advice on 1st compound bow

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BTS
Junior Poster

Posts: 74
No Commercial Interest
Location: Nottingham England

Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 7:33 pm Post subject: advice on 1st compound bow

If i were to buy a compound for the 1st time, would i be better buying from a dealer or private sale? I have done some reading up on the internet, compound choice doesnt look straightforward, to me Internet wisdom advises a beginner to get measured/fixed up at a reputable dealer. If there were a nearly new bow which seems to fit the bill from what i have read, private sale, at half the price of new, should i buy it? The internet advice comes from Merlin. Advises that getting bow set to correct draw length is important, as is axle centre to centre, bracing height, cam/wheel type, amount of let-off! It seems a bit of a mine field..................................... HELP!............................... _________________ BAZZ

Club: Burton Joyce Archers & Black Arrow FAC
Bow: OK Match + Merlin TM5 Comp..
Sight: K Sight + Toxonics 1400
Arrows: X7's & AFC Exacta+ Easton 3-28/500 A/C/C's
Accesories: all sorts

old KG1 in cupboard bottom!

vince
Cub Poster

Posts: 48
No Commercial Interest

Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 8:38 pm Post subject:

i bought my hoyt from ebay, it was the right draw length, almost, because i was measured by a shop, i knew the bow was a good model coz i read about it on the web, then i went to the club i joined and said 'help' a few hours of patience from the guys and it was sorted, i didnt have the money for a new bow, but the one i bought, complete with everything is still winning club rounds with me after 8 months of shooting, so i think if you know what your after a second hand one wont matter. but get the right draw length etc, its expensive to change!!

Club: havnt & hayling bowmen
Bow: merlin shadow, wanting a hoyt/mathews
Sight: looking for one please
Arrows: long i expect
Accesories: quiver, armguard, release aid

thefox
Cub Poster

Posts: 1
No Commercial Interest
Location: Norfolk

Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 9:45 am Post subject:

But then on the other hand.....I've seen a bow that came from Ebay with a twist in the riser, this made the bow totally useless and it was from a reputable seller. The one thing I always buy new is my bow.

Club: Ely Archers
Bow: Bowtech Guardian
Sight: Excel sight / triad
Arrows:
Accesories: A/C/Es

Liam
Admin

UK East Mids Area Rep (NFAS)

Posts: 6448
Archery Website Publisher
Location: AR HQ

Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 12:53 pm Post subject:

If you can afford it buy new, failing that get a second hand one from a dealer, Merlin for instance will not knowingly sell you a duff pre owned bow as I'm sure most other dealers wouldn't. If you know what your after and you know your set up requirements then take a chance on fleabay, yes there is a risk but its not all bad on the internet auction _________________ Why not?

Club: Long Eaton Field Archers
Bow: Karel Osage Orange Hungarian Reflex Bow 50lb @ 28"
Sight: Not Brilliant
Arrows: Sitka Spruce 11/32's @ 31"
Accesories: 2 Funny gloves with not enough fingers on them

vince
Cub Poster

Posts: 48
No Commercial Interest

Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 7:47 pm Post subject:

did yours sell on ebay liam?!?!? it also helps if you know the seller i spose!?!?!??!

Club: havnt & hayling bowmen
Bow: merlin shadow, wanting a hoyt/mathews
Sight: looking for one please
Arrows: long i expect
Accesories: quiver, armguard, release aid

BTS
Junior Poster

Posts: 74
No Commercial Interest
Location: Nottingham England

Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 11:12 pm Post subject:

Spoke to Chris @ Merlin, he measured me up without any obligations. I am going there later this week to shoot one of his bows set up to suit me. Dunno if i will buy it , where i would shoot it or anything, as yet. Thanks for your help, folks, i will let you know the outcome. _________________ BAZZ

Steve B
Admin

The Original Archers Rest Webmaster & Co-Admin
Australasia Area Rep (ABA - IFAA)
Posts: 4038
No Commercial Interest
Location: Victoria, Australia

Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 11:19 am Post subject:

Look forward to hearing the outcome, the folk at Merlin are friendly and know their stuff

Club: Phoenix Field Archers of Sale. Victoria , Australia
Bow: Bowtech Commander
Sight: Copper John Ants
Arrows: Gold Tip Pro's
Accesories: Carter Just-B-Cuz

Liam
Admin

UK East Mids Area Rep (NFAS)

Posts: 6448
Archery Website Publisher
Location: AR HQ

Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 8:41 am Post subject:

vince wrote:

did yours sell on ebay liam?!?!?

it also helps if you know the seller i spose!?!?!??!

