hey i have used a sidewinder 5 pin for a couple of years now and they are great. that bubble gains tons of light. also look at the line that viper has out now there more money but if you break the fiber on your pins they sell replacment strains so you can fix them yourself!!! i saw them first at the harrisburg show and the guy was tieing knots with those replacment fiber strains seemed very duralbe!!!and for what bow to buy i have a switchback xt and love it. but there is alot of great bows out there so try as many as you can!!!!!!!good luck and stay safe come home soon, doing a great job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!