Explore the ordering process, professional setup, shooting results, and final verdict.
Pyramyd AIR Archery Pro Shop online bow ordering and professional setup
PSE Evo NXT 31
Draw specifications, D-loop, peep sight, arrow rest, sight installation, cam timing, and bow tuning
Approximately five business days for this order
Sighted in and shot at 20, 30, and 40 yards; paper tuning independently verified
Experienced archers who know their draw length and draw weight
An easy, convenient way to order a professionally set-up compound bow without spending most of a day at an archery shop
How Ordering Works When You Buy a Bow Online
Ordering was simple, and the site walks you through every measurement it needs.
The Pyramyd AIR Archery Pro Shop explains the process, which is already pretty simple and straightforward in my opinion, step by step.
First, you pick your bow. You can filter by price and other options. A comparison tool lines up several bows side by side, showing bow weight and minimum and maximum draw lengths, and you can narrow the field as you go.
I’d already done my research and chose the PSE Evo NXT 31 in black.
Once you add the bow to your cart, it’s time to enter everything Pyramyd’s team needs to set the bow up for you.
Getting the Measurements Right
Draw Length and Draw Weight
Draw length and draw weight were easy for me because I’ve been bowhunting for about 20 years. Most archers who aren’t buying their first bow will know these numbers, too.
But, if you don’t, Pyramyd has short, easy-to-follow videos that show how to measure draw length, plus guidance on what draw weight you should be shooting.
Conveniently, you can click for more information that explains what’s being asked for each measurement.
Peep Sight Height
For peep height, you enter your eye height, and once again a short video shows exactly how to measure it.
This was one of the measurements I was most interested in testing. A peep sight needs to line up naturally when you’re at full draw, and that’s something a local bow technician can normally check while you’re standing in front of them.
Ordering online eliminates that in-person fitting, so I was curious how close Pyramyd would get.
D-Loop Setup
Next comes the D-loop. The site explains the different loop types and how each is tied.
I actually got a little education here, as in the past I always had my local shop tie it for me. The site explained the differences between the upper tie, lower tie, or both tied.
I chose lower tie only because they said that was best for elevated treestand hunters.
One Question About the Peep Sight
One thing confused me. The peep option said no tie tube, but the photo appeared to show one, and mine showed up with a tie tube. So, I reached out to them.
Turns out that tubeless peeps used to be an option on every bow from Pyramyd, but on bows with strings that stretch with use, too many customers had to take the bow to a shop every few months to have the peep adjusted.
Pyramyd still offers tubeless where string stretch isn’t a concern.
My current setup is tubeless, but I am no stranger to the tube, so this was not a major problem.
This was one of the few parts of the ordering process that left me with a question. The explanation made sense, but clearer wording or imagery on the peep selection page would help customers know exactly what to expect.
Choosing Arrows and Accessories
Arrow cutting is free, so I took Pyramyd up on that offer.
You can enter a custom arrow length or let Pyramyd’s Archery Trade Association-certified bow technicians decide. I left it to them and noted that I shoot 125-grain broadheads.
For arrows, I went with Easton Hunter Classics, one of quite a few options available.
From there, I picked a Trophy Ridge Sync arrow rest (I’ll personally take that over a whisker biscuit any day), a Trophy Ridge five-pin sight, a quiver, and a case.
I didn’t need a top-of-the-line sight. The stabilizer had only one option, which was fine. I skipped broadheads and a release because I already have the ones I like.
Accessory Compatibility and Availability
A few accessories were backordered, which narrowed my choices a bit. But that’s not much different from going to a shop where you only pick from what’s on the shelf anyway.
What I liked most is that everything offered appeared matched to the bow I picked. I wasn’t browsing through a huge catalog of accessories and trying to figure out what would work with my setup.
Instead, I could select the components I wanted and let Pyramyd’s technicians handle the installation and adjustment.
For someone who knows what he likes in a bow but doesn’t necessarily want to install and tune every accessory himself, that convenience is a major selling point.
What’s in the Box?
My bow arrived about a week after I ordered it, with the rest and sight mounted, the peep in the string, and a checklist showing every step that had been done.
Pyramyd’s technicians install the rest, D-loop, sight, and peep, time the cams, and tune the bow using a bow press and draw board. Every bow goes through tuning and testing before it ships, and the arrows are cut for your setup.
The Setup Checklist
The checklist in my box covered:
- Components picked and inspected
- Graphics inspected
- Riser assembly
- Serial number
- Finished bow inspected
- Ship draw weight
The stabilizer and quiver came packed separately, so I put those on myself.
Both are quick jobs, and I was ready to hit the range within about 15 minutes.
That was a pretty big difference from spending five or six hours at a brick-and-mortar archery shop.
Did Pyramyd AIR Get the Bow Setup Right?
This was the biggest question I had going into the review.
