I'll bite. It is the Hoyt Protec. Nothing has been able to touch it lately. With that said this is based on the last couple years. Many new things have happen this year. Most people have good things to say about the new bowtechs. The last couple years it has to be the protec. This year? Who knows.

As for a good "cheaper" bow, almost any of those manufactures produce good bows. I got to shot a diamond and that bow was pretty sweet. I hate to say it but almost any bow would be a better "deal" than buying a Hoyt, Mathews, or Bowtech. They are expensive for what you get.