Suggestions on a Compound Bow for our 8 year old daughter

[KFhunter]

Braxton shoots the Bear Apprentice II. He's advancing and the bow, right along with him. I would not get one of the cheap bow made for little kids. It's a $100 they grow out of very fast, within months.

My girl has one too, seems to be a good bow.

[pianoman9701]

better work on that posture Dad.....

Funny, that was my first thought, too. But it's not her posture. The draw length is too long, I bet. She sure is cute, though and a helluva shot, too.

[KFhunter]

better work on that posture Dad.....

Funny, that was my first thought, too. But it's not her posture. The draw length is too long, I bet. She sure is cute, though and a helluva shot, too.

She's a bow hunter in the making for sure 

[elkoholic]

I took the pic after about 15 shots, Also it was her first time shooting this bow so her arm was starting to drop lower and lower with every shot. she is much stronger now but we still limit to 10 or so shots and no sights anymore till her form is up to dads spec's.. funny thing is she asked me how her form was right before I took the picture and we had not even talked about it yet, she overheard me teaching my son in years prior..

[KFhunter]

awesome,  sounds like you're on top of things then 

I've found the same thing with my girl,  10 shots or so and she'll slouch into a bad form,  so I'll make her put the bow down and rest for a while and I'll shoot.   
But they'll get stronger and if you're patient a good form will "set" and she'll be pretty good to go then.
 

Just don't send them out to the back yard by themselves and pound arrows all day or they'll slip into bad form and it'll be hell to break.

same for boys,  I got a boy who's growing so danged fast I'm constantly having to adjust his bow.  He's shooting a martin blade x4 though. 


The Martin blade x4 is one dammed fine entry level bow BTW, more suitable to teenagers. 


 

[rainshadow1]

I have a 7 & 9yo, (Almost 8 and 10) I went with the Bear Apprentice 2 for both of them. Huge adjustability, and it's much smaller than Diamond. Goes to 60lb, but that's plenty, I haven't got them past 30 yet, but we're hauling firewood for Grandma, muscle is building, so it won't be long!

[returnofsid]

ARGH!  I had a really long response all typed out and hit the back button, on the wrong tab, losing it all!  GRRRR

Here we go again...

Comparison between the Diamond Infinite Edge and the Bear Apprentice 2, all info from Cabelas website

Diamond DL 13"-30"  Bear DL 15"-27"  Both would work fine.

Diamond DW 5lbs-70lbs  Bear DW 20lbs-60lbs (same ad also states 15lbs-60lbs...hmmm)  Diamond clearly wins out here, in case my daughter's not yet able to draw 20 lbs.

Diamond Brace Height 7"  Bear Brace Height 6"  No idea if this would make any difference at all.

Diamond weight 3.1 lbs  Bear weight 2.9 lbs.  I don't believe the weight different is in any way significant.

Diamond ATA 31"  Bear ATA 27.5"  With the insignificant .2 lbs weight difference, I can only see a possible stability difference, with a slight advantage going to Diamond.

The most critical criteria...Color options...

Diamond IS available in Pink Camo
Bear Apprentice 2 is NOT available in Pink Camo
Bear Apprentice 3 IS available in Pink Camo but is on back order and has been for a very long time.

Diamond Package $349.00 includes a 3 pin TrueGlo Apex sight, Hostage XL Arrow Rest and a DeadLock Lite quiver
Bear Apprentice 2 Package is on sale for $229.88/regular price of $279.99 and includes a 3 pin Trophy Ridge sight, a Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit and an unknown brand 4 arrow quiver.
Bear Apprentice 3 package $299.99 includes the same accessories as the Bear Apprentice 2 but is available in Pink Camo

At this point, I'm still leaning towards the Diamond Infinite Edge for the following reasons:

Available in Pink Camo! and in stock
Lower Minimum Draw Weight  This could change if my daughter tries to draw back 20 lbs and is comfortable.

[returnofsid]

Here she is, shooting the POS Bear Brave, last summer.

[jackelope]

Why is the Bear a POS? Just curious. Not sure how much it would matter with kids at this age. I know it's a cheap bow but...,

Just curious.

[returnofsid]

Why is the Bear a POS? Just curious. Not sure how much it would matter with kids at this age. I know it's a cheap bow but...,

Just curious.

Bear bows aren't. This one is. We got it at a yard sale for $15.00. There isn't a cable and string, it's all a continuous cable, so a peep can be installed. Also, the cable has been completely stretched, so at low poundage, the cable is actually loose with slack, until drawn back. This worries me because it basically simulated a dry fire...

[rainshadow1]

The bear brave series of kids bows are toys... no question.

[returnofsid]

The bear brave series of kids bows are toys... no question.

Most definitely!  It worked for her to learn how to use a release, how to safely handle a bow and arrows, how to load arrows from a quiver, etc. and the basics of shooting form.  For $15.00, I'm not complaining. It also was a tool to gauge how much interest she'd have.  Now it's time to get serious!  LOL

[returnofsid]

Ugh!  I should have stopped researching...lol

After talking to a few archery pro shops, I'm learning a couple of things.

One pro shop, who carries Diamond, Mathews, Mission and Hoyt, explained that the Diamond Infinite Edge, once you drop below about a 26" DL, the amount of let off decreases, exponentially, per inch of dropped DL.  My daughter will be at about a 21"-22" DL.  This would mean that she's holding more of the complete draw weight, at full draw.  Fortunately, it won't be A LOT of weight.

This pro shop also explained that this above situation is NOT the case with Mission or Hoyt, and suggested the Mission Craze and/or Hoyt Ruckus as alternatives.

So, I guess the Mission Craze and Hoyt Ruckus have been added to my list of potentials...Unfortunately, this pro shop only has left handed Hoyt Ruckuses in stock and also only has left handed Diamond Infinite Edges in stock. They do have the right handed Mission Craze in stock.  Cabelas is on the way to this pro shop so my daughter could try out the Diamond Infinite Edge there.

Any input?

[returnofsid]

Well, we had them set up a Mission Craze and Mission Menace, both at 20"and 16 pounds. The Craze actually ended up being set a pound heavier. Despite the Menace being set at a pound lighter pull weight and being a lighter bow, she shot the Craze much better. The draw cycle, on the Craze was definitely much smoother for her. Even with her not shooting at all since about September, she fell right back into it, with a great draw and form! While we're at lunch, they're tuning the Mission Craze, installing a peep, pink whiskey biscuit and Trophy Ridge 3 pin sight. After lunch, they'll adjust the peep for her, tie it in and she's set!
Thank you all so much for your invaluable help!

[returnofsid]