What Crossbow???
 

I am completely new to this sport. I have read through a few threads and it sounds like good brands include Excalibur, Horton, and Tenpoint. If there are more feel free to list them. The problem I have is deciding which model from which brand is best.

What I'm looking for is a xbow that can take down deer or elk, has a high fps, extremely reliable, exceptional quality, and while not obviously the most important thing, it wouldn't hurt if it looked real bad ass.

So, if you could list some of the brands and MODELS that would fit the above I would appreciate it.

Price- No more that $800 done deal.


Thank you in advance

RE: What Crossbow???
 

i recommend the Excal vortex if interested in a recurve. never owned a compound style.

RE: What Crossbow???
 

Ditto.... I love my Vortex!!!

RE: What Crossbow???
 

reason i picked vortex over the equinox is its more user friendly and less string serving wear. for a recurve style you won't find a better CB. Don't own a compound style so can't tell which is a better model or brand

RE: What Crossbow???
 

Another Excal shooter here as well. The best thing that you can do for yourself is to shoot some and decide what "feels" right to you. I just got my dad back into archery after many years with an xbow and we took a trip to Cabelas. Turns out that he liked the Parker Terminator HP the best once he had a chance to shoot a few different brands. He also got an excellent deal from Wyvern. Well under your $800.00 requirement.

I can't say enough about Excalibers customer service. It is truly top notch and they will go out of their way to help you out if you have a problem. I had a stringer let go and I called their customer service rep in the US (Dan Miller) and I had a replacement in my hands in two days at no cost. You can't beat that kind of service.

Bob

RE: What Crossbow???
 

I own 9 or 10 Excals and I would have to say that the Vortex is the most efficient killing machine. It's the M16 of the crossbow world.

RE: What Crossbow???
 

-please excuse the ignorance but could one of you explain the difference between a compound and recurve. They all seem to look the same to me, at least the ones I have checked out.

-Back to the topic at hand, so excalibur sounds like the ferrari of the xbows. Then it comes down to model, which seems to be the vortex. Anything else????


thanks for the help.....

RE: What Crossbow???
 

compounds have wheels and cams. actually the Excals are more of the tuff work horse day in day out CB's. very easy to maintain.

RE: What Crossbow???
 

oh ok. With ferrari I meant quality.... Whats with the wheels and cams? What are the benefits or disadvantages? ....


Any other cb's I should look into? Way over my price but the phantom cls looks killer with similar stats, why so much more? That one looks to be a compound.


Thanks

RE: What Crossbow???
 

In my experience with Excals and Parker crossbows:

Recurve:
Ease of Maintenance. You can change and adjust your own string our own string.
You can also unstring the xbow at the end of the season relaxing the limbs if you don't shoot off
season
Recurves are wider
Generally require a higher poundage to get the same speed as a compound

Compound:
String and cable changes need to be done by the manufacturer or a bow shop on the right press.
Narrower than the recurve
Are more "efficient" than a recurve. IE: a lower poundage will generate higher arrow speeds.

There are others that I am sure tat can add to this but I will say what I said in my earlier post. The best thing that you can do for yourself is to go shoot some and decide what "feels" right to you.

Bob

RE: What Crossbow???
 

Good job HH of summarizing the recurve/compoumd.
I would only add that recurve can be let down with string cocker rather than having to shoot an arrow. I shoot both regularly: Vortex, Phoenix for recurves and Cyclone for compound. If it had to be just one for haunting deer it would likely be the Vortex. Cyclone if it included bear and elk. Got to admit that I'm very partial to the reflex sight topped Phoenix. Just came in form the woods less then an hour ago, carrying it is a breeze. Works just great as I keep my shot to less than 40 yards.
BTW. Did not see the buck I was hunting but did see a big Fisher. Cool animal. Black fluid silk.

RE: What Crossbow???
 

The Excalibur Equinox was the first one I've played with and I was flat out amazed at how awesome that machine is. There's something to be said of the durability of not having all the cables and wheels like a compound Xbow too...

RE: What Crossbow???
 

The difference between the vortex and equinox is the draw weight and fps correct? Is it worth the extra $?

thanks

RE: What Crossbow???
 

the diff is 25 lbs draw weight more for equinox shorter string and serving life. the power stroke is longer than the vortex. yes the equinox is faster.

RE: What Crossbow???
 

The difference in speed is not worth the hassle of cocking an Equinox. We're talking 25 lbs more pull weight but only 10-15 fps more speed. (Have owned both, settled on Vortex).

RE: What Crossbow???
 

For a first crossbow, I would recommend a 150 - 175 lb model without a self cocking mechanism. Compound bows are usually narrower as has been said and recurve are wider. Recurve does give you more bow tuning options.

IMO, Tenpoint is the deluxe brand with Excal just behind. I own a Tenpoint, but prefer Excal designs because they are all business. Tenpoint has some doodads which are maybe over the top for me as far as features go.

The key to accuracy performance is arrow building, so keep some money aside for fletching tools, arrow spinners and the like.

Also, my big secret: Carbon arrows offer no big advantage to me as a crossbow shooter and could potential blow up in my face. Until you make this decision for yourself, I would stick with aluminum 2216 shaft arrows.

So, I don't think I've fully spent your $800, so save the rest for lost arrows.

RE: What Crossbow???
 

They offer a big advantage, they don't bend and stay that way, making them useless. Been shooting them exclusively for several years, from five different bows, none have "blown up." They are easier to fletch too, IMO.

RE: What Crossbow???
 

X2 on carbons and Boris gave you good advice on the Exocet/Vortex over the Exomax/Equinox. I had an Emax and it was a brute. That 25 lbs makes it much more work to cock and the serving life is a lot shorter.

Fwiw, the only carbons I have much experience w/ are the GT L II's. Got about 3 doz of them and have only ruined one or two hitting trees ect.

I respect these other guys opinions, there's seldom just one answer.

RE: What Crossbow???
 

Thank you all for your help. It sounds like the overall best choice is the vortex. I will most likely pick one of those up.

Thanks again,

Justin

RE: What Crossbow???
 

Can't go wrong with a Excal!

RE: What Crossbow???
 

Buy an Excalibur. I recently visited the plant here in Ontario and they are first class all the way. The bows are simple, rugged and amazingly accurate.

RE: What Crossbow???
 

Some more good reading http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=2000519&mpage=1&key=&#200051 9
Good luck
Joe