Recurve is a little wider, but not much. They also have less moving parts so you have less chance of things going wrong, no out of tune issues. A recurve is a do-it-yourself type of CB. With a compound you will have to have a press to do your work if need be. If you like to shot alot then a recurve is a must IMO. If you plan on setting it on a shelf and plunking a few arrows before season then you may not see the benefit of a recurve. Us recurve guys like our simple CB's, but it's not like I hear people wearing out cams left and right also. You get that Vixen and you will be one happy camper IMO.