Out of these two affordable bows, which should I commit myself to? Oh, and if you think both are a bad idea, feel free to recommend one! My research also suggests the Mission X3 or Diamond Infinite Edge, but they were not quite as alluring.
None of the 4 are really known as quality bows. If you want to stay in that price range youre generally going to get a low quality bow. Are you an adult man? If so none of those four are very pleasant to shoot for adult men. Id bump it up a bit and look at the PSE Drive, its a good mix of quality and value. The Diamond line also has multiple models that are affordable and decent quality.
Ker, there's several things to take into consideration here.
1. Your size, height mostly. That usually transforms into your draw length and the axle to axle length of a bow. Sometimes a persons arms width goes against the grain, but not usually.
The reason why I am stating this is because if you're a taller person you don't want to be shooting a shorty toy bow. They are easily torqued and the acute string angle at the apex can be a real problem in terms of the peep sight.
A shorter person can still shoot a little longer ATA bow but it usually does not go the other way around.
Manufacturers have been pushing short bows for the last 10 years or so telling us that's what we need esp for hunting from a blind or tree stand. It's all a bunch of bull hooey. Longer ATA bows with longer brace heights are more forgiving of form errors. This is why all the top shooters in the nation use them.
A bow must fit much like a hiking shoe. If it does not fit correctly, you will not be comfortable, you will struggle with it, and you flat will not shoot as accurately. And that brings us to #2 on the list.
2. I strongly recommend you go to a good archery shop that handles multiple different bow brands. The more the better actually. Let them set your bow up to where its at your best draw length, best draw weight, and all the other set up that's necessary. And trust me, it's all necessary.
Do not be afraid to take your time on your decision. Let them know what you are looking for and do not let them force one particular bow on you just because they carry it. If that means having to return a few times, so be it. Maybe even try another dealer.
But the main focus here is a bow must be right for the shooter. Small items like the grip, draw length set properly, etc are more important than you may think.
3. I do not recommend buying on line. Not on your first bow. You really do need to get to a good dealer and use their knowledge. Remember, if the bow ain't set up right, ain't nothing else gonna be right.
I am not particularly tall (5'11), and I am not familiar with the field enough to know what draw length suits me, but my trip to the local archery range was enough to inform me that the prices online and the prices in the store differ dramatically. One of the few shops in my area was offering all of the brands I had been researching online (as well as specific bows I noted the price of), except they were 3x as expensive!
Reading these posts it is clear to me that I will have to take a trip back to the store just to get an idea of what bows suit me as an individual . . . And then I will go find some bargain deals!
Please think before you do that. IMHO that's why there aren't many good pro-shops left. Everyone gets advise and picks their brain and then run out and get a bow from someone else.
I totally understand you don't want to spend a ton on a first bow......and unlike many folks on here I think that is a GREAT idea NOT to run out and send $700 on your first bow.
So, do this........go back to the pro shop and give the guy a chance to help you. Be honest with him....give him your budget and see what happens. You can always walk out the door if he still tries to over sell you or won't order you a better priced rig.
You are on AT the good thing is there is a TON of advice here.......the bad thing is everyone here is REALLY into bows and tend to think you have to have a $700 bow to shoot/hunt/have fun with and you don't.
One season I had a top-of-the-line rig break a string.....it was my fault because I hit the cable with a broad head in the dark.......lol. But when I took it in for repair it was the worst time because season was in full swing and the shops were slammed. They told me it would be weeks before I got it back.
So I went out and bought a PSE Nova the next day and had it hunt ready by that evening. It was a $140 bow back when a really good bow was $600. I killed a Turkey, some Hogs, Javalina and a few Deer with that low budget rig. Matter of fact I shot it better than the bow I had.....it just wasn't near as fast.
But I liked it enough to finish out the season with it. My point is just because a bow isn't as expensive doesn't mean it's not any good.
Everyone I talked too suggested buying a $399 model of any top brand. They called them the "work horse" bows. Not powerhouse bows like flagship models shooting 330+ fps, but sturdy, and smooth drawing 300-320 fps mr. Reliable. More than you need to bring down most NA game. You have to realize the $399 bows of today were just as good as flagship bows 10 years ago! Would also suggest a whisker biscuit. I love mine.
See, that makes sense to me. I have my eye on the Diamond Infinite Edge, a $350 bow with fantastic reviews. It matches my suggested max draw weight, my draw length and comes with many additions (3-pin Apex sight, Hostage XL arrow rest, Octane Deadlock Lite quiver, Tube peep sight and BCY string loop). As Deadquiet was saying, a $700 bow has its perks, but the RIGHT $400 bow could be just as efficient; I just need to find one that compliments me.
Tomorrow I am heading over to Bass Pro to see the beauty in person, and peruse other bows in that price range. Hopefully I come back with a clear winner.
Don't just look at the prices.....Shoot them. There will be one that really sticks out to you.....The bow will pick you. It will just feel right when you are just holding it.....The grip will be comfortable on the hold and when you draw. Look at some of the longer ATA bows....Since you are starting out, the longer bow will help you to steady on the draw and shot. Buy local if you can....You will be going in for stuff in the future, and it's nice to go in and get good service (hopefully) from the shop on the bow you bought from them. When it's time to upgrade, they may take the bow in on trade.....Don't expect much, and you may be able to sell it on here for a bit more. Good luck and happy shooting!
