opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

Hi All

im looking for opinons on a PSE Rattler Crossbow as a starter crossbow, i really want the excalibur Phoenix but i cant afford to splash out $600 at the moment, only $300 on something like the PSE Rattler.

Please can someone let me know what they think.

Cheeers

Ian

RE: opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

Hi , if you really want an Excalibur, then get one , if you only have $300 to spend right now then save that and add to it , you should keep a look out for guys selling a Phoenix they come up all the time , from guys wanting to buy newer faster Excaliburs, the Phoenix is a very good choice and often priced very reasonable , just put the word out on this forum and on the Excalibur forum you should find a Phoenix fairly quick for a good price , i have seen lots go for around $350 to $400 quite often. I will keepan eyeout for one for you. Dave.

RE: opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

Save the extra money for the Excal, or just be a little more persistant in looking for the Phoenix, IMO Excal is the way to go. You won't be sorry.

RE: opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

Save a few bucks more and you can get a Phoenix

Look at this: :)

http://cgi.ebay.com/CROSSBOW-EXCALIBUR-PHOENIX-NEW-2008-175-LB_W0QQitemZ320228180736QQihZ011QQcategoryZ33972QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

RE: opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

That is an awsome price , & only $14.00 in the US , Dont know where Ian lives but thats a sweet deal.

RE: opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

The PSE's aren't bad but the Phoenix advice is good. here's another, may be gone by now, but a good place to keep an eye out: http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/php...ic.php?t=21216

RE: opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

Not saying I know anything about PSE crossbows, but my local pro-shop owner (who is an authorized PSE dealer) and I have had a conversation about them. He's been in business for many years and knows a lot aboutcompound bows and crossbows. I've always trusted his advice, and I've never had any problems with the results. I've found he will be truthful, and pretty well tells it like it is even if it means not making a sale! I didn't ask for details, but his advice on PSE crossbows was to avoid them! His only explanation - too many quality (safety) issues. He will not sell a PSE crossbow -but offers Excalibur, TenPoint, Horton, Barnett, and probably a few more (I've never asked).
Not my advice, but the source know his bows, so take it or leave it - your choice. ;)
For a less expensive choice, why not the Excalibur Vixen? Not a fancy finish, no "bells & whistles", but one superbly accurate and dependable crossbow with a warranty that can't be beat!
I own & shoot a PSE recurve and a PSE compound I bought from him, but my crossbow is an Excalibur. ;)

RE: opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

I have had this kind of bow for almost 4 years and have yet to have any problems with them. I have shot it and compared it to a few different excalibers and mine shoots just as accuratley. I have killed deer with mine with no problems.

RE: opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

I have never tried a PSE crossbow but I think its odd that they come with a pair of safety glasses, does any other crossbow come with them.


[ul][*][align=center]Limbs: Compression molded glass [/align][*][align=center]Stock: Anodized machined aluminum [/align][*][align=center]Color: Camo [/align][*][align=center]Physical Weight: 7.8 lbs. [/align][*][align=center]Overall Length: 36" [/align][*][align=center]Overall Width: 28" [/align][*][align=center]Recommended Bolt: 17" (2216) [/align][/ul][ul][*][align=center]165 lb. draw weight [/align][*][align=center]Fully coated foot stirrup [/align][*][align=center]Film dipped camo finish [/align][*][align=center]Synthetic cable and string harness [/align][*][align=center]Adjustable fore-end [/align][*][align=center]Thumbhole grip [/align][*][align=center]7/8" slotted metal scope rail [/align][*][align=center]Automatic safety engages when cocked [/align][/ul][ul][*][align=center]3-Dot Red Dot scope [/align][*][align=center]6-arrow Quick Detach quiver [/align][*][align=center]Black padded sling [/align][*][align=center]4 crossbow bolts with 100 gr points [/align][*][align=center]Safety glasses [/align][/ul]



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Martin

RE: opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

no, no one else includes safety glasses, but I personaly would have worded it as "shooting glasses". I am sure this was not their intent, but my first thought was "how bad is this thing that it requires safety glasses??" Purely from a marketing standpoint, I think "shooting glasses" would have been a better thought...

Wyvern

RE: opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

Save another250-300 and get yourself a 10Point TL7 With Acudraw for $519.00

RE: opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

A quick note...$519.00 is the bow with scope and accessories, but no draw assist. The Accudraw 50 model would be $619.00 and the full Accudraw would be $719.00 :)
Wyvern

RE: opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

Check oute bay for used and new phoenix. I purchased a NIB phoenix for 305.00 plus 20.00 s/h (in early jan.). I have seen them go for more money and i have seen used ones go for less. Last month a NIB phoenix was never sold and its asking price was 300.00. If you are interested in a vixen they have a NIB vixen for 259.00 plus 20.00 s/h and its a buy it now price on e bay.

RE: opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

I bought a PSE Rattler in the fall of 07 since I tore a tendon in my right arm and the doc didn't want me pulling my compound back. I bought it mainly because of the price but once I received it, I knew I got my moneys worth with it. It's respectably fast and very accurrate- even out to 50 yards! It's also built very well and the quality is excellent. I wasn't all that impressed with the three dot scope but it absolutely served the purpose and I filled the freezer with it with a couple of Whitetails. My dad will be needing a new crossbow for this season and I'm considering buying another one just like it. I let him shoot it a few times and he fell in love with it. It's a very tough package to beat for the money.
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RE: opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

my bad your right lol.

