New Bow Advice

[DeKuma]

Well, I finally bit the bullet and sold my Hoyt.  Now I have 5 Bills burning a hole in my pocket for a new bow.
Besides Mathews/Bowtech (which are $$)  What do you guys suggest?
Want strctly for hunting and occasional 3D.  28" Draw capable.

[boneaddict]

I'd get one like this if it were me(This is Elknuts's).....Oh, I am getting one like this


Its a 3 Piece Longbow, like mine...

[DeKuma]

I have considered it, but just started Archery this year and thought I would put a few down with the compound before going hard core like you, Bone.

[boneaddict]

Understand.   I shoot a PSE which probably doesn't exist anymore.  There are so mnay to choose from.  Run down to the big store and get your hands on a couple.  See which one looks right and feels right to you.  This is the FUN PART.  You'll get lots of suggestions, but really there are alot of good ones and so few poor ones.

[bankwalker]

besides mathews and bowtech...i would look for a used mathews or bowtech

or check out the bear instinct or truth the 07 models are on clearance at most places (if they have them in stock) and they are great shooting bows.

dont over look any of the bowtech or diamond package deals. i havent shot one yet i didnt like. OR mathews has a new company called mission. those are some nice shooting bows aswell.

i would say go check out nockpoint im gonna stear you away fro hoyt

OE has mathews, diamond, bowtech, mission, pse, bear, and the new limbsaver which i loved shooting. talk to andy if you go down there.

there are ton of options, and most companys have some sweet package deals for under 5 bills.

[snohohunter]

Bankwalker - why don't you like Hoyt?

[Ray]

I think that the compound bows are a lot more complicated and spendy than a bow should be. It seems to me that they are marketed so that you feel compelled to tune this or that or to buy/add some gadget that was not there last year or 3 years ago. I am not against them however I believe that what that means is the learning curve is actually much greater on a compound bow and that a new user would be better off with a stick bow.

In addition to that I believe that the stick bow is much less cumbersome and easier to carry around. Especially if you get a take down. Thus much more practical.

[boneaddict]

Yep.   I figure a fine Pacific Yew, or a gorgeous Sapphire hawk is so much better than the technology revolution, but I can understand where ou are coming from.  Take a minute to figure out what your goals are in hunting with a bow, then go from there. If its the time of year, the seasons, the oppurtunity, the stalk or the challenge, basically You can make it as simple as you want or as complex.  Mostly I like simple.

[tlbradford]

I like simple and light too, but my favorite thing about a stick bow is the quiet.

[Ray]

I can understand where ou are coming from

Yep. I agree. Not trying to hijack the topic or to act like a snob. Just talking 

[boneaddict]

I own each, so no snobism here.

[GoldTip]

I would be lookin hard at the Diamond Black Ice if I were failry new to Bowhunting and was looking for a new bow.  I have checked them out at Cabela's and my buddy bought the Marquis.  The Black Ice has a longer brace height, which will make it more forgiving for someone relatively new to the sport when the chips are down and it's time to do the deed.  It will be more forgiving of minor flaws in form.

[jrebel]

There are quite a few Mathews on craigslist for extremely reasonable prices.  I would look there before buying new if you don't want to spend top dollar.

[bankwalker]

Bankwalker - why don't you like Hoyt?

they are heavy bows. i love shooting them. but after a long days hiking those hoyts imo are just to heavy.

they make that parker feel like feather 

[bankwalker]

im all about the stickbow now

[DeKuma]

Just got back from shooting the following:

Hoyt Katera - Awesome, Fast, Quiet, light (IMO) just awesome, except for the price
Hoyt Avenger - Great bow, pretty quiet, moderate speed, no Katera.  Still $$, but better.
Martin Bengal - Nice all around bow.  Relatively fast, light, and stable.  Little bit of vibration at the shot, but could be fixed?
Martin Razor X - Fast as hell, but really aggressive cam.  My least favorite
Parker Blackhawk - Great feeling bow.  Smooth, fast, light.  Feels solid, though the one I shot had a long draw module, so it was a little too long, making it difficult to be smooth all the way through.

The Katera, of course was my favorite, but I cannot justify the price at $730 for a bare bow.
The Avenger is a close second in over-all feel, but again, very price prohibitive at this point.
The Bengal seems to be a good all around choice for speed and feel, if the "hum" can be eliminated.
The Blackhawk ranks right up there is I can shoot the shorter draw module.  I may end up liking it much more. 

This decision is getting harder all the time.

[snohohunter]

Where'd you go to shoot them? 

