My first bow should be...

[MikePal]

I understand your point MIkepal , that they are comparing new bows of that same year.. however, you can't deny that comparing a top line bow from one manufacturer against the bottom line bow from Excalibur is comparing apples to Cadillac's.. .. I agree, it would be more fair to compare a Tenpoint top line bow against every other manufacturer's top bow..

But they did, in 2013, they evaluated Excalibur's top of the line Matrix 380 and it came in 4th..

http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/hun...013-bowhunting

In 2014 they evaluated the Excalibur Matrix Mega 405..it came 8th out of 9..

http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/hun...-new-crossbows


Excalibur's are not close to being the Top X-Bow in the world or even North America.

[MikePal]

I also prefer to see tournament results over "lab" tests.. those tests are done in controlled settings, not real life events or environments.. it's the same as comparing fuel mileage between a top line truck to a bottom line Honda civic.. even the fuel consumption readings aren't accurate as they are also done in controlled "lab" settings...

The fact that a product is being tested in a controlled setting is exactly the reason the results of the evaluations bear more weight. Like they explain in the video, they remove the 'shooter' and just look at the bows performance.

Looking at 3D competitions is meaningless to evaluate a Bow performance against one another...that competition is evaluating the skills of the Archer and has little to do with the Bow. It might be the preferred x-bow...but then you would have to ask why ? If the competition is being done in Ontario, then most guys will show up with an Excalibur, because most guys in Ontario own an Excalibur. If you hold it down in Texas, few guys, statistically, will show up with Excalibur. In fact, I noticed a lot of 3D competitions in the US have a specific category for 'recurves'..maybe why you'd see more Excalibur's there

Sorry Mr Boiler for the Hijack...the die hard Excal groupies have dragged the topic off the rails somewhat....but the discussion may benefit you in your selection process, knowing that technically (proven) the Excalibur's are not the 'Best' on the Market, so you may want to shop around.

Oh and I always thought it was the Pope that chit in the woods

[bellerivercrossbowhunter]

Anyway.

Getting back to the origianl?

Get out to your local bow-shop & try a few on for size.

The choice is simple.

If you have time to dedicate to practise & a place to do so often maybe go the compound route.

If your like me with a busy schedule & I have to drive a distance to practise then x-bow is a good choice.

As far as brand goes. That is a personal choice. I remember being in the market for the first time I shopped around & asked a alot of questions about maintenance & customer returns.

I like many went with an excalibur cross-bow. The guys that fix-bows are the ones to ask what bow will be more durable & easily maintained with-out a drive to the bow shop to use the bow press to adjust brace height or change a string. What bow can you maintain your-self & easily add-on to? If you ever lucky enough to do a remote fly-in hunting trip what bow would you rather have?


At the end of the day it's your $ and enjoy the purchase.

[Mr.Boiler]

Appreciate all the info. MikePal, you guys can hijack away! The links and so forth have been looked at for sure. Awesome reading and it has given me a good foundation to work from and ask questions. Now to find a bow shop that has some selections to choose from...
Anyone have experience with Erie Trackers in Port Colbourne? I remember last year seeing a lot of bows there.

[MikePal]

.. easily maintained with-out a drive to the bow shop to use the bow press to adjust brace height or change a string. What bow can you maintain your-self & easily add-on to? If you ever lucky enough to do a remote fly-in hunting trip what bow would you rather have?

So using that same argument, what about guys who use Hoyt compound bows when they do a fly in and need repairs...should he avoid buy a compound bows altogether and stick to the recurves so he can change the sting himself out in the wilderness.

...how can you be 'anti-wheel' for an x-bow but then go out and buy a compound bow

[bellerivercrossbowhunter]

So using that same argument, what about guys who use Hoyt compound bows when they do a fly in and need repairs...should he avoid buy a compound bows altogether and stick to the recurves so he can change the sting himself out in the wilderness.

...how can you be 'anti-wheel' for an x-bow but then go out and buy a compound bow

If money is no object buy 2 compounds 1 main bow & 1 spare just in case of a mishap! LOL

[domination]

I found that my biggest issue.. I am a big guy( 6'2" at 260 lbs) and I could pull that bow ( 65lbs) back all day long without much issue.. but doing it with heavy layers on in the cold weather, really added to the challenge..

shot accuracy is not dependable with your coat and facewear hitting the string. Missed a butiful 10 point one winter and got a xbow next day. I much rather use compound but now know when its time to put it away for an ethical shot!

[LowbanksArcher]

Appreciate all the info. MikePal, you guys can hijack away! The links and so forth have been looked at for sure. Awesome reading and it has given me a good foundation to work from and ask questions. Now to find a bow shop that has some selections to choose from...
Anyone have experience with Erie Trackers in Port Colbourne? I remember last year seeing a lot of bows there.

Tracker's the only place i'll buy a bow from. Good selection of the major brands and i've yet to see anyone beat their prices.

[LowbanksArcher]

So using that same argument, what about guys who use Hoyt compound bows when they do a fly in and need repairs...should he avoid buy a compound bows altogether and stick to the recurves so he can change the sting himself out in the wilderness.

...how can you be 'anti-wheel' for an x-bow but then go out and buy a compound bow

http://www.prototechind.com/
Never go on a hunting trip without it.

[deerslayer]

In our group we try to keep same bows that way if any problems with bow one of the other people in group may have piece or part you need we all shoot excalibur. Best to go to shop and shoot a few to get right fit and feel weight and ask all your questions because once you take it home you own it