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Shopping for new bow

by Dirty. , Posted to Fishing Buddy on 01/28/2012 8:33 PM | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
Dirty.

Joined: 11/09/2007
Location: ND
After 7 years of shooting the same compound bow, I'm looking to purchase another one before I have to replace the strings again.

What I like about my bow now and don't want to sacrafice is that it is lightweight and the breakover point is a few inches before my anchor point, so I can hold it for a long time at full draw. I'm looking for a hunting bow, not just something to shoot.

I'd love to go to the local sporting goods stores and shoot everything availalbe, but my biggest problem is that i'm a lefty and selection is quite limited.

I'm not necessarily looking for the fastest thing in the world and not a 2012 model. I've been getting by just fine at 225 fps for years. I want cofort and something that will be reliable in the field above the need for speed. If speed comes with it, so be it. I will probably buy someting that is used, but won't buy anything untiil I've tried it on for size.

Again, I'm looking for something lightweight (4 lbs. or less). I've shot bows that max at 60 and max at 70. Either is fine as long as the breakover point feels good to me. Before I start actually seeking a bow that is for sale, I just want to narrow it down to a few models that fit me well.

So, any advice would be appreciated from anyone who shoots a lot of bows or knows them well. Any of you right-handed novices who get out and shoot new models on a regular basis may have the info I'm after. You can reply here or PM me. Thanks in advance.
Re: Shopping for new bow
by taylorman_55 on 01/28/2012 8:45 PM | Reply #1 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
taylorman_55
Joined: 02/24/2010
Location: ND
 Maybe Im cheap, and I am still very new to bow hunting. I ended up buying about a 10 year old pse from my taxidermist. I feel super comfortable with it and shoot very good groups out to 40 yards, which I never plan on shooting further than that anyways. I was thinking about upgrading also within the next month or two, and like you, I would like a lighter weight bow and something that is fairly short axle to axle (helps when im in the ground blind). I went in recently to scheels and shot a mission craze and absolutely loved it. It was light, short, and still put some decent speed out. The biggest thing for me, was how light it was, and the short axle to axle length. Fully adjustable from 19-30 inches, and the one I shot I think was a 60-70 lb pull. The bow itself weighed in near 3.5 or 3.6 pounds. I have also shot the new hoyt, pse omen and a few other more "spendy" bows, and to me, the craze didnt take THAT much of a back seat to any of them. Yeah, might be slightly slower, but it still will push that 300 fps mark. I cant say much, because I have very little knowledge on bows, however, my point is that you should  take a look at the craze if you get a chance, it wont break the bank (269.99-299.99)  like some of the others, and it felt damn good. Best wishes finding one you like!

Taylorman
 
Re: Shopping for new bow
by HJchamp on 01/28/2012 8:46 PM | Reply #2 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
HJchamp
Joined: 12/03/2009
Location: ND
The Hoyt Carbon Element is 3.6 pounds bare weight and i have tested one out and for me personally loved it. I thought it was fast, quiet shooting and the best was how light it is and for that fact alone is for those times you have to freeze and hold for minutes on end. Definately should be in your top list.
HJchamp
Re: Shopping for new bow
by HJchamp on 01/28/2012 8:59 PM | Reply #3 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
HJchamp
Joined: 12/03/2009
Location: ND
Taylor is right about price... the hoyt is 1200 dollars bare. Thats why i just tested it
HJchamp
Re: Shopping for new bow
by lipripper621 on 01/28/2012 9:03 PM | Reply #4 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
lipripper621
Joined: 07/04/2011
Location: ND
The new Mathews Helium is an awesome bow! Mathews has not impressed me sence they made the Switchback XT. But the Helium is definitely a step up in my opinion. I think it would be worth your time to check out!
Re: Shopping for new bow
by bckhntr on 01/28/2012 9:24 PM | Reply #5 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
bckhntr
Joined: 11/17/2004
Location: ND
I've got the new helim and so far I really like it.  It looks like with the quiver, 4 arrows in the quiver, stabilizer and sights, it comes in at around 4.5lbs, it's still lighter than my previous Q2.

The Heli weighs 3.5lbs as a bare bow. I did look at the Carbon Element and barebow weight, they were identical. I just didn't like the way the Carbon Element felt in my hand. The heli felt much better.

The one thing with the Heli-M that you need to be aware of, is if you're in full draw and you start to let up a little, it will want to take off on you. Some guys don't like that but for me it hasn't been an issue yet but then again, I've only had it about a month.

From what I've read, the Z7 is pretty close to what the Heli-M is. Might be worthwhile to see what you can find for a holdover or used Z7.  I'm not sure if Scheels still has any on the shelf, I know they did have a couple a few weeks ago. Looks like the Z7 extreme is just shy of 4lbs bare.

I believe you're in the same city as I am so if you wanted to check out mine, you're more than welcome to. It's a righty but might help you out with your decision.

Sometimes what is going through your head, should stay in your head!

Only crooked politicians fear armed citizens.
Re: Shopping for new bow
by StevePike on 01/28/2012 9:33 PM | Reply #6 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
StevePike
Joined: 01/04/2002
Location: ND
 Hey Dirty, I am in the market for one as well, new or used. I am also a lefty so might be interested in yours (20+ years newer than my current bow  ) We might have to compare notes as well.

