Guys I am about to purchase a crossbow, and would like to get some ideas on what I should buy. I have hunted with a Vertical bow for 15 years, and I am just wanting to try something new. I am lookingto spend somewhere in the $800 range (Hopefully this will fully equip a bow). I have a friend that has an Excal Vortex that I recently shot and it was SWEET! Just wanted to ask the experts for any recommendations.

Thanks in advance,
Kevin

You can get quite a few diferant bows in the $800.00 or less range complete and ready to go. The entire Parker line, Pretty much the whole Excal line, several TenPoints, and just about all of theHortons. From there, Barnett if you so choose ( I will recomend you look into those before you decide, thye changed their warranty and people have mixed opinions on them) It all depends on what fits you best and what you are most comfortable with. If you can go someplace to try several diferant kinds that is the best way to see what fits you. Buying strictly on a recomendation that "Brand X is the one to buy" is not a good idea as one bow does not fit everyone. try a bunch, check out the posts here, and then decide. There are a number of dealers (like myself) on here and around the country that you can purchase a bow from. I have a few deals available once you decide on what you like, but shop around...
Wyvern

Excalibur 2007 Phoenix Crossbow Package $524.95 from www.bowhunterssuperstore.com

I love my set up.

Welcome to the forum kybosstom!
Two major cross-roads you have to deal with is how much will you shoot and do you want a compound or recurve?

The top cos. Excal, Parker,Ten Point all make great bows. A lot depends on how you will be useing it. If tree stands are part of your realm, a compound may be a bit handier. For flat out ease of maintenance, simplicity and accuracy the recurve fits that bill. Lots of changes in bows this year. The new Parker Cyclone weights only 6.5 lbs and is quite a bit narower due to inverted cams. If you're a 'just pick it up and go hunting' type of person, then the Ecals., like Phoenix or Vortex, will do nicely. If you're a speed guy, there is always the Stryker....but at about twice your proposed budget. Best advice I can give you is to try shooting as many as you can. Fit and trigger pull are all important. So is customer support and the top cps do that. Excal is famous for their no-questions-asked customer suupport.

If you live in the US and you buy an Excaliber you get Dan Miller thrown in for free YYYEEEAAA!

And an absolute treat to talk to!! This guy has forgot more about xbows than most of us will live long enough to learn about, lol.

X 2....Also take a look at what type(woods,open country,stalking/still)hunting you will be doing,this could also sway your opinion on what style crossbow to buy,recurvers are wider then compoundsso that might help you decide,I bought both a Vortex anda 10point Pro Fusion and like em both,also take a look at how far away your shop is I only say this because a recurve is easy to changea string on in the woods where as a compound you would need to take it to a shop that can handle the compound in there press...
Good Luck..

if my horton would have way of relaxing the limbs and remove string at home,i would say it would be a very nice all around bow.
it does feel and shoot great and would most likely handle good in treestand which i have not tried.

but you cant do that and i dont like that.

bass pro shop is letting you shoot many types of bows now,thats what i would do but i would go by recommendations above as they all know their stuff on crossbows...