Thinking about a new bow

[wabow]

Its time for new strings and cables at $130 so I'm wondering if the money is better spent on a new bow. What I guess want to know is. Are the newer bows really "better". I know they are faster, quieter and smoother but will a new bow really make my shooting better.
Ive shot my old PSE Nova's for years at 20 yards my groups for the most part are under an inch and grow the further out I go, Id say probably out to 5" at 40 yards. My draw length is only 26" and weight is only about 55lbs. I assume the short length and lower weight would net well under the advertised speed anyways. Assuming I went out and spent $500 on the PSE bow madness or even $700 on a new Mathews or similar. Is there really going to be a real benefit other that the obvious, noise and friction?

Thank you
Don

[quadrafire]

Can't really say whether you would be better off with upgrade or not. $130 is alot cheaper than several hundred. I will say I have the PSE bowmadness XS. I think bow only was $499. I really like it and shoot pretty darn well for such a short bow 28.5in axle to axle. Dont know about speed, but is fairly quiet and is pretty handy in the woods. I am still shooting original strings cables have had it one year. But they will stretch and will need to be tuned after several hundred shots. You might try to shoot one or several others and get a feel for several different ones. Even the Bowmadness in XL,standard and XS all feel different. Cost different as well.

[wabow]

Ive shot alot of bows and to be honest many feel real nice. Ive bought strings for my bow 4 times so far and every time I think about just getting a new one. I would like to tighten up my shot group at 40 and 50 yards. I dont think I need new accessories, my sight and other parts are good quality. It kills deer and turkey's im sure as well as a $700 bow. The pro shops claim that I should see a "huge" improvement due advanced design vs my short draw lenght and low weight. I'd really like to know if that just wanting to make a sale or truth.

Don

[SpokaneSlayer]

I'm not sure if it would improve your shooting.  A bow that fits well does that I would think.  I got a new bow this year, going from a Reflex Growler to a Mathews Z7.  The Z7 is way quieter and faster.  I'm shooting a heavier arrow at faster speeds, which would equal more energy retention downrange.  I also started drawing 5 lbs more right off the bat.  I was at 55 lbs just like you and now draw 60.  For what it's worth, I have the same draw length you do. 

[MIKEXRAY]

I went in for new strings / cables and wanted to get a drop away rest instead of my whisker, new sights / longer bracket. The bow dealer I went to was ready to deal, I guess because of the economy. I also got the new Mathews Z7 the same as Spokane slayer, it was smoother both on draw & shot, quieter shooting, & faster. My upgrades would of been $ 280 to my bow & I spent $ 480 and got a new Z7, new drop away, new sights with longer bracket, ( my pins were getting blurry from age ) , they installed my stabilizer, & quiver. I know for the couple of hundred extra that I am now way more ahead of the game. The new bow shoots way better and I'm achieving way better accuracy than my old bow ever could ( even in first week of shooting this bow ). I think my new accuracy is as much how well the shop set up my Z7 as in comparison of bow to bow specs. Those prices above were with trade in of my 4 year old Mathews. Well worth the extra money and so glad I didn't put money in the other bow, I would not of achieved what I wanted. I say go get the new one. Mike

[colockumelk]

I would buy a new one if you can.  Like someone else said the newer ones will shoot faster and will be smoother.  The other benefit will be you'll be able to pull back more weight.  My Hoyt AM32 at 70lbs feels like my old bow did at 60lbs.  Plus I think they are just more forgiving.  And you don't have to break the bank to do it.  Here's a list of bows that are awsome even though they're not the flagship ones.

Bowtech Sniper
http://www.bowtecharchery.com/bow_sniper.php
Very smooth and quiet.  Has an almost 8" brace height and is very, very forgiving.  Comes set up for just under $600.

Diamond Stud
http://www.diamondarchery.com/bow_rock2point0_2010.php
Not as forgiving as the Sniper but smoother and quieter.  Awsome bow.  It retails for $549 at mountain-archery.com
http://www.mountain-archery.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3678

Hoyt Turbohawk
http://www.hoyt.com/compound_bows/hoyt_turbohawk_compound_bow.php
Very quiet and very smooth draw.  Same cams as the AM32.  Very very fast for a midrange bow.

