Trying to decide on a New Bow

[Atchison]

I am looking to get a new bow this year...currently shoot a Bear Whitetail II and like it, but had a PSE before then that I loved, but was stolen :mad: so my father in law game me the Bear....

Looking at either the new Bear "Done Deal" but have heard alot of good things about the new Bowtechs. I have never actually purchsed a brand new bow, always second hand....so any advice to what to look for would be appreciated.

Looking to spend roughly $500....give or take

Thanks!

[U of M Fan]

I would go to a pro shop and try out as many bows as you can. Like someone else on here said,"let the bow choose you". Good luck

[Swamp Monster]

With a budget of $500, cross the new Bowtech of the list. Unfortunately they retail in $700-$800+ range. Diamond is basically Bowtechs Single cam line up of bows and are usually priced a bit closer to your budget. The Diamond Stud is a great bow that retails around $550 or so. http://www.diamondarchery.com/bow_stud.php
Thats for a bare bow though, expect to spend another $150-$200 on accessories and arrows.
Another nice budget friendly line of bows are the Mission line...they are made by Mathews. The X3 is around $350 for the bare bow giving you room to buy your accessories. It's a nice rig. http://missionarchery.com/x3-bow.asp

The Martin Bengal is another one to put on your list as a lot of bow for the money. http://www.martinarchery.com/bengal.php

As was said, get to some pro shops and start shooting a bunch of models.

[Atchison]

$500 budget for the bare bow, just to clarify!

I plan on going to a pro shop, I just wanted to get some good ideas as to what to try to shoot and what isn't even worth my time.

[Michihunter]

$500 budget for the bare bow, just to clarify!

I plan on going to a pro shop, I just wanted to get some good ideas as to what to try to shoot and what isn't even worth my time.
Don't let anyone tell you that any bow is a waste of time becuase it simply just isn't true nowadays. Make a day(s) out of it and try em all.;)

[FrankaB]

I got a PSE Castalyst, its ok but I didn't compare it to other brands. I didn't shop around and I reget that. I just got the Sportmans Channel on cable and it seems like most of the bow hunting shows the guys are using the Matthews. $$$$$ Anybody use a Matthews? Is it worth the money?

[Michihunter]

Anybody use a Matthews? Is it worth the money?
Only you can answer that question. What someone else thinks isn't necessarily going to hold true for you. I've shot them and am not a huge fan of their recent products. But that doesn't make them "better" or "worse" just not my preference.

[Swamp Monster]

Don't let anyone tell you that any bow is a waste of time becuase it simply just isn't true nowadays. Make a day(s) out of it and try em all.;)

Exactly! Shoot them all! Bows are very subjective...what I like may be the opposite of what you like...doesn't mean one is better than the other, just different. Finding a good bow in your price range won't be a problem. Today, the difference between mid priced bows and the top end bows in peformance and feel is pretty small. Spending more on the bow will not give you more accuracy, nor will it make the deer easier to get into bow range!

Don't worry about what the folk on TV are shooting....most times they're shooting top end bows with sponsorship deals. Unless you have a sponsorship, your wallet is what matters. Mathews, Hoyt, Bowtech, PSE, Martin etc all make high end equipment.....and that includes the mid prices bows in your budget.

Also, this time of year you can often get last years 08 top end models left over for a fraction of last years cost....it's still brand new, it's still under warranty, it's just an 08 model. So shop around. And have fun!

[FrankaB]

Only you can answer that question. What someone else thinks isn't necessarily going to hold true for you. I've shot them and am not a huge fan of their recent products. But that doesn't make them "better" or "worse" just not my preference.

I couldn't agree more, I don't buy into everything that I see on tv, thats why I was asking here. There's not a person around that could talk me into any other truck than a Chevy, no matter how much they like their Dodge or Ford. I'm just wondering what the guys that own a Matthews think of them.

[Falk]

I couldn't agree more, I don't buy into everything that I see on tv, thats why I was asking here. There's not a person around that could talk me into any other truck than a Chevy, no matter how much they like their Dodge or Ford. I'm just wondering what the guys that own a Matthews think of them.
I own one and I really like it. I tried a bunch of different brands before I bought it and it was an obvious choice for me. If I would have known how nice they are, I would've owned one a long time ago.

[Non Typical]

Don't forget to try the Quest, for the money it can't be beat. Darton makes one also, the AS500. Both are Mi. based compainies and make great bows.:lol:

[agross]

i used to shoot a pse and a year and a half ago i switched over to a mathews drenalin i love it it has been a great bow

[SVTFAN03]

I was shooting the New PSE bow madness the other day and for the price it would be hard to beat. Your best bet may be to go to a big store that has all sorts of bows shoot a bunch that are to your liking then purchase one at a pro shop near you so you always have them to fall back on for warranty work and such. This time of year you can buy a last year's model bow for a discounted price if you shop around.

[archerjustin]

Don't forget to try the Quest, for the money it can't be beat. Darton makes one also, the AS500. Both are Mi. based compainies and make great bows.:lol:

Good call on the Quest! It's a great bow for the money.

[rattletot]

i would take a long look at the mission x3(mathews made) for under $400 it is one smooth,quiet,fast bow.i took a look at a lot of bows and brought home the 3x i am very happy by far the best bow out there for the money!!!;)

[madmike22]

Go over to www.archerytalk.com and check out there classifieds. There are alot of bows in there in that $500 range. You can get a hoyt katera less than one year old for $500, you can get a high country iron mace one year old for $375, mathews s2 for $500. You dont have to buy a second tier bow you can have top of the line for the same.

[fishunter9160]

Only you can answer that question. What someone else thinks isn't necessarily going to hold true for you. I've shot them and am not a huge fan of their recent products. But that doesn't make them "better" or "worse" just not my preference.

I agree Michihunter . I think we hope spoken before.

[Atchison]

Thanks for the info everyone!

I think I will go next month to shoot as much as possible and decide from there....very excited now!!!

[fishunter9160]

If you find one you like but its too much$$, try looking on Ebay for a good used one.Ive bought and sold a few on there with good luck.

[eboll]

When I bought a new bow last summer, I didnt know what to buy. My choices were limited since I have a really short draw. My proshop, Bowmans in Brown City, let me shoot many bows. Its a tough choice. I liked all of them. I ended up with a PSE brute but its just preference. Shoot as many as you can and see what stands out to YOU

[WHITE CLOUD]

This past summer i bought my first new bow i ended up picking the Martin bengal,very very happy with it. good luck on finding your's!! oh yea i spent about 600 dollars on it with all the bell's and whistle's.

[Andrew B.]

I have a Reflex Buckskin. I just tried out a few different bows at the archery shop and liked that one the best. I am very happy with it. But like everyone else has said, try out as many as you can and I'm sure one will really stand out to you.

[MichiganPronghorn]

Talk to the guys at Jays Sporting Goods, they will definately make it worth your while. Right now they have a good selection of last years model bows for a good amount off and they know what they are talking about. If you get in touch with them ask for Chris in archery he will hook you up.

number there is 989-386-3475

[buckwiz]

Check the classifieds on here!!! I see 2 nice bowtechs for sale!!!

[Peter the Great]

This past summer i bought my first new bow i ended up picking the Martin bengal,very very happy with it. good luck on finding your's!! oh yea i spent about 600 dollars on it with all the bell's and whistle's.
:yeahthat:good Bow for the Money

[Atchison]

Just left Basspro, did some shooting, eliminated a few bows I know for sure I don't want.

Liked the Bear "Game Over" and Diamond "Rock"....only had 40 minutes or so, didn't get to try everything, but it was a good start!