Elk hunting is all about finding elk. Leave the beds alone and focus on where they go when they leave their beds. If you kick them out of their beds, they likely won't return for a week or more. .
I have an either sex archery tag on a private ranch, for a six day hunt. On day 5, any cow that shows up, assuming I do not have a bull down, is a serious risk for a life expectancy problem.
We all make mistakes. The good people and companies stand behind their products and services. Mathews did so here. I'll happily stick with my V3x until the next generation Lifts are more durable.
I've killed three good sized hogs (155, 180 and 235 lbs) with the Ramcat Hemoshock. The ranch I'm hunting elk on this year has a preference for expandables, the 2nd outfitter in a row who has told me that. This outfitter/rancher prefers the Shwacker 261. I'm going to use the Hemoshock and...
Go on ebay. I bought a Bushnell as a spare for $90, new in the box. There are several Bushnells in your price range, as well as several other brands. The Bone Collector one is in your price range.
One year, we hunted about 40 miles W of Craig. The temperatures never got about -15 the first weekend. My feet were never cold in Bean boots with good wool socks. Take care of your core and the feet will be warm.