Lookin at somethin in the 550 range for a bare bow...all suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.

Check out the diamond line. You should be able to get one of those bare for around 500.

If you want to spend that kind of money go for it. But I personaly I would go with the Fred Bear Instinct. Very fast and quiet.

try reflex they are made by hoyt and have the cam and a half system just as hoyt but are about half the price

ROSS awsome bow for the money, bets Fred bear hands down in my opinion. Not alot of vibration in the Ross. Nice bow for the money

I agree with Benelli. I love my Instinct and its like he describes it, fast and quiet.

I am too and I also don't think there is anything wrong with the Fred Bear Instinct but I would go the couple of hundred more and get a Diamond Black Ice like I am

Overall better quality and it's gonna last me around 10 years.

I spent a bunch of time looking for a back up bow to my 2005 Hoyt Protec. Woundup getting a new Reflex Growler. So close to the Hoyt Vectrix it was purely conversational. Got the Growler for $390 at the local pro shop - with a drop away rest and a Copper John sight. Shoots great. Very smooth draw cycle.

I had a chance to shoot the new Bear lineup today, wow. Definately give them a try, they're in your budget and a h3ll of a shooter too.

Just bought two new bows, a little lower than your range (since I had to buy two). Got a Diamond Rapture for my son and tonight I picked up a Bear Instinct for myself. Both fine bows. I struggled between the Diamond Rock (the 2008 replacement for the Rapture) and the Instinct, but went with Bear in the end. I had shot an Element the previous trip and was not pleased with it, but I am convinced there was something with that particular bow.