RE: opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

Every crossbow manufacturere has their dedicated owners, who will support them to no end! I personally DO NOT like nor will I buy a crossbow that is made off shore. [:@] Nor a crossbow that is warrantied for less than lifetime![:@] That limitsthe choice to about four companies and they happen to be the best of the best! Ten Point, Excalibur, Parker and Bow Tech!! :)

RE: opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

DaGriz,

I appreciate your patriotism and pride myself in also supporting the American nameplates whenever I can. All of the brands you list above are as good as it gets but some of them are downright ridiculously expensive. Some of the Ten Point bows are approaching 2K. The Rattler doesn't require a kings ransom to buy, shoots very well and is well built and will make game animals just as dead as the $2000 Ten Point crossbow will. It's a bargain for the $272 that I spent on it. I've shot Jennings and Horton crossbows and the Rattler would out shoot any of the ones that I've shot. I also wouldn't consider myself a dedicated PSE owner because it is the first PSE that I've owned. I shoot Jennings compounds and have for about 20 years now. Ianrose asked a question and I'm giving him an honest field evaluation of the crossbow. Just telling it like it is, no fluff, nothing preconceived, just the plain old truth. BTW, I forgot to mention that the bolts that come with it are crap and will bend if you look at them wrong. Get some XX75 2216's or some carbons and you'll be much happier (they're 17" long).
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RE: opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

dd95966
Yup, The four manufacturers I listed do have high priced bows. They ALSO have very economically priced bows, as well as top of the line bows. Like you I expressed my opinion and thoughts. I believe that EVERYONE should buy AMERICAN made as much as possible.
I also believe that you get what you pay for. Buy cheap, you get cheap.

You gave him your evaluation of the Rattler which is great. He also needs to know what alternatives are available. The preconceived idea that the big four manufacturers bows are all "ridiciously expensive" is far removed from the truth! ;)

RE: opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

DaGriz,

You are equating inexpensive with cheap and in this instance, that couldn't be further from the truth. I guarantee it will whack as many deer as the more expensive brands.

dd
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RE: opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

"Whacking" deer is not a major concern Most any crossbow that you can buy is capable of "whacking" a deer. Reliability, consistency, dependability, customer service, warranty, longivity, durability etc, etc are the key issues.

RE: opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

Last time I checked, PSE was a manufacturer of premium archery equipment. They've been around since 79. Can you say the same for Ten Point, Excalibur, Parker and Bow Tech? I don't think so. I have no worries about them standing behind a product that has their name on it.
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RE: opinions on PSE Rattler Crossbow as a 1st Crossbow
 

I wouldnt be afraid to buy a rattler...

where its made doesnt matter much to me, its almost impossible to find anything thats actually "made in the USA" anymore... alot of things are assembled here and regaurded as "made in the USA" but the parts are made overseas regaudless, its just about impossible to find anything thats actually made in the USA anymore, or at least have a good share of its componants forein made


what matters more to me is the feed back that a product gets from peole that actually own and use it and although there isnt much feedback on the rattler just about every honest report I see gives it a good review, that says alot more to me than how much it costs or where its made...

I have an Exomax by Excalibur. Last year I shot a bear and, while I was bringing my buddies back to help me retrieve it, I rolled my truck. I was terrified that my bow would be destroyed but, a year later, it is still performing like new. I didn't even have to adjust the scope.

They will have to pry this bow out of my cold, dead hands.

Save your money until you can afford the Excalibur!

For the long run
 

Ive owned an Excalibur for 20+ years all I've ever done is change strings.

Things to consider over next 20 years if your thinking of owning a compound x-bow. .
-How many sets of cables/wheels would you go through? Every 2-3 years it's recommended to change . . . that's 7-10 sets!
-How much would that cost?. .There's your extra money for an Excalibur.
-Will the strings/wheels/cables still be readily available for your x-bow in 20 years? . .Lot of posts around where owner is looking to find cables for an older bow.
-Will your bow still have a warranty in 20 years? Excalibur's do.

The only excuse/reason I could come up with for buying the new Exocet last fall . . . my son is getting old enough to hunt.

I agree with the listed rules. but i think Crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 75 pounds and a minimum stock length of 25 inches usage especially for the women crossbows There should be more-liberal regulations regarding bows.

Boo hoo, if you can't cock it you shouldn't be hunting with it. The poundage requirements are to assure that the bow is strong enough, not for making sure weaklings can cock the bow. Liberal rules are not rules, they are aqueaciences.

It seems too much

Hi, if you want an Excalibur, get one, if you can only have $300 to ’ve spent right now, save it and add to it, you should keep an eye out for guys selling a Phoenix, they come up every single time, from guys wanting to purchase newer faster Excaliburs, the Phoenix is a very good choice and often priced very reasonably, just put the word out on this forum and on the Excalibur forum, and you should find a Phoenix fairly quickly for a good price, I I'll keep my eyes peeled for one for you. Dave.