Genesis Bow: Original, Mini and Gen-X

What Genesis makes

Genesis Archery makes compound bows for people learning to shoot. On this site, the lineup is three bows: the Original Genesis, the Mini Genesis and the Gen-X. Each comes left or right-handed, as a bare bow or as a kit with arrows.

The grid above shows the Genesis listings on Amazon right now. Most of them are the Original in different colors and hands, so don't let the length of the grid fool you into thinking there are a dozen models. There are three bows and a lot of paint. Genesis lists more than ten finishes for the Original alone.

The kit arrows are Easton XX75s, and replacement Genesis arrows and a Genesis-fit bow case are sold under the Easton name. Those are on the Easton brand page.

How a Genesis bow works

Here's what actually changes compared with a regular compound bow. A typical compound is set to one draw length, the distance you pull the string back, and it has let-off, meaning the pull gets easier at full draw. The Original and Mini Genesis do neither. The maker calls it a universal draw length with zero let-off.

In plain words: there's no wall at the end of the draw, and no one setting to match. You can draw it short or long and it still works. That's why one bow fits a small kid and a tall adult. Louisiana Sportsman's write-up says one Genesis will fit most members of a family without adjustment, as long as they share the same eye dominance.

The trade is that you hold the full draw weight the whole time you aim. With 10 to 20 lb, that's fine for practice. (On paper it's a compound. In practice it feels closer to a recurve with a pulley. I mean that as a description, not a complaint.)

The Gen-X is different. Genesis lists a progressive let-off cam with up to 65% let-off. More on it below.

Lineup notes: the Genesis bow family

The Genesis Original bow

The Original is the one NASP uses. NASP's FAQ says that when the program started in 2002, the Genesis was the only universal draw length bow available, and NASP adopted it to keep competition fair for everyone. The Genesis FAQ adds that the Original, the 10 to 20 lb model, is the only bow allowed in NASP.

Maker specs:

• Draw weight: adjustable, 10 to 20 lb
• Draw length range: 15 to 30 inches
• Axle to axle: 35 1/2 inches
• Brace height: 7 5/8 inches
• Mass weight: 3.5 lb

Genesis says the Original is designed for shooting with fingers and doesn't recommend it with shoot-through rests or release aids. That matters if a young archer is moving toward a hunting setup later.

NASP's FAQ also says a Genesis "Carbon" version is allowed in competition, because its limbs are film dipped and its internals match the standard Original.

The Genesis Mini bow

The Mini is the smaller sister, for small archers. Genesis doesn't print an age range; it says the right bow depends on the archer's size and stature.

• Draw weight: adjustable, 6 to 12 lb
• Draw length range: 14 to 25 inches
• Axle to axle: 29 1/2 inches
• Brace height: 6 1/8 inches
• Mass weight: 2 lb

Same zero let-off, same universal draw length. The Mini isn't the NASP bow, though the Genesis FAQ says both the Original and Mini are allowed in the Centershot Ministries program.

Quick math: the Mini is 6 inches shorter axle to axle and 1.5 lb lighter than the Original. For a seven-year-old, 1.5 lb is the difference between holding the bow up and holding it up for a while.

The Gen-X

The Gen-X is the one that grows up. Genesis lists:

• Draw weight: adjustable, 25 to 40 lb
• Draw length range: 21 to 30 inches
• Let-off: up to 65%
• Axle to axle: 35 1/2 inches
• Brace height: 7 5/8 inches
• Mass weight: 3.4 lb

The maker names whitetail hunting, instinctive shooting and bowfishing among its uses. The Gen-X kit comes with a rest, sight, quiver and four carbon arrows, per the maker. Whether 40 lb meets your state's minimum for deer is a question for your state wildlife agency, not for me.

Bow only or kit

Every Genesis model is sold as a bare bow or a kit. Per the maker:

• Original and Mini kits: tube quiver, arm guard and five Easton XX75 arrows, in random colors that may not match the bow
• Gen-X kit: rest, sight, quiver and four carbon arrows

The grid marks which listings are kits. If you're starting from zero, the kit saves you from figuring out arrow sizes on day one. If you already have arrows that fit, the bare bow is all you need.

