mauser,

I have tried last years Mirage and liked it alot, the Mirage33 that is, but, I tried this years Mirage ZX and really didn' t like it at all.

The Mirage33 is a nice hunting bow.... 33" axle to axle so it is small (good for treestand hunting), but not too small to handle. The brace height is SLIGHTLY smaller than what I would like to see, but, it is still manageable at 7" . and it is still plenty fast at 300 f.p.s. IBO.

Just to let you know, the Mirage33 package from Cabelas is a GREAT deal. It is more than what is on e-bay at 449.99. The thing about e-bay is that you have a chance of being taken. You don' t know the quality of the set-up, that is, if it is used. If it is brand-new, then, it is a great deal.

You should REALLY check out the Browning Tornado Kit. This is my personal favorite Browning. It isn' t there highest or lowest end bow. It is there mid-level bow, but, let me tell you, that seems to be an understatement to me.

My best-friend, who has been into archery for about 7 years now bought one a few years ago and refuses to " up-grade" to any other bow. He was thinking about getting a new Hoyt RazorTec but PASSED ON THAT IDEA BECAUSE HE LOVES HIS BOW.

The bow is 36" axle to axle length, which would be an IDEAL size for a beginner that wants a bow that will last. The brace height is 7 1/2" which is a great size. This, along with the slightly bigger axle to axle length than the Mirage, will make for a more forgiving and " use friendly" bow. The bow is plenty light, and is plenty fast at 292 f.p.s. My friend has used this bow to kill a doe and a turkey so far, and hopefully a big buck this year. The grip is not only visually appealing but very comfortable. It is a black rubber with a nice wood inlay. The bow is smooth, quiet, and deadly accurate.

Cabelas sells the Browning Tornado package for $389.99 The kit includes bow, matching two-piece quiver, fiber optic sight with three pins, Huntsman arrow rest, 4-1/2" tapered stabilizer, nylon wrist sling, cat whisker string silencers, string peep sight, eliminator button, and kisser button. You can get a good release for $25.00-$30.00 and a dozen arrows for $55.00. Add a bag target (I got mine at Wal-Mart for $25.00 and it is awsome) so, lets say $25.00, and add another $30.00 for broadheads. That puts you at around $525.00-$530.00 When you consider that is everything you need, that isn' t a bad price at all, especially for the quality of this bow.

If that is still too much money for you, then, I would say that you check out the Browning Ambush XB Bow Package from Cabelas. The kit is $299.99 and you get bow, two-piece six-arrow quiver, fiber-optic three pin sight, Huntsman arrow rest, 4-1/2" stabilizer, nylon wrist sling, Cat Whiskers string silencers and peep sight.

The bow is 36" axle to axle length, 8" brace height (great size), 3 pounds 14 ounce (light, but not too light), 75% let-off, and a IBO speed of 280 f.p.s. This isn' t a screaming bow, but, it will definetly get the job done.

I havn' t shot this bow, but, it would more than likely be the IDEAL beginner bow. The axle to axle length, mixed with the large brace height and generally slow speed (THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT IS TOO SLOW OR THAT IT IS A BAD BOW) will make this thing one sweet shooter. Like I said earlier, your target will be around $25.00, arrows $55.00, release $30.00, and broadheads $30.00, that gives you a total archery outfit price of $440.00

Ebay is a great place and you can get some steals on there, but, remember, people can STEAL FROM YOU too. Becareful and make sure you do your research if that is the road you take.

P.S. Also remember that even with a bow package, you are still going to need to add between $140.00-$150.00 for arrows, broadheads, a release, and a target.

Best of luck and if you need any help, shoot me an e-mail at [email protected] There is an underscore ( _ ) between jason and lowmaster