Welcome, puphus. I also shoot the Phoenix. Its a great xbow. I love the way it shoots,fast and accurate. On top of that, being able to do all of the maintenance myself is a major benefit. This is the first xbow that I've owned and I know that I made the right choice. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions regarding the Phoenix.

No one pulled my chain but here i am! Excals lots of models to choose from. Phoenix, i had one very good model. Traded mine for an Exocet 200. I really like it and it does have good power. Awshucks and the gang told it right. First year i used mine used the stock peep sight. Its good if yer young and eyes are good. I have since put a rifle scope on mine and like it.

Hi, my name is Don and I am an Excal addict. I own a Vixen, an old carved limbed Exocet, a Phoenix, an Exocet 200 and am awaiting the arrival of another carved limbed Exocet. I am NOT going to buy any more......honest.
I must say that the best all round practical bow is the Phoenix as Jason said. But the bow I still like best is the old carved limbed Exocet. It is a matter of having a good combo of low cocking effort vs sufficient speed. I believe that the Americans buy the Exomax more than anyother bow.But it is Weatherby's legacy to you guys, the apparent need for speed. No one anything faster than the Vixen but minor extra effort is worth the extra speed.

The scope that came with the little lady is great but I would sure rather open sights at first and last light. Sigh.....May have to upgrade to lumizone or try Old Smokes rifle scope idea. I do have a nice little Leopold VXll in 2x7 but just don't want to pry it off a rifle but that thing sucks the last little light right out of dusk.

Thanksfor all for the replies. I think I'd like to go forthe Phoenix. Now I just need to save the cash. Any places I should take a look at for a good deal?

This is about the best place around IMO for archery stuff. I bought my Vortex from them for a 100 bucks cheaper then cabelas. Here is the link to there web site.

http://www.bowhunterssuperstore.com/index.php?cPath=40_145

http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/php...wforum.php?f=4

Suggest you shoot as many bows as possible before you buy anything. That way you'll know which one fits you and your style of hunting. The Excal are great (mine is the new Vortex) but there are a lot of compounds that are also great (my Parker Terminator is shorter, balances better, is quieter and has a better trigger than the several Excas l tested).You will also determine the effort it takes to cock the bow. I started with the Equinox Equinox but found that the 225 draw weight and longer stock limited the number of shots I could make (without a mechanical cocker) without aggaravating my back problems. Don't buy a bow just because someone else shoots one, try it to see if it meets your demands.
A scope is definitely a plus. It gives you more precise points of aim. Which decreases the potential for misses or, worse, lost game. The Excalibur LumiZone is great, 5 aim-points, that correspont to your bow's speed, PLUS a lighted reticule on demand for less than $150.

Glad to see i'm not the only one with this addiction. lol. Welcome to the forum. I also shoot the Phoenix, with verizone scope am very happy with it! Bill

All this talk about the Excals, I may get one next year. I just got a Horton RT 175. But next year I will probably have some more money. Then I can upgrade to the excal and get the better scope!!!! But I am happy with the Horton. The sound of a little better accuracy and easy home maintenance sounds good! I'll see how I do this season. It's my first CB and I know it's just fine. But I do like what I hear about the Xcals.