Your opinion wanted

[rosscrazyelk]

So I  am a old school guy and kinda stubborn. I don't have a outlandish budget to go buy all the new stuff every year.
My bow is over 15 years old. Parker Hunter mag, it shoots at 280 fps no problem. Taken my fair share of animals with it. So please educate me on why a new bow is better.
Thank you

[Boss .300 winmag]

I often wondered this same question, seems like lots of bow hunters on here are always upgrading to he next new bow, makes no since to me either.

[Timberstalker]

Year to year, the differences are subtle.  After 15 years, I think you would be shocked in the differences.  The new bows are faster, quieter, so dead in the hand and overall just better machines.  Your bow is perfectly fine, however you won't have to justify buying a new bow, after you shoot some of the newer bows.  It will be crystal clear.

Go to your local shop and shoot a couple of the top contenders (HOYT and MATHEWS ) and see for yourself.

It's like anything, technology related; new models offer new options.

[Special T]

You've been shooting an old bow for quite some time. I did as well I shot an old PSE Bruin for a bunch of years. I upgraded to a used switchback that was a few years old. It was a night and day difference!

If you found a major name bow that was less than 5 years old that you shot and liked you would be in heaven. Your shot group size will likely shrink AND if something goes wrong with your bow you can get the parts. Unless you just put a new string on its not a bad investment.

[jackelope]

I agree. The old bow works fine, but when I switched from my old Reflex bow to my Alphamax, it was an amazing difference.

[mountainman]

Your bow has, as you stated, taken many animals. A tool you have confidence in. No reason TO change. I shoot/own/have owned over 50 bows probably thru the years. Grab my longbow anymore for hunting. Fast bows are fun when competing, but love the aesthetics, simplicity, and confidence in my longbow. It too has taken many animals👍

[demontang]

In the last 10 years bows have changed a lot. They have kind of hit the limit on how fast they can push. But the vibration and shoot ability is still changing very slightly. I switch from a big name to a small company and was amazed. You don't have to spend a lot to get a good newer bow.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Biggest part I liked when I went from Martin Lynx Magnum to my Mathews Legacy was weight of bow and speed. Arms arent as tired at the end of the day of hiking with it.

[MtnMuley]

I've upgraded every 8-10 years. Each time I noticed big difference. Smoother, lighter, faster, more let off, and quieter to name a few big differences of my upgrade. Last upgrade was in 2012 and I have no desire to upgrade yet.

[jackelope]

I've upgraded every 8-10 years. Each time I noticed big difference. Smoother, lighter, faster, more let off, and quieter to name a few big differences of my upgrade. Last upgrade was in 2012 and I have no desire to upgrade yet.

Sounds like a good plan. Mines a 2009 and I have no reason to change mine yet. I think some folks just like to try new stuff. It seems like they take a bath though when they sell their 1 year old bows for half of retail. 

[Firedogg]

Thow shall not covet thy neighbor's ....  keep using your old bow until it does not work or there is a physical reason to change.

[JJB11B]

I've upgraded every 8-10 years. Each time I noticed big difference. Smoother, lighter, faster, more let off, and quieter to name a few big differences of my upgrade. Last upgrade was in 2012 and I have no desire to upgrade yet.

Sounds like a good plan. Mines a 2009 and I have no reason to change mine yet. I think some folks just like to try new stuff. It seems like they take a bath though when they sell their 1 year old bows for half of retail. 

My first "Real" bow was a 2009 (I think) I bought it new Alien X. I still have it and have bought several other decent used Martins since then. I have 2 Firecats and my Alien. I haven't Archery hunted in 2 years though.....

[724wd]

what's the let off on your Parker?  How much does it weigh?  Is it as quiet as the new bows?  how much hand shock does it have?  are the limbs parallel or upright?  as has been stated, there have been some great advancements since your bow was made.  But your bow will continue killing animals just as it has been, just like recurves and long bows still kill animals.  there is no NEED to change.   

[huntingfool7]

I have a Parker Hunter Mag.  It's a solid bow.  It is very forgiving of the shooters form or lack of it.  You'll notch tags with it for as long as you decide to use it. 

Newer bows have a lot less hand shock.  You likely don't notice it now because you are used to it but the Hunter Mag jumps forward pretty good.  Newer bows don't kill any better or any further.

[jrebel]

Think of it like a car.....A 15 yo car still runs and gets you from point a to point b.  The new car does so more comfortably and more efficient.....Largely due to technology. 

[spoonman]

Lots of cool new stuff out there these days. I have a 2005 Bowtech Allegiance and absolutely love it, it's fast, accurate and I'm a good shot with it. So all that being said I did go shoot new bows and  loved they way some of them shot, but I can't justify spending the money when my bow is almost as fast as today's bows. I shoot 69 pounds, 435 grain arrow at 288fps.  That's fast for its year and it's also quite.  The deal is if you shoot it accurately and it's fast enough to create descent KE  and  you still Ike shooting it then stick with it.

[rosscrazyelk]

what's the let off on your Parker?  How much does it weigh?  Is it as quiet as the new bows?  how much hand shock does it have?  are the limbs parallel or upright?  as has been stated, there have been some great advancements since your bow was made.  But your bow will continue killing animals just as it has been, just like recurves and long bows still kill animals.  there is no NEED to change.   

I have not weighed it. I am not sure of the let off, it's set at 70 lbs draw.  It is not a parallel limb. As far as quiet a gut at the range when he heard me shoot he was impressed with how quiet it was.
I changed the string however and  went with the open peep Got rid of that stupid surgical tubing. And having a problem getting the view perfectly straight with my  site.

[2MANY]

What string did you put on it?

[pianoman9701]

Are you happy with your bow?
Do you have nothing else more important to spend your money on?
Will it kill animals when you shoot them in the right place?

If you can afford it, get one. I'd love to have a new bow. My Hoyt Turbo Hawk is an 8 year-old, mid-range hoyt that hits the bullseye every time I shoot it correctly. Do I like how the higher end and newer boys shoot more than mine? You betcha, way better! Can I afford a new bow? Nope. I can afford medical bills, food, and the mortgage with a few beers thrown in here and there. My new bow plan: shoot it until it dies and then do a warranty swap.

[rosscrazyelk]

What string did you put on it?

Winners choice

[Dhoey07]

What string did you put on it?

Winners choice

My peep rotated for the first couple weeks after getting a new string, then settled in. 

[pianoman9701]

What string did you put on it?

Winners choice

My peep rotated for the first couple weeks after getting a new string, then settled in.

mine's been rotating for a couple of months. If this last twist doesn't fix it, I'm getting a new one on warranty.

[Special T]

I've upgraded every 8-10 years. Each time I noticed big difference. Smoother, lighter, faster, more let off, and quieter to name a few big differences of my upgrade. Last upgrade was in 2012 and I have no desire to upgrade yet.

Sounds like a good plan. Mines a 2009 and I have no reason to change mine yet. I think some folks just like to try new stuff. It seems like they take a bath though when they sell their 1 year old bows for half of retail.

I consider that a buying opportunity!

[Timberstalker]

What string did you put on it?

Winners choice

They guarantee no peep rotation. I'd ask your pro-shop to work on it or replace it.

[Timberstalker]

I guess I was late to the Winner's Choice Informational seminar.

[JJB11B]

My thoughts are not worth a whole lot. If buying a new bow wouldn't get in the way of doing other hobbies or take up the money that you would normally spend on food and fuel for elk hunting then go for it. If it strains the budget go with what you got. "RUN what ya brung"