The top cos. Excal, Parker,Ten Point all make great bows. A lot depends on how you will be useing it. If tree stands are part of your realm, a compound may be a bit handier. For flat out ease of maintenance, simplicity and accuracy the recurve fits that bill. Lots of changes in bows this year. The new Parker Cyclone weights only 6.5 lbs and is quite a bit narower due to inverted cams. If you're a 'just pick it up and go hunting' type of person, then the Ecals., like Phoenix or Vortex, will do nicely. If you're a speed guy, there is always the Stryker....but at about twice your proposed budget. Best advice I can give you is to try shooting as many as you can. Fit and trigger pull are all important. So is customer support and the top cps do that. Excal is famous for their no-questions-asked customer suupport.