New bow, whats it to be?

Liam · New bow, whats it to be?

I'm in the market for a new bow and have cut the choice down to 3 or 4 now (I think)

Merlin XV

BowTech 82nd Airbourne

BowTech 101st Airbourne

BowTech The General

I like the idea of sticking with Merlin and the fact that they are just down the road from me may swing it, but the BowTechs are drawing me in, didn't like the look of any BowTechs a year ago but they have grown on me. I have never used a BowTech as yet but do have plans to try them out before spending any cash.

Comments please boys and girls, I'd like to hear from anyone who has shot any of the above bows

Ratfighter

Before you buy, you have to ask yourself.... Why bowtech???

Then you have to ask yourself, what would go nicely with your Merlin Triad stabiliser?

Then you have to ask yourself why Bowtech?

Then you have to ask yourself, hmmm what pretty fancy colours these Xv's come in. And Wow what pretty SDM strings are on these XV's

Then you have to ask yourself, what was that question about Bowtechs?

Ratfighter

Joking aside,

The Bowtech is a popular choice, but not one that I would make again.

The XV is really a quality bow, the back up is on your doorstep and it is a shooter. The new colours are really good, I can't really think of a downside.

Also on offer and to balance the argument

Mathews, Martin and Hoyt also make bows

Thenew Martin range boast 350fps
The mathews is a consistent and popular choice and Hoyt make bows too.

We can chat off line if you like!

Jabberwocky

Personally I prefer Mathews bows, but then you may have guessed that already

But I know a few people using BowTechs and they love them. If it were me I would got for either the 82nd or more likely the 101st as I don't like look of the "General". And was not too keen on how it drew and felt to aim in the shop although I did not get chance to actually shoot it. But if my heart was set on several bows then I would go with an open mind and try them all before making any decision, and whatever you do don't make a decision in the shop but think about it overnight at least.

JimN

I don't shoot wheelie-bows, and know next to nothing about them, but if I did I would avoid BowTech like the plague just because of the names of their bows. There's a distinct mall ninja air about the whole thing. May as well just call the "Big mother-effin elephant killa"! I can see it now:

Bod 1: That's an interesting bow, what sort is it
Liam: Why, this is a 101st Airborne
Bod 1: Oh right, used by the US military then?
Liam: Errr, don't think so *skulks off*

Ratfighter

Alternatively
Bod1 what that bow
Liam The general
Bod1 That's what I call my manhood
Liam [skulks off]

Liam

Thanks for the comments thus far, the Merlin is a front runner because of the after service and assistance etc etc, not keen on Hoyt's heard too many bad things about them, doesnt make them a bad bow I know but not sure I'd feel 'happy' with a hoyt. As for Matthews I just dont like the look of them (sorry) I know cosmetics arn't everything but I've got to like the thing.

I will be activly seeking to try out as many choices as possible before I go and buy one, for now the above are the front runners, I will keep you posted on my progress and thoughts as it will be January before I actually hand over my hard earned £££'s

kathyg

oh my, steve b will be so disappointed you didn't include his commander. they look so trendy, and are a real hit around these parts, but it's your choice. my steve decided against it due to lack of support in this part of the state, then went and ordered something completely unavailable except by mail. honestly, you men...

Blackheart

Liam

I know what you mean about looks - personally I liked the look of the Archery Research bows - don't know how they shoot, though.

having said that, I would have to go for the one that is most comfortable to shoot, having bought a Reflex Grizzly without trying it. Lovely bow, but a 38" axle length and a 30" draw off fingers wasn't a good combination....

Steve B

Liam, I shoot the Commander and I can tell you that unlike the merlin it has NO hand shock, I feel the XV will be a great performer Like the XT was, but you need to shoot all the bows that you have picked , to decide which "fits" you best. My only comment would be that the limbs on the Merlin bows leave a bit to be desired. We have three at our club two Max 3000 and my XT... to date we have 7 broken sets of limbs...... 3 of those being from my XT, Sorry but I shoot Bowtech cause Merlin don't have their act together with Limbs and seem to conveniently forget about you if you are half way around the world.

I am I being harsh , to you guys you would probably think I am to the Aussies that have had problems with their limbs on the Merlin's we are all feeling the same. It took 5 months for one set of limbs to get here...sorry service like that is not good. (gets off soap box)

Liam, just make sure you shoot all bows on your list and don't you think the 82nd and the General are a little on the short side , maybe to small Axle to Axle ?

Liam

I'm gonna be an archery shop 'tart' over the next few weeks

geting out and and about to try as many as possible.

I too share your concern over the Merlins limbs, heard of far too many failures over the past 12 months, but I wont let that put me off the XV, I have the convinience of being 15 miles from their doorsteep so they wont forget about me

and they do offer the benifit of being my local practice ground so plenty of assistance available when setting the bow up for me.

I have decided on a buying a brand new bow so it will be set up perfectly for yours truly, I made compromises for my max3000 and feel this would have affected the overall performance, I love my max3000 but have never felt as though its 'mine'.

Steve, I've been bowled over by the appearence of the 82nd & 101st, you could be right, when I get my hands on the things they may be no good for me to shoot at all, I'll make sure I try a commander

And for you Matthews supporters out there I shall also give them a try

Berniethebolt

* sits quitely in the corner and agrees with everyone and yet says nothing*

segolden

(Agrees with Bernie, inaction leads to direct action; didn't know nice Irish girls read Lao Tzu, however.

)

Berniethebolt

eh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

segolden

Relax, Lao Tzu is a Chinese philosopher, not the author of the Kama Sutra. BTW Liam, you probably won't like the grips on the Mathews, so keep in mind a custom set if you decide on one. Nobody here uses stock grips unless modified.

Bushy

been playing with a couple fo the bowtechs over the last couple of days the genera 2008 and the 101st airbourne for speed the Airbourne is probably better but the general is very very very smooth unreal to shoot and dead easy to work with

Liam

Bushy, where did you play with the bowtechs??? Was gonna head over to Bowsports at sometime, was it more local than that ??

Bushy

Seen the General in KG and CBA the 101st Airbourne is one of my mates but might have issues getting it unde rhte 300fps his is running about 330fps the General is very nice though

kathyg

steve tried out the general some time back, found it extremely stable and easy to shoot. waiting period for a new one was eight months, and dealer support was scarce at that time, so he passed. beginning to wish he hadn't now, oh well.

AFB

I think you should go for a Flatbow Liam

kirk

Liam

Flatbow and Longbow were considered but postponed for now, it's time to get myself my 'own' brand new wheelie bow

kirk

Liam If was in the market for a new wheelie, i'd be havin one these.

http://www.barnsdalearchery.com/index.html

Steve B

Kirk, Barny makes some fantastic bows , but as far as unmarked yardages go they are a little on the slow side and I would not use one for at all for unmarked distances. Mind you for marked distances they ar e very very nice

kirk

I didn't say i'd shoot it Steve, i'd just hang it on the bow rack

But seriously they are smooth as silk and by no means slow, i had a Barnsdale nightfire about 20 years ago and it was a shooter.
With a set of Carbons and cranked up to 60# with a 55% let off YA CAN'T MISS

Liam

I've had my mits on a couple of BowTechs, the general and a commander and they were fantastic, your right Steve B, no kick whatsoever

, also tried a Hoyt....urgh no thanks not for me

So the BowTechs are looking good, got to get my hands on an XV now

especially in the lovely Lava

segolden

My, you do like the fancy look, don't you Liam? Be interested to see the neckties in your closet, must blast the ladies' eyes out.