Originally Posted by
CluelessWife
I am trying to find a bow for my husband for Christmas. He has never bow hunted before but would like to try. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg for something he may or may not get into. Here are a few of the (used) bows I am considering. Can anyone offer any advice about which seem like good bows and/or good deals? I do not know the year on most of them. The information is all directly from the sellers, so I apologize if it's redundant or if there are any discrepancies.
I measured my husband's arm span (73.5) and figured he would need around a 29" draw (29.2-29.6). Are most bows listed at 28", 29", or 30" range adjustable to his specific length or only ones that give a range for the length?
1) PSE Polaris Game Sport Series $159
"may be an older bow"
2) Martin Tracer LT $175
55-70#, 29", with hard case & quiver
3) Parker Buck Hunter $200
70#, 28-30"
4) Fred Bear Element $249
60#, 28"
"about 3 years old"
5) Browning Spectrum II $160
60#+, 29-32", 65% let off, overdraw, soft case
"about 4-5 years old"
Thanks!!
CluelessWife
1) The PSE is way too old. Move on.
2) Tracer is about 5 years old. Depending on the cam I would pass on it, too. It's OK if it has the DynaCam. If it's a TruArc cam then move on.
3) Parker Buck Hunter is also about 5 years old, but was a fairly decent bow for it's day. Only problem is whether he can handle 70#. It'll adjust down to 60#, but may still be more than he should start with. And $200 is too much money imo.
4) Maybe the best choice of the bunch. I haven't kept up with the different models Bear produces, but they are usually decent bows for the money. A little "Google" shows it to be a 2006 model and only sold for $300 new, which would lead me to believe it's overpriced by $75 or so.
5) The Browning just doesn't fit into anything I can find. The only info I'm finding that refers to Spectrum II is that it's a youth bow from 1996-97 era. Can't be the one you're asking about. Even so, I have a feeling it would have to be an older bow because I don't know any body that has used an overdraw for many years. They lost their popularity at least ten years ago so I'd say it's too old. I'd pass on this one.
You did ask another question. And the aswer is YES. Most bows are draw lwngth adjustable, but there are a few that are draw length specific. This is just something you need to ask a seller if you are set on buying him a used one.
Although I commend you for the thought, choosing a bow (new or used) is a very personal matter, one that should be done by your husband, with you in tow of course. And he should be able to shoot any bow that the two of you find. Money doesn't grow on trees and you do want to get this right so as to get the best bang for the buck so what halfbaked suggested might be a good choice.