Looking for a new bow

[tmag41]

I'm looking to buy a new bow. My budget is around $500. Does anyone have some advice for me. I've heard some good things about Hoyt. How about Cabela's Outfitter bows, anyone shoot one?

[Yooper]

I like the Cabela's Outfitter bow. It's a light, nice shooting bow that won't break the bank. I was first turned on to them when I read the review on this website about them. Sounded pretty good. The first time I checked on out in the store, I was seriously thinking of buying one to replace my aging Bear compound. Of course, other bills prevented me from spending the money. Funny how they actually WANT and EXPECT you to make those darn truck payments after you drive it off the lot. Shame on them!

Hoyt's are good. The guy I work with quite often swears by them. My cousin was featured on their website a hile back with a 62" moose she shot with a Hoyt.

I'm also a fan of Pearson bows. I really like the 20 degree angled grip they have on some models.

Go see what fits you and what fits your budget.

[tmag41]

Thanks for the advice. I was really looking at the Cabela's Outfitter bow. It sounds great and isn't that expensive. I really like the package options you can get with it also. Do you know of anyone who shoots a Ben Pearson bow? That was going to be my second option for a new bow. I just have to upgrade since my old Golden Eagle has been used and abused for too long now, it's starting to show the effects.

[Black Mamba]

Hoyt makes a good bow, Cabelas outfitter series are also excellent. Parker and Diamond(bowtech) make some great shooters as well. Best advice, shoot different brands and see which one works best for you.

[airborne]

I have shot Hoyt, PSE, High Country, Matthews, and Darton. All are nice bows.

Short falls:

Hoyt; Short brace makes the bow very unforgiving (but with practice can be overcome)
Cam design made it feel as if you had full draw resistance all the way to the let off point.

PSE; Great price and many options Only short fall is speed

High Country; Felt cheap and is slow

Matthews; Great bow but the price is out of range. There are many bows that come with lifetime warranty

Darton: Best bow for the price. Smooth shooting. Had the patent on a cam system that other manufaturers used to include Hoyt. I have a Maverick 60 lb draw. I cranked it down and got 64 lb draw.
I got 279 fps with 29 1/2 inch draw and 3355 Gold Tip carbon arrows. They are sold at Cabela's and Gander Mountain.
I hung out at a couple archery shops and talked to guys that shoot comp for Manufacturers. I met a guy who loved his Matthews but shot his Darton most of the time. He said the smooth draw and bow design made the bow very accurate. I would have to agree. I've had mine 7 years and it still shoots very well.

Just my opinion

[dross]

Mathews offer a great selection of bows. I've shot Mathews for years and would say you can't go wrong with Mathews

[Dclewis]

Save a couple more bucks and go Mathews.
The new Switchback is awesome!

[solestrutter]

has anyone heard anything about reflex? are they a repuitable company? ive shot the buchskin and love it. but arent sure about the availability of parts in the future. what are your thoughts about this?

[jobenoutdoors]

HOYT ..................... Is there even another choice. Bullet proof.

[Marty W]

Reflex bows are a subsidiary of Hoyt if I'm not mistaken.
I'm shooting a Hoyt Razortec right now and love it. Over a 7" brace height so it's pretty forgiving. Looks like their newest bow the Trychon is going to be the biggest hit yet for them.
You could pick up a slightly used bow pretty cheap when bow nuts trade their 2-3 year old bow in for a new one.

[airborne]

Bingo Marty.

tmag41, if you are new to the sport, buy used from an archery shop who can fit you. The additional items you put on a bow will cost you $100 plus so save money for arrows, sight, rest, etc.

[the_tone_zone]

You're right about Reflex being a Hoyt offshoot. If you look closely at riser, limb and cam design, you'll see all Reflex bows are a carbon copy of the Hoyt original. I've shot Jennings, PSE and Hoyt and I'll say there's no contest. With the same accessories on my Hoyt as on my PSE (a Pro Series at that) I'm getting tighter groups at 20, 30 and 40 yards and even made a kill shot (double lung) on a 3-D antelope target at 95 yards. Oh, and when I say tighter groups, we're breaking Ritz crackers at 30 yards for a game between friends. That's consistency from a bow. We're fortunate to have quite a few archers in our office and there are two Hoyts, a Mathews and a Darton. And all of us would defend our choice for bow to the end. The lesson? I think it's shoot until you find a bow that just feels right in your hand. Then, don't skimp. Buy the best one you can. Don't settle for the cheapest price tag. The more you shoot, the more you realize the bow will pick you. Then, it's up to you to buy it.

[avf]

Check out the hoyt powertec or lazertec solid bows for a great price. 500$ and 400$