Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

Due to a car accident a few years ago, I will be happily but naively entering the new world of cross bow hunting after 12 years of vertical bow hunting. I have my permit from WI DNR.

I spoke with my local and very trusted archery shop about my options. He carries Parker, Bowtech and Excalibur. He strongly advised me to look at the Excalibur Vortex. I see Cabelas has the Vortexas well- $549.99 for the bow and $799.99 for the kit.
I'm not concerned with the cost so much as the quality, functionality and reliability. As I mentioned, I trust my archery shop, but since they are more informed abot vertical bows, I thought I would ask the experts on this site.

So any and all information about this bow or if you have another suggestion, please let me know?
I really don't want to go much higher than $850 if I can help it.

I also apologize in advanced for the ignorance of all future questions.

Thanks much,
Soon to be formerly Mathews Conquest 2

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

2 things i enjoy are my Excal Vortex and my 10 point ProFusion...

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

I shoot both the Parker Terminator and the Vortex. Here's a simple rundown. Parker, compound, smaller, lighter, handles better, shoots great esp from stand or ground blind. Excal, bigger overall, harder to cock (50 lbs greater pull weight), recurve (simple to maintain, easy to restring). Accurate with the right bolts (mine likes 20'' Gold Tip Lazer IIs with 110 brass insert and 2" Blazers for vanes, shooting a 100 gr Slick Trick Mag BH. AWESOME ACCURACY and TERMINAL TERFORMANCE).
Both have great customer service. If I had to choose (glad I don't) it may well be the Excal.
Do try the trigger on the one you'll be buying. I brought the Exuinox home first but the trigger was harsh and to hard to cock. Taded back for Vortex. And try cocking it. At over 200 lb draw weight it can be a challenge to cock esp if you're short or your arm/back strength is compromised. Good luck.

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

You can not go wrong with Excaliber or 10 point. Excalliber has the lowest maintaince, 10 point has by far the best cocking system if you have to use a crank, or prefer to. I have both, I use the rope cocker with the exocet and the crank with the 10point. One of the good things about the crank is that you can cock it in a tree stand I need to be on the ground to use the rope cocker. Thereare other crank systems I have some of them, not to great compared to the Accudraw. Lee

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

I bought a Vortex earlier this year and I couldn't be more pleased. Simple to use and extremely accurate. If I were you, I would go to a local archery pro-shop and try to cock the Vortex with the rope cocker which reduces your effort by 50%.

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

Thanks guys.
A few more bits of info/ questions:
1) I will be hunting almost exclusively from a treestand with the exception of hunting out of a turkey blind. So how hard will it be for me to cock the Excalibur compared to a Parker or Ten Point? I have the strength and ability to cock a bow initially after getting into my stand. The problem is drawing or cocking a bow after sitting still for long periods of time in cold (Wisconsin) weather.

2) Should I buy just the xbow and add bolts, broadheads, sights, cocking device etc. later or should I buy the xbow with the kit?

3) What about red dots vs. scopes?

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

Lets see if I can help you with some of your questions.

.......... Are Excaliburs dependable, I am using the same crossbow I bought over 23 years ago. Still as accurate today as it was when I bought it. The only things I had to do with it is replace one bolt and I did that in the field.

#1 ..... I do not know about the other bows then Excalibur, but it is not that difficult to cock even after sitting in the cold for a while, but in case, use the rope cocker and for excample, a 200 pound bow only requires 100 lbs to cock it (reduced from 200, by half).

#2 ....... IF your short on funds and need to go that way, then just purchase the bare minimum and add the other stuff later when you can, but if you can afford it, I would recomend to get the starters package (right stuff package with Excalibur) mostly because most manufactures have the experiance with what is needed to start and they will choose good quality stuff with their packages (packages are not boarderline quality stuff).

#3 ....... I have a red dot on my shotgun and a scope on the crossbow (not the varizone or limizone, they were not made when mine was bought) and I would recomend the scopes over the red dots. The scopes have more sighting points and will still work with your battery happens to die on you. But honestly, look though both and choose what you like best.

Good luck.

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

I basically concur with GT. As far as cocking is concerned, you probably won't have many occasions to need to cock the crossbow for a second time. As I suggested earlier, go to your local pro-shop and try the rope cocker with the Vortex. That experience should answer your concerns about cocking. Also, Excal has a promotional CD for free that your pro-shop should have. Lots of good information on the CD.

