I have had 1/2 dozencompound bows, I bought because of recommendation or whatever. Best I had was a browning excellorator plus. That was a fine bow for its time in 1987. Not much now. I am drifting, bottom line if you dont' know which one you want or you don't have experience to know what feels good in your hands, don't go laying 600 dollar out on a high tech trykon or switchback. Buy you a cheap beginners bow and learn the basics. I have got some Novas shooting incredible, and they are pretty forgiving. Then you can know what comfortable is, or what to look for. Believe me short ATA bows are way less forgiving. Straight limb designs feel very good being shot but most are not beginner bows. Forget the idea of having a bow for a lifetime,you get one, you'll trade up one day. And what I have been seeing from the younger folks in bowstores, they trade up like every 2 years. That being said, I love the feel of the newer straightlimb bows. All of them. Matthews, Hoyt, bowtech, even AR. I curently shoot a libery VFT. But wouldn't mind hunting with any of them.