[DeKuma]

At the Nock Point in Mountlake Terrace.
Going to check out Van Winkles in Everett Tomorrow, and maybe Sportman's Whorehouse as well.

[bankwalker]

parker bows are really under rated. alot of people over look them.

[boneaddict]

I told you this was the fun part.

[DeKuma]

It is both fun and frustrating!
Thought I knew what I wanted until I shot it, then not so much.
I really want the Katera, but cannot justify the cost........
Hoping to get a chance soon on the Blackhawk in the correct draw!
It is a good performer for the price.  Still $$, but not as much as the Hoyt.
Bengal may be the one due to cost though, unless I find a good used bow somewhere. 
I am ready to buy now and getting impatient on finding the ONE.

[tlbradford]

I have found that if there is something I really want but can't afford it at the time, that it is better to wait a little bit, save a little more, and then get it.  If you rate the Katera that much higher than the other bows, you aren't going to be happy with anything less.  Just my 

[DeKuma]

Your logic is sound, and I agree.
My issue is one of responsibilities versus desires.
The Katera fits the bill, but by the time you add up all the additionals to make it ready to shoot, we are up at $1100.  I just cannot see spending that kind of money on a bow set-up, when I have other things that need attention as well.
I am on a quest for the next best thing, without breaking the bank.

[tlbradford]

I understand exactly where you are coming from.  I have been in that position many times and I hope you find something that you like just as much. 

Is the Katera a brand new model?  Is it based on a previous model that may shoot much the same but being a year or two older is significantly cheaper?  Is it too new of a model to find used?

[DeKuma]

The Katera is basically a Vulcan with a few differences.  The Katera is lighter and a little faster, I believe.  I am scanning Ebay for a Vulcan now. 

Does anyone have experience with the Bengal or the Cheetah from Martin or the Blackhawk or Hornet XP from Parker??

[boneaddict]

Yep, that Sapphire hawk is looking better all the time, AND you don't have to buy all that other stuff that you do with one of those darn compounds.    POINT and SHOOT!

[tlbradford]

Yep, that Sapphire hawk is looking better all the time, AND you don't have to buy all that other stuff that you do with one of those darn compounds.    POINT and SHOOT!

I have not shot any of the new generation of compound bows, nothing with parallel limbs or split risers, or whatever else they have.  If I keep comparing my longbow to my 1988 Hoyt Ramhunter, then I won't know what I am missing out on  , and won't have a financial crisis on my hands.

[DeKuma]

And the price on the Saphirre Hawk would be?

[snohohunter]

At the Nock Point in Mountlake Terrace.
Going to check out Van Winkles in Everett Tomorrow, and maybe Sportman's Whorehouse as well.

When it comes down to it....go back to Nock Point and tell them the prices you find (if they have the bow you want).  With so many places to buy, he'll make you a good deal!!!

More importantly, he's local for any help, tuning, etc you need....and won't charge you for the simple stuff. 

I bought a bow from a buddy off this site, but i needed to increase the draw length.  They had to order a little piece for me, which was 15 bucks, and then he spent 45 minutes installing it, tuning it, and making sure everything was perfect on the bow....and then let me use the range until after closing.  Total cost....about 17 bucks. 

The service was so good, when my little brother wanted to get into bow hunting, we went back there and bought the Martin Cheetah for his first bow....complete package (ready to shoot, with arrows, case, etc) for about $575 out the door. 

Can't beat the local service and giving your business to a local company.

[DeKuma]

I agree!  Bill is a great guy and been more help than I could have imagined.  I would prefer to deal with him, as I have all my stuff done there and shoot there quite often.
Between Bill and Mike, we spent a few hours tweaking and adjusting and shooting to find something that works for me.

How does your brother like the Cheetah?  Bill was telling me it is a great little bow and faster than the Bengal.  He recomends it highly.

[snohohunter]

He loves it and having a great time with it.  You can get the set up there for a good deal, but you'll want to put a string suppressor on it and upgrade the sight.  He just gave us credit for the sights that comes with it.  Still made it a good deal.

I tried to find some reviews for the Cheetah...here's one from Cabelas - http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0046361417862a.shtml  - - Just scroll to the bottom of the page.

[DeKuma]

Certainly a good price.  Looking at a few others tonight and maybe this weekend, but $$ for feature, the Martin is hard to beat.  Looking forward to shooting the Blackhawk with the correct module.  Bill at NP says it is a fantastic bow.  Certainly feel solid.

[boneaddict]

I'll ping hornseeker and let him quote you something.   I think he has prices on his website.

