ok if you are going to be with him, and will probably cock the crossbow for him , then you will not be so limited by choice but more by preference , depending on the type of blind he will be hunting out of and its size if the blind is bigh enough to accomidate the limb width then it will be more of your fathers preference as to which he like best and is in your pricerange, would be nice if you had a bigger budget to work with, you might if you can find a proshop close that carries a few brands take your father there and let him look hold and if possible shoot some and see what he likes..