What is Better
04-09-2007 | 07:46 AM
#3
Typical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 868
Likes: 0
From: USA
RE: What is Better
TT, that was a wonderfully thought out and intellegent answer to the question......thanks.
The Bruin and Nova sit in and around the same price point however the Nova is a complete package (sight, rest, quiver). What this generally means is that they are using a less expensive bow and making up the difference with accessories.
Strip both bows down and compare them side by side, the Bruin is a better bow, however you will ultimately end up putting more money into a Bruin to get it to "shootable" condition as you will have to buy a sight and rest (at a minimum).
Both of these bows are essentially entry level bows and are not amazing in fit, finish or performance. Will they kill deer, you bet! Just as dead as with a bow 3X the cost.
Another option to consider would be to look at a used higher end bow. Bows are notorious for loosing their value quickly. You can pick up a big name brand, upper end bow that is a couple of years old for around the same price as either of the bows you mentioned above.
The Bruin and Nova sit in and around the same price point however the Nova is a complete package (sight, rest, quiver). What this generally means is that they are using a less expensive bow and making up the difference with accessories.
Strip both bows down and compare them side by side, the Bruin is a better bow, however you will ultimately end up putting more money into a Bruin to get it to "shootable" condition as you will have to buy a sight and rest (at a minimum).
Both of these bows are essentially entry level bows and are not amazing in fit, finish or performance. Will they kill deer, you bet! Just as dead as with a bow 3X the cost.
Another option to consider would be to look at a used higher end bow. Bows are notorious for loosing their value quickly. You can pick up a big name brand, upper end bow that is a couple of years old for around the same price as either of the bows you mentioned above.
04-09-2007 | 09:14 AM
#4
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,175
Likes: 0
RE: What is Better
Just in case you decide to look at used bows, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Compounds are notorious for losing their value quickly, as 98redline said. The reason is they are often heavily abused and flat worn out. Did the guy you got it from only use it a month or two every year or did he shoot the living sap out of it in hardcore 3D competition? Did the owner do his own work on the bow or always take it to a shop? If he did his own work, was he a competent bow mechanic? Unless you personally know the guy, you don't know and you have no idea what that bow has been through or how well it's been maintained.
The very first thing a prudent buyer should do when getting a used bow is get it to the pro shop and have the string and cables replaced, and get the cams and axles checked to make sure they're not bent. It needs to be checked to see if the riser is bent or twisted. It must be gone over with a fine toothed comb, looking for anything wrong. Sometimes the cost of fixing up a used bow is more than the bow was worth when it was new.
You can often get a great deal. You can also take one heckuva beating.
As to the Bruin or Nova, I agree that the Bruin is a bit higher up the quality scale but there's nothing wrong with the Nova either, if you want to keep the cost down. You can shop around and get both in package deals. A Nova with the upgraded accessory package is better to have than a Bruin with the el cheapo package, for sure.
I've never been too fond of accessory packages though. I'd buy the bare bow and put together my own accessories. Doing that, I'd go with the Bruin.
Compounds are notorious for losing their value quickly, as 98redline said. The reason is they are often heavily abused and flat worn out. Did the guy you got it from only use it a month or two every year or did he shoot the living sap out of it in hardcore 3D competition? Did the owner do his own work on the bow or always take it to a shop? If he did his own work, was he a competent bow mechanic? Unless you personally know the guy, you don't know and you have no idea what that bow has been through or how well it's been maintained.
The very first thing a prudent buyer should do when getting a used bow is get it to the pro shop and have the string and cables replaced, and get the cams and axles checked to make sure they're not bent. It needs to be checked to see if the riser is bent or twisted. It must be gone over with a fine toothed comb, looking for anything wrong. Sometimes the cost of fixing up a used bow is more than the bow was worth when it was new.
You can often get a great deal. You can also take one heckuva beating.
As to the Bruin or Nova, I agree that the Bruin is a bit higher up the quality scale but there's nothing wrong with the Nova either, if you want to keep the cost down. You can shop around and get both in package deals. A Nova with the upgraded accessory package is better to have than a Bruin with the el cheapo package, for sure.
I've never been too fond of accessory packages though. I'd buy the bare bow and put together my own accessories. Doing that, I'd go with the Bruin.
04-09-2007 | 07:39 PM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
RE: What is Better
It all depends if the Nova comes with the accessories or not. I've seen them a lot of times just bare bow, so the Nova doesnt always have them. But if it does, your better off with the Nova. I remember about 5 years ago they said the PSE Nova was the #1 selling bow in the U.S. It is a very nice bow. Both are actually. You will get a very good value out of the bow because your not paying for fancy attention getters like how many FPS it shoots or how many frickin vibration module things it has on it. The Nova or Bruin will both shoot a deer JUST as good as a Bowtech or Mathews or anything in that million dollar range.