[boneaddict]

http://www.sapphirearchery.com

[snohohunter]

Certainly a good price.  Looking at a few others tonight and maybe this weekend, but $$ for feature, the Martin is hard to beat.  Looking forward to shooting the Blackhawk with the correct module.  Bill at NP says it is a fantastic bow.  Certainly feel solid.

I have a Parker Frontier and love it - great bow.

[yajsab]

All good advice.  Try Sportsman and shoot the discount/discountinue bows.  There are some good bows on clearance.

[Intruder]

I pretty much went through all this stuff you are about 5 months ago.  I ended up getting a closeout Bear.  Not necessarily recommending it but I looked at bows from 200- 800$.  When push came to shove I ended up looking for what was considered a couple years ago a middle to upper middle of the road bow.  I felt it was more important to spend the money on a great rest, great broadheads, quality arrows, quality site and a quality release. 

[DeKuma]

That is exactly whatI am thinking as well.

May go look at Simpleshooter308's Diamond Triumph he has listed in the classifieds.  Sound like a good deal, but I know nothing about the Diamond Line.

[bankwalker]

Certainly a good price.  Looking at a few others tonight and maybe this weekend, but $$ for feature, the Martin is hard to beat.  Looking forward to shooting the Blackhawk with the correct module.  Bill at NP says it is a fantastic bow.  Certainly feel solid.

I have a Parker Frontier and love it - great bow.

thats a nice shooting bow.

parkers are very nice bows. they arent as big on being the next big thing and usually are a year behind on the tech of other bows. BUT they get it right the first time imo and its worth them waiting a year to come out with stuff that other companies already have

[DeKuma]

Any thoughts from the experienced on the Diamond Triumph?  Says he is getting about 312fps out of it at 28"/68# which would translate to some good KE.
Know nothing about the draw cycle or noise/vibration though.......

[boneaddict]

That seems a bit fast but cool if it is real.

[DeKuma]

That seems a bit fast but cool if it is real.

That is what I thought.  IBO is 315fps I think it was, so to get 312 the bow would have to be extremely effiecient.  Going to go to Vanwnkles in Everret today and look at the Diamonds they have.  Should give me a good idea if I want to make the drive to Lacey for the bow he has..

[bankwalker]

i dout he is getting those numbers out of that bow. maybe most like 270-280fps and thats being generous.
if he is using the correct wieght arrows anyway. he could be shooting extremely light arrows to get those numbers.

[DeKuma]

That is what I was thinking too.  He says it was chrono'd at 68# at 29dl and is getting 318 I think he said.  If you drop 10fps for every inch in length decrease it would be in the 290-300 range at the numbers posted I think.

Still 280 is respectable for a hunting bow and much faster than my Hoyt was shooting.

[yajsab]

Diamond is basically Bowtech. 

While on your way to Lacey, stop by Sportsman in Fed Way.  They have two or three Bowtech models on the clearance rack just waiting for someone to pick up.  One of them is the commander.

[DeKuma]

I was considering going down there tonight.
Do you recall any prices for what they had?

Wife thinks I should go with the Bengal Package they have at the Nock Point.  It is very tempting as the $$ is good and the bow is good all around.  I think in the long run, it is a good choice, just think I need to shoot it set-up and see if it still feels the same.

[yajsab]

I recalled the commander is still up in the 600 range, but the others are around 450 - 500.  Not sure what your budget is.  These are top models from previous year.

I have no clue on this one, but just passing it along.

Sporting Goods: Compound Bow (Martin Pro Series XR) Firecat
Price:175.00
Date Posted: 5/21/2008 
Nice bow I just dont hunt. Perfect for the serious hunter, its a Martin! Call Cary at 206-349-9922 or e-mail at kansasflwr@yahoo.com 
Boeing Location
WA - Puget Sound 
Contact Information
Cary Hiatt
206-349-9922   
kansasflwr@yahoo.com 

[DeKuma]

Thanks for everyone's help and advice.
After careful consdieration of funding, and options as well as what gives me the most for my money, I have made a choice.

After shooting several more bows today, the Bear Instinct, Bengal (again), Hoyt Vipertec, Diamond Marquis, and Mathews Switchback and SoloCam.  All Great bows in comparison to the older one I have.  Prices escalate along the list.

I went back to the Nock Point and shot the Bengal for a while and decided the more I shot, the more I liked so I bought a Bengal.
They are getting it set-up for me with components from my Hoyt.  I bought the full package with the Rhinehart Target and all components ready to shoot, but I had better stuff on my Hoyt, so they are swapping everything around for me.

Hopefully, I will still feel I made the right call after I have shot it a while................

[bankwalker]

nice choice...i was actually shooting that bow a week ago.