Compound Bow Upgrade?

[Pointerguy]

First I would like to start off introducing myself. My name is Corey and I live in Michigan. I am an avid whitetail hunter and have been for over 30 years. I converted to crossbow hunting about 8 years ago. I did this due to time restrictions and not being able to practice with my compound bow.

It has been a life long dream of mine to hunt elk in the mountains with bow and arrow. Myself and my hunting buddy will be traveling to Colorado in early September for our very first elk hunt. I have read and done a lot of research on this website as well as countless others. I started buying all my necessary gear months ago, starting with a good pack. I ha e also
been training 5-6 days a week. We have selected a few different OTC units to try and have narrowed down target areas as well.

Currently I am at a crossroads whether or not to upgrade to a newer bow. The last bow I purchased was a 2000 Mathews FX. I am out of practice shooting my bow and turning 49. Since my shoulder is also out of practice, which I am currently working on, I was thinking about buying a newerused or new bow. Since I am currently buying other gear for this first time trip, I really can’t spend a lot on a bow. My Mathews FX shots fine, however I’m sure technology has came a long ways over the past 20 years.
So my long winded question is, since my bow is 20 years old, is it beneficial to purchase a new to me (used) or new midrange priced bow? My max target range would be between $300-500.
Any help or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance and I look forward to your input.

Corey

 

[Felix40]

You could definitely get something that would be a big improvement for that budget. I would be looking at used flagship bows in the 5-6 year old range. Even 10 year old bows would be a big jump. There was a huge jump in technology around 2007 when parallel limbs started getting popular.

 

[Northpark]

Check out mountain archery in Rexburg Idaho. I just upgraded to last years Prime Logic for $599 shipped to my door. It’s a sweet shooting rig. Major improvements have happened in the last 10 years I think you need a new bow.

 

[Cali hunter]

Idk if you eBay but you can get a new 2017 elite impulse for around 200-250 that’s what I did I love mine. For a new bow and cbe tactic micro 5pin sight and vapor Trail limb driven Rest. For about 300-400 and have a very capable bow. And money to spend on arrows Broadheads and a release. I came for a 2002 Hoyt and I’m extremely happy with my Elite impulse.

 

[elkguide]

Welcome to the forum.

Lots of changes in the last 20 years. Used market has many great bows. I'd do it sooner than later to make your new bow part of you.

 

[fatlander]

If you can’t work on the bow yourself (own a press, vice, leveling tools, scale, draw board), which it sounds like you can’t; you’re going to need to factor in 50 to 100 bucks to get it set up by someone that has that equipment and knowledge.

That leaves you 2-400 bucks for a bow, sight, rest, strings (possibly) and arrows and broadheads.

Not saying it can’t be done, but that’s going to be really low end new stuff or stuff that’s not much better than what you’re already working with. I’d put that money into some nice accessories: sight, rest, new strings, arrows and broadheads.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gila]

If you have the budget, I would upgrade. I have a 2007 bowtech with binary cams. The older binaries are harder to keep in tune but my tribute shoots so smoothe and has like zero jump. I sold my older PSEs. I was debating on upgrading to a new carbon with binary cams last year. I just upgraded the bowsight and put some new strings on the tribute and hit the bag. The new bows I would want to buy run $750 to $1,000 without the extras. I won't buy a bow package as I want to personalize all of the extras.

 

[Rob5589]

Technology has come a long way in 20 years. But it didn't make the bows any more deadly. New threads, tune, shoot, hunt. Use the money for some great boots and great pack. Those you'll use every day of your hunt. The bow, if lucky, once or twice.

And welcome to the forum.

 

[Gila]

If you can’t work on the bow yourself (own a press, vice, leveling tools, scale, draw board), which it sounds like you can’t; you’re going to need to factor in 50 to 100 bucks to get it set up by someone that has that equipment and knowledge.

That leaves you 2-400 bucks for a bow, sight, rest, strings (possibly) and arrows and broadheads.

Not saying it can’t be done, but that’s going to be really low end new stuff or stuff that’s not much better than what you’re already working with. I’d put that money into some nice accessories: sight, rest, new strings, arrows and broadheads.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I built a bowpress and draw board and bought the tools all for about $300. If you get a bowmaster, you can drop it in a pack with some tools and extras for the bow. I would get the best bow I could afford. I shoot alot of different bows until I find the right one for me.

 

[fatlander]

I built a bowpress and draw board and bought the tools all for about $300. If you get a bowmaster, you can drop it in a pack with some tools and extras for the bow. I would get the best bow I could afford. I shoot alot of different bows until I find the right one for me.

So then he’s got 200 bucks for a bow, sight, rest, strings (possibly) and arrows and broadheads. No way that’s happening with stuff that’s any better than what he’s already got.

