You paid how much for a release?

[Band]

I keep my backup bow at the cabin but only have 1 release so I need to buy a second one.  I know you can pay a lot of money for a release but is it really necessary?  The one I have now is the Cobra I bought years ago with the velcro wrist strap, and as I remember it was fairly inepensive.  I see that a buckle strap is more commonly recommended than velcro these days but how important is it to buy one of the spendy brands?  Releases range roughly $15-$190 from what I can see.  What is wrong with those that cost $15?

[JLS]

I can't speak to the quality of the $15 releases, but I've been using the same Scott Little Goose for 14 years now.

[D-Rock425]

Just go buy a scott. 

[SGTDuffman]

Nothing if they work for you. Aside from MAYBE cheaper materials or stitching, I can't see why anything else about them would make much of a difference.

Best I can tell you is to try some releases if you can, and see if you think they're worth it. Maybe go to a range and ask some guys if you can take a couple shots with their release.

When I bought my first compound I got it as a package deal off HuntersFriend, and it came with some cheap Tru Fire release, the one that's about $17, and it worked just fine for years. Now I use a Spot Hogg Wiseguy that I got for cheap. As far as build materials and quality, there's no comparison between the two, the Spot Hogg is way better, but both worked just fine. The Hogg has less creep and the trigger is much crisper and lighter, but both sling arrows.

[jackelope]

I'm using a Scott Shark with a buckle wrist strap. Goes for around $60.00.
I was using the Little Bitty Goose from Scott but it was hanging up on the D loop. I called Scott and they gave me a free replacement of my choice. I didn't even have to send the bad one back. That is incredible customer service and that is why I will buy a Scott next time too.

[DoubleJ]

Wal Mart.  $20.  Has worked flawlessly for 3 years.  I like to have the glove style and those are hard to find.

[dmr400]

It's all personal preference. I've shot the cheapos, and the expensive ones. A skilled Archer can feel the difference between a good release and a bad one, and sometimes the difference isn't the pricetags. The main differences are usually the adjustability (light to heavy), travel (sloppy to crisp), and the durability/warranty. I'll take a crisp inexpensive release over an expensive one with excessive travel any day. If you are shooting with a surprise release triggered by back tension a quality release is much more important than if you punch or pull the trigger. Once you get to about $70 the differences will start to be more about feel than quality. In my personal opinion you should decide what type of release you want (caliper, rope, index finger fired, thumb fired, etc). Only after you have decided on those key attributes, go into a store with a broad selection and shoot every release they have that fit your chosen criteria no matter what it costs. Buy the one that feels best. Shoot it for a few months, and if is still working well for you, buy another exactly like it and set it up exactly the same way.  Mixing and matching releases isn't a good thing, unless they are two totally different types(I.e. a lot of guys shoot their target bows with thumb or back tension releases and an index finger fired of some type with their hunting bows). Basically its all about what feels the best to you, because YOU have to shoot it. We owe to our game to shoot as well as we can, so buy accordingly. Notice I didn't say buy only expensive gear, I said to buy what you can shoot well.

Having said that, another thing to consider is buying good enough quality equipment that you can depend on it to work every time,and last. Most of us will spend more on fuel getting to hunt and scout than we will on equipment over the course of 2 or 3 seasons. The extra 50 bucks you'll spend on a quality release is probably less than it would cost to drive back into town to replace a broken release, AND its a long term investment to boot. I've been sitting the same release for the last 5 bows...even though I shoot a couple new releases that catch my eye every year.

[dmr400]

I should add that the last five bows is also 13 years, as we all know guys who buy a new bow every year

[yajsab]

I've noticed difference between the cheap releases and the Scott Little Goose.  My recommendation is to go out and try a bunch.  But if you don't want to do that, I highly recommend just go to Sportco and get a Scott Little Goose for around $55 or any Scott that they have.  I like the single caliper and small profile.

You mentioned velcro and buckle.  For me, it doesn't matter.  I have both and I can shoot either just fine.

[Band]

How about those hook-style releases?  What do you guys see as the pros and cons of those vs. the caliper releases?

[JLS]

Can't help you there, I've always used the caliper.  My guess would be that it's easier to get it on the string, but could also come off too.

[yajsab]

I have one of those too, the Carter Quickie 1+ with Scott buckle.  Shot a few times and it has been sitting.  The trigger is real nice though.  I wish the release profile is smaller.  I'm actually thinking about selling it.  Let me know if you would like to see it.

[Band]

Can't help you there, I've always used the caliper.  My guess would be that it's easier to get it on the string, but could also come off too.

That was the pro and con I was thinking about and the con is scary to me.

[D-Rock425]

Hooks work just fine.

[Button Nubbs]

Spend some time behind a high end relese then try to go back to a cheapo. Ain't happenin. I use a carter "like mike" wouldn't go back to a Scott.

[Special T]

Archery is all about repeating the same motion each and every time. I have shot both velco and buckle, and now use buckle. You get the same tightness/distance each time you use the same buckle hole. The only way i could do that with velco cut the circulation off in my hand. I like caliper verses hook. I would think that a good backup release would be the same kind you normally use. 