Yes mine went on ebay

As Steve says BTS, let us know how you get on

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BTS
Junior Poster

Posts: 74
No Commercial Interest
Location: Nottingham England

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 8:07 pm Post subject:

Went to Merlin, Chris on his own holding the Fort with his wife. Son away shooting, other staff member off playing in a darts tournament somewhere. His shop manager has left the business, not having the decency to work his notice He had set up a bow as promised, to my draw length. He fitted the peep site, nocking points & D loop as i waited, poor bloke didnt even have time to eat his lunch properly Shot the bow indoors at a boss a few yds away, he adjusted the nocking point (had me shooting through a sheet of paper) & gave me advice on how to draw the bow correctly with a release aid ( i had my finger on the index finger trigger & he quickly put me right on that). Its certainly different to recurve! He trusted me enough to let me go outdoors & try at short range, while he tried to cope with customers in the shop. Found it ok, got a group of 4 arrows within a 3" circle at 20yds, twitched the 5th one, somehow. Being used to pulling an arrow @ 42lbs through a clicker, i was tugging at the compound at full draw, which he corrected me on. I have bought the bow, no hesitation Bought a 69" string to try out my ageing KG1 with, while i was there. Now i need to find a club to shoot with & to join the relevant body(s) eg.. GNAS & NFAS, not sure whether i will stick with target or venture into field, or both? I have 'feelers out' in both directions. _________________ BAZZ

kirk
Moderator

Owlethall Bowmen Moderator

Posts: 954
No Commercial Interest
Location: Lancashire

Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 6:27 pm Post subject:

Hey try this link all you need to know and more. From the basics to the scientific . http://www.huntersfriend.com/bowselection.htm Hope it helps. _________________ JUST SHOOT IT Owlethall Bowmen Secretary

Club: Owlethall Bowmen
Bow: Mathews Conqest 3...Hoyt GameMaster Hybrid...Kota TD AFB
Sight: Apex five pin
Arrows: Easton Maxum...SS XX78 2213 - Gamegetter 1816 - redline carbons
Accesories: sims products

BTS
Junior Poster

Posts: 74
No Commercial Interest
Location: Nottingham England

Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 7:02 pm Post subject:

Yes, thanks for that, Kirk. I have bought the bow now but the advice on there may still help. _________________ BAZZ

Liam
Admin

UK East Mids Area Rep (NFAS)

Posts: 6448
Archery Website Publisher
Location: AR HQ

Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 8:17 am Post subject:

Great stuff Bazz, which bow did you get? _________________ Why not?

Ratfighter
Global Moderator

Posts: 721
Staff Shooter
Location: the Ratcave

Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 8:41 am Post subject:

Glad Chris sorted you out. Ben was away doing the Fita business with me and Ruthy, The shop manager was Stu369 who left Friday to take up a short notice job offer. In the end I realise that Stu left them in the cart but in the long term it is probably best for both concerns. As far as clubs etc, Merlin is affiliated to NFAS, GNAS and EFAA and as you will know the facilities are excellent and we have the best club shirts in the business _________________ MERLIN ARCHERY CLUB GETTING RATTIER BY THE MINUTE

Club: Merlin Archery Club
Bow: Merlin XS x2
Sight: Axcel 3000 Viper Scope
Arrows: Navigators & Gold Tip Ultralight Pro's
Accesories: Apollo launcher, CC Porter release, Merlin Triad stabiliser

Bows now sporting my own strings!!!! yummy!!

BTS
Junior Poster

Posts: 74
No Commercial Interest
Location: Nottingham England

Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 8:17 pm Post subject:

Liam wrote:

Great stuff Bazz, which bow did you get?

I bought a TM5.

29" draw length, about 50lbs peak weight set. I liked the XT but he advised the TM5 would make a better starter bow. He has offered to give me a good part exchange in 6-12 months time against an XT if i take to compound & like it. He is good to deal with & straightforward

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BAZZ

Liam
Admin

UK East Mids Area Rep (NFAS)

Posts: 6448
Archery Website Publisher
Location: AR HQ

Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 8:47 pm Post subject:

BTS wrote:

He is good to deal with & straightforward

You won't find many who disagree with that statement.

I'm sure you'll love it Bazz

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