When and Why to upgrade my compound bow?

[Cliffy12]

Hey all,
I was talking to my buddy over the weekend about bow hunting and he said that if I'm staying with archery I really should upgrade my bow. So it got me thinking as to why you upgrade to different bow.
I started shooting my bow just under 2 years ago. I have a bear cruzer that I have put on a new string, tuned and a spott hogg hunter sight on it. My draw weight is 70# and my length is 28.5" or 28, can't remember now. I shoot very regularly out to 50 yds pretty consistently. I would say that it shoots pretty smooth and accurate but don't have anything to compare it to.
I know that this bow is considered a starter bow to make sure that you like it. Well I love archery and shoot almost every day through the summer. Now since hunting season is over for me I haven't shot it that much till the spring rolls back around.
So can you guys go over why I should look into upgrading or not upgrading my bow?
Thanks

 

[Fatcamp]

Having the same conversation with myself.

 

[MikeStrong]

Go to an archery shop and shoot a bunch of new ones. If you fall in love with one, you can upgrade and keep your current bow as a basecamp/truck backup bow. If you don't find one that screams "buy me, I'm worth it" then keep what you have.

Upgrading to an upper echelon bow will most likely help you shoot more consistently out to farther ranges. If you do it before you have any issues with the limbs or other parts of your current bow, it will be there as a back up, or you can use it to help get a friend interested in archery as well. Of your current bow is still in good shape, you don't need to rush upgrading it. Find the one that fits you right and go from there.

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[Btaylor]

I trade up every 10 years or so but even then it is seldom necessary. Being new to archery still, you may not yet have figured out exactly what you like in a bow. The recommendation to go shoot a bunch of different bows is spot on. It will help you discovery what you truly like in a bow so you will be better able to know when the right bow has picked you.

 

[5MilesBack]

Sometimes you're better off not knowing what you're missing. I used to think that my 2006 Old Glory was smooth and quiet. Then I picked up a 2014 PSE Freak, and now every time I go back and shoot my Old Glory it's like driving a dump truck. Ya, it will get me where I want to go, but man what a difference between the two.

 

[MtnCam]

It is ultimately your decision. Keep in mind that bow companies stay in business selling bows. I shot my 2005 bowtech until January of this year. I was accurate and consistent. Every bow will be deadly if set up properly and with practice. If you are getting started, ask yourself if you could use that money else where to up your optics game or gear that will keep you out longer. If you got the budget and want to up grade, do it. Just don’t feel like you have to upgrade. Speaking from experience, nothing is more satisfying that stepping up to the line with a “low end” bow and outshooting the flagships. Again this is just my opinion.

 

[Fridaythe13th]

2 year old bow your fine. I buy a upper end Matthews trade every 10 years, they are way to expensive and dont hold there value very well. A friend of mine buys a new bow every year, keeps the old bow ( 1 year old ) as a backup and sells the 3rd, if he get half of his money back for the bow he is happy.
Yep, new bow are fun to set up, fun to go shopping for, but I well keep the $500 a year.
I shot league with him for 10 years middle of the pack shooter. The funny part, a guy in the group shot a old golden eagle with aluminum pool cues for arrow, top 5 every year. He love razing the new bows.

 

[justin davis]

Although it sure is fun to get a new bow...the truth of the matter is new bows don’t make you shoot better. I’ve learned instead of spending the money on a new bow I could use that money for hunting tags or other gear. My old bows sure kill just fine. Bow technology is at a stand still really. Pretty much at a stand still

 

[Trial153]

Things are about as flat as they come with bows right now. You could be shooting a 5 year old flag ship and you not missing a damn thing. I fact I can think of a few bows from the mid to late 2000s that you could argue perform as good as anything today.

 

[theleo91386]

When- Whenever you want to.

Why- Because you want to.

It's just a personal choice of what you decide. Your bow has more going for it than bows 20 years ago and guys will killing elk and deer fine then. I still have a 10 year old Katera XL I keep as a backup because a love the draw cycle on it so much and there's flagship bows out there this year with some pretty close specs to it.

 

[Cliffy12]

Thanks everyone for the input! As you can tell I'm still learning and new to all this. What is a flagship bow? I'm thinking the top of the line for each manufacturer. I haven't shot any other bows yet to see if I feel any difference. I know there are a bunch with higher fps but I think I'm still shooting at 260 or so. I will think on it, not like I need a new one today for sure just was thinking about it for next year.
I really appreciate everyone's input though.

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[vanish]

About 15 years or so ago when bows moved towards the modern "past parallel" design, there was a great reason to upgrade. The modern bows are a much better design. Not much has really changed in the last 5 years.

 

[MuleyFever]

I was getting a new to me used bow off eBay about every 5-6 years. I just sold my 7 year old CRX 32 because I was given a never shot ‘17 Athens and a ‘17 Hoyt. Honestly I don’t think I gained much. Go shoot some bows but don’t think you need one.

 

[Lawnboi]

I don’t think much has changed with bows since 2010, maybe a few years before that.

 

[vermeire]

Have you killed anything with your current bow yet? That would be a factor for me. Think about it in terms of a rifle; would you replace a 2 year old rifle without killing anything with it because a friend said something about upgrading? Like people have said, your bow is plenty new that you wouldn't be gaining very much.

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[Cliffy12]

Have you killed anything with your current bow yet? That would be a factor for me. Think about it in terms of a rifle; would you replace a 2 year old rifle without killing anything with it because a friend said something about upgrading? Like people have said, your bow is plenty new that you wouldn't be gaining very much.

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No I haven't. I think I am good for awhile. I really have nothing to compare to and it has been shooting great for me.

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[bluetick78]

I think the above advice is very solid. It seems like bows take big leaps in performance about every 10 years...ish. I last upgraded in 2007 to a then - new Ross. It's getting hard to find parts, and I've filled plenty of tags with that bow. I just purchased a new bow last week. It's an '18 model Reign 6. Nice bow, world of difference from my Ross. It was finally time to upgrade. If you feel like you need a new bow fairly often, most pro shops have trade-in programs. Otherwise, go make some good memories with your current bow and don't worry about all the hype from the manufactures and YouTube celebrities. I probably won't go shoot a new bow again until I see average IBO speeds in the 380's!

 

[stickbowcoop]

New bows are fun but I never "need" a new bow, I always just want one. My nephew is still shooting my old sporting good store 2007 Bear Element and it is killing deer just fine still.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I'm still shooting a 2008 Bowtech Guardian. I've looked, but haven't found a good enough reason to upgrade yet.

 

[NebraskaStickHunter]

They big change would be different makes and models. All manufacturers have different designs and put a characteristic first such as hand shock or draw cycle. I would recommend killing something first with your bow and don’t shoot the new ones because something will picque your interest and it just gets expensive then