I don't often post inthis forum, but I need yall's help and advice with a decision.

First of all, let me say that this is not a "which bow is better" post. I am buying a new bow this year and I have narrowed my selections to the following:

Mathews DXT
Mathews Drenalin
BowTech General
BowTech Guardian
Diamond Marquis
Hoyt Katera

Yesterday I went all around town and I shot the Mathews, BowTech, and Diamond bows. I didn't get to the Hoyt yesterday (dinner with parents). I will share my impressions of the bows after shooting them. My top priorities that I was looking for were low noise and low shock. Speed is a great thing, but not the biggest thing to me. Also, let me preface the following with a disclaimer that these assessments are onlymy opinions and are based only on my experience.

Mathews DXT - Great bow. Incredible amount of power packed into a package less than 30 inches A to A. However, it was noisier than I liked and I was also a little surprised at the amount of hand shock. Yes, hand shock in a Mathews bow. $799

Mathews Drenalin - Liked it just as much as last year. Smooth draw, quiet enough, plenty of speed. Maybe still a little overpriced...$749

BowTech General - Unbelievably smooth draw and shot. I did not know there was a smoother-shooting bow than the Swithcback until I shot the General. I wish it was just a little faster. At a 27' draw, I was getting around 270 fps out of it with the speed cam. I loved the bow. It was so smooth I forgot about the lack of speed. One thing than concerns me is the limb problems they are having.Is this likely to be a one-time problem that the replacement limbs will fix - or - is there a problem with the structure of the bow that could lead to more problems later??? $675 (on sale)

BowTech Guardian - They didn't have it in stock. No one in town did. In the absence of shooting it my assessment is that it is kind of a longer, faster General.

Diamond Marquis - Loud and stiff. I would have thought I was playing a harp if it was painted gold. $599 or so - Didn't matter.

I went home without shooting the Hoyt Katera yesterday thinking nothing in the world could be better than the General. I got up this morning and decided to drive to the only shop in town that still carries Hoyt and give it a fair chance since I told myself to try it before I started my whole search. So...

Hoyt Katera - Wow, I wasn't expecting that. I took afew moreshots to make sure it was that good. Yep, it was that good. Smooth draw, quiet considering it has an IBO of 330 fps (280 fps with a heavy arrow and my 27' draw - 290 to 300 fps with an arrow that fits the bow), very low hand shock...again...considering the speed. I like this bow a lot. Speed wasn't even a top priority of mine until I saw that I could have it without hand shock and noise. Now speed isa priority. $699

So here I am tonight. At this point I have narrwed my decision to the BowTech General and the Hoyt Katera. I loved the General. Smooth and soft in the hand, little slow, but fast enough. I alsoloved the Katera. Fast as lightning, but not a lot of shock and thunder, but2 inches longer than the General.

Here is what I need from you guys. BowTech and Hoyt owners, will you please share some of the attributes you that led you to choose either brand? Also - BowTech owners and anyone else with an opinion on the matter, what is your expectation of the future of the General?

I really appreciate any advice/suggestions/corrections that you have.

Crowkilla