Can't remember if I shot the Assassin or not, I shot a lot of bows while looking for a z7 Magnum. I know that I have shot the z7 and the z7 extreme and both are great bows. I just don't like the Extreme as it is just too short for me, the Z7 is about perfect though not as fast as I would like for it to be. From shooting the Z7 I can tell you that it is dead in the hand, no vibration what so ever, it is plenty fast and very quiet. The draw lengths tend to run about a 1/2 long and the wall softer than two cam bows. The draw cycle is very smooth as well. I have shot several Bowtec's but I never could warm up to them. One of my buddies had a Patriot or Admiral (could be mistaken on the names, it was their flagship from 09 or 10) and after the limbs split the second time he swore off bowtecs for ever. I have personally never seen this so take that for what it is worth.
I know my bow recomendation wasn't very helpful, but I can tell you without a doubt that the spot hog wise guy is about the best release going, and the Rip cord Code Red is one heck of a rest......Blake