You can't aim a duck to death.
Re: Shopping for new bow
by i12fish on 01/28/2012 11:03 PM | Reply #7 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
i12fish
Joined: 12/17/2004
Location: ND
Just finally upgraded last year to the Z7 and love it but... I do miss the size and weight of my old Outback. It's a very short and light bow and probably about 7 years old now. I'd bet if you searched on E-Bay etc., you could find one for under $400 fully loaded and in left hand. Mathew's is very good about offering left handed bows as they always have a few at every store where I've looked at them.

I'd have no problem recommending this bow for a used one.
Re: Shopping for new bow
by BowHunter1527 on 01/29/2012 00:04 AM | Reply #8 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
BowHunter1527
Joined: 10/06/2006
Location: ND
For price i would look at Bowtech or Diamond they have several under 700 fully equipped. All very nice bows. If price doesnt matter i would wait a till this summer and head to a bigger city that has more then one shop so you can shoot as many as possible. If you shoot one bow from a company it should give you a good idea of what the rest of the lineup is like. For myself that would be alot of money to dish out not to like something. Also look into the Archery Talk website, lots of good info and used bows.
"You can be a king or a street sweeper, but everybody dances with the Grim Reaper."
Re: Shopping for new bow
by 5575 on 01/29/2012 00:38 AM | Reply #9 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
5575
Joined: 11/20/2003
Location: ND






 
Re: Shopping for new bow
by dieseldog on 01/29/2012 01:19 AM | Reply #10 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
dieseldog
Joined: 11/30/2006
Location: ND
Hey dirty or stevepike i have a left handed Mathews DXT 29" draw 60-70 lb draw that i would think about selling.  I could sell bare bow or i could sell it all setup also. 

One Big Ass Mistake America !
Re: Shopping for new bow
by bucksnbears on 01/29/2012 02:32 AM | Reply #11 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
bucksnbears
Joined: 05/05/2007
Location: MN
i think to many get hung up on the "brand". i would probably be happy with most new bows put out now. personally,i would ovoid a used bow unless you can shoot/inspect it first.
good luck.
the more food you have in your mouth, the better you can taste it !!
Re: Shopping for new bow
by goatboy on 01/29/2012 05:21 AM | Reply #12 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
goatboy
Joined: 12/20/2001
Location: Ou
Dieseldogs DXT is a great hunting bow.
Re: Shopping for new bow
by rem870 on 01/29/2012 07:16 AM | Reply #13 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
rem870
Joined: 01/01/2009
Location: ND
I saw there is a Z-7 for sale at a sporting good sale in Carrington.  I called about it and they say it was only shot about 50 times and the owner hurt his elbow and went to a crossbow.  The sale is on Feb 12 and I can't make the sale.
Just google "sporting goods sale in carrington nd"
Re: Shopping for new bow
by Hugo Stiglitz on 01/29/2012 08:52 AM | Reply #14 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
Hugo Stiglitz
Joined: 11/17/2010
Location: ND
Archery talk is a GREAT place to buy a used bow, especially if you just want a basically new bow that's maybe been shot a few hundred times for about 6 months, and are not hung up on the "latest and greatest" craze that seems to grip people.  New bow prices are STUPID HIGH!  Twelve hundred for a bare Carbon Element that's going to be a boat anchor in a few years?  It would be a different story if bows held their value like firearms, but bows depreciate at a crazy rate.  Any new top of the line flagship bow from one of the top makers (Bowtech, Mathews, Hoyt, Elite, PSE and whoever else) is going to run a minimum of $800+ setup acc, and you'd be lucky to get half of what you paid two years later. 

Check out the Archery Talk classifieds, most guys selling on there are pretty straight shooters.....they have a feedback system for sellers/buyers/traders.  Just be sure to ask questions, and be sure of what you are getting.  I've had nothing but good luck on AT, and I have made 50+ transacations, both buying and selling everything from trad bows to compounds to knives and arrows and broadheads, clothing, and whatever else you can probably think of hunting related.  If you buy with Paypal, you do have some recourse if you somehow happen to not get what you thought you were getting
Re: Shopping for new bow
by bckhntr on 01/29/2012 09:46 AM | Reply #15 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
bckhntr
Joined: 11/17/2004
Location: ND
Just an fyi on using PayPal. Never pay for an item with the gift option unless you really know the seller. You have no buyer protection when paying with the gift option. Paying the extra 3% if the seller has it listed that way is worth it for the buyer protection.

Sometimes what is going through your head, should stay in your head!

Only crooked politicians fear armed citizens.
22 Replies | Page 1 of 212 Next Page >> | Top of Page | Bottom of Page
Posted By: Dirty.
Posted On: 01/28/2012 8:33 PM
618 Views, 22 Comments

Tags: bow, i'm, new, shopping, looking, lightweight, years, purchase, compound, shooting
More Tags: Prime Minister,
Region: North Dakota

Categories: Hunting > Deer Hunting
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