why upgrade?

[rosscrazyelk]

I got to thinking about this topic  because of a coworker of mine. He gets a new bow every other year. I could understand if he is a collector but  he just wants to have the new stuff all the time. He has tried to get me to buy some of his (older) bows. He goes on and on about the chances of killing are better with a quicker, quieter bow blah blah blah..
I find this humourous because I have had the same bow for 10 years and my bow kills just fine
I even have a friend who shoots a early 90's high counrty with aluminum arrows still. I guess in my mind if it still works why always get a new bow.
Am I missing the boat on something here?

[boneaddict]

some folks are gear/gadget crazy.   I like simple.   I've wondered the same thing, but know people are different.  I guess thats what drives the industry.   Personally I think their focus is on the wrong thing, but who am I to judge.

[mtbiker]

Ever find a pair of shoes that are just perfect?  I mean you put them on and you have this universal peace and harmony moment like all is well with the world?     Well, some people are seeking that same thing with a bow.  They do the same with other stuff too ....rifles, cars, relationships, you name it.   I upgrade stuff within my various hobbies.  Some were good and worth while upgrades.  Some, were losers and really not worth the money or effort.

Anyway, lots of differnt motives.  We can judge them right or wrong, but at the end of the day it's a personal thing.   

[sirmissalot]

I've never quite understood it either. Every once and a while I want to upgrade to something that shoots a little faster... But never do. It just seems strange, you don't upgrade your main hunting rifle every year, so why your bow?

[huntnphool]

I could see upgrading if you are using one of those bows from 20 years ago that weighs 10 pounds, or is 40" long. Its nice to pack a bow that weighs 3.5 pounds and is only 32"-34" that shoots 300fps compared to those old bows.

[hillbilli]

I think it depends how much upgrade in performance you're talking.. my high country is 10 years old or a little more, and was the latest fastest thing when it was new (rated at 290).. and while I am more likely to hit a deer with it at uncertain yardage than with my traditional bow, or even a very slow compound like the Whitetail 2 and Black mag i started with.. but if you shoot my bow side by side with one rated at 310 or so-- there's not much difference, when we tried it I saw like 3 inches difference at 40yds.. based on what I've seen I think if the new bow isnt 30fps faster or more (rated IBO speed-because thats all we really have to go on)- then it probably isnt enough to matter.. if the new bow is noticeably louder than your old bow- or you just dont shoot it as well.. then is the gain worth it?

[earlmarne]

every time i get on archery talk i feel like i need a new rest,sight,stab,release,arrow,and bow.
but i think this season i will be fine with my current bow.it fits me perfectly and untill i can afford to buy another without selling this one i will stick with it.

[kentrek]

i think a lot of people might also think it will help compensate for their shortcomings and plus they look so much cooler with the new products in there hands...which is what were after right 

[Crunchy]

I am still shooting my Switchback XT that I bought new in 06.  IBO is 316fps.  I am wanting to upgrade but just havent seen that one bow that convinces me to pull the trigger

[RadSav]

Ever find a pair of shoes that are just perfect?  I mean you put them on and you have this universal peace and harmony moment like all is well with the world?     Well, some people are seeking that same thing with a bow.

I think you nailed in on the head.  As much as we try to avoid the hoopla and advertising spin sooner or later an archer finds himself wanting that perfect fit.  We tend to get confused with techno advancements, sexappeal of speed and brand superiority thinking it has to equate to better sooner or later.  Some are more susceptible to the spin than others.  But the fact is most bowhunters have been sold a bill of goods and even if it says Hoyt or Mathews on the label it doesn't mean it fits or even works for most of us.

I go through a half dozen bows a year testing and judging to see if the advantage really exists.  I consider it part of my job to be up-to-date with the new greatest marketing spin.  Yet increasingly more and more each year it's complete hogwash with the high end bows.  The big brands being some of the worst offenders!  There has been an increase in the performance and quality of bargain priced bows in recent years.  And in my opinion many of those are really the better bows for price, performance, ease of shooting and overall value.  $699.99 MSRP for my view of the personal best PSE has to offer.  $599.99 MSRP on my view of the best bow Bear has ever offered (though no longer in production as an adult male's bow). $499.99 MSRP for the Mission version of Mathews best bow (My Goodness is that a DEAL).  And the list goes on and on from manufacture to manufacture.

