Post by: DeKuma on May 20, 2008, 10:33:50 AM
Besides Mathews/Bowtech (which are $$) What do you guys suggest?
Want strctly for hunting and occasional 3D. 28" Draw capable.
Post by: boneaddict on May 20, 2008, 10:48:28 AM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv351%2Fhornseeker%2Fgotcarbonrs.jpg&hash=b24fb3c759799b763b33fb8463a6c40b32844af4)
Its a 3 Piece Longbow, like mine...
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv351%2Fhornseeker%2FElknutIannacors8.jpg&hash=3df0a2c74d9f38d32b87a518409f14d9d67161c3)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv351%2Fhornseeker%2FElknutIannacors7.jpg&hash=b854147ac6dc16edfb86eb55ad052c42036a1ab5)
Post by: DeKuma on May 20, 2008, 10:51:23 AM
Post by: boneaddict on May 20, 2008, 10:56:10 AM
Post by: bankwalker on May 20, 2008, 11:28:37 AM
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.
Post by: snohohunter on May 20, 2008, 11:51:11 AM
Post by: Ray on May 20, 2008, 12:35:35 PM
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.
Post by: boneaddict on May 20, 2008, 12:40:28 PM
Post by: tlbradford on May 20, 2008, 12:49:24 PM
Post by: Ray on May 20, 2008, 01:13:43 PM
Quote
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 :twocents:
Post by: boneaddict on May 20, 2008, 01:33:16 PM
Post by: GoldTip on May 20, 2008, 01:40:43 PM
Post by: jrebel on May 20, 2008, 03:59:08 PM
Post by: bankwalker on May 20, 2008, 06:14:52 PM
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 :)
Post by: bankwalker on May 20, 2008, 06:16:26 PM
Post by: DeKuma on May 20, 2008, 07:48:09 PM
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.
Post by: snohohunter on May 20, 2008, 08:03:10 PM
Post by: DeKuma on May 20, 2008, 09:01:47 PM
Going to check out Van Winkles in Everett Tomorrow, and maybe Sportman's Whorehouse as well.
Post by: bankwalker on May 20, 2008, 10:10:00 PM
Post by: boneaddict on May 20, 2008, 10:31:58 PM
Post by: DeKuma on May 21, 2008, 05:52:59 AM
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.
Post by: tlbradford on May 21, 2008, 06:47:04 AM
Post by: DeKuma on May 21, 2008, 06:49:57 AM
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.
Post by: tlbradford on May 21, 2008, 06:55:18 AM
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?
Post by: DeKuma on May 21, 2008, 07:01:57 AM
Does anyone have experience with the Bengal or the Cheetah from Martin or the Blackhawk or Hornet XP from Parker??
Post by: boneaddict on May 21, 2008, 07:09:18 AM
Post by: tlbradford on May 21, 2008, 07:28:01 AM
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 :drool:, and won't have a financial crisis on my hands.
Post by: DeKuma on May 21, 2008, 07:45:08 AM
Post by: snohohunter on May 21, 2008, 08:25:11 AM
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.
Post by: DeKuma on May 21, 2008, 09:17:03 AM
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.
Post by: snohohunter on May 21, 2008, 09:29:15 AM
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.
Post by: DeKuma on May 21, 2008, 09:40:33 AM
Post by: boneaddict on May 21, 2008, 09:42:58 AM
Post by: boneaddict on May 21, 2008, 09:43:39 AM
Post by: snohohunter on May 21, 2008, 09:49:17 AM
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.
Post by: yajsab on May 21, 2008, 10:16:39 AM
Post by: Intruder on May 21, 2008, 10:49:01 AM
Post by: DeKuma on May 21, 2008, 10:51:56 AM
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.
Post by: bankwalker on May 21, 2008, 11:48:44 AM
Certainly a good price. Looking at a few others tonight and maybe this weekend, but $$ for feature, the Martin is hard to beat. Looking forward to shooting the Blackhawk with the correct module. Bill at NP says it is a fantastic bow. Certainly feel solid.
I have a Parker Frontier and love it - great bow.
thats a nice shooting bow.
parkers are very nice bows. they arent as big on being the next big thing and usually are a year behind on the tech of other bows. BUT they get it right the first time imo and its worth them waiting a year to come out with stuff that other companies already have
Post by: DeKuma on May 21, 2008, 12:35:41 PM
Know nothing about the draw cycle or noise/vibration though.......
Post by: boneaddict on May 21, 2008, 12:43:27 PM
Post by: DeKuma on May 21, 2008, 01:24:21 PM
That seems a bit fast but cool if it is real.
That is what I thought. IBO is 315fps I think it was, so to get 312 the bow would have to be extremely effiecient. Going to go to Vanwnkles in Everret today and look at the Diamonds they have. Should give me a good idea if I want to make the drive to Lacey for the bow he has..
Post by: bankwalker on May 21, 2008, 01:52:02 PM
if he is using the correct wieght arrows anyway. he could be shooting extremely light arrows to get those numbers.
Post by: DeKuma on May 21, 2008, 01:59:59 PM
Still 280 is respectable for a hunting bow and much faster than my Hoyt was shooting.
Post by: yajsab on May 21, 2008, 04:10:20 PM
While on your way to Lacey, stop by Sportsman in Fed Way. They have two or three Bowtech models on the clearance rack just waiting for someone to pick up. One of them is the commander.
Post by: DeKuma on May 21, 2008, 04:29:53 PM
Do you recall any prices for what they had?
Wife thinks I should go with the Bengal Package they have at the Nock Point. It is very tempting as the $$ 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.
Post by: yajsab on May 21, 2008, 05:12:05 PM
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
Post by: DeKuma on May 21, 2008, 07:09:14 PM
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................ :o
Post by: bankwalker on May 21, 2008, 07:46:38 PM