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

GT has gave good info and others have to! Just shoot as many as you can before you buy and see what you think. Also you can go to the link I have at the bottom of this post and get a better price on the Excal. A lot of us guys on here have used them and they are great, some of the best net prices around. With all that said I also love my Vortex! It is a great CB to have and glad I have it!!

http://www.bowhunterssuperstore.com/index.php

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

I recently bourght an Excal Vortex from Bowhunters Superstore. It arrived within a week after my telephone order was submitted. I love the Vortex. Extremely accurate and reliable. The design is simple and free of all the cables and wheels of some CBs. I mounted the Excal LumiZone scope on it and it is a deadly combination. Within two weeks after receiving the CB I had taken two deer.

I highly recommend the Vortex. Have fun making a decision and shooting whatever you decide to buy.

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

I owned an excal exocet. Im a smaller guy, and found the exocet was a little bit to long overall wich through the balance off. I ended up selling it and went down to the excal vixen and it fits perfect. I suggest before you buy one, make sure you handle it a bit, shoulder it and if you can take a few shots with it to feel if its for you.

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

Thanks guys for all the information. You all saved me a lot of time and expense. I went to the website for the Bowhunters Superstore...one word AWESOME !!! Incredible prices !!! I willtest a lot of different xbows at the local archery shops and then make my final decision.

1) Will 3D archery targets hold up to xbow bolts ?

2) Does this package have everything I need?




EX6650
Excalibur 2007 Right Stuff Crossbow Acces. w/ Multi-Range Scope, Realtree AP .
Price



Excalibur 2007 Right Stuff Crossbow Acces. w/ Multi-Range Scope, Realtree AP .
Accessory packages are a must for the hunter who wants it all. The "Standard Package" comes with "Vari-Zone" Multi-Range scope. Scope Mount, Scope Rings, Quiver Bracket, Excalibur 4-Arrow "Realtree Hardwoods" Quiver, Deck Wax, Excel String, Rope Cocking Aid, Crossbow Stringer, 6-Arrows w/Vanes and 6-100 gr.Target Points and 6-100 gr. Broadheads.


1:$249.95

MC2

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

I have never shot into a 3-D target but many do with crossbows. In Ontario Canada, there are many 3-D coarses that allow crossbows on a daily basis. I believe that the misinformation of that crossbows destroy tragets was only put forth to try and stop crossbows, not out of accurate information.

The Right Stuff package does have everything that you might or will need to be able to go out hunting. Now with the varizone scope, it is the same scope as the lumizone, but it DOES NOT HAVE THE LIGHTED RETICALS, it has the normal reticals, lines and chevrons for markers. Both scopes are great for crossbows.

I always recomend people that are just starting, and getting an Excalibur to get the Right stuff package because it has quality needed stuff for the basic hunter or shooter. BUt I would personally get my stuff seperately because I have used crossbows for a very long time and know exactly what I want. Even today, I see knew things and want to adjust what I have, like the Lumizone to replace my regular scope (I would even like the varizone over what I have). I have also just picked up some TRACER KNOCKS for my arrows (but have not tested them out of the bow yet). You see, you will be able to adjust what you use or have after you get use to the bow and you get to know what you actually what, but the RIGHT STUFF package is a great starting point for a biginner.

IF you would prefur the Lumizone over the Varizone scope, then I would put in the time and get things seperately.

Good luck and enjoy.

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

Like mine but should of bought the right stuff pac w/scope not the one with out.

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

I'm not a fan of RS package for the following reasons:
1. get better performance out of slightly heavier arrows w/ more FOC
2. stock quiver mount under bow is always in the way
3. don't use dacron/excel strings
4. like Slick Tricks better than W.A.S.P's

That being my reasons, will say RS package will do all Excal claims it will. I've seen V-zones for $89 and L-zones for $119. BHSS has a store credit only policy on returns, btw.
it's a shame Danny Miller can't match Inet prices on xbows, but his prices on accessories are the cheapest anywhere, and his over the bow quiver mount is swell. If I'm not mistaken, he doesn't even carry the stock 357 gr Excal carbons. If you guys order just a bow and piece the rest together, don't forget a rope cocker and stringing aid! And for what it's worth, I bought my Phoenix from Danny, my Emax elsewhere, so I'm 50/50, lol.

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

I did buy a dozen Miller arrows extra and a puller.....

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

awshucks you just proved what I said above. You can tinker with your setup of arrows, but the factory arrows is more then accurate enough to be hitting one arrow inside another. I do not even put the quiver on the bow, I carry it in my pack. Strings and hunting heads are like talking about politics, everyone has has their own personal opinions and as long as your arrow/head is accurate, then there is no wrong choice.

MC2, I guess it will all depend on how deep you want to get into your bow (how much tinkering you want to do) before you purchase your bow and extras. IF you do not want to get too deep into it, with the Excalibur products, factory stuff will be more then enough to do the job. By the way, there are many people that just use off the shelf products with great results.

Good luck.

