Well the night ended alot better then the day started. First off I would like to say sorry for getting a little huffy and to all who read my WTF post before I edited them, totally my fault! I put the string on and got it all put together with maybe some minor damage. When I put the first dissipator pad on I may have got wrench happy, not stripped yet, but felt like it was getting soft from me trying to get it nice and extra tight, I am sure they are cheap if it becomes a problem. The CB went together pretty good and no real problems or head scratchers. My stringing aid was to long so I had to adjust that, no biggie, probably a normal. Got the string on and had to take it off three times before I had it twisted enough, again a learning curve and now I know how many twist get you how much added hight. Put the scope on but need to get some blue lock tight for the screws so they don't come loose. Well I took my first shot a ten yards with the scope, in the center a little to the right and a little on the top, but the center!!!!!!!! So after my first shot I was happy! noticed after two shots I needed to adjust my string. But I only made it to twenty for a few shots and the wife was giving me the look since we had not ate yet.
So over all here is how I feel after being a Horton user for fourteen years...
1. Weight - The Excal wins this hands down without a doubt, but I knew this last spring when I first held one.
2. Appearance - The new way they put camo on is just to cool! It looks like it is just part of the metal and not a finish. The pattern is also top notch. Can't really nock Horton for this since camo has come a long way in just the last couple of years.
3. Workability - Meaning independence. I now can do all my own work and no longer need a shop. I really despised having to go down to the shop for a new serving. Now I can do all that myself. I no longer have to wonder about cable life and such.
4. Sights -Excal has this one in the bag hands down! Making a variable power scope say 250 to 355 instead of 3 to 9 was the smartest thing anyone ever thought of, I hope whoever thought of this got one heck of a raise! On my Horton I have a Varizone and am happy with it, but not the best in the woods at last light. For the Vortex I bought the Lumizone. Top notch no doubt. I also love the fact that it works without batteries! SO if I forget to turn it off I am not SOL! The scope is nice and I am happy with it!
5. Cocking - Trying to pull back 200 pounds if pretty hard for me. I consider my self pretty strong and am proud of what I can do. I can cock it, but am trying so hard that I feel I may not be getting it straight. The rope cocker is an asset for my CB. It gets th string back with very little effort and is always in the center. Also one thing that is different is it is quite when it cocks. The Horton makes a more of a snapping sound, probably the safety coming back. So I have to get used to not hearing that, it was always my assurance it was cocked. This is one advantage I can see with the Horton since I could cock it no problem. But the rope cocker fits in my pocket, and I can still get the job done without it if I had to.
6.Accuracy - Can't say yet, so far it is right on, but that is free hand at close range, the Horton was a nock buster under twenty so I will have to get out the bench and do the long range testing, Horton would open up a little on thirty yards and farther.
7. Noise - I was impressed! Although I do not think any CB will ever be quite enough to make a difference. The Vortex was actually quieter then the Horton. I do not feel the vibration in the vortex that I felt in the Horton. I like this, but again it will probably never matter.
8. Safety - I have to get used to a manual safety. But as Bill T said "No firearm has one" Its a good point and I believe him when he said the manual safety is much stronger then a automatic. Just have to get used to it.
9. Size - The Vortex is wider then the Horton, but when cocked it is only a few inches wider. If you keep track of your surroundings this should not be a problem. I am usually up in a tree with only something on my back and my sides are clear so I should be good to go. The vortex is lighter then the Horton, this must make it seem better balanced. I always felt like my Horton was front heavy. But I never knew this till I shot my vortex. Don't know what your missing if you never had it? It just seems like it steadies better when I aim.
10. Overall - I am happy! Will I still recommend a Horton? Yes! I feel that there top end CB's are great and I have always been happy with them. I am just a independent person and hated the "Bow Monkey & Press". Excal may be a little wider and is better with a cocking aid, but the independence and weight difference are worth it to me. From what other say I will gain more long range accuracy too.
I need to do lots more shooting and then can really see what it can do, but so far I am happy and very pleased. I am using the string that came with it, but Danny will be getting a call probably tomorrow for a FFF.
I would also like to say a big thank you to Dan, aka AWSHUCKS. He has had to deal with alot of PM's from me lately and has been totally helpful with me during this whole process. Also saying thanks for the many more PM's he will get! I have to work all weekend so I may not get to shoot much but Monday and Tuesday it game on!!
So in short... I am a happy man!!!
First Impressions...
