Athens Archery

Discontinued

Overview

Athens Archery manufactured compound bows, founded in 2009 with a focus on product quality and customer service. The company operated in the archery equipment market, producing premium bows targeted at enthusiasts and pro shops. It ceased operations recently due to a patent infringement lawsuit from Bowtech over its tuning system.¹⁴⁵

History

Athens Archery was founded in 2009, originally rooted in Rochester, Indiana, before relocating to Rochester, New York area. The company developed features like the ACU tune system for its compound bows. In recent times, facing a patent infringement lawsuit from Bowtech regarding its Deadlock tuning system equivalent, Athens Archery closed its doors, citing inability to afford legal defense.¹⁴⁵

Product Lines

Product Line	Positioning	Price Range
Helix Compound Bows	High-performance hunting bows	$1,000 - $1,500
Evolve Compound Bows	Speed-focused target bows	$900 - $1,400
Solon Compound Bows	Entry-level hunting bows	$600 - $900

Manufacturing

Products were manufactured in the United States, with operations based in Henrietta, New York. Details on in-house versus outsourced production are not specified in available sources. The company supported pro shops and bow manufacturers with related components like bowstrings via affiliates.¹²

Notable Products

Helix SD - Flagship compound bow with advanced tuning system.
Evolve 35 - High-speed bow designed for target archery.
Solon SX - Compact hunting bow with adjustable draw length.
ACU Tune System - Proprietary tuning mechanism central to recent models.

Reputation

Enthusiasts reported positive experiences with Athens bows for performance and quality among owners. The sudden closure due to litigation has been viewed as detrimental to the archery community, especially as a U.S.-based manufacturer. Criticisms center on the company's decision to shut down rather than contest the lawsuit.⁴⁵

Sources (5)