PSE Stinger would be a good choice in a ready to go package. No fancy frills; but a quality bow that will get the job done.

 

I have a Cruzer and I like it. True, it does have a bit of a spongey backwall, and I don't necessarily love the quiver that comes in the RTH package, but overall I like it. Mine was pretty close to shooting true right out of the package.

 

Pretty much all the lower end bows will have a rather spongy back wall, just the nature of the beast.

 

Get a quality loaded set up from the classifieds. 500 will get you a solid ready to hunt bow. Look at elites with the transferable warranty.

 

I'd probably go PSE Brute or Stinger.

 

I would avoid bear. My son has a bear cruzer lite, loved the bow. But CS is the worst ever...for that reason I will not support them ever again. But the bow is actually fine. Doesn't have all the feathers but for his first bow its been really good. Having a grip part issue and they don't return calls, answer emails, or even give you anything as far as help.

 

I have had just the opposite, there customer service has been really good. My 2015 Bear Authority has been a great bow. Sorry to hear your having bad times with Bear.

 

The new PSE Stinger Max S3DA has a hard backwall stop, but at 30" AtoA is a bit short for my liking. The new "standard" Stinger Max still has the 30" AtoA but without the hard backwall. I have a 2019? Stinger Extreme with 32.5" AtoA that is set up for small game hunting, and I've also successfully used it for Field Archery Competitions. My advice would be to try to find a second hand Stinger Extreme. There are a very capable, and versatile budget bow.

If your budget can stretch a little further, have a look at the PSE Drive NXT.

 

I picked up a Diamond Edge the other day at the store and it seemed like a pretty decent set up. Didn't shoot it of course because there were about 3 dozen zip ties rendering it useless but it felt pretty good for the price. Saw some really good reviews on it as well

 

I would say the Stinger. I have a PSE Surge that came as an RTH package. Bought it at Cabela's for $399 a few years back. Great bow. The only things I have changed are the strings and cables and the sight. No hand shock, pretty damn quiet and overall more bow than I paid for.