Hey!!!! Anyone else notice that bohunt signed his post, Pinwheel 12???
Fishy!!!

Sorry, Walks like a gimp,
but I am my own person. That was just a quote.


Ratus,

As you see, I too do not post often. I just learn from others, the positive things (knowledge)to take and the negative things to leave (like mean destructive comments and/or opinions).
This is America where freedom of speech allows us to have forums like this one.


I can say, I must be one of the lucky one's, because I live in NH two hours from
Merlin USA and being able to shoot the Merlin bows.
Unfortunately for some they are not. Not no fault of Pinwheel but because this is a new small business just trying to get their feet wet and of the ground in the USA.
I'm sure by next year things will be better with more stocked inventory with more dealer base.

Back to the original posting:RE: Shot the Outback... BOWTECH JUSTICE LIBERTY PATRIOT

I just shot the Liberty and Justice yesterday, and the Merlin Max Extreme two weeks ago. My PERSONAL view (I'm not an expert or archery tech) is all bows shot outstanding.

The Justice has a great brace height 8 but was a little two short for my liking due to my style shooting and the balance of the bow.

The Liberty has the perfect balance for my style shooting, and the brace height at 7.5 was forgiving, and with the freedom cam, it brought it all together making this an excellent bow that fits my style of shooting in any hunting situation.

The Merlin Max Exteme is the best of both, the Liberty and the Justice (in my personal opinion). Due to the forgiving brace height of 8", the smooth and level nock travel from the omega cams, with the parallel limbs, somewhat like Bowtech's,
just not carbon with a rubber skin glued on them which are on the Max Extreme.

The tough choice in purchasing either the Merlin Max Extreme or the Bowtech Liberty comes down to out-weighing the pros and cons of my PERSONAL views.

1. That being the Merlin seems to have a little less recoil and no jumping out of my hand compared to the Bowtech. Not a great difference but a difference maybe due to the Merlin weighing a few more ounces more.

2. The price of the Bowtech slightly better $668.00 compare to $699.00 for the Merlin.

3. Customer Service: Kevin at Merlin is very knowlegeable and goes the extra mile
He is an excellent person who feels and stands strongly that Merlin Bows are the best from his many years as a professional in the Archery Field.
But I have to go the extra mile as this will be the only dealer in NH I would have to travel an exta 1.5 hours.Compared to many other dealers of Bowtech who also know their product.

4. Last but not least is Warranty. I have to agree with StraightArrow's Quote:

"The carbon limbs sound good and I'm guessing that the type of aluminum is better or you wouldn't have mentioned it. It makes me question why the warranty is only two years with full coverage, and only 5 years with the owner paying part of the cost. Does Merlin not have the confidence to match the warranty of other bows priced over $700? So many are giving a limited lifetime warranty on their bows, even the lower priced ones. I know that lifetime is not the owners lifetime, but I have a hard time believing that all wouldn't honor it for more then two years. I'm leaning to purchasing a Merlin Max Extreme and I'm quite certain I will keep it for more then 2 years, but I would hate to have to put any more money into it, if there's a problem a few years down the road. "

And the quote of others on other forums referencing warranty's ( something of a great debate).

Something I differ with in Pinwheel's opinion.

I will be keeping my bow over five years as I believe the majority of archers do.


And as Quoted by Pinwheel: Most of the companies you mentioned above have been in business less than 15 years--- in fact only TWO of them longer--- most of the others less than 10 yrs, some less than 5! Many of them are simply trying to get a foothold in the market with this "lifetime warranty" marketing gimmick, and it really doesn't matter because some I will be willing to bet will not even be here 10 years down the road--- think about that one for a second... So as stated, a "lifetime warranty" only does one good if the company is able to stay in businesss, and keeps an inventory of parts onhand for many years or is willing to replace a model with a brand new one-- and 10 years or more down the road when the cost of a new bow is $1500-2500 versus the $700 bow you bought yesterday that ain't gonna happen for FREE.

I know for "fact" some other bow manufacturers who have been around for a while, do back up their warranty 100% of the retail price of the bow you bought at that current time. (PSE/AR, Bowtech, Mathews, Hoyt, Parker)
As I and other friends have been on the receiving end of the warranty).I paid $600 for my bow over 8 years ago, not much difference in current prices with better technoloy.

I don't think it's a gimmick. I believe it's how they have become so successful because of the fact they have taken care of the customer and if they did not they would of lost their customer base and gone out of business. THIS IS A FACT in any sales business (LL BEAN, CABELAS, just to name a couple of businesses who have become so successful from their warranty/guarantee)
They also made this there living as Pinwheel is doing.

I do thank Pinwheel for all his expertise and help. I also thank him for listening to us, his customers and their constructive criticism.
As he has stated he has brought these customer concerns forward to the owner of Merlin.


I would buy the Merlin Max Extreme ( an unbelievable bow) in a heartbeat knowing my hard earned money was backed up by a lifetime warranty.

I GUESS "MY DECISION" WILL BE BASED ON THE RISK OF SPENDING MORE MONEY AFTER TWO YEARS IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG FOR A MERLIN MAX EXTREME THAT SEEMS TO HAVE A SLIGHT EDGE IN THE WAY IT SHOOTS FOR ME THAN THE BOWTECH LIBERTY.

This is my personal review of two bows and what they have offered "me" the consumer.

I, -bohunt, have endorsed this review. Is'nt America great, allowing us to give free opinions.
But do be careful and remember: Opinions are as only good, as what you paid for them !

cc. Merlin-uk
cc. Bowtech