which bow NOT to get???

[grundy53]

OK, so i want to start bow hunting for deer( next year) so i want to get a new bow soon so i can get a years worth of practice with it. i have an old P.S.E that i dink around with but want to upgrade to a newer model. I know if i asked which bow do you guys recommend i would probably get 89 different answers and i realize most bows nowadays are pretty good. so i figured it would be easier to ask which bows do you NOT recommend. see if i get reoccurring answers. Then i will know to stay away from them. thanks, i appreciate the help.



This oughta be interesting... 

[PolarBear]

One that doesn't feel right in your hand.

[grundy53]

i agree. and i'm definetly going to go to a bow shop and get fitted. i was wondering more about quality and if anyone has had problems mechanically with any bow. thanks though.

[Button Nubbs]

They will all get the job done but its just like anything else. You get what you pay for.
 Don't let a shop sell you on too long of a draw length, I have no idea why but most shops will sell you a bow that is too long for you. That being said when you go to shoot bow shoot the ones that fit your draw length, you will not like a bow that is an inch or 2 longer than you need.
Do a bunch of research and Shoot a bunch of bows and then make your decision.

[Tony 270]

There is a great bow at a smokin price in the classifies right now

[carpsniperg2]

when you pick a bow make sure it is not ruff for you to draw. when holding at full draw make sure it is not trying to jump away from you and making you concentrate just to hold it there. make sure it sits on target and does not float around on the target. I would stay away from the short bows. unless you are hunting in a tree stand. then the smaller bows are nice. the longer bows are more forgiving.

i know this is more of a list of what a bow should not have or should not do. But their is a lot of good bows out there and a lot i do not care for. Get what ever you feel shoots the best and fits the best in your hands. hope this helps

[bowhunterty]

Shoot a couple different models. Do some research on the net will help decide what to go try. It also depends on how much you want to spend. I'm a Mathews guy. If I wouldn't have bought the Reezen 6.5 last year I would've bought the Z7, awesome shooting bow. But personal preference. Have shot Diamond, Bowtech, Elite, Alpine, and Hoyt. A hoyt would probably be my second choice.

[7mag.]

I found that if the outdoors box stores carry it, it will probably be middle of the road, but some are pretty nice. If you go to a bow shop, you will find real good quality bow's, but you have to pay for them. The bow shop guys also know a lot more about bows and bow shooting than the box store guys, typically. Maybe get a hold of Grandpa richard on here, he is a rep for a bow company.

Shoot a couple different models. Do some research on the net will help decide what to go try. It also depends on how much you want to spend. I'm a Mathews guy. If I wouldn't have bought the Reezen 6.5 last year I would've bought the Z7, awesome shooting bow. But personal preference. Have shot Diamond, Bowtech, Elite, Alpine, and Hoyt. A hoyt would probably be my second choice.

You wrote that as I was typing. I agree 100%. I also have a Reezen 6.5, and would have bought the Z7 this year. Hoyt is also my second choice.

[Jellymon]

he is asking which bow NOT to buy. but I guess that is hard to answer since pretty much any bow will be good as long as you like it. There really isnt any bad bows on the market any more, just stick with known brands and you will be ok.

[blk_tmbr_archery]

Everyone has given good advice.  I would also consider how the bow balances in your hand at full draw along with how it feels when you release the arrow.  Some bows to me feel like the arrow slides right on out while others feel like the arrow was launched and the bow jumps.  I guess the bottom line is it's all up to how it feels for you.  Anyways, good luck in your search.

[blackveltbowhunter]

 EZ a used one. If your trying to be brand specific, your prolly not gonna get the a particular brand to stand out as inferior from the rest of the crowd. Just buy a hoyt and be done with it!!! LOL. It really is a preference thing and what you want. About the only bows I do shy away from are used. I have friends who have bought used and it all turned out fine, but way more stories the other way. Especially if you can't shoot it first, craigslist, ebay etc... . Even if mechanically sound you still have to know that the bow was advertised correctly for draw weight and length. If not fairly new have the strings and cables been replaced, not to mention your always trusting that the bow hasn't been dry fired. Sure a dealer is the same with regards to the dry fire thing, but at least they have a reputation on the line. That said, I have sold some nice bows to friends and wouldn't hesitate if the price and circumstances were right. But in general I would be very leery of used.

[grundy53]

EZ a used one. If your trying to be brand specific, your prolly not gonna get the a particular brand to stand out as inferior from the rest of the crowd. Just buy a hoyt and be done with it!!! LOL. It really is a preference thing and what you want. About the only bows I do shy away from are used. I have friends who have bought used and it all turned out fine, but way more stories the other way. Especially if you can't shoot it first, craigslist, ebay etc... . Even if mechanically sound you still have to know that the bow was advertised correctly for draw weight and length. If not fairly new have the strings and cables been replaced, not to mention your always trusting that the bow hasn't been dry fired. Sure a dealer is the same with regards to the dry fire thing, but at least they have a reputation on the line. That said, I have sold some nice bows to friends and wouldn't hesitate if the price and circumstances were right. But in general I would be very leery of used.

