From what the guys on here say the Barnett would be OK. DO a search on it and you should get some hits. The Excal would be your "big" buy and the price is a bit on the higher side but not as bad as some out there. The Excal guys on here seem to really enjoy there bows. I myself have always been shooting Horton's and never had any problem with them. My old Supermag is fourteen years old and is still kicking just fine for dad. You can get some pretty cheap Horton packages and could use that as your "decision" bow before moving up the ladder. It seams as though alot of guys have been coming out of the wood work lately with Horton problems and it has me puzzled. I have never had any problems, and the three guys at work have never had problems with theres, I guess guys pulling there bows out of the closet after deer season starts should be my first sign!