What Brand of Bow Should I Buy?

[blackveltbowhunter]

   For a first bow as long as it fits you, you should buy it strictly based on whether you think it looks cool.  The cooler it looks, the more you will shoot it and the more you shoot it the better. The time for evaluating grips, string angles, valley, back wall, fps, efficiency, and draw cycles will come. For now just enjoy pulling a string back and letting it rip.
   Bow packages IMO generally do not pencil out. Although there are exceptions, oftentimes the bow will out shoot the accesories.

[Gringo31]

EBAY 

[Pathfinder101]

EBAY 

As much as I hate to admit it... Gringo's right (not because Gringo isn't usually right, but I am a little embarrassed to admit I just bought my new bow on Ebay). 

I have been swearing all year that if Martin Archery stayed in business, I would buy a new bow for my birthday(they are a Washington State company based where I live in Walla Walla and I have known the family for a few years.  Plus it's nice to have the factory 5 miles from my house if I ever have a problem).  I did some research and finally decided on the Martin Eclypse.  I saw them priced everywhere from $500-$600+. 
The other night I was screwing around on Ebay and saw one with the "make offer" button (which I'll admit I have never tried before).  I clicked on the button and typed in $400.  FYI; if you make an offer, and it's accepted, you just bought the item... I guess I thought there would be a little more dickering in the process... )
30 seconds later I owned a new bow.  It is being shipped right now.  I'll let you know what I think when I get it...

[Mudman]

Be careful buying used bows.  If you cant inspect it I wouldnt pay for it.  New bows look at customer service, warranty and dealers for your brand. Shoot em first as its most important to be comfortable.   Mathews, Hoyt, and PSE is how I rate them.

[lamrith]

#1 as mentioned you have to know your draw length.  The base measurement is your wingspan /2.5.  Have someone else measure you, Do NOT stretch out or push chest out, just natural arms out..

Next go to EVERY shop you can find around you, even try bow Dept at same stores but different locations.  Try a bunch of bows, some will feel good, some not.  If you are new to bows chances are the features of some of the high end bows you may not even feel yet, but try them anyways.  Every person likes different things from a bow, there is no way for anyone to pick for you, all the big Mfg make great rigs.  Just like the old Ford, chevy, dodge debate, its all preference, though Ford is obviously the best.

Ebay and Archery talk are great sources.  I have purchased a bow off both and had good luck.  I just ended up with a new Carbon knight for $415 shipped from Archerytalk.  Your budget should get you a very good bow with room to spare.  Don't forget arrows, they are NOT cheap.  Bout the cheapest you will find for a decent arrow will be $37/6, then add tips..

[Pathfinder101]

Be careful buying used bows.  If you cant inspect it I wouldnt pay for it.  New bows look at customer service, warranty and dealers for your brand. Shoot em first as its most important to be comfortable.   Mathews, Hoyt, and PSE is how I rate them.

   Agreed.  I don't think I would buy a used bow off Ebay...

[trophyhunt]

Here is my suggestion. I have been bowhunting for the past 26 years, not that it means anything and I have bought several bows both new and slightly used/new. If you are going to go to cabelas and spend 400$ on a mid to low range bare bow and then put accessories on and you are the type that buys midrange to high quality stuff. I would spend that same money on Archerytalk.com classifieds and buy a new/used last years model of a higher end bow. One that is going to have some resale if you choose to get out of the sport. A lot of times they come fully loaded with accessories at half the price yet are upper end proshop bows. But I agree that you should shoot several if possible. I am a fan of Hoyt, Bowtech and ELite. I am getting older and smooth forgiving yet still have good speed are my goals. That said I am shooting an ELite Answer. Just bought my buddy a Elite Hunter. They draw like butter and you can hold them forever. BUt you must decide for yourself what is important for you. For example, I just saw this on the Archerytalk Classifieds the other day, Once again just an example.

http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=2267769

Bow 900$
Rest 130$
Quiver 150$
Sight 120$
Stabilizer 60$

All for $750.

Now this is just an example. OR I have seen brand new in the box bows on there for $600 that are usually 800-900$

ITs just an option.

As a beginner though you may want to buy a bow from someone that will be able to assist you with setting it up and help etc like the guys at Sportco or Doug at Great northwest or a proshop close to you. But you will pay more. Sometimes its worth it, sometimes it s not.

I am not sure I helped you at all LOL, but take it for what its worth.

Good Luck on your search.

Brianb231

archery talk is a great place to buy your bow, I'd go shoot some but you will save a ton on archery talk.  Brianb231 is spot on, trust me he knows his chit!

[Johnb317]

Bought my bow new.  Advantage is the shop doesn't charge me to check timing and do adjustments.   
Good write ups on thehuntersfriend.com.   Just know some bows do not mail order, me I want to try first   

[Gringo31]

I understand the concern of buying a used bow.   I've bought a couple off of ebay, fully ready to go.  I like buying from the guys that want to burn $1000 on a bare bow because it's the new model.  Knock on wood...I've never had a problem.  Hard to pass up a 2 year old bow fully loaded for under $500

[Revwrangler]

I agree with all these guys. Go shoot a bunch of bows and shoot what feels best to you. I went with the intention of buying a Matthews and ended up buying a Quest because it felt more natural for me to shoot. Brand doesn't matter. What matters is what you can comfortably and consistently shoot.

[GameHunter1959]

I searched around and ended up buying a Diamond by Bow tech from Cabelas. I bought their ultra light carbon model $650.00 with everything. By the time I purchased new bow hunting clothes, release, arrows, shooting block, heads, etc. I spent about $1300. 

I started off shooting 125GR slick tricks using a Cabela's arrow made by Easton. I decided to try shooting 125GR Shuttle T's and Montec 125GR heads. So far I like the Montec heads the best. I also upgraded my arrows to Easton Bow Fire 400s. I really like the way they shoot thus far. I went back this evening and purchased another Easton arrow to play around with, to see if it helps improve my shooting. Everyone has tleold me to try lots of different combinations etc. to see what I shoot best with.

I have had 14 closer encounters with legal bucks since opening day. All are really nice. I passed on several of them, as I have been hunting for a monster 5x5 and 6x6, which I have gotten within 83 yards of. Too far to shoot for a rookie..

Going back out tomorrow morning to try and seal the deal.