For years Cartel has cultivated a somewhat dubious reputation in the archery world as the cheap and only sometimes cheerful alternative; but more on that later. It appears that the creation of Infitec is an attempt to move beyond their current identity as "entry level" and begin to cultivate the intermediate and advanced level market. Their products are still competitively priced compared to their alternatives but, at least from what I can see in their catalog, they appear to be considerably better designed and built.
I am particularly curious to try out their Challenger V-bar block. Entering the market at the same price point as fixed blocks from AAE, Fivics, and Win&Win/SF but engineered as an adjustable block like the offerings from Specialty or Doinker, there is definitely a considerable amount of built in savings. Though they do urinate in an opposing direction to the bulk movement of terrestrial gasses by offering a competing product to their established Cartel Midas CR-303 block.
The company/subsidiary, also offers a full line of accessories and even a recurve set up that is on par with the well established SF Axiom package. This is no doubt their answer to the two other new entrants to the riser market, the Core Archery Spark and the Raven Prestige FX. Both of which are machined aluminum risers for under $200.
Ultimately, I really do want this new brand identity to succeed. There is a certain sentimentality I have for Cartel given their products played such a large part in my entry to archery, and the market could definitely use some more reasonably priced gear (accessory prices are a tad ridiculous now...but this is also a discussion for later); but I unfortunately am skeptical.
So best of luck to you fine people at Infitec/Cartel.
More information on Infitec can be found at their website.
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