I've not looked forward to a weekend quite this much in a long time. Going to hit the local archery shop and hopefully get chosen by a new bow. Not entirely convinced I'll come home with a bow this weekend, because the prices at huntersfriend have caught my eye, but it'll be soon after if not this weekend. As I mentioned, I'm new ... never hunted before, always wanted to. Want to get my bow now, and have time this spring/summer to get used to it and practice up, in the hopes of hunting this fall. Here's what I'm looking at, and hoping to have the chance to shoot: PSE Stinger Martin Cheetah Diamond Rock PSE Rogue X Diamond Nitrous Bowtech Sniper Diamond Stud Any thoughts/input on the bows I'm considering? Thanks!
I've considered that too ... and if there's not a huge disparity in prices, I'll stay local. Instant gratification AND making friends in the hobby. Can't beat that! Thanks for the info ... I don't know a lot about my local shop ... but I'm hoping they'll help me out a great deal with this.
Absolutely Love it. I upgraded the sights and put a string suppressor on it...but it is really sweet.... I got my rig for 499. SB
These are some great words. You might be able to save a few bucks buying on-line, but you will never get the support from an on-line shop like you will get from a local shop. Being new to the sport, you are will have a ton of questions and needs and having a person that will take the time and help you choose your equipment is so very important. Remember that when you are shopping this weekend that not only are you shopping for a bow, but also a shop. Not all shops are created equal and some will have more knowledge behind the counter than others and some will offer better support than others. This is just as important and the bow you choose, so please keep this in mind when shopping. I have seen shops that will sell you anything, if you need or or not and will always push the latest/greatest (most expensive) items they have. Other shops will tell you when you are throwing your money away and help you setting up a bow that meets "your" needs and skill level. You are going about it the right way by looking at several different bows, but I would suggest you also look at several different shops as well. As good shop can be your best source for information and direction when wading thru all the crap that is out there on the market. Good luck in your search!
I'll have to admit, if there was a shop w/in 50 miles of my house, I would more than likely deal with a shop..... But because I choose to live in the sticks and commute.....I do most of my purchasing online.... But I'm not going to tell you that when I do drop into the shop in town on my lunch hour they don't give me great service...they do....hell they even lined my broadheads up w/ my fletching for free.... SB
I just realized you're a fellow Lake County resident. Cool. Do you have a shop in mind? I can give a good heads up on who to check out and who to avoid. Mostly.
Well ... I returned home empty handed. However, I'm looking at either a General or a Guardian. In addition, I've got a hand-eye dominance issue as it turns out. I'm right-handed, but I'm left eye dominant. So it looks like I'm going to go with a left handed bow since I'm basically starting from scratch. As for the price ... Either the general or the guardian are both on sale for $599. That's just the bow ... no sight, no rest, no quiver, no stabilizer. I think I'm leaning toward the general.
I can, but I usually don't just because it's easier/quicker for me to just shut my left eye to keep it from taking over.
That's a concern. I've, obviously, been right handed my whole life, and as such, my hand, my arm, etc are MUCH stronger on my right side. It's SO instinctive for me to wink my right eye closed when I'm aiming anything and it's quite a discrepancy if my right eye takes over. My fiance was with me at the shop on Saturday and she couldn't believe how much I had to move my thumb back to make sure my aim was correct. That said, I'm sure I could muddle through right eyed and right handed, but I'm not sure I want to. Since I'm new, and basically learning from scratch, it might be good for me to do it the "correct" way, you know? Plus the guy at the shop said we could dial down the draw weight while I'm learning, which would allow me to work up my strength/steadiness on my left side. Kudos to the guy at the shop for noticing it, you know? Like Kickin buck said, had I ordered a bow online, and gone on my merry way, learning to shoot and shoot accurately could have been extremely frustrating.
Forgot to add ... after leaving my local shop, we trekked over to the local Bass Pro Shops, just to get an idea of what's out there. Went in and explained my situation, told him I'm left eye dominant, new shooter, etc ... it was like he was barely listening. They had several brands there (Bear, PSE, Diamond) and he walked me over and told me that a Bear Lights Out is the best bow for me. Now I'm open to suggestions, and as a "green" shooter, I'm willing to listen and learn, but this guy seemed like the last thing he had time to do was to show me the ins and outs of various bows and take time with me to help me make an informed choice. It was kind of disappointing. I'm sure there's a time and a place for "big box" stores, but I doubt I'll ever send a newb to BPS to shop.