I spoke with a H-W member yesterday stating that if I was forced to shoot one of the most popular bows on the market right now I would quit bowhunting.  That probably goes for 80% of the so called BEST of the name brands.  A bow should increase your enjoyment of the sport.  You should have complete confidence in it and bet your bottom dollar on it performing to the task at hand.  The right one should leave you with the same feeling you have when hunting that animal of a lifetime with your very best friend and hunting partner.  It's been three years since I held a new bow that gave me any hope of achieving that end.  Three have come close, but each of the manufactures had to go and screw up a good thing by either making it too heavy or adding something completely stupid (IMO)

From the late eighties until 2005 I used the same bow for everything.  The first time she ever let me down I took it as a sign that she was tired and ready for retirement.  That bow hangs on my wall as if waiting for a shrine to build up around her.  Few days go by when I don't wake up in the morning looking at that camo'd queen hanging there wishing we could spend some more time in the woods tagging the best of the best and making another impossible shot through the smallest of holes in the worst of branch filled shooting lanes that end with a short blood trail and heavy packs back to the truck.  I have two bargain priced bows beside her that are equally up to the task.  Both group arrows better than my ailing eyes can see these days.  But yet our friendships have never entered into such personal admiration as that magnificent ugly yet beautiful beast that casts her shadow on them both.

Some day it is going to happen.  A new bow will hit the market that is the exact bow I would design myself.  It will speak softly to me and say, "I'll be with you until the last day of your bowhunting career!"  And all the battlescares we share and blood stains we collect will never take from the beauty and respect we have for one another.  And life as a bowhunter will somehow be whole once more.  My search for her continues.  And will so until we finally find one another

[rosscrazyelk]

Ever find a pair of shoes that are just perfect?  I mean you put them on and you have this universal peace and harmony moment like all is well with the world?     Well, some people are seeking that same thing with a bow.  They do the same with other stuff too ....rifles, cars, relationships, you name it.   I upgrade stuff within my various hobbies.  Some were good and worth while upgrades.  Some, were losers and really not worth the money or effort.

Anyway, lots of differnt motives.  We can judge them right or wrong, but at the end of the day it's a personal thing.   
 

I do try many things but I do not buy all of them. I have no problem with trying things out  but there are alot of people who buy things  for the awe value.  I am not judging anyone. I just dont understand I guess

[D-Rock425]

I get a new one about every year or every other year for sure.

[steeleywhopper]

I think your resale is better when the bow is newer vs older. With he high price of bows in today's market you better sell off the last years bow to cut cost on the new modeled jazzy bow that just came out. In reality why keep a bow if your not 100% satisfied anyway.

[deerslyr]

If I had the money I'd buy a new one every year. Heck I'd buy new everything every year if I had the money if it gave me even the slightest bit of advantage. Would it make a difference in the game I harvested, probably not but there might be a an opportunity or two through out the season that it would provide me with and that would make it worth it.
BUT until the day I have that kind of money, ill be rocking my '10 mission maniac thats proved itself a time or two. Props to those guys that can buy a new one every year though 

[mtbiker]

Ever find a pair of shoes that are just perfect?  I mean you put them on and you have this universal peace and harmony moment like all is well with the world?     Well, some people are seeking that same thing with a bow.  They do the same with other stuff too ....rifles, cars, relationships, you name it.   I upgrade stuff within my various hobbies.  Some were good and worth while upgrades.  Some, were losers and really not worth the money or effort.

Anyway, lots of differnt motives.  We can judge them right or wrong, but at the end of the day it's a personal thing.   
 

I do try many things but I do not buy all of them. I have no problem with trying things out  but there are alot of people who buy things  for the awe value.  I am not judging anyone. I just dont understand I guess

Awe feels good.     I'm a drummer.  I was in the local drum shop the other day and played a Ludwig Classic Maple kit that had this killer 24" bass drum.  Every time I hit it I paused, said "awe" (well more like WOW), giggled, then continued the back beat.  Anyway, the thump out of that thing was awesome.  Too bad for me I didn't have a cool $2500 in my pocket.