It's like most everything else you buy--sometimes you get more when you pay more, sometimes you don't. I think O.L. is pretty slick--keep a high demand by keeping production low. He obviously isn't in it because he needs the money, so he can do that. 'Course he makes a good bow too--that sure doesn't hurt.
They will both get the job done, but the more expensive brand typically looks and feels better..... Also makes the purchaser look and feel better
Have you looked at what's "in style" lately????????? Man alive--might make some of those kids feel better, but look better????[:'(]
One other thing about this sport--it's very mental. If you think you have a better bow, you will shoot it better. I've shot with folks that can shoot one or the other better simply due to the name on the bow. I'm convinced that I could string up a green hickory sapling with baling twine and they could shoot it great, IF I could convince them that it was a particular brand. On the other hand, I bet I could take one of the top-of-line bows of their choice, but if I could convince them that it was a "cheap" or "no-name" bow, they'd have trouble hitting a barn from the inside.
One of the best shots I know is a local guy. His favorite was an old Bear "Black Bear", made in the late 60's or early 70's--think he paid $25 for it. Probably the ugliest bow I've ever seen--blonde riser (maple, I think) with light green glass on the limbs. People would look at that bow and laugh at him--until they tried to shoot against him. I've seen him out-shoot a factory sponsered compound shooter with it. I've seen him take 1st shooting against guys that were toting $1,000 bows. Maybe they looked better walking around, but that ugly old Bear got all the attention when it counted. My point is it's the nut behind the bow that makes the difference.
Reputation will sell a lot of bows too, and for the life of me I can't understand how some guys get theirs. One bow in particular stands out to me--the most basic model was $800 (and went to at least $1,500). I was just drooling to get my hands on one of these bows and shoot it--I'd read all sorts of simply amazing reviews, and was thinking that this bow just HAD to be something special--it was in demand, even at the price it was selling for. A few years ago I finally got a chance to shoot one--man, what a dissapointment. That just reinforced what I already knew--there ain't no magic bows.
Anyhow, to get back to the subject, a lot of this stuff is trial and error. You might find that the absolute best bow for you is one of the more expensive ones--nothing wrong with that. BUT, don't pass up others just because they don't cost a bundle--you might be like my friend and find THE bow for you at a real bargain.
Chad