For a replacement dozen, Easton's XX75 Genesis is the 1820 aluminum size, 7075 alloy, which Easton says is approved for all NASP tournaments. The N nock in the Easton grid is listed for the Genesis arrow.

How to choose a Genesis bow

Pick the bow by the archer's size

Genesis's own advice is to choose by the archer's size and stature. Small kids: the Mini. Older kids, teens and adults learning: the Original. Archers who already draw 25 lb comfortably and want let-off or a hunting path: the Gen-X.

Start at the bottom of the range

My one opinion on this page: set a new Genesis at the bottom of its range and turn it up later, not the other way around. Genesis makes that easy. Its FAQ says each turn of the limb bolts takes off about 1.4 lb, and you turn both bolts by equal amounts with the included 3/16-inch Allen wrench. Start low, add turns as the shots get smooth. (As a physical therapist, I'd rather see a kid shoot 40 easy arrows than 8 heroic ones.)

Right or left hand by eye dominance

Genesis says the hand depends on eye dominance, not handedness. Its test: hold your arms out to form a small triangle with your hands, look at someone through it with both eyes open, and the eye that sees them is dominant. Uncle Walt did this test in the yard and announced he has "a dominant chin." He doesn't.

Accessories and threads

All Genesis bows use ATA-standard threads, per the maker: #10-24 for a sight, 5/16-24 for a rest. Genesis still suggests checking with a dealer, because not every accessory suits these bows. Sights and rests across brands are on the bow sight page and the arrow rest page.

Who can skip the Genesis lineup

If you're an adult who already shoots, and you want to hunt deer this fall, the Original and Mini aren't for you; their draw weights are built for learning. Look at the Gen-X, or at the full field on the compound bow page. If you want a release aid and a drop-away rest from day one, the Original isn't built for that either, per the maker. And if the young archer in your house would rather shoot a stick bow, a recurve is the simpler road; those are on the recurve bow page.

Fingers or release

The Original is designed for finger shooting, per Genesis. Louisiana Sportsman describes the Genesis cam as working like a force multiplier rather than giving much let-off. Teach the finger shot first. A mechanical release can come later, on a bow made for it. Releases across brands are on the bow release page.

Setup and care that apply to every Genesis

A few setup notes from the Genesis FAQ:

• Nock locator: a typical starting point is 3/8 inch above zero; the factory locator is temporary and slides with warm air from a hairdryer
• Arrow rest: the Original's rest pushes in; the Mini's threads onto a stem
• Draw weight: always turn both limb bolts the same amount

Never dry-fire a bow, meaning never release the string without an arrow on it. Archery 360 explains that the energy goes back into the bow and can bend cams, crack limbs or snap the string, and a dry-fired bow should be checked by a pro shop before it's shot again. Keep the bow away from people who haven't been shown how to use it.

The Genesis warranty is one year, non-transferable, to the original owner. The FAQ says any alteration, including cosmetic refinishing, voids it. So paint the arrows, not the bow.

Cases: Easton sells a Genesis 4014 case, which it says is tailored for the Genesis compound bow, 40 by 14 inches, padded, with a mesh accessory pocket. A Genesis Max case is in the Easton grid too. More cases are on the bow case page.

Genesis bow facts

• Made in: USA, per the Genesis warranty page ("Proudly Made in USA")
• NASP: the Original has been the program's bow since NASP started in 2002, per NASP
• Patents: Genesis lists seven patent numbers on its site, with more pending
• Warranty: one year, original owner, per the maker
• Shipping: the maker ships to US addresses only

I couldn't verify a founding year or a parent company on the maker's site or a reputable publication, so both are left out.

Other beginner compounds, from every brand, are on the compound bow page, the youth compound bow page and best compound bow for beginners.

Start light, shoot often, and write the draw weight on a piece of tape on the limb. You'll be turning those bolts again by spring.