Good Deal on Bow??

[CTA]

I'm considering a used bow (my first, of course).  I don't want to get ripped off and hoped that a few folks might weigh in...

It's a Bear Odyssey II, currently set at 27 inch draw length and 50# draw weight.  The bow has a 5 pin sight, peep, whisker biscuit, quiver, several aluminum arrows, broadheads, hard case, release and target for $350.  It appears to be in good shape (Although I would take it in for service to start anyway...). 

I know it's a bow meant for a smaller person, which would be me.  I'm 5'7", 155lbs.  My draw length, measured by an employee of a local archery shop (not cabelas), was 27 inches.  A 50# draw weight would be sufficient for now, as I'm really a deer hunter at this point.  If and when I'm ready to elk hunt, I'll have to re-examine my equipment.

Oh, and I don't plan to hunt archery this year.  I figure it'll take several months of practice before I'll be competent and confident enough to hunt with the bow. 

Thanks in advance for your thoughts,
cta

[hillbilli]

if it comes with a case and arrows, and is in real good shape, then 350, is an ok, but not great price.. you can get a new bow, with sights/quiver/rest- for less than 400, (2 that come to mind for the smaller statured/ may have to work up the draw length type folks are the mission craze and bear outbreak..) search e-bay for compound bows with a 'buy it now' price, and it will give you a real good idea of what you can get for the money.. I would look for something that will go to 60lbs.. and not have to reevaluate anything, just hunt anything with your bow and not worry about changing bows for a long time no matter what u hunt. almost any bow sold for 60lbs will go down to 50.. so if thats all you can pull for now thats ok... hope this helps

[sebek556]

think midway just had a new bear all set up minus arrows and the target for 350, target and arrows would probably be another 100 or so and you'd have a new bow capable of deer or elk  I think a lot of guys out there over price old bow for people just getting into the sport because a lot of people don't know the value of the equipment at that age.

[deerslyr]

Theres a lot of good bow kits out there these days that retail for 400 and under.

[coop2424]

I was in the same position as you this year and ended up picking up a new 2012 pse stinger all setup for $320 off eBay.  By no means is it the best for the dollar but I am not sure you can beat it.  60-70 lb and has multiple draw length adjustments.

[billythekidrock]

Theres a lot of good bow kits out there these days that retail for 400 and under.

I agree, and I would rather buy new when possible.

I bought my son the Bear Encounter ready to hunt for $400.
I wanted to get him an entry level bow and this was the only one I found with a 32 inch draw length under $800.

We will be upgrading the sight, rest and quiver soon, but as it is, it worked well enough for him to kill his first archery deer this year.

[Bean Counter]

Call me a simple man. I paid $400 for a used package and couldn't be happier. One of the first bows I ever shot. First time I met the seller I was grouping 9" at 25 yards and I didn't even know what I was doing. Felt like a match made in heaven. Included a bow, case, extra limbs, release, sight, quiver, some arrows, both a fall away and whisker biscuit rest, and TWO sets of Winners Choice strings. Several years later its still my only bow because I can't seem to justify spending $900 on a high end bow and starting over. Sure: I'd get another 30-40 fps out of the top end bows, but to me it just isn't worth dropping that kind of coin on a new bow at this time.

[Austrian Hunter]

Do you have something worth trading?? I have a Martin Pantera "new".

[Kc_Kracker]

everything i have seen on craigslist for $300-$550, is on ebay for under $300 shipped cheap or free. hell i was looking at SWEET new ones at wholesale sports last nite on the shelf for $300-350, brand new no used stuff. 

[firedog]

Check the archerytalk classifieds also. Can be some good deals on there at times.

[Stick em]

That sounds like an average price for this time of year. I would go with ebay or craigslist for a used bow. My biggest suggestion is to not buy a bow until hunting season ends. You'll find great stuff from hunters remorse and dealer liquidations. I picked up a Bowtech Patriot 2, 2007 for $200. The bow is a nail driver and smooth as butter. I would also suggest you take this time of year to go try some bows at pro shops. Cabela's and Sportco are good places to start. You'll get a good idea of the bow you want. I good bow will last a long time so spend a few months looking before you buy. I do commend you on planning on not hunting with it this season. Good luck shopping and with your hunt next year.

[bobcat]

There are great deals on eBay when retailers are trying to make room for the

[atfulldraw]

X2 for archerytalk.com, my dad and a buddy bought new in box Hoyt Alphaburners for $400 from a dealer trying to clear out the show room for newer models.