Another new guy

[Biscuit]

Hey all.

I went to my first shoot yesterday after deciding archery may be a good hobby for me. Had a great time despite the 40 degree heat. Of course due to never having shot before, and then suddenly doing a 20 target 3d course, my left shoulder is barely movable, tho I'm sure that's just the effect of suddenly using parts of me that are never used.

Didn't get much chance to talk to many people at the club, as it was the first week back, they had just had a working bee, so some left early, and it was 40 degrees.

Basically, I'm looking to buy a new bow, and have a few in mind but would like some feedback.

I want a compound bow that looks like a bow. ie not angles in every direction. Yeah. Pedantic I know.

I like the look of The Martin S4 Scepter, P3, and C4 cougar, Hoyt Montega and UltraElite.

A guy at the club suggested the cheaper 'no name' bows were often just as good, and I don't want to rock up with a shiny new Scepter, looking like I think I'm some hotshot, because I'm most certainly not.

I'm not really a 'junior' per se, but as far as archery, I would definately fit here. I'm also quite a small build, tho the draw length on the current loaner bow is around 28 inch and is too short.

If anyone could reccommend some good target compounds for a non junior junior, that shoot well, look good and should last for a few years, I would much appreciate it.

[Sandy Hancock]

Out of that list, I'd go the UltraElite. The Montegna looks nicely old-school, but might be a bit slow for 3D.

[Marcus]

The UltraElite would be the pick. The Martin S4 features dual cams which are a pain to tune if you don't know what you are doing.
The Hoyt's are a far better product than the Martins.
Also consider Bowtech and Mathews.

[paulrb]

Instead of a 'no name' brand...which usually means crap quality, you would be better going for one of these two options: Recent second-hand or cheaper 'brand' built by the top manufacturers.

From the latter, consider Diamond bows. They are Bowtechs using the designs from a couple of years ago. They are still top quality but no longer cutting edge, but cost half to two thirds of a Bowtech.

In second hand, go for just about ANYTHING by Bowtech, Hoyt, Matthews and Pearson. If you are looking at Martin, PSE, Merlin, Browning and a few others, it is a case of you get what you pay for. Some good models in there, but, you should know what you are buying.

However, set yourself a budget and work to that. It is no good if you go for a more expersive bow only to have it shot three times and sit in a cupboard. Conversly, there is little point buying a cheap bow in case you don't get into it and have such crap shooting experiences that you do give up.

On this forum, just about every bow is reviewed, discussed and sh*t-canned or praised or both and you can get a fairly good idea quickly is you do some research.

If you get the chance to get to either Melbourne or Canberra, pay a visit to Urban (Greensborough, Northern Melbourne) or Archery Supplies (Holder, Canberra) and try a few out. This is really the way to decide what is right for you. These two shops are the ones you can put your trust in to give you a fair assessment of your needs and point you in the right direction.

[Jay.G]

Ultraelite, straight up. but as other people has suggested try bowtech and mathews.

[Eberbachl]

My personal preference is for Bowtech, but of the bows you mentioned, the UltraElite is the only one worth considering IMHO ;)

[Sandy Hancock]

I want a compound bow that looks like a bow. ie not angles in every direction. Yeah. Pedantic I know
I'm guessing that's why Bowtech and Matthews, with their parallel limbs and heavily reflexed risers, weren't on his list. So despite the obvious qualities of those brands he's probably not interested.

[Biscuit]

I'm open to any suggestions, and will gladly research anything suggested. The main reason the list was so short was basically I haven't actually tried any bows other than the one I have borrowed which is a 45 pound Skyhawk Magnum.

The Matthews Conquest Apex bow was also on my list (tho I neglected to mention it). Once I have a shortlist, I'll post it again, tho that may be some time away, as I plan to go a few months with the loaner bow, rather than spend a fortune on a bow only to have it sit in the cupboard, yet at the same time, I don't want to buy a cheap one and find I have a passion for the sport (as paulrb said).

It just so happens I will be taking a trip soon which may take me through Canberra or Sydney (road trip. route unplanned), so I will hopefully check out a few bows then.

Thanks all for the excellent feedback. Keep it coming. :D

[gazzwah]

mate all i can say is try before you buy and remember this even if you cannot shoot it properly just yet .at least you will look good shooting it . my first bow was a hoyt ultramag (base mod hoyt) took a wee while to get to know it but i got there. and so will you .my new bow is a ross cr 337 and i love it so a ross is another to consider a new company but has all the good stuff on it. just try to shoot as many as you can and buy the one that shoots well for you.:thumb:

[violator]

yes i would agree with the rest of them ultra elite is the pick, and as for tunning dual cam bows its not that tricky, once you have made a few mistakes you pick it up pretty quickly

[frommy]

Biscuit,

Welcome to the forum.

Once you have had exposure to different bows you can find very good deals in the Classifieds on this forum. The sellers are mainly serious archers who have looked after their gear, and are generally upgrading. Most also have a forum reputation to maintain, so you will not get ripped off.

Most also appreciate the bows lose value very quickly from new, and you could get a very good quality 2nd hand bow of recent vintage for a very good price.

But you need to know what to look for! :cool:

I am a scrounger of 2nd hand gear for new members of my club, and have arranged numerous purchases through the classifieds. Every deal was sweet, with quality of the goods as promised. The last such deal was last week.

Also, as an original Albury boy myself, what is now happening with the friggin by-pass for the Hume Hwy? :confused: My dad campaigned for a bypass as far back as 1960. Fromholtz Park in Sth Albury is named after him.

And I don't suppose you could now ride a motor bike down the Jindera Gap at 160k (or it was 100 mph then, but illegal) with development in the area in the past 30 years since I left. :D Probably now has a pansy 70k speed limit on it. :(

Brian

[Liam]

Most also have a forum reputation to maintain, so you will not get ripped off.



Brian

Not to mention the archery community being so small that ripping someone off would mean never showing your face at a competition again... :silly:

[frommy]

Not to mention the archery community being so small that ripping someone off would mean never showing your face at a competition again... :silly:

Good point, Liam. Also, if I do not know a seller by reputation, then I am bound to find someone who knows them by forum contacts.