Martin Pantera
http://www.martinarchery.com/2010web/pantera.php
Never shot it but I know Martin puts out a good product.  This retails for like $570


All of these bows are really good.  I looked up Mathews but they don't have any mid-price bows.  

[SpokaneSlayer]

Mathews does make mid priced bow.  They are under the Mission name.  Kinda like what was Reflex and Hoyt.

[yajsab]

As already said, if you can put in a little more money, I say new bow.  I just saw this on CL.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/spo/1649123301.html

[h2ofowlr]

Shot the Mathews Z7 and Bowtech 340 & 350.  I would go with the Bowtech.  They were very nice bows to shoot.  Quite and easy shooting.  Wasn't sold on the Z7.  I just sold my Mathews Reezen and going back to Bowtech.

[wabow]

Thanks for all the advice. I shot the Z7 and it is a nice bow. I think I'd like to find a Bowtech to shoot also if anyone knows who stocks them locally. Wholesale Sports is no longer a dealer and I waited at the counter over at sportco for 30 minutes and couldnt even get a howdy.

Thanks
Don

[colockumelk]

WAbow I didn't realize you were going for top of the line.  Last year I tested every bow on the planet dang near.  I finally narrrowed it down to the Bowtech Admiral and the Hoyt Alpha Max 32.  I flip-flopped for a couple of months on which one I wanted.  In the end I chose the Hoyt AM32.  It just fit me a little better, although I would have been happy with the Bowtech Admiral as well.  If you prefer a smooth, quiet shockfree bow over the speed bows.  I'd check out the Bowtech Admiral and the Hoyt Maxxis. 

Hoyt Maxxis 31.  Also comes in 35.
http://www.hoyt.com/compound_bows/hoyt_maxxis_31_compound_bow.php

Hoyt Alpha Max 32. Also comes in 35
http://www.hoyt.com/compound_bows/hoyt_alpha_max32_compound_bow.php

Bowtech Admiral. Also comes in a 35" ATA.  It's called the Captain
http://www.bowtecharchery.com/bow_admiralflx.php

[D-Rock425]

if you do want a speed bow hoyt made a new one this year too the alpha burnner IBO 340.  I almost got one of these bows myself. 

[NWWABOWHNTR]

refer to the review done on the Strothers bows also.... http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,46296.0.html

[bowhunterty]

Go shoot a couple different bows. Its a lot of personal preference now a days. A personally like Mathews but you may like the feel of another. I shoot a Reezen 6.5 but it felt good when I shot it. I shot it along with the Alphamax. Do research. New bow technology. Is awesome. I've robinhooded 3 arrows so far. Two at 20yds and one at 40yds.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I twisted up a new string for my bow, cost me about 20 cents, I dont think my bow got any faster or quieter, but my arrowsw thump my 3Ds pretty good......

[NWWABOWHNTR]

I twisted up a new string for my bow, cost me about 20 cents, I dont think my bow got any faster or quieter, but my arrowsw thump my 3Ds pretty good......

I like that!  No training wheels required. 

[wabow]

After a week of searching Ive only come up with the z7 to actually shoot. Sure does make it difficult for a lefty to buy a new bow.

Ranier Archery  / Z7 and Mission Maniac
Cabelas /  Bow Madness but only in the 60+
Fletch Setter / Hoyte Thunder Hawk
Sportsmans only has little diamonds.

Although not thrilled with the selection these will be on my list to try this weekend. If none jump out at me then I guess its time to just order new strings and cables for my old Nova.

Thanks for everyones input
Don

[CoryTDF]

Martin Firecat TR2 or TR1, Rytera Alien X, Martin Cheetah

[wabow]

Thanks, just looking at the martin on line both model appear to be excellent. The online price is $619 for thr tr2 right from Martin. Any Idea if its less at an actual dealer? I l know sometimes the makers charge more than the dealer to get you to buy from a dealer.
Would be nice to actually shoot something before buying.

Don

[CoryTDF]

Thanks, just looking at the martin on line both model appear to be excellent. The online price is $619 for thr tr2 right from Martin. Any Idea if its less at an actual dealer? I l know sometimes the makers charge more than the dealer to get you to buy from a dealer.
Would be nice to actually shoot something before buying.

