RE: Is new always better?
Ah, the fallacy of novelty.
It ain't the bow, it's the indian.
However, I do think in fairly extreme measures newer is better. For example, a close hunting buddy of mine just upgraded to a Mathews Drenalin after using his former bow for the last twenty years. The difference is insane.
Upgrading every year seems a bit pointless to me. To each his own.