First Compound Bow...?

[StagLefty]

How realistic is it to try several bows, then buy a used one on Craigslist? If you find a brand you like, are the models close enough year to year that if you buy a used one older than the one you tried at the shop, but same model, that you're not gambling too much?

When the American Bowmaster was still open up here. He was flooded all the time with people buying bows off CL. You need to know draw length and poundage otherwise you may end up with a bow that just doesn't fit you. And even though they're adjustable some people don't know enough about them and buy bows that just can't be adjusted for them. JMHO

[Graves]

Prices on used bows aren't great on CL...at least if you were looking for a Hoyt last year.

[Irving]

I suppose I should say any used bow, not specifically from craigslist. Like pick top five brands/models and keep an eye out for them on forums like this.

[ACE2GOOD]

I am just getting into archery myself. Just got my first bow for Christmas. My in laws all got Mathews Creeds and I liked the feel of them so we are all running creeds now. We found prices on older model bows on Ebay were way cheaper than brand new ones on the market. You can find anywhere between brand new ones and lightly used ones. The best bet for us was to go with "last years" model type approach that not many people are looking for and got fully setup bows for half the price.

[LongArmoftheLaw]

Thanks for all the input everyone! Shot a lot of different bows over the past few days. Ended up ordering a Bowtech Carbon Icon DLX!

[theGinsue]

Bowtech makes great bows. I bought a Cabela's bow in September that was made for Cabella's by Bowtech. I really like it.

Prices on used bows aren't great on CL...at least if you were looking for a Hoyt last year.

I've had a 1993 left-handed Martin Lynx bow, excellent condition and fully loaded with accessories and a hard case on CL for $150 since the end of November. Only had 1 bite so far. While it's not much bigger or heavier than the current bows on the market, no one wants a used bow. Thing is, this thing is a lot more adjustable (draw length & weight) than most bows available for new today & the extra weight/length are typically better for new bow shooters.

[Firehaus]

Thanks for all the input everyone! Shot a lot of different bows over the past few days. Ended up ordering a Bowtech Carbon Icon DLX!

I shoot a Bowtech RPM and have been happy with it.


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[th3w01f]

I'd say find someone here who knows how to set up a bow properly. I've found that even the big archery shops in town don't set them up properly. They basically just bolt on the accessories, maybe do a small bit of fine tuning and that's it. A properly tuned bow shoots MUCH better.

I bought one for a reputable shop in 2014 and it did not shoot well, when I tried to work with them to get it tuned I found out that they really don't do much tuning at all on new bows. I ended up shipping it to a shop in MO that specializes in tuning and when I got it back it was night and day. He sent me a list of things he changed and basically nothing was set properly. Cams weren't timed (needs to be done even on a new bow), rest wasn't timed, sight was in the wrong location, etc, etc, etc... I had a similar experience with another shop up north about 10 years ago.

Like most things, it's probably best to learn to do the basics yourself but I'm too lazy.

[LongArmoftheLaw]

I'd say find someone here who knows how to set up a bow properly. I've found that even the big archery shops in town don't set them up properly. They basically just bolt on the accessories, maybe do a small bit of fine tuning and that's it. A properly tuned bow shoots MUCH better.

I bought one for a reputable shop in 2014 and it did not shoot well, when I tried to work with them to get it tuned I found out that they really don't do much tuning at all on new bows. I ended up shipping it to a shop in MO that specializes in tuning and when I got it back it was night and day. He sent me a list of things he changed and basically nothing was set properly. Cams weren't timed (needs to be done even on a new bow), rest wasn't timed, sight was in the wrong location, etc, etc, etc... I had a similar experience with another shop up north about 10 years ago.

Like most things, it's probably best to learn to do the basics yourself but I'm too lazy.

What was the shop in MO that you sent it to?

[th3w01f]

What was the shop in MO that you sent it to?

Actually it was IL, my mistake.

TAZ archery - http://tazarchery.com/

Found them after spending a bunch of time on archery talk. They're supposed to be one of the best for Elites.