college student not much money to spend
03-19-2004, 06:27 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: oakridge pa USA
Posts: 6
college student not much money to spend
Hello, I started archery hunting last year and used for what amounts to a kids bow for the first year. I am hooked forever! I would like to buy a used bow and am looking at a darton fury express. Can anybody tell me would this be a decent bow? My draw length is 28 inches and would like a 60lb to 70lb bow. Any replies will be appreciated on this bow or one someone might have to sell. Thanks and take care!
03-19-2004, 07:58 AM
#3
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,175
RE: college student not much money to spend
I'm afraid I don't know anything about that Darton, but I'll give you some general guidelines.
For a fairly new shooter, I'd recommend a bow that has a brace height of at least 7 1/2". No less than 36" axle to axle. Minimal reflex in the handle and straight or deflexed handles would be even better. The less reflex, the less speed you'll get but, more importantly, the fewer problems you'll have with torque. You're goal should be to develop form and accuracy right now, not all out speed.
With used bows, try and take an experienced shooter along with you - one that knows what problems to avoid - and give it a good inspection. Look for dinged, nicked or bent cams. Check to make sure the limb butts fit correctly in the limb pockets. Draw the bow and look for excessive cam lean at full draw. Hold the bow up and eyeball down the string from one cam to the other and make sure the string tracks down the middle from groove to groove.
Ask the guy selling it when it was restrung and recabled, and cleaned and lubed last time. If he can't remember or doesn't know, that will be the first thing you'll need to get done. Make sure the price is low enough to compensate for the cost of relacement rigging and service.
There are a lot of good, lightly used bows out there, but there are a lot of worn out old dogs too. Be careful, and good luck.
For a fairly new shooter, I'd recommend a bow that has a brace height of at least 7 1/2". No less than 36" axle to axle. Minimal reflex in the handle and straight or deflexed handles would be even better. The less reflex, the less speed you'll get but, more importantly, the fewer problems you'll have with torque. You're goal should be to develop form and accuracy right now, not all out speed.
With used bows, try and take an experienced shooter along with you - one that knows what problems to avoid - and give it a good inspection. Look for dinged, nicked or bent cams. Check to make sure the limb butts fit correctly in the limb pockets. Draw the bow and look for excessive cam lean at full draw. Hold the bow up and eyeball down the string from one cam to the other and make sure the string tracks down the middle from groove to groove.
Ask the guy selling it when it was restrung and recabled, and cleaned and lubed last time. If he can't remember or doesn't know, that will be the first thing you'll need to get done. Make sure the price is low enough to compensate for the cost of relacement rigging and service.
There are a lot of good, lightly used bows out there, but there are a lot of worn out old dogs too. Be careful, and good luck.
03-19-2004, 10:53 AM
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Delhi, NY (by way of Chenango Forks)
Posts: 1,706
RE: college student not much money to spend
what is your budget??
I was in the same boat as you about 5-6 years ago. I went with a used bow (Pearson Renegade - $80). By the time I was done having it set up/tunes and got a few accessories the total was about $160. As most will advise (although I diddn't when buying my new bow) go to different shops and try out the bows. Find a good shop (I made that mistake with the used bow - it wasn't set up properly and had to get it "re-setup"). Not that there is anything wrong with starting with a used bow, but I would suggest trying to scrape up the money for a low end new bow (many brands make decent $200 rigs). You will probibly be buying a new bow within 3-5 years anyway. If not, still shop around and find a good proshop.
I was in the same boat as you about 5-6 years ago. I went with a used bow (Pearson Renegade - $80). By the time I was done having it set up/tunes and got a few accessories the total was about $160. As most will advise (although I diddn't when buying my new bow) go to different shops and try out the bows. Find a good shop (I made that mistake with the used bow - it wasn't set up properly and had to get it "re-setup"). Not that there is anything wrong with starting with a used bow, but I would suggest trying to scrape up the money for a low end new bow (many brands make decent $200 rigs). You will probibly be buying a new bow within 3-5 years anyway. If not, still shop around and find a good proshop.
03-19-2004, 11:49 AM
#7
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: oakridge pa USA
Posts: 6
RE: college student not much money to spend
thanks for all the replies. There are only two archery shops in a close distance of me. I have went to both and they tried selling me a new bow. My budget is only 200 dollars. I realize that isn't much nowdays but with working part time its all i can afford at this time!
03-19-2004, 11:52 AM
#8
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,862
RE: college student not much money to spend
ridge16245:
Is that particular Darton considered a high performance (speed) bow with hard cam/cams? If so, it might not be the bow for you at this time. Learning to understand when your setup is in tune or out of tune, and how to tune your bow yourself will be one of your biggest challenges.
Until you know your way around a bow and arrow flight, I suggest you go with a bow that fits your skill level and is not overly sensitive to flaws in your form.....and there will be.
If you want a more power than a "standard wheelie" bow, but easy to shoot and easier to tune and will stay in tune longer, find yourself a good used Martin that has a 35+ axle-to-axle with "Ultra-Sonic" wheels (soft cam).
Is that particular Darton considered a high performance (speed) bow with hard cam/cams? If so, it might not be the bow for you at this time. Learning to understand when your setup is in tune or out of tune, and how to tune your bow yourself will be one of your biggest challenges.
Until you know your way around a bow and arrow flight, I suggest you go with a bow that fits your skill level and is not overly sensitive to flaws in your form.....and there will be.
If you want a more power than a "standard wheelie" bow, but easy to shoot and easier to tune and will stay in tune longer, find yourself a good used Martin that has a 35+ axle-to-axle with "Ultra-Sonic" wheels (soft cam).
