RE: Darton and Alpine bows question
You will find that most, if not almost all manufacturers make a fine bow today. Most will also have an assortment of styles to choose from.
In my opinion, what's more important than brand, is to choose a bow shop with the best reputation for good service. If you have a problem with the bow, they are the ones you'll depend on to help you. Even if it's just their ability to setup and tune it better, that will mean much more than the brand. A really good shop will be able to take literally any bow on the market and make it a tack-driver (if you can execute the shot). Shop for a dealer, not a bow. Then buy whatever bow they carry that you like best.
I have owned about 10 brands and I have shot them all about the same. If one was touchier, I could always pin it down to being a more unforgiving design (read - shorter and/or lower brace height or extreme reflex).
Good luck!