If you shop you should be able to find a SS Encore for between $500 and $550. I can not justify the price difference for the Pro Hunter. TC is trying to recoup some of their advertising costs. I bought a new Laminate Left Hand Thumbhole last fall for $485. It was priced to me as high as$725. I spent the better part of the day on line to find that price. I called back a couple of days later to order another one, they(Acusport) had sold out, and my dealer could not get me another one. Tom.