New bow dilemma what would you do?

[CoachNemo]

I am looking for my first bow and have shot some Martins and I really like them.  I was looking at the Firecat 360 package from my local shop, but I found a 2010 Pantera package (brand new/sealed) for about half the price.  The packages are similar, but not exactly the same.  I will be able to look at the Pantera, it's not an "blind" online buy.

Would you purchase the Pantera and take it to the shop for setup, or just pay the extra for the Firecat 360?

This has been bothering me all week, so any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks,

Coach Nemo

[h20hunter]

First place I would look is the classfieds on this forum. I have seen some nice bow pkgs for reasonable money.

[MuleySniper]

If you can save a few bucks and it's your first bow, I'd go the cheaper route. I'm on my fifth bow. 07 Switchback XT. I contemplated selling it for a new one but it's still a great bow so I spent about $130 on WC strings and cables and a few other small replacement parts and a tune up. Later on if you decide you really like archery you can always upgrade but in the meantime, nothing wrong with saving some cash.
MS

[CoachNemo]

@ h20 not looking for a used bow, just not sure I trust it hasn't been abused...

Thanks for the responses, keep 'em coming..

[wildmanoutdoors]

The Firecat package at Nock point is like 699 right?

Thats a decent package for all you get. I think you get a case and everything?

So the Pantera is about 350 to 400?

If you like the Pantera after shooting it I don't know why you wouldn't buy it for that kind of savings? You may not get the setup for free and such because you did not buy it there so Id ask them what the setup would cost and go from there.

Looks don't always matter but I like the Firecats look much better!

[JLS]

Never shot either, but I'd sure shop around and shoot a lot of bows. 

You can install all the components on the bow yourself, short of the peep.  Clean all the threads with lighter fluid and use loctite when you install. 

[Button Nubbs]

In my experience you get a lot better service if you buy from a shop rather than take something you didn't buy there to get set-up.

[CoachNemo]

@ wildman You are correct the Nock Point package is $699 with a case and everything
The Pantera is available for $375 but does not come with a case
I will probably not have a chance to shoot the Pantera...

@ button nubbs I agree 100% which is why this is a big issue for me

Thanks to everyone for the input, I knew I cam to the right place...

[wildmanoutdoors]

Well for a 300+ savings Id sure look at both setups closely and compare components. Does the Pantera come with 6 Beeman ICS hunters? 50 bucks right there.

What does that hard bow case cost? Both 5 pins? Both WB's?

Its a toughy, cause like BN said, service is big for me too!

I changed bow shops after moving and have had great service from them, but I spend allot of dough there. Cant imagine the 2 bows shooting whole lot different. But it would be nice to shoot the Pantera! Can you bring a block with you?

[MIKEXRAY]

It obviously depends on how critical the $ 300 difference is with your budget / income. In my younger days I always bought last years model / on sale everything & was not fully happy with the product knowing something better was available & missing the features I cheaped out on. Also when I sold / traded in the " last years model " for something new I always got less than I thought because it was older.      Now that I am older & not as strapped for cash I buy the nicer / now the best stuff & find that I am much happier with the products I have to use in life and when I sell / trade in I get a lot better $. If you think of how much use, how much enjoyment & resale of the newer product I think you are better off with the new model.  Not to much difference in the long run.    My     Mike

[NWWABOWHNTR]

You can get a brand new Bowtech Assaisin, fully setup I think for $599, sight, rest etc.... 333 ft per sec and a 7" brace heighth.  2011 model.

[garyltbh]

the bowtech is 100 times better bow than the martin ive shot both of  them and you just cant beleave the diffrence in the quality of the bows so i sugest you do yourself a favor and go shoot them to see for yourself

[PacificNWhunter]

The others have mentioned great points, remember though buying at a dealer 'usually' gets you a free set up, tune ups and such.