RE: Hoyt VS. Reflex
 

nodog,

sorry my post count isn't as "heavy" as you'd prefer. I guess that automatically signifies I must not know what I'm talking about!;)

Anyway, everything you said about "higher end" bows may very well be true. They're more comfortable, more forgiving, etc. BUT, are you saying that the bow is more important than the skill of the shooter? Because I was simply implying that the shooter's form and consistency is the more important of the two factors.

I'll put it to you like this, I spent a lot of time growing up tagging along with my ole man at archery events. He started shooting compound bows from the time they were first introduced. I've seen enough from "years ago" to know that all of today's advancements in technology had nothing to do with the competency of archers 15, 20 even 25 years ago. They didn't "need" all the bells and whistles then—but somehow those "new features" are so important to archers today?

I for one don't buy it. I myself have shot next to guys at several pro shops who shot the "high end" bows—and could outshoot many of them while holding a bow that cost an easy $200 less. Must have been a fluke?

The point is, yes, high end bows have their advantages—and if nothing else—make the transition easier. But, does that mean they actually make the shooter better? If a kid starts out with the most forgiving bow on the market, and then switches to a lower end bow—is he still going to be as consistent? Not likely. Why? Because some of those features of a more forgiving bow "covered up" some of his own flaws in his form and shot sequence.

That was my point. Look at it like this, a lousy driver in a Mercedes is still a lousy driver. I'd rather see a newbie fine-tune his form on a lower end bow—and become proficient as a shooter—rather than see someone develop a false sense of confidence in his abilities just because he's shooting a bow that covers up for his own flaws.

It's personal preference, but I've been shooting long enough to know that even if a more expensive bow might make my life easier—it's not necessary, and I don't "need" to spend an extra $200+ to be "confident" in my abilities to shoot a bow.