Best bow for $500
 

Ok I'm looking at getting a compound Bow to teach and train my Boys who are getting a compound for Christmas, In short........ What's the best bow to look at for $500, I'm looking at secondhand top of the range bow, unless you can think of something better.
I've owned a 60# Merlin XS, 2008 70# PSE X-Force Dream Season and a 2009 60# Diamond marquis and really liked them all, can you think of a better bow???

Interesting quandry, Dr. Watson...
 

Opening up to used bows is a bag of worms. There's such a weird market on used bows, it's hard to say that X bow used should be $XXX and Y bow used should be $YYY.

Then I'd ask the next step question, are you looking for complete bows for $500 (i.e. total budget), or a used bare bow for $500?

Shopping the used archery market is terrible. It's pretty common you'll find used ready-to-hunt bows for $500 that might have been $500 bare bow new, so you're not gaining a lot. Now if you start looking at considerably older, undesirable models, then you can start increasing your savings.

If you're looking for a great $500 single cam that comes new ready to hunt, take a look at the Diamond Outlaw. I've set a few of them up in the last few years for customers, and have sold even more of them. Really good value bow. The Apex sight on them isn't anything fancy, but it's serviceable, the Rest needs replaced asap, but it'll work well enough while you save up for a different rest.

Other than that, it's hunting ebay, craigslist, etc to find a certain bow model that you're interested in, and hope it's a good deal. I've seen a used Mathews z7 go for $1000, and another go for $500, picking out used stuff by price is just way too subjective, and gauging use on bows is difficult.

I agree with mercy....I bought my Z7 used and in excellent condition for 500. But you could buy one for more and its noticeably used. I'd stay away from craigslist personally...to many scams on there.

I agree with Nomercy and the Outlaw. It's a nice bow for $500. I shoot the Fugitive, which is a small step up but only $600. I also agree with putting a different arrow rest on. They both come with an octane rest. I put a Trophy Taker Pronghorn on my Fugitive and it shot over 10 fps faster.

I'd get a nice barebow for $500, secondhand even. Although I've got my heart set on a Diamond , but its an Iceman. seen nothing but good reviews for this Bow, not the newest bow or the fastest, but its a beauty.

Find a loaded Bowtech Guardian on CL or ArcheryTalk. Thank me later. :)

Martin bows hands down.

if he's already going to get a compound for christmas why not get him a recurve to learn fundamentals with? it makes it easier to concentrate on all the little things that should come first. come the new year he'll have his draw, anchor point and release down and can concentrate on sights then. PLUS he gets another quality bow to keep instead of a inferior compound to just turn around and sell :)

I agree with what's been said about the used market. I picked up a Hoyt Trykon in January 2008 (it would have been used 2 seasons) in good condition for under $300. Time of year certainly has something to do with it, and now probably isn't the best time to buy, as we're going into hunting season and a lot of people are shopping for new stuff. If I were in the market, I'd spend a lot of time on Ebay, Craigs list, etc., and not be too picky as to a particular bow, and try to recognize the good deals when I came upon them (sometimes easier said than done).

I think if it is going to be their first bow, I'd even go with something like a newer Bear or PSE. A smooth drawing, longer AtA length, and forgiving single cam bow can help increase accuracy from the start and a person who shoots well at the start is more interested in becoming better in the sport, IMO. Beginning archers will fall more in love with the sport if they start out with a more FORGIVING bow versus the hype and name. I am shooting a PSE Stinger 3G, bought it bare bow for $299, outfitted with QAD-dropaway, truglo from wal-mart and a limbsaver vibration dampner set (limb silencers, string silencers, riser front-stabilizer) from BPS. It's adjustable draw length w/o a press from 25.5"-30.5" is convenient and the weight is from 40-70#. Bow and accessories included I'm under $500. Just my two cents but best of luck in your search.

For a non-working relative
 

I wouldn't buy a $500 one, but a lower priced bow. They work at lower cost. Companies have been selling lower priced bows for successful shooting and hunting for decades.
And just tell them. If they can shoot this less expensive bow, just think how good they'll be when they shoot a more expensive bow that they paid for.

Of course, you might be wealthy and need no ones advice.

Check out http://www.huntersfriend.com/
You can get a very nice bow with arrows, ready to shoot for under $500, delivered. This is probably the next place I go for a bow. Otherwise, if you boys are a bit younger, a Mission Craze package is nice because weight and draw length are easily adjustable down to child size up through adult - this is what I got my son. See http://missionarchery.com/product/craze/ .

I guess I should have asked, what age are your boys? I'm assuming "not kids", but more like teenagers, so you won't be fighting draw length differences?

Instead of looking at just bow quality I would think about it form this angle: I'd get something that is way less of a bow than what you plan on getting them at Christmas. You don't want an awesome bow for yourself now and then have them open up a lessor bow at Christmas, it will kill their enthusiasm.

I picked up my current bow (Bear Encounter), set up with trophy ridge quiver, whisker biscuit, and 3 pin sight for $399. Swapped out the sight with my HHA single pin and dropaway rest. Awesome bow for the $$$, shoots nice and as far a noise levels, I swear its quieter that my buddy's Hoyt that he paid twice as much for :woot:

What about a Cabelas outfitter bow. They were made for Cabelas by PSE. I cant find much online for a review.

I have found one. My son wants to get into archery and I think it might be a good starter setup.

I've got a list of 2013 Martin bows on the Martin Tech Forum classifieds. One Rytera and 4 Martins, all new, These are at fantastically reduced prices. $500 for the Rytera. Others are less.
Check it out and PM me on there if interested.

used Mathews Switchback or Z7

I bought a brandnew Hoyt Maxxis 31 in 2010 for 650$ on ebay. So assuming you can find a used bow in good condition like a dealer brand for 500$ fairly easy on ebay. I 've seen some hunters agaisnt using ebay to buy used bows bc you have no idea what could have happen to them (dry fired)(dropped). Long as you see the details on the bow, look it over real good( take to bow dealershipto check it out) you can alway get your money back if youfind a flawl. I recommend very much looking at ebay for use bows that are 1-2 years old. Alot of hunters like to upgrade every 2 years to stay up with the new technology and they slap it on ebay. My brother found a good mathews reason last year for less than 400 dollars. He dropped a new string and cable on it and its amazing.