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

Well, here's a few more views from the cheap seats, lol. An Excal w/ FFF string and minimum weight arrows is a high strung [no pun intended] tempormental, vibrating, noisy, twangy critter. Excal advises heavier weight arrows for game other than white tail. Since I hunt hogs and bear, I wanted a little heavier weight carbon arrow. Enter Danny Miller and his version at 431 gr [loss of only 15 fps] This is basically the same arrow 10 pt advises which says alot to me. I also found some snot like stuff for 3-D targets that works great but will have to look at label to tell ya what it is, lol.

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

I will be buying the Vortex and the Right Stuff package,but will be upgrading the scope to a Limizonefor an add'l $20thanks to Bow Hunters SuperStore.

Thanks for all the information. I'm sureI will posting many more novice questions once I get into it.

I guess now I have to figure out the best way to sell my Mathews Conquest 2 and all the accessories.

MC2

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

You will be on the right path for sure. As you get in the grove you can play with stuff like arrows and tips and so on. The right stuff pack is good for a green guy and should help make things simple for you. When you get going keep us up to date on how you do and just ask, plenty of Excal guys in here helped me out and they have alot of good info if you ask.

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

I went to my local archery shop to shoot an Excalibur since I never shot a crossbow before. They didn't have the Vortex in stock so I shot the Exocet. It was a lot of fun and I'm already hooked. Unfortunately, my archery shop is $170 more than Bow Hunters Super Store on the Vortex with The Right Stuff Package/Lumizone upgrade.

Thanks again guys for all the information. If all goes well, I should have my new Vortex by the first week in January.

-MC2

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

Send it to me I will set it up for you:D:D:Dafter all Iam getting layed off friday so I will have some extra time to shoot it.........:D.But really you wont be sorry.....

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

Just received my new Vortex with the Right Stuff package (upgraded to the Lumizone). I watched the DVD and will be setting it up on Friday when I have have no distractions.

Thanks again for all the advice.

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

Congrats.You'll love it......Now you need to get a string from Dnk......and save the factory string for back up:D.

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

dont bust a gut stringing it for the 1st time it can be fustrating.;).........

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

Ranger,
Sorry, I'm a crossbow newbie so I need to ask. Do most archery stores, Cabelas or Gander MT carry the Dnk strings? What is the advantage of the Dnk string over the one that came with the bow?

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

I can answer that one for ya! Don, aka Dnk, aka "Boo" makes them by hand vs machine made. His servings easily last twice as long as factory, they come pre-stretched which means you spend less time trying to maintain your brace height, and almost everybody that gets them raves about them. There is a marked difference in fps in factory strings depending on matl like dacron, Excel, or FF, his have some amazingly close fps to each type material, hard to explain, but in nut shell, they are good stuff!!

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

Thanks. I understand the difference now. I don't mind spending $ for quality. Where can I buy one???

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

If you buy the Excal the the people in the bow shop will become strangers! If you want to cock any bow in a tree stand you needs cranking device. Excal makes a wonderful one called a crankeroo. Now it the extra couple of inches bother you then look to the Tenpoint. In my mind you consider the basic tools get the best there is. Tenpoint and Excal rule the Xbow world with some others not far behind. As far as warranty goes the best I have heard is Excal. They don't care who bought it or when it was bought. Generally if you screw up just confess. I won't guarrantee it but they most likely will warrant even dry-fired broken limbs. I have never heard a grumble over a broken Excal bow. I cannot speak for Tenpoint but knowing Randy, I cannot begin to imagine they are unfair.
Pick up all the bows and handle them. I own five Excals and soon it will be seven(or more if I can find a real Paradox) so I might be a bit biased.

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

Don, you must of had a stiff drink!! We are past the original post and your next potential customer, remi700 is talking about his new toy, the boy wants one of your strings!!

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

Uff-Da Don...:D

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

AS far as your question remi700 about the string, its the serving life and the quality that make Don's strings the best. His serving wear is the best, none dispute it and the strings are fine looking. The best part of the BOO string is I have something most don't. A hand made, by my specs of color and strands, by my friend. The few people that have seen my string like and and all say cool and admit they have never seen a CB string that looks as good. If you are into custom and unique, then BOO is the way to go!

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

Wow Jason, talk about a brain fart! LOL! Ladidadida! I think it's time to edit, durnnn you've quoted! You've learned well from our weasel!

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

Don't agree you need a crankaroo to cock xbow in tree stand. Get a good grip and do it!! [w/ rope cocker]

RE: Excalibur Vortex for brand new X bow hunter
 

Boo sent my string out on Friday. Thanks Boo !!! I'm sure I'll be asking a lot of questions in the near future as I begin shooting my new Vortex. I was blown away by the hunting scenes on the Excalibur DVD !!!! I'm in awe of the power !!!!!