New Guy
 

Greetings -- I'm new to the forums and looking to get into crossbow hunting. I'm looking for advice on what crossbow I should purchase. I've read through the crossbow forum and it seems most folks recommend an Excalibur. I like the Phoenix and the Exocet, but they sure are expensive. I saw the Phoenix package at Bow hunters superstore for $499 and that seems to be a pretty good deal. I suppose I'm leaning that way, but think it's kind of a steep investment to get into the sport.

I like the idea of a smaller/light bow that can be more easily carried and manuevered in the wild but still packs the punch of a larger bulkier xbow. I also like the idea of being able to maintain itinexpensively and at home on my own. I think I want a recurve and I'd like to get something powerful enough that I can hunt a wide range with it and not feel the need to upgrade in a year. I also would prefer to buy something good now and grow into it if needed, rather than get something that I will wish I had not bought a season later. Seems like a waste to me to buy two bows.

So let meknow what you all think and I'll keep reading, too. I'm grateful for any advice. Thanks.

RE: New Guy
 

I think if you buy the Excaliber you wont have to worry about up-grade ing in a year or so.All the people that I know that have them,swear by
them,and never talk of switching to another brand,it may be a little
steep for you at this time but in the long run you will be money ahead
and and have the joy of working on your own equipment and being
independent of the shops to do all the little things that come up!As
much as I love my Parkers the shop has to change strings for me and
I have to carry an extra in case of an accident,good luck on your pick!

RE: New Guy
 

Ooops,forgot, welcome to the board,enjoy good folks here1:D

RE: New Guy
 

Two guys on here come to mind, and I may get them wrong, but one is Dan, AKA AWSHUCKS, and the other is Don, AKA DNK. I think they both have the Phoenix and consider them there favorite if I remember right. I think the Phoenix will do you just fine on any big game here in North America, want to hunt elephants and you may want the 200# or 225# CB's but them guys have pass thrus on deer with the Phoenix with no problems. They always say get the bigger Excal's and you just walk farther to pick up your arrow after you kill a deer. There is alot of guys on here from the Excal crowd IMO cause the Excal Forum is about as dry as it gets and way to serious for me, I post there some, but most of the cut loose guys post here. I have been a long time Horton fan, and still am, but I too wanted freedom from the press monkey and a run in last fall with my local shop put me over the edge so buying a self service Excal became my priority. Plus I got tired of hearing all the fun these guys where having and needed in on it. LOL!! Others will chime in and should give there opinion also, but I think you will be happy. Also, if you think about it 500 bucks ain't that bad compared to a decked out mid line compound, or say a Remington with a scope. If you spend over a grand on a CB then maybe you should think about the high price thoughts! LOL!!


EDIT: Also forgot to say welcome! Chime in and have fun, its a good group of guys in here!

RE: New Guy
 

Hi, I'm Dan, and I shoot Excaliburs. Sounds like an intro at "Xbows Anonymous" lol. 1st off, any name brand xbow will be adequate for deer hunting. This post is NOT to slight any other brand out there. Here's why I like Excals. They are lighter than compounds, [but a tad wider]. You do your own maintenance. All models have the same excellant trigger. They have won more competitions [3-D] in the past than all the other mfgrs put together. Two things you don't get w/ an Excal are: [a] a serial # on the bow, a warranty card to fill out and send in. Neither are needed, they stand behind their products regardless of age or original owner, yada yada, yada. About the only way to screw one up is to dry-fire it w/ Fast Flight string. I'm not going so far as to say every split limb is replaced under warranty, but mine and Planters were. In both cases, only one limb split but both were replaced so they match. There are no "tune-up specials" trigger upgrades, bells and whistles, [YOU put the safety on each time you cock it]. There are no cables to fray, no wheels to need timed, just plain simple and deadly. I've shot every Excal made except for the "Point Blanc" target bow, including their joint effort w/ Bear on the Maxpoint[USA Paradox [Can]. Being a compound, I couldn't offhand it, so adios amigo, it's being loved in Texas as I make this post. I currently own a Phoenix and an Emax, which is a bruiser!! Had I shot the Phoenix 1st, the Emax would still be at Cabelas. So......that's my story and I'm sticking to it!! Have fun!!

Btw: Welcome to the forum! You new guys are showing up in droves, which is in my humble opinion a great thing!! Glad to see you here!! ps: have no idea what button I hit to get this bold print, it was unintentional!!

RE: New Guy
 

Welcome puphus,we all have our own opinions,take what you need and shovle out the rest:D:D:D...
these guys are all good people......Ask away.....

RE: New Guy
 

I have had a Pheonix for a while now and can't imagine needing anything else. I can change the string, blow some crud out of the trigger housing,clean the deck a bit and be back shooting in 10 minutes. Even with a string change I can be back in the black with just a tweak of the scope.
Was lucky enough to test it on deer last year and the arrow zipped thru them like nothing out to 30yds.Bet it would do a fine job on a shoulder blade if it had to.
The only drawback the bow has is that it requires no maintainance I always liked playing with the compounds and working on the long armsbut all I can do with the Pheonix is look at it or shoot it.
The Pheonix with all the trimmings was still alot less $$ than my last compound and it sure shoots cheap. Welcome Bud....

RE: New Guy
 

Do I really need a scope or will the fiber optic sites do fine? I just can't imagine needing a scope for a 20-30 yard shot. But what do I know...

RE: New Guy
 

welcome to the forum. lots of great xbows out there. i went for the excal because you can do your own maintainence w/o needing a bow press. also, the trigger is top of the line. i have the exocet and i love it. as i said, there are many good bows on the market but, i have never heard anyone who regretted buying an excal. good luck. it's a great sport.:)

RE: New Guy
 

Fiber optic are fine,BUT..at 25 yards it covers up alot of your target area.thats why I just order a lumizone,hopefully it will be sharper,plus I can set 20-30-40 yrds with it....


ops

RE: New Guy
 

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.

RE: New Guy
 

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.

RE: New Guy
 

Hi, my name is Don and I am an Excal addict.:eek: 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.

RE: New Guy
 

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.

RE: New Guy
 

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?

RE: New Guy
 

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

RE: New Guy
 

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

RE: New Guy
 

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.

RE: New Guy
 

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

RE: New Guy
 

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.