Ordering a bow online is easy enough. The question is whether the draw specifications, peep sight, rest, and tuning will actually be right when the bow arrives.
Draw Length and Peep Placement
Peep height is the hardest thing to get right without seeing you at full draw, and Pyramyd got it right.
I took the bow out of the box and drew it back, and the peep lined up well. The sight housing sat right inside the peep, so I could aim from the first draw.
I ordered at the draw length and draw weight I already shoot, and the bow matched the specifications I entered online.
There was no need to move the peep or make adjustments to the draw length to get comfortable behind the bow.
Paper Tuning and Arrow Flight
I also verified the paper tuning Pyramyd had performed before shipping the bow.
The tuning checked out, and the arrows flew consistently once I started shooting. I didn’t need to make additional tuning adjustments to correct the arrow flight.
That’s important because I wasn’t simply looking for a bow that had the accessories bolted on correctly. I wanted to know whether the setup work was actually done well enough that I could get to the range and start shooting without having to take it to another shop first.
In my experience, Pyramyd delivered on that promise.
The biggest takeaway was that the draw length, peep alignment, and tuning were right when the bow arrived. I independently checked the paper tuning, and the bow didn’t need additional setup work before I could begin sighting it in.
First Shots: Sighting In at 20, 30, and 40 Yards
The only real adjustment I made was sighting in.
The peep, rest, and cams were good as delivered, and I don’t expect to make any major changes.
Sighting in at 20, 30, and 40 yards did take a while. But that’s a me thing. It was a brand-new sight I’d never used, and, to be honest, sighting in is one of my least favorite chores during hunting season.
Beyond that, the only work was mounting the stabilizer and quiver.
How Did the Bow Shoot?
Once the pins were dialed in, the bow shot great at every distance I tested.
The PSE had a great feel, and I was impressed with how well Pyramyd set it up. The arrows flew consistently, and I was getting tight groups at 20, 30, and 40 yards.
Just as importantly, I wasn’t fighting the setup. The peep lined up naturally, the bow felt comfortable at full draw, and the tuning held up when I started putting arrows downrange.
That’s exactly what I was hoping for when I ordered a bow that was supposed to arrive professionally set up.
One thing worth understanding: professionally set up doesn’t mean you can skip sighting in. Pyramyd can install and tune the equipment, but you’ll still need to dial in your sight pins for your own shooting before taking the bow hunting.
Pros and Cons of Buying a Bow Through Pyramyd AIR
After going through the ordering process, receiving the bow, and shooting it at multiple distances, here’s where I think the service really delivers and where a traditional archery shop still has an advantage.
And, of course, if you’re like me and enjoy catching up with the guys at your local archery shop, that’s one part of the experience an online order can’t replace.
So, Who Should Buy a Compound Bow Online?
Overall, I’d say Pyramyd’s Archery Pro Shop is best for experienced archers who already know their draw length and draw weight.
If you’re upgrading, or adding a second (or third or fourth) bow, it’s worth trying out this virtual option.
Experienced Bowhunters
For somebody who’s already comfortable shooting a compound bow, knows their preferred specifications, and understands what accessories they want, this process makes a lot of sense.
You can research the bow, compare options, select your equipment, and have the professional setup work handled before the bow ever reaches your doorstep.
You’re still responsible for sighting in and making sure you’re comfortable with the finished setup, but the bulk of the installation and tuning is already done.
First-Time Bow Buyers
If you’ve never owned or shot a bow, I’d still start at a reliable, honest local shop.
Talk to the people there and try out some bows. Let them explain how all the components work, shoot some arrows, and get comfortable with a professional’s help.
There’s real value in that hands-on experience when you’re just getting started, particularly when it comes to learning proper form and figuring out which bow fits you best.
Once you’ve developed some experience and know what works for you, buying your next bow online becomes a much easier decision.
Final Thoughts: Is Pyramyd AIR’s Archery Pro Shop Worth It?
Can Pyramyd AIR send you a properly fitted bow without a trip to the bow shop?
Absolutely, with a process that’s both easy and thorough at the same time.
Ordering was straightforward, the bow showed up in about five business days, and the peep, rest, and cams were ready right out of the box.
I verified the paper tuning, the arrows flew consistently, and I didn’t have to make any major adjustments to the setup. All I really had to do was mount a couple of accessories and sight it in.
For someone who’s spent the last 20 years buying bows through a local archery shop, I came away impressed.
There are still good reasons to visit a bow shop, especially if you’re new to archery or want to shoot several bows before deciding. But if you already know your measurements and what you like, Pyramyd AIR has made a pretty convincing case for ordering your next compound bow online.
More on Buying a Bow Online
Considering ordering your next bow online? Check out our related firsthand experience with Pyramyd AIR on North American Bowhunter:
Ordering a Bow Online Through Pyramyd AIR
Per our affiliate disclosure, we may earn revenue from the products available on this page. To learn more about how we test gear, click here.