Don

You should be able to find it for less than that. I have the Moab with is basically the same bow as the TR1. It's a great bow. The TR2 is a great bow as well it's a little faster due to the duel cam. One thing i can tell you for sure Martin has unparalleled customer service. My friend noticed his limb was cracked on his late 90's Jaguar and he took it into Martin. He walked out 30 min later with two brand new limbs no questions asked. They truly are a great company.   

Check Steves archery in Walla Walla 509-525-8772 he is a great guy and can get you what ever you need. His son is on the Martin Pro Staff.

[NWWABOWHNTR]

WABOW not sure where you are located,  but XXX archery and Wilderness both have a good selection of bows.  (Bowtech)

[wabow]

WABOW not sure where you are located,  but XXX archery and Wilderness both have a good selection of bows.  (Bowtech)

I guess that would have helped. I'm in Tacoma /Lakewood. I'm finding good inventory everywhere just nothing for a lefty.

Thanks
Don

[bowhunterty]

Check out Huntersfriend.com.

[NWWABOWHNTR]

WABOW not sure where you are located,  but XXX archery and Wilderness both have a good selection of bows.  (Bowtech)

I guess that would have helped. I'm in Tacoma /Lakewood. I'm finding good inventory everywhere just nothing for a lefty.

Thanks
Don

Give Roger a call at Wilderness in Bow, Wa,  he has Bowtechs, Ross, Diamonds and Strothers.  He should have lefties.  Shoot them all as suggested here,  but try out the Strothers also!

[wabow]

I went out this weekend with a grand in my pocket looking for a new bow. First stop was to shoot the diamond line. I just didnt like the risers, not that vanity is important they just looked like a toy. I could only find the low end bowtechs and just couldnt justify the cost vs benefit. I found one Hoyt thunder hawk, thats a nice bow but the draw seemed just as harsh as my Nova. I went back for another look at the Z7 of course it was the nicest of all since I couldnt find any high end left handed bows. After having lunch we went back to just order the Z7 and get it done. The Shop rep showed me a Mission. At first glance you can tell it was made by Mathews. At $350 less than the Z7 I was impressed that the guy even showed me the Mission. I told him up front I had a grand and only wanted a bare bow. No the Mission is not a Z7 but it was a solid, well made nice looking bow with some great features. It took only a few close range shots to make my decision to buy the Mission. It was the only bow all day besides the mathews that really had a smooth draw. He set it five pounds over what my old Nova was set at, the Mission felt more like 40lbs than 60lbs.
While the rep worked to strip my Nova and set up my new Mission, another customer was previewing the lower end Missions and Bowtech. I got a little nosey and decided to listen in since we were going to be getting beginners bow for my son in law real soon. Comparing a $399 Mission to a $399 bowtech package bow was like comparing apples to oranges. The garbage accessories that were used on the bowtech were simply not even something a beginner bow hunter would even want. The Mission package came with decent metal accessories and did not look like a toy. The riser even though its extruded it has the same look and feel as the upper end machined risers vs the cast/moulded riser of the other low end bows. I think if I didnt read the specs I would have thought it was machined. The clincher was that the Mission would fit my son in law just fine @52lb draw weight with a 30" draw length. It will also be a bow that he can drop all the way down to a small child size draw length and weight. Meaning He can give it to my grandson when he gets the bucks to buy a new fancier bow for himself.
So the short of it is. We purchased 2 brand new Mission bows with a dozen arrows and still had a few bucks left over. The shop was kind enough to tune my grandsons kiddie compound bow and made him a few nice carbon arrows at no charge what so ever.

Overall I think we did pretty good and got some pretty fair gear. Most important I think we got a step closer to getting my grandson in the woods.

Thanks for all the advice
Don

[SpokaneSlayer]

Congrats on the new bows.  I think you made a good choice, although I do love my Z7, I haven't heard a bad thing about the Mission line.

[sisu]

I twisted up a new string for my bow, cost me about 20 cents, I dont think my bow got any faster or quieter, but my arrowsw thump my 3Ds pretty good......

I like that!  No training wheels required.