I was trying to be realistic in his budget.

Best he could hope for was finding something like the 250 dollar NIB impulse.

75 dollar sight

75 dollar rest

75 dollar dozen arrow

60 dollar for six broadheads

10 bucks for field tips

That’s maxing his budget out, with accessories that leaves plenty to be desired, and he’s still gotta get it tuned.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Fireman03]

Mountain archery has primes on sale, great price and a sweet bow

 

[Gila]

So then he’s got 200 bucks for a bow, sight, rest, strings (possibly) and arrows and broadheads. No way that’s happening with stuff that’s any better than what he’s already got.

I was trying to be realistic in his budget.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just giving some options....speed kills....a higher let-off. Light, short bows....hunting elk in the west...it is about humping a bow around and shooting longer distances with an arrow that can deliver enough kinetic energy to pass through. Could save up until next season. That's what I have to do.

 

[P Carter]

I got a 2016 bear escape for $350 two years ago at cabelas. It can happen. Use the old sight and rest for awhile and upgrade slowly. It was a HUGE upgrade from the hand me down 2001 bow I was using. Keep your eyes out at the bow shops, clearance big box stores, and classifieds and I bet you can make a significant upgrade for that budget.

 

[fatlander]

Just giving some options....speed kills....a higher let-off. Light, short bows....hunting elk in the west...it is about humping a bow around and shooting longer distances with an arrow that can deliver enough kinetic energy to pass through.

Speed actually doesn’t kill, accuracy does. Short light bows are less accurate apples to apples than a longer and heavier bow.

A 200 dollar loaded bow plus arrows and broadheads is going to be absolutely no better than his 317 IBO Mathews LX, and its probably going to be worse.

John Dudley is selling a 322 IBO bow like hot cakes right now. That 5 FPS difference isn’t going to amount to any difference.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gila]

I never liked Matthews bows...just my preference....so I wouldn't know.

Gold Tip - Front of Center and Kinetic Energy Calculators

Use the Gold Tip Kinetic Energy and FOC Calculators to determine the ideal Gold Tip arrow for you.

www.goldtip.com

 

[Hoot]

That mountain archery deal on the logic is a pretty sweet deal, I'm going to have to keep an eye on that and see if the CT5 goes on sale too, or a black 5 next year...

 

[WoodrowCall]

Check here, AT forum classifieds and Facebook groups. All kinds of used bows that people offload from $200-$600. Some bare and some completely set up. Just have to be patient and do a little searching. Don’t have to have top of the line accessories to kill. A more efficient bow is a plus for developing KE with the right arrow, but the expensive sights, rests, etc are luxuries.

At the end of the day, what makes the difference is your skill due to practice. Takes time and effort. Folks were killing critters with sub 300 IBO bows all day long years ago. Critters haven’t changed anatomy since then. No reason your bow can’t get the job done....

 

[Dustin the wind]

If you have the budget, I would upgrade. I have a 2007 bowtech with binary cams. The older binaries are harder to keep in tune but my tribute shoots so smoothe and has like zero jump. I sold my older PSEs. I was debating on upgrading to a new carbon with binary cams last year. I just upgraded the bowsight and put some new strings on the tribute and hit the bag. The new bows I would want to buy run $750 to $1,000 without the extras. I won't buy a bow package as I want to personalize all of the extras.

Agree with this. I was going to upgrade over a year ago and after pondering 5-600 for a bow that was still middle of the road I went with a 2007 Bowtech Guardian in like new condition. $200 off ebay. Just slapped my 7 pin black gold from my old bow on it, $30 string stop, some limb savers, stock stabilizer, and it shoots amazing. These old Bowtechs are smooth and quiet. Basically a $850 bow in 2007. I love new old stock.

 

[Pointerguy]

Thanks for all the reply’s and input. I am looking on eBay and craigslist for a newer used one. I kind of feel I am at a disadvantage with my FX going elk hunting. I will continue to look at both new and used. I just really don’t want to buy someone else’s problem though... lol

Does anyone have any input on the Bear Archery Paradox? I was looking at this bow as a package, can pick it up for $500 ready to shoot.

 

[fatlander]

There’s not a lot of difference in that bow and your old bow. Single cam and on the slower end by today’s standards. Those accessories are as cheap as you can get and the strings are junk.

If you’re going that route you’d really be better off buying a decent sight, rest, quiver, new strings for your bow and dozen arrows and broad heads.

If you really like being back in archery, those accessories will go over fine to a better bow. If you don’t, sell the accessories.

You’ve already said yourself you shoot an Xbow because you don’t have time to shoot. Why would you buy a new bow that’s going to be worth nothing when you decide you don’t have time to shoot again?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk