What should I look for?

[giantdriver]

I am seriously considering getting (back) into archery. I shot a recurve many moons ago, and still have it, but have no bow string for it, or even know it's length.

I am more interested in a compound I think, and have done a little looking, but the prices are quite wide that one can pay.

What should I look for in purchasing a compound, and what features and accoutrements are nice to have and which are not worth the money?

Also, I will obviously need arrows, carbon? When I was shooting carbons either were not available, or way too pricey for me to think about buyng. I had wooden arrows and a few aluminum, all now gone. Tips in this area would be nice too.

[Hoyt2Hawken]

First Make sure you buy your bow at a bow shop or Cabelas, Bass Pro Shop or Scheels so they can service and help you with it if needed. So a Bow shop is the best but they may be a little more expensiveI would shoot all the bows available in the price range you want to spend on a bow. See which one is the most comfortable and shoots the best groups it does not matter where they group but that they group the best for you.

You will need the following: And they are all personal choices but I will give you mine so you can have some where to start.


Arrows go carbon they last longer and will not bend and they are much cheaper now just shop around you almost can't go wrong as long as you stay with the main brands like easton, gold tip, carbon express etc. (ICS Hunters My pick)

Arrow rest I like a drop down rest but they are more expensive. It will depend upon fingers or release

Release again I would use all with in your price range and see which one you like best. (My pick true fire Hurricane)

Sight I would take all the ones in your price range and take them in a ground blind and see which one is the brightest. (My pick Impact archery NI-163)

Stablizer If you have the time try several and see which ones give you the best groups. (My favorite is the ones from Sims Limb Savers the S-Coil with the Enhancer)

Silencers for string and limbs some bows come with them but any thing from Sims is my favorite

Quiver Look for two rubber arrow fastners one top and bottom to secure the arrows and you can adjust where your braodheads go into the top of the quiver and they will not fall out. I use the quicky quiver and it is very versatile

Wrist strap just get the one you like mine is a rope type and works great

bow case I got a plastic one as it protects the bow and you can carry everything in it so you don't forget your release or arrows or other stuff.

Call me and I will go further into detail if you want and will help you get started.

Hope this helps

[Flipper 50]

Let me know if you are up to speed yet on buying a bow. Good info was posted, however I may be able to shed some more light in the area........
If you haven't purchased arrows yet, absolutely go with carbon. They are massed produced now, certainly cheaper than in the past, however the prices are now up with the two wars going on.
Please consider bow length as a factor when buying, long bows are much more forgiving!
Flipper 50