Compound Advice

[recrudesce]

I posted this over in the Introductions forum, and I was recommended to post it here as well. I apologise for the copy and paste job

I've recently completed a beginners course with my local archery club, and have now been bitten by the bug. I've been wanting to learn archery for a long time, and was disappointed that my school never actually ran any outdoor events that included it. So I decided to go my own way and get myself signed up for a course.

Now I've completed the course, I'm now looking at getting my own stuff. Being an IT person, I'm into technology and such, so I've decided I want to get into using a compound bow and all the fittings. I do, however, have issues with regards to the choice of equipment. I've done a lot of research on the Internet, and am able to understand basic stuff, but I still have questions. Forgive me if I'm using incorrect terminology here.

I'm not that strong, and have been using a 28lb draw weight at 28" draw length - hence me looking at compound with 50%+ let off. From what I can understand, I have the following choices.

- Get peak poundage as 30lb, with a 50% let off, which means I'm holding back 15lbs at full draw.
- Get a peak poundage of about 50lbs with a 65% let off, which means I'm holding back 17lbs at full draw.
- Have 30lbs at full draw, at a 50% let off, which means having a ~70lbs peak poundage bow.

Which one would you recommend - bearing in mind that I will obviously get stronger, and be able to handle a higher draw weight at full draw.

Now, looking at equipment, I understand that I need an arm guard, a finger tab, a quiver, arrows, the actual bow, and a front stabaliser.
The guard, tab and quiver is much of a muchness it seems, so the advice is relating to the other items.

I've been reading about parallel limbs, which is going to be a better solution for me as a person due to the inefficiency of my arm muscles right now. The least amount of recoil there is the better. I was looking at the Bowtech Guardian or Commander, as the binary cam system intrigues me some-what, but I have no aversion to going to twin cams. I like the look of the more "rectangular" bows, rather than ones that are compound, but look like recurve.

I've been shooting aluminium arrows up until now, and I dont know what kind of advantage carbon arrows will give me, if anything.

I have decided I want a drop away arrow rest - i was looking at the Hog Spott one (i think that's what the company was called). Sight will definately be needed, so recommendations are greatly welcomed. As is with regards to stabalisers.

Plus, of course, anything else I've missed out. As I said, I'm new to all this, so I look to people like yourselves who have the experience.

[not dead yet]

so many questions , so many answers.

please do not take the multitude of advice on what to buy, that your no doubtedly about to get over the next 24 hrs.

please go to a retailer, preferably with a club member and survey your options.
you may decide on a second hand bow to start. etc

you dont say how old or what issues you have with your arm.

all the best
pete

[recrudesce]

hey,
i'm 25, and tall and weedy :P it's more of a case of not actually bothering to exercise so dont really have strong arm muscles.

i think i'm going to take some time to go to the local Quicks store, and see what they advise.

[Jerry Tee]

A few more answers are required before recomendations are made.First you need to decide if you are going to shoot limited compound or unlimited compound. (That will affect the choice of bow considerablely). Limited compound means that you don't use a release aid and magnifying scope on the bow sight.( personally I would not recomend limited compound unless you are really commited to shooting off fingers) Next you need to decide what you want to spend. Sights, Stabs, arrow rests, release aids and arrows can add a lot of expenditure.
As you are thinking of a peak draw weight of less than the 60lb limit and that most bows come in ten pound weight bands. You need to find out what you can draw and what type of cam suits you best. For this there is no substitute, you need to draw different bows of different weights and make sure that you can let the bow down safely after you draw it, not every draw ends with an arrow shot, and if you can't let the bow down without pulling a muscle or some thing it's no good to you.
Now the difficult advice to take , do not get it into your head that one type of bow will suit you better than another. Bowtechs and binarys might not suit you. If they don't then buying one would be a waste of money.

[ben_e71]

Originally Posted by Jerry Tee

and make sure that you can let the bow down safely after you draw it, not every draw ends with an arrow shot, and if you can't let the bow down without pulling a muscle or some thing it's no good to you.

This is seriously good advice. When I first shot my 50lb Guardian (wound down to 44ish lbs) I used to hate having to let it down because it really grabbed at my arm - this is especially true of the bowtech with the hard cams because their shape causes a non linear peak (okay I may not have used the correct terminolgy here).

[recrudesce]

i think initially i will go for lower end equipment just to "learn" further.

i'm happy to spend money on the bow itself, but then cut back on the auxillary equipment (sights etc) and then replace them as i move up the experience ladder. for example, do i specifically need a drop away rest, or stabalisers (which i presume are "stabs" ?) initially or can i add them at a later date.

unlimited compound is going to be my choice, definately.

i'm not saying i am only going to excusively look at binary/twin. i'm not entirely sure of the difference between the types, but i read (possibly marketing material) that single cam results in uneven string balance or something. this is where my internet experience wains a little...

i'm liking the advice so far - the common factor seems to be "get off your lazy #### and go see someone who does this for a living" :P

[ben_e71]

again only from my own experience of the last 8 months set your budget (and realise its gonna be more than you think) then with the advice choose the best you can afford.

I found it only about 4 weeks before I could happily use my 50lb Guardian. you can get a decent usable scope for £30. Buy a decent sight. A basic cartel longrod will do you fine. Aluminium arrows will do you fine up to 60yds.... you can;t go far wrong with a trophy taker rest.

The best piece of advice I was given was get a decent release aid. When I bought my kit the £130 quid I spent on one was a bit of an ouch but I don't regret it at all now.

Read loads on here and elsewhere - find someone you trust to give you advice and develop your filter to allow you to know what to ignore.

Also identify when its time to upgrade bits.

I've been fortunate that I have received loads of good advice - but then I've also spent time to find out about how things work and how they interact.....

[Jerry Tee]

Go to a retailer and buy a second hand compound that is adjustable in draw lenght then decide if you need a 40 to 50 lb limbs or if you can use 50 to 60 lb limbs set at 50 ish.An older Hoyt might do you well.

[not dead yet]

Originally Posted by recrudesce

hey,
i'm 25, and tall and weedy :P it's more of a case of not actually bothering to exercise so dont really have strong arm muscles.

i think i'm going to take some time to go to the local Quicks store, and see what they advise.

YOU A LEFTY BY ANY CHANCE

[recrudesce]

nah, i'm right handed. just a skinny runt