First bow

[CSACANNONEER]

I'm looking at picking up my first compound bow soon. I've only taken two 30 minute lessons (one traditional and one compound) so far but, I want to buy something so I can practice a few minutes every day. I was thinking of something like the PSE Uprising set up. I believe this would be enough of a bow for me but, is it really worth spending +50% more on a high end bow?

[ChuckD]

I just (yesterday) bought a PSE EVO-EVL34. I am somewhat limited in choice due to long draw length, but I tested several bows and the PSE EVO-EVL was the smoothest one I tested. It was pricier than I had hoped to spend (once all decked out) & I'm sure I paid premium pricing - but as I said I could tell a difference in quality & accuracy immediately and that is worth a lot. I also am sure I paid a premium for buying it in a shop (Willow Creek Archery in San Marcos) and having them add all the necessary accessories - but I am new to Bows and I'd hate to "F" something up - they set the Draw Length, Draw Weight, suggested components that went well together, fit the peep sight, today I am going in for free lessons and I get 6 hours of range time and any future adjustments for free.

Unless you know how to do those things, or have a friend you can trust to do them, I would simply go to a shop and test fire bows in their low, med, & high range (even if you know which range you want to be in . . . it really helped me to get a feel for what each category had to offer). Then bight the bullet and pay top dollar for a midrange bow all set up for you ($2k ish).

My philosophy is to get what I need - if a buy a $1k bow and cheap sights etc, and then feel the need to upgrade to fulfill my purpose (in my case hunting) and then I go buy a $2k bow - I'm now 3k in, if I pay the $2K now I'm better off long term, Why waste even $400 on an Amazon special if I know that it's not going to meet my needs.

[yoteassasin]

I'm looking at picking up my first compound bow soon. I've only taken two 30 minute lessons (one traditional and one compound) so far but, I want to buy something so I can practice a few minutes every day. I was thinking of something like the PSE Uprising set up. I believe this would be enough of a bow for me but, is it really worth spending +50% more on a high end bow?

[ChuckD]

As an official bow owner for a little over 24 hours I'm not claiming to be an expert, but I did basically the opposite of this.

My goal is to be able to use this bow for many years if I choose - if I spent $700 on a bow and then had to go back a year later and spend $2k I would be $2,700 in to a $k bow . . .

I will acknowledge that due to my draw length my options are limited and all the real bargains are not options for me - so that may make my preferences different.

I will say I could tell a noticeable difference in the way the bows felt, and got the one that felt the best - I can't think of a better way. If you can't tell the difference, then maybe buying the cheapest one is the way to go.

[techbill]

Get serious. Get Hoyt. I'm a big Hoyt fan.
But congratulations on your new bow. I think having a pro set you up for your first bow is the way to go, no matter what brand you choose.

Then go practice. A lot of the basic marksmanship skills from shooting translate over to archery. Position, sight picture, breathing, squeeze.

[Spyder]

I disagree completely. Buy cheap junk and the likelihood of having a poor experience which turns you off to archery in general is much higher. Buy a good priced quality bow first, that is set up by a professional shop, and shoot it.

Sort of like when you take kids fishing for the first time, you don't want to do it in a torrential downpour cold windy storm where they won't catch a single fish or get a bite. You want to take them where bluegill hit bare hooks and they are constantly catching, or at least seeing the bobber bounce bob and weave.

Don't buy junk. The difference in the cheapest bow and a good bow at entry level price is like a hundred bucks. And that hundred bucks can make a world of difference in enjoyment and knowledge.

[Spyder]

Get serious. Get Hoyt. I'm a big Hoyt fan.
But congratulations on your new bow. I think having a pro set you up for your first bow is the way to go, no matter what brand you choose.

Then go practice. A lot of the basic marksmanship skills from shooting translate over to archery. Position, sight picture, breathing, squeeze.

I bought a Double XL a couple years back. Love it. I needed the maxxed out draw length.


CSA, find a local bow shop that has good reviews, and go there. If they're worth buying from, you'll be able to tell them "I don't know anything about anything but I want a bow that will make me happy and keep me interested." and then buy it from them. Unless you have the gear and knowledge to do the setup at home, I wouldn't EVER recommend someone buy a bow online or from a big box store. Shop knowledge and help that usually comes free if you bought the bow from them is worth every penny of the slightly higher initial buy in cost of not buying at a discount.

Now...jump on my cannons thread in the Black Powder forum and give me your cannon expertise!

[MJB]

You have to shoot many different bows to find the right one for you.

Take your time and find a release first

[CSACANNONEER]

Well, my thoughts were all over the place just like the variety of opinions here. I didn't want too cheap but, I didn't want to invest thousands on something I didn't know if I'd like and keep up with. Anyway, I ended up with a LH PSE Stinger Max combo. I purchased it from the local shop (Bullock's in Ventura) I'm taking lessons at and ad it set up for me there. It felt a lot more natural to me than the other bows I tried that day. It should last me for a decade or more but, if I really get into it, I don't mind plopping down more for a second bow and keeping this as a back up. Currently, it's set at about 40lbs but, I'm thinking of taking it up to 50 or 55 in a week or two. I'll wait and see what they think when I take my next lesson. Sights are still just at factory settings but, I'm only hitting about an inch or two low and an inch or two left at 30 yards while averaging about 3" 3 shot groups. I'm trying to cast a dozen or so arrows a day. I can shoot literately right in front of my home but, if I want to go more than 30 yards, I'll need to move to another spot on the ranch. I really should have done this +20 years ago since, most of that time, I've lived where I can shoot as far as an arrow will fly without breaking any laws or being unsafe in any way.

[MARKFP]

Welcome to bow nation OP! You did exactly what I would have advised and others have done. I shoot 30-60 shots a day depending on time available. Read about tuning and adjusting even if you have a pro shop do the work, this helps in noticing when you have a problem developing. Until you get into fletching your own shafts shoot only 3 shots at a time or it will get costly getting them re-fletched, or space your shots out on your target. Take your time choosing your release also.
Shoot often and have fun !

[Spyder]

Excellent, and your way of going about it will keep you interested. That PSE will suit you fine!