They are very quiet with my 02 pat I was getting around 275 to 280 with my hunting arrow at 28"draw.

02 has the fatter grip 03 has the slim grip.
The 02 was a bit top heavy tahn the 03,but after full draw you couldn't really tell IMO. Bowtech is one of the top in Customer satisfaction. I think the patriot is made by bowtech. 02 when new was priced at 699.00?. All I can tell you is that last year I sold mine for$400.00 that was pretty much a bare bow. And yes they are very forgiving, Best thing you can do is shoot it if you can before buying it.