[SGTDuffman]

My first one was a caliper, the Spot Hogg is a hook. I prefer the hook. I can get it on there without looking at it. The hook is curved back towards you a bit so the only way it's coming off is if there is no tension at all on it.

As far as buckle or velcro, I don't think it really matters, that's up to you. Both will obviously keep the thing on your wrist. Some people say the velcro makes noise, or it's harder to put on the same every time. I haven't found either to be the case.

[demontang]

Spend some time with a nice release and then go back to the cheaper ones. I shoot the spothog wise guy trueball pro release and spot hog whipper snapper. The two spot hogs are way nicer and are easier to group with. The triggers are lighter and smoother, its like having a rifle with a stock trigger or one thats upgraded.02

[Dirty Mike]

Jim fletcher 44 caliper bout 45 bucks awesome for the money

[earlmarne]

man,i have spent about 300 bucks recently on releases.i didnt like either of them as much as my scott rhino xt.
no need to spend big bucks to get a quality release,but i think it is all in how thy feel to the individual.

[KFhunter]

tru ball.  max pro 4


What I'm using now, spent under 100 bucks I think.

It's too stiff from the factory, but once you adjust it the thing shoots pretty good.  Also I took off the thumb barrel, I don't like extra junk on the release.

I didn't want a wrist strap, I like to keep it in a pocket and keep my hands free then when I'm on stand I hang the release from the D loop.

I know they have wrist strap models you can fold back out the way but still a pain with wearing jackets and stuff.

[sakoshooter]

man,i have spent about 300 bucks recently on releases.i didnt like either of them as much as my scott rhino xt.
no need to spend big bucks to get a quality release,but i think it is all in how thy feel to the individual.

The Scott Rhino was designed around those who like a heavier trigger whereas the Scott Silverhorn is adjustable to a much lighter setting.

[earlmarne]

ya couldnt get my carter or stan to get a heavy enough trigger.
those light triggers make it hard to settle into your shot n pull through

[KFhunter]

ya couldnt get my carter or stan to get a heavy enough trigger.
those light triggers make it hard to settle into your shot n pull through

I was opposite

When the trigger was heavy it would pull me out of my positon and I'd get a flyer.

Was pissin me off having to push too hard on the trigger.   
Now I've got it set as low as the instructions allow; so the release is surprising me some when it goes off - yet doesn't go off before I'm ready.

[superdown]

I shoot a scott little bitty goose.

[timberhunter]

the biggest difference in the releases is gonna be the triggers, and in some cases it is a big one. i shoot a scott and it is one of the hook style and i love it. the trigger is great and i like being able to just hook it on the loop. i have found mine online at walmart for 60-65 bucks. i have around 400 shots will my release and dont have any cons yet.

[RightPlace-RightTime]

Carter hook style, Dont be scared of the hook

[JJD]

I'm using a Scott Shark with a buckle wrist strap. Goes for around $60.00.
I was using the Little Bitty Goose from Scott but it was hanging up on the D loop. I called Scott and they gave me a free replacement of my choice. I didn't even have to send the bad one back. That is incredible customer service and that is why I will buy a Scott next time too.

 
I've had exceptional service from Scott as well.  I slammed my Silverhorn in a truck door and they sent me a new trigger mech and I didn't even pay shipping.  Unless they start producing a poor product, I'll for sure be buying another release from them when the need arises.

[yakimarcher]

I've used a winn free flight and it was awesome, now i have a cabelas brand one and it's pretty good for like $26

[Arnbo]

Tru Ball releases have been my choice.i have a new shark ,But I do not care for it
 I guess Ishould sell it to someone who could use it.New only used a couple sessions.

[Beardo]

tru ball.  max pro 4


What I'm using now, spent under 100 bucks I think.

It's too stiff from the factory, but once you adjust it the thing shoots pretty good.  Also I took off the thumb barrel, I don't like extra junk on the release.

I didn't want a wrist strap, I like to keep it in a pocket and keep my hands free then when I'm on stand I hang the release from the D loop.

I know they have wrist strap models you can fold back out the way but still a pain with wearing jackets and stuff.

Awesome release. I have been shooting mine for awhile now and love it. If you set it up right you can get the "surprise" release every time you shoot making punching the trigger virtually impossible.

[funkster]

For trigger style releases(non back tension) nothing beats a carter quickie. Hands down the best trigger release on the market.

http://www.carterenterprises.com/releases/index-finger-trigger/quickie-2-plus

[Worldhunter]

Taken a lot of game with a cheapo release.. Save for your money for good boots and socks

[Band]

After shopping around I ended up buying the Scott Shark.  In many ways it has a similar feel as my other release but I like the trigger adjustability quite a bit - my old Cobra trigger is not adjustable.  I have only used the Shark for 2 shooting sessions so far and the preliminary indication is that my groups seems to have tightened up.  More testing to come.  I still think most of these releases are way overpriced, but I guess it's only money.

I hope I don't have to use the Scott warranty but it's good to know they are easy to work with.  Thanks for all your tips.