We at BowCountry.com figured it was about time to change things up a little bit. We’re changing the format in which we’ll be reviewing products in the new "BowCountry Picks" section. We hope you like it.

Recently the BowCountry Team got the opportunity to take a look a HHA Sports new wrist style back tension release, model LP-3. As you can see from the pictures, the LP-3 is very different compared to most wrist style release aids. The LP-3 uses back tension to actuate the firing mechanism, meaning once you draw your bow and depress the safety you’ll need to create back tension in order to fire the release. For those of you (myself included) that have ever been struck with target panic at one time or another, this may be just the thing for you.

Because the LP-3 works on draw force applied to the release after the safety is depressed at full draw, it is very, very difficult to predict when the release will fire. This helps reduce target panic, or sometimes referred to as “punching the release”. Because the release is set to your particular comfort settings, you’ll find the New LP-3 to be incredibly accurate.

I say this for two reasons. First in order to be accurate you need to draw the same length each time. If you’re not, you’re changing your power stroke each time and your arrow will not impact the same place twice. Second, if your leaning into your back wall harder one time than another you’ll find yourself climbing up out of the valley rather quickly. This will increase arrow speed causing inconsistent arrow impacts. Pulling back too hard is just as bad as creeping forward. By using our Hooter Shooter at longer ranges, we can demonstrate both of these conditions.  Enough about how the LP-3 works. Let’s check out how the new LP-3 scores under our new evaluation format.

Fit & Finish The fit and finish of the LP-3 is excellent. The release head is all aluminum & steel construction. The aluminum is finished in anodized black. The steel tension spring is thankfully finished in black, compared to the chrome version listed in HHA Sports catalog. Chrome is ok for target shooting, but just doesn’t get it done when it comes to hunting. The wrist strap is a padded camo style and is very comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Engineering The engineering behind the LP-3 is outstanding. I’m sure many hours went into designing the LP-3 wrist strap style release aid. I personally have said to many of my shooting buddies that it would be great to have a release that fired at certain predetermined poundages. The consistency of such a release would offer exceptional accuracy. The only engineering draw back to LP-3 is its limited to higher let-off bows. However the 25lb maximum holding weight does cover most of the hunting bows on the market today.

Hype to Reality Ratio This category is really a no brainer as far as HHA Sports is concerned. HHA Sports have never been one to over-sell their products. On the front of their catalog it says “All it takes is a little pull” and that’s all it takes.

IIWII (it is what it is) Is the LP-3 what it says it is? It sure is. It is a wrist strap style back tension release, and it WORKS.

Pros:

1. It will work off the string or with a loop
2. Excellent hunting release for the “Panic Stricken”
3. Great double duty release (great hunting or target release)
4. When used properly it can definitely tighten up your groups

Cons

1. A little pricey
2. Maximum holding weight only 25lbs

Conclusion

Is the new LP-3 for everyone? No. Because the LP-3 uses spring tension to fire the release mechanism, you’ll have to be shooting one of today’s higher let off bows. The LP-3 requires a “MAXIMUM” holding weight of 25lbs. So with that being said you’re going to need either an accurate bow scale or a pro shop to weigh your bow. It is also required for proper setup that you know your exact holding weight in order to set the LP-3 up correctly. If these requirements aren’t an issue for you, you owe it to yourself to go to your local pro shop and test fire the new LP-3 for yourself.

If you suffer from Target Panic or just want the consistency of knowing your going to fire your bow the same every time. You might want to give the new LP-3 a try.