To the OP: I just noticed you're from Calgary.....I've got a forum buddy who lives up in your area. I know there's one shop he really doesn't care for there....Pretty big shop as I remember. He said they treated him like crap....C/S was terrible and they were more interested in the sale than getting you set up correctly. I can't recall the name, but they have their own shooting range at the shop.....Just a heads up.
Thank you, I will definitely keep that in mind. Your friend is likely referring to the Calgary Archery Range . . . I was not too pleased with the service there either.
If your heart is set on the two you mentioned,I prefer PSE...nothing against Hoyt..I just grew up on PSE and know how solid they are.
As one poster above noted..Bear Attitude and Authority are absolutley GREAT bows. I have the Authority,and have zero complaints.
The Infinite Edge is really a great bow as well,and lets not forget the PSE Stinger,which is probably the best bang for your buck anywhere and is a rock solid bow.
I would advise you to shoot as many different brands and/or models as you can before you make your purchase. Dealers will let you shoot a great deal and work with you if they know you are committed to buying. Take advantage of that and shoots LOTS.
For the first bow, IMHO, the most important thing is to be comfortable with it. If you find out that you enjoy bow hunting and want to stick with it, chances are you will buy at least one more. However, that purchase will be made with a LOT more information than you had when you bought your first one, but you gotta have one to really begin to learn about it. Try some, pick one, shoot it, learn about it, improve on it to make it yours. I agree you don't have to have a $700 bow for your first one, but there are some decent ones out there for about half of that for new learners. At some point, you will have to determine for yourself the extent of the tradeoff between quality and cost. Hope this helps....
I could not find the Fuel at Bass Pro, but I did spot the Toxik, Blackout SS and Carbon Cure. The shooting range was out of commission, so I guess I will be delaying my purchase until I find a store I can actually test the bows at.
From what I saw the Toxik looked like it was right up my alley. A little more expensive, but definitely something to keep my eye on while I make my final decision.
I was wanting to hear some replies from people who have shot the new Blackout SS. The Toxik XT is basically the same bow as the Outlaw and Cabela's Regulator, all are good bows.
Yeah, the Fuel is brand new and will probably only be found at a pro shop.
The Carbon Cure is a single cam Carbon Knight, also a very good bow.
as a beginer you should always buy your bow from a shop. to much that you still need to learn.
chances are you will sorry later if you dont. if there is no shop in your area look for a club. you might also try posting in the canadian section here.
any money you save online will be lost in parts and labor for your pro shop to get it set up correctly.
plus if you purchase everything from the shop im sure they will take better care of you in the future
lots of solid advice here. one of the best threads I've seen on here I a long time as far as everyone contributing "good advice". there's lots of controversy on this sight, but when it comes down to someone getting started in this great sport, the advice is always good and welcoming !
as far as cost goes, the lower cost, entry level bows will serve well into your archery years, far beyond your "Rookie phase", so don't be concerned that your buying a bow that you quickly "out shoot". I truly believe there's only a hand full of shooters in the world, that can honestly take advantage of the attributes a top of the line bow provides. most guys just need to pay more for the, "best man toys".
pick which ever one feels the best to you and get shooting, that's the main thing. the bows at that price point are very much the same and are actually designed to be that way for the new shooters' advantage....they can pick up either bow and feel comfortable with it.
as for buying on line, again, the advice is solid...... buy from a shop. you'll have lots of questions and need some adjustments as you develop your shooting, and you most likely will be able to take advantage of the fact that most shops will do small services for free, for their customers. the other aspect is that it's handy to be able to walk into a shop with your bow in hand and get "hands on" advice and adjustments, that you couldn't get by asking an on line seller. when you're new to the sport...this is a very important point....there are many details that are hard to explain without having the bow in hand, but easily demonstrated when you can draw your bow and someone can explain something to you, in person.
Lots of good advice here. Have a reasonable price in mind and get what feels/shoots best for you. The reason why most would recommend a pro shop over the internet is because you need to know exactly what your buying. In some cases, bows are mistreated or repaired. They look new, or slightly used, but do you really know the history of the bow?? You mentioned a PSE Chaos.... that bow was originally intended for young shooters, teenagers, women. It was smaller in size and weight, and was replaced last year with the PSE Fever I believe. Mielticket was right on, start out with something like a PSE Surge. I'm not too familiar with other brands, but don't have anything against them. Get what suits you, you have to be happy with it to be confident in it. Confidence in your equipment and ability is what builds a great shooter.
I went over to the last remaining pro shop in my city. I took a long, hard look at the PSE Surge, but they only had a 70lb bow left. But he eased me over to the PSE Drive LT, boasting about its excellent reviews and affordability, so I might decide on that! Plus, that skullworks finish is just too alluring. So, I set up a little training session so I can get a feel for the bow and make my decision.
Great bow for the price. Way under rated IMO. Wish someone would have given me this advice when I was looking. Shoots just as good as many new $600 bows today.
Measure your arm span divide by 2. That's should give you a pretty close draw length.
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