Gee , I'll add Mathews to that list also! Dont count out Mathews by what you read or hear from folks. They are definately quality bows and their no more expensive then all the other "quality mfg's" listed. They all have their higher priced bows and they all have (including Mathews) less expensive bows.

Dont make a purchase at the first proshop you visit. Shoot as many as you can!

The nuber one thing in getting started in archery is to get a bow that fits you . I cant overstate this . Bows are like shoes , if they dont fit you , you will be misrable . If the bow you get fits you correctly and you dont try pulling too much weight , you will be in for a much more plesant experiance . How do you get a bow that you know is the right length and weight , and grip style for you ? The best advise I can give is to go to the best pro shop you can find , evan if its hours away from your house . In the long run you will be much better off for the effort , that is if you are serious about getting into this sport the most it has to offer . Let them set you up , and go from there . Look around hard before you decide on the shop you want to use . Find someone with a good reputation , who does not rush you , or try to sell the one and only "best" bow . The next thing is to get the right arrows for the bow , something that sounds easy , but many have wrong , and lastly I would say get a peep sight that is big enough , dont go for one of those small target peeps , and have a quality string that pulls the peep sight straight back to the correct spot straight infront of your aiming eye , when your peep sight gets screwy it can give you fits . Good luck , and let us know how you do . This is a great sport , and this sight has some great pepole on it .