Window Shopping

segolden · Window Shopping

Ever run across something that you were seeking for years, and the actual item suddenly is sitting there on the display in front of you, only to be completely out of reach after a long waste of time and money trying to find a substitute?

Drove 89 miles to Tucson yesterday, went into the PSE factory outlet store to hopefully find a few small things for us, walked out with zilch because the place is now way understocked with archery merchandise compared to the past. The biggest frustration for myself, however, was that I found the Browning Illusion compound (target model blue, with scope, long stabs and 50-lb. draw) sitting right there on a rack.

Almost cried after I got to try it out on the indoor range, as it had confirmed that this bow was everything I'd originally wanted, balanced perfectly, stable, quiet, no jumping around in hand at the shot, every arrow like a rocket off the drop-rest, and the grip feeling solid with no slippage. Much more confident than the Mathews I ended up with after giving up on finding this particular version of the Illusion. I almost felt sorry for the twenty-yard bull.

Not only did I NOT have the funds to buy it, but this version has now been discontinued by the factory in lieu of supposed "upgrades and improvements". !@#$%^&*!

I've since found one or two online, but the pension I'm due will have to come through soon, or I'm resigned to contemplating the what-ifs of life again.

GRRRRRRRR........!

http://www.archeryshop.com.au/p/98151/browning-illusion-target.html

segolden

Got a phone call yesterday from my shop, spent most of the afternoon messing about at the range in Sierra Vista because of it. Woke up this morning with ungodly pain, but the efforts were worth it.

The Vectrix XL I shot was the 45-60 lb. target version of the above bow, with Trophy Taker drop-rest, Sims stabilizer and SpotHog sight. Set at 50# with 27" draw, the little darlin' was just right for me though I would've preferred a scope. Axle-to-axle was 36", grips were burl side-panels, and the shot was more stable than the Browning Illusion I'd been wanting. Kathy wasn't too thrilled when I put a down-payment on it, but I wasn't about to let this baby go anywhere else. My pension starts next month, and I figure the "Black Dahlia" will sit nicely next to one of Fred's ELB's. "Sasha", my Quinn recurve, desperately needs company anyway.

Steve B

Way to go segolden , I have been told that the Vectrix XL is one of the smoothest shooting bows around..nice choice mate

Ratfighter

Looks a very nice bow indeed. You can't really go wrong with a Hoyt, so enjoy shooting and just ignore the bank statements for a few months and everything else will go away!!!

(top ratty tip)

segolden

Occasionally I do something right.

Heh, main thing I had to worry about was Kathy's reaction, but it's amazing what a little something for the lady of the house will do for the mood swings.

Unfortunately, ignoring the statements around here means competing with the dogs for their meals, and I detest fish food as a garnish, so I'll remain careful until I can bring "Dahlia" home.

The Vectrix's cams are VERY smooth, and the draw ends solidly with enough of a valley to make holding it there very easy. At my length and draw weight, it's certainly no speed demon even with light arrows, but it was stability that I was looking for. I haven't found any substitute for weight and length of riser, despite all the hype about hand-shock and speed, and the XL has the feel of a longer target bow. A stab and some other Sims dampers do help to balance the slight top-heaviness, and add a little needed heft since I dislike bow-quivers. They also help tame a tiny amount of buzz that is detectable with skinny grip side-panels.

segolden

Weird thing is the reaction of some people when they heard I am setting the XL up with a Whisker Biscuit rest and DAS SRF sight for shooting with a tab. The bow's just long enough for me to use fingers, decided to keep it as close to my Quinn recurve as I can so that my form doesn't change much. Guess I must be an odd duck, combining old stuff with new.

segolden

Well, little wonder I've been up since 0230, mad as all get-out. Had to go into the city yesterday, got back and found a message on the answering machine. Seems the particular lower poundage limbs I need are back-ordered for an indefinite time, far longer than I'm willing to wait. Going to get my deposit back today, try looking for something else. May have to check out those Monster Bows after all.

Steve B

segolden, funny how when you think you have something you want , something does you over. May I be so bold as to suggest you take a very close look at the Bowtech Commander at 37" AtoA and smooth as silk to shoot (the Vextrix XL and the Commander are very similar, but I would place the Commander ahead of the vectrix on smooth draw and hand shcok or lack of it) with fingers..........

I think you owe it to have a look at one myself

segolden

Wish I could've shot a Commander when I was up at their dealership, Steve, all they had were 70-pounders, couldn't back 'em off to a weight I could pull. I did try the Constitution, if that's any comparison, and it's probably just what I'm looking for, especially when the Commanders are back-ordered by two months or more. If I want the C, particularly in a color other than camo and lighter than 70#, it's more like three months and up. Demand is way outta hand right now, typical for any new gee-whiz bow. Even the Vectrix is running about six weeks behind in delivery, which is why I figured the limbs wouldn't be as much of a problem. So much for assumption! We'll just have to see.

Steve B

Bide your time mate and all will be fine and then you will be able to have a choice

and pick the best for you...thats my advice

Even though I bet you are like me...gotta have it now

segolden

Heh, pegged me right, didn't ya?

Gotta fight that instant-gratification stuff all the time, but I'll not blow a wad on something I haven't shot like the last time. Once I make up my mind, though, it's another thing altogether. "Is it done yet--huh-huh-is it ready yet--well, AREYOUFINISHEDYET!?"

Steve B

You been looking in my diary Steve

but I must say I am careful at looking and might take months...but as you say