Definitely going new. I have the same concerns as you. Sounds like I just have to find something that fits me well. Thanks to everyone for the advice.

[Button Nubbs]

I don't think buying a used bow is really.a bad way to go about it. Sometimes you can get a lot more bang for your buck. I bought a brand new bow this year and also bought a used one. my vectrix I shot last year was a used bow and it shot fine and still shoots great for my buddy I sold it to.

[BIGMIKE]

Buy a cheap new bow that has everything you will need to kill your quary not additional things attached to it you dont really need.

[D-Rock425]

Don't buy a bowtech.  I shoot a lot of 3D shoots and have seen more bowtechs walked off the course then any other bow.

[Jellymon]

bowtechs are just fine, I have had two. killed many animals and have won three 3d comps with them. I have seen problems with every bow company and have never had one problem personally. I hate bow brand bashers, if the bow feels good and shoots good then it will work wonders for you. My destroyer draws like a 60lb bow, has the speed of a 75lb bow, and is VERY quiet. I love it and it is comfortable to me, so I shoot it very well. It is all personal preference, what works for you may not work for someone else.

[D-Rock425]

Its kinda hard to answer the question and not bash any bow company.  I have shot most of the bowtechs they shoot great but I don't think I would ever buy one.

[Jerryp]

Go shoot as many as you can that fit you then pick the most
comfortable ones to compair with each other.
Then buy the most bang for your buck or the most
that you can afford just make sure it's comfortable.
And you should be happy with your decision.
 
 

[NWWABOWHNTR]

anything with training wheels.....    just kidding.  I have owned 2 bowtechs and loved them both.  If I was in the market right now for a compound I'd check out the Maitland bows....

[Tony 270]

If you are planning on keeping the bow for a long time get what feels and shoots best for you. If you might get rid of it in a few years to upgrade, make sure you go with a big name bow. Think Matthews, Hoyt, Bowtech... if you get a no-name bow, even if it is a great bow, you will have a very hard time selling it and will get a small fraction of what you paid.

[Charlie]

Go shoot as many as you can that fit you then pick the most
comfortable ones to compair with each other.
Then buy the most bang for your buck or the most
that you can afford just make sure it's comfortable.
And you should be happy with your decision.

+1

[PolarBear]

Pull, Shoot and Explode

[SCRUBS]

Pull, Shoot and Explode

LOL! Haven`t heard that one before. From my experience, it`s spot on.

[PolarBear]

I have 2 friends that thier old P.S.E. bows blew up in their hand.  I'm sure that they are good bows now but for a while most guys that I know wouldn't touch them.  just about any major bow manufacturer these days puts out good stuff, it is all a matter of personal preference.

[Jason]

Bowtechs and Martins have been having some limb problems lately.

If you want a good bow for the money, Alpine makes a bow called the Nitrous, and Mathews has a lower end line called mission, which involves models such as the voyager, maniac, and the Eliminator 2. 

Didn't realize Bowtechs have been having limb issues lately, which models are you referring to?

[RippinLips]

dont get a parker. went through 2 in a month cuz stuff kept going wrong other than that just go to a shop and shoot multiple bows till you know its the one. i ended up with the quest hammer

[CSOUTFITTERS]

I say no on the BLOWTECH's.   Purchased 5 new ones and #6 was bought used.  #6 was never mistreated and i dont shoot light arrows through any of my bows.  One limb delaminated and started to slightly splinter.  I called Bowtech and pleaded my case and told them that i was a loyal customer and this was the sixth one ive owned and that i never mistreat my bows. I liked being the odd guy out not shooting a mathews or hoyt.  Long story short he said i was SOL and he could sell me new limbs for around 150-175.   We briefly got into an argument and expressed why i wouldnt buy new limbs that might have the same result.  He denied knowing about any problems with defective limbs.  After talking to alot of other guys i found that a few others had the same problems.   I guess it was my own fault for buying a used bow with no warrranty.   The problems i heard with the bowtechs were 2-3 years ago hopefully they fixed the problem.

When they are working bowtechs shoot awesome but since that incident i switched to a mathews not because they are better but because the company stands behind their bows.  There are plenty of bows out there that will shoot better than the guy holding it.  good luck

[Jellymon]

The limb problem was the used one right? Were there any problems with any of the new bowtechs you had? Im not going to deny that bowtech has had some problems, but if they are so bad then why do they sell so well? I switched to bow hunting 5 yrs ago and shoot about 5 3d tounaments a year, and have never seen a bowtech or any other brand with problems. I love the two bowtechs that I have owned and will continue to buy them.

[Balladeer]

Buy local, buy Martin. I just got a bowtech, but i got a slamming deal. Hopefully I don't run into any of the problems posted on here.

I did a lot of research before I bought mine. Lots of folks have lots of opinions and after 2 yrs of looking, I decided I had to make up my own mind.

http://www.huntersfriend.com/

I found a lot of really good information on this web site that seemed very objective. They tell both sides of the story and don't slant toward any one bow manufacturer in the process.

[cashmerekev]

Go to a reputable archery shop with a range.  Try a couple different ones and spend a little extra and you will be happier in the long run...