Recommendations please
 

My brother wants to start bowhunting. He's looking to purchase his first bow.He's 40 years old. Actually his wife called me looking for my advice (Christmas present). I have a couple ideas in mind, but wanted to get some more input. Not looking for a $1000 setup. Just a good solid starter bow that will last him2,3,4 years or so to see if he is going to stick with it. Then he can upgrade from there if he gets hooked like I'm sure he will. What would you recommend? Thanks for your input.

RE: Recommendations please
 

I always recommend the Reflex line....the '07's should be arriving any day now, and you can probably find some '06s around yet. They are Hoyt bows, but minus a few bells and whistles...The most expensive one is .....$599 I think.....but they start around $300......For the money, they can't be beat, IMHO.....But the Diamond line is very good as well, I just have no experience w/ them.

RE: Recommendations please
 

Check out theDarton Marauder , you can get a package set up with a whisker bisquet , a tru glow sight and four arrow quizer for about $530.00 heres a link to there web site ( www.dartonarchery.com ).
I got one at my local pro shop and I was really impressed with the way it shot , very quiet , very fast and no vibration with no stableizer on it.

RE: Recommendations please
 

The Martin Bengel is the best bow in the low end market that I have seen ($450 or lower). It is smoother than an XT, has zero handshock, and is at least as quiet as any of the higher end short ATA parallel limb bows. The Pantera is just like it, but comes in a few inches longer (35" ata). MSRP on the bengal is $399 and it includes all the draw length modules from 25" to 30" I believe, so you know it will be able to fit anyone in that area without more $$$. Spend the $$$ and get the thermal elite grip on it though........it's worth it. These bows at least should be shot before buying something else. I plan to hunt with one this weekend for the first time.

I would shoot the bengal, pantera, any reflex, any diamond, Darton, or have him look at something used from the higher end lines.

RE: Recommendations please
 

Most of the top line manufacturers have a secondary line of mid range cost bows. There is already a thread somewhere about it, but for example
Hoyt has Reflex
Bowtech has diamond
Matthews I hear now has a line called Mission.
And of course there are others such as PSE, Browning, Martin, Bear. They all make good bows for a beginner, but there are really two things you want to look for IMO. Brace height is one. The larger the brace height the more forgiving the bow can be, expecially for a beginner learning proper form, those little mistakes in form don't affect the shot as much and get the shooter frustrated. But the second is harder if you are trying to make it a surprise for X-mas. I would not really recommend it. I think the person really needs to go to a couple different pro shops and shoot them themselves. Till they find one that just feels comfortable. The first two or three they may say, I really don't know what I am supposed to be looking for, but after shooting a couple different brands at least a couple dozzen times each. They will start to notice one is more comfortable, or easier to shoot than another. THen go back to the original three and try again. Then the shooter will be more comfortable and confident in their bow and hance make it more enjoyable. Good Luck

RE: Recommendations please
 

I would check out teh Diamonds

RE: Recommendations please
 

I have to agree withmobowhuntr, there is some very nice bows in the reflex lineup.

RE: Recommendations please
 

I would recommend you give him yours, that would set you up to have to get a new one......LOL. Or you can sell it to his wife pretty cheap, if you have to have some money.... to go towards a NEW BOW....yeah....

God Bless

RE: Recommendations please
 

Cabelas has the Reflex Excusion package on sale for $309 down from $379...that was a great value. See: http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1837746

RE: Recommendations please
 

I still have my old Alpine Impact extreme. Complete setup. Ill ship it to ya for $250.

RE: Recommendations please
 

Whats the cost on a Tomkat Setup?

RE: Recommendations please
 

A Tomkat package from huntersfriend.com is $655

RE: Recommendations please
 

I still shoot a Reflex Bighorn that I bought probably 8 years ago when I was 15. I've wanted to upgrade for a few years but cant justify it because the bow still does the job just fine. That and I'm temporarily living in St. Louis(Heck, I didn't even buy bowtags this year[:@]) Once I'm done with this school thing I got going on I'll plunk some money down on a new reflex. Does good for MY money...

RE: Recommendations please
 

Get a hoyt clone, Reflex. Good bows. PSE are not bad either.

RE: Recommendations please
 

Lot of good entry level bows out there. I shoot a PSE and its treated me very well.I want to upgrade but i cant justify the cost right now. I'd recomend a PSE.

RE: Recommendations please
 

Check my signature! Thats what you should get him!

RE: Recommendations please
 

How about a Mathews setup for $400.00? I just happen to have one.;)

RE: Recommendations please
 

I've got a 2001 Hoyt UltraTec outfitted and a bare 2006 BowTech Old Glory both in 70 lb. draw RH. If you're interested in either PM me.

RE: Recommendations please
 

Check out some end of year clearances on '06 bows. But I would agree with Rick James........for the money I think the Martin Bengal is hard to beat! Personally I wouldn't mind a Martin Pantera myself......good looking bow for less money than most of the top end bows and supposed to be a shooter.