I would take any used Excalibur over any of the new Barnetts, but that is just my opinon. I have read way to many horror stories of Barnett's blowing up in peoples faces, causing great injury to the cb and shooter. I may be somewhat biased as I have only owned 2 cb's. The Horton TR175 and now an Excalibur Vortex. Since I bought the Vortex I will never look back. It provides everything I need in a CB along with great customer service. I am sure there other good CB's out there that are less expensive than a new Excalibur, but a Barnett doesn't appear to be one of them.