wrench fit the adjustment screws.
Pivoting the handle of the release, I discovered the forward pivoting of the head fired the release. Inserting the opening of the jaw on the D-loop cord and pushing it closed firmly attaches the release to the loop. I was instantly impressed with attaching the hinge to the loop. This feature will be beneficial for sit-and-wait and go-get-em hunters alike.
The Sniper Grey Cerakote color reduced shine. I loved the Ibex branding on the side of the release. Evolution also offers the release in Arizona Archery Green Cerakote.
Setup & Understanding
My release didn’t come with a set of manufacturer instructions. However, the Evolution Outdoors YouTube Channel provided me with all the setup instructions I needed.
I appreciate the lanyard tab, but I carry my handheld releases in the open pocket on the side of my bino harness. I don’t like my release hanging around my wrist. I did remove the middle set screw of the three screws located along the frame of the index-finger groove. After removing the screw, I slid the thumb tab attachment into the open slot in the back of the handle and re-inserted the screw. The thumb peg can then be positioned to one of three slots for maximum customization.
The ring-finger attachment, which makes this hinge a three-finger release, can be set to a trio of different positions. Completely remove the set screw that holds the ring-finger attachment to the frame and move it to your desired position and then re-insert the screw.
Though I didn’t want to make any hot/cold setting changes before testing, I did want to understand those settings. Evolution notes that the release comes pre-set with the click engaged and at a hot/cold setting desirable to most archers.
Sear adjustment should be extremely minute. Evolution notes that 1/4-turn is a lot. The hook starts at the gray sear. The hook drops to the black sear to initiate the click, then goes off the black sear, and that’s your fire.
When making adjustments, look at the screw side of the release and understand that you’re pushing the sears forward or backward. Forward makes the release colder, and further away (toward the ring-finger adjustment) makes the release hotter. If you wish to remove the click, line up the gray and black sears.
For example, if you want to make the release hotter, loosen the gray screw closest to the thumb peg and tighten the screw closest to the laser-engraved marks to pull the sear away from the hook. Then, do the same thing with the black screw to pull the black screw back toward the gray.
Shooting The Release
The short head of the release helps maximize draw length, and I shot the release with and without the thumb peg. I had no preference, but first-time hinge users should take advantage of the peg.
As a hinge shooter, I use a pull-through method for execution. I push hard into the riser with my bow arm and relax my hand from the wrist down, which causes the fingers to fall into the handle and initiate pull-through. The concept is the same for thumb-button goers. As with hinge users, thumb-button fanatics can relax their hand from the wrist down, putting pressure on the thumb peg and causing the release to fire.
While I shot this release well, after eliminating the click (I don’t like clicks), I could feel the release pivot in the handle, which created some pre-shot anxiety. Also, while the weight of the release may appeal to many, especially bowhunters looking to save on accessory weight, I shoot a heavy-handle release better.
After playing with it for a while, I found the release adjustability easy and straightforward. I also appreciate all the customization this release offers. When the release breaks, it’s as smooth and clean as I’ve used, and I like the engagement my ring finger gets from the broader black attachment point.
To prevent premature firing, draw the release in a more horizontal position and keep it rotated forward to ensure no pressure is put on the ring-finger attachment. Once anchored, rotate the release vertically and execute.
Final Thoughts
I shot the Ibex for a week from close and far ranges. I hammered white on Morrell’s High Roller and crushed the vitals of 3D targets.
Would I use the release in the competition? No. How about for hunting? Possibly. Does the release feature excellent innovation that is ideal for bowhunters? Absolutely.
Why wouldn’t I use it for bowhunting?
There’s nothing wrong with this release. My son, after shooting over 200 arrows with it told me, “Dad, I’m buying one.” For me, I’m too used to a heavy brass handle and zero pivoting in the handle. I get that the pivoting must happen to allow the release to have an open/close jaw, but the feel isn’t for me.
I suggest you give the release a test drive and decide for yourself. Who knows, you may find the Ibex from Evolution Outdoors to be a hinge-style release you can’t live without.
