Hi ! Advice Needed

[recrudesce]

hey all, lets give you a quick introduction first.

I'm Russ, from Southampton. 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.

Money, well... I have none of it at the moment, so I am looking at the credit card fondly. The main offices of Quicks is only about 40 minutes away, so I can go there to check out the information you guys throw at me.

Be gentle !

[Hidden Hippo]

Before I go on, the best thing would be to ask this question in the Compound section. It will likely get more views and more responses from the more knowledgable people on this forum.

The first thing to do is to try and find someone at your club who is able to let you have a go at compound. Its a very different beast to the recurve and you may well find out that its not the thing for you (or otherwise). Also, I wouldn't be worrying about poundage, most bows are around a 65% letoff so even at 60lbs (the maximum legal poundage for FITA target) you're only holding around 20lbs. I've only shot compound for around 4 months and have gone up from around 48lbs peak in January to 57lbs peak, and anyone who knows me will tell you I'm not the largest person.

If you're planning on going to Quicks try and get hold of Phil at Waterlooville - great guy and will set up your bow more than well enough to get decent scores to begin with and give you some very good advice on what sort of stuff you should be looking towards.

Also, welcome to the forums - have the customary and .

[recrudesce]

hey, thanks for the reply. there's only one person who shoots compound that i've seen in the last 4 weeks, and he seems quite protective of his equipment - i might have a run down to Quicks in Waterlooville and see what they can let me try out.

I think I'll take a big chunk out of my original message and post it in the Compound section - i wasn't entirely sure whether I should have done that from the outset or not :]

I see your and raise you a

[ben_e71]

first peice of advice is get yourself to a recognised specialist shop. They will help you with all of these sorts fo things. Quicks are near you I think

Also, don;t let anyone tell you you have to shoot recurve first - I went straight from beginners course to compound as I had decided that's what I wanted to shoot.

The guardian is a great bow and you wonlt regret getting one - but again only do so under the guidance of a decent shop - or ideally the coach at your club (Or some other experienced Compounder).

When I started I thought I could do it without any face to face advice (you'll probably see the thread here somewhere) but I soon learnt differently.

[TJ Mason]

Welcome aboard Russ!

If you're going for a compound and don't consider yourself all that strong, I suggest you don't go above 40 pounds peak weight. There's a real risk you could injure yourself. Maximum weight on a recurve occurs when the body is in reasonably good alignment and able to take the strain. Maximum weight on a compound occurs when you're NOT in line, so the forces are distibuted awkwardly. And 40 pounds is enough for most purposes.

[recrudesce]

that's interesting. i didn't know there was a maximum allowed peak weight.

also interesting what you say about the peak weight distribution. to be honest i never considered that aspect. so a 40lb peak at 65% let off (i keep using 65%, dont know why, just seems the common %) would equal 14lbs at full draw - correct ?

if so, i think i can handle that :] i think my main issue is holding the full peak weight back at full draw as it causes issues with my aiming.

[darthTer]

Originally Posted by recrudesce

that's interesting. i didn't know there was a maximum allowed peak weight.

also interesting what you say about the peak weight distribution. to be honest i never considered that aspect. so a 40lb peak at 65% let off (i keep using 65%, dont know why, just seems the common %) would equal 14lbs at full draw - correct ?

if so, i think i can handle that :] i think my main issue is holding the full peak weight back at full draw as it causes issues with my aiming.

The biggest problem would be actually drawing the bow.....remember that you need to draw past the peak weight before the let-off kicks in!!!

Once you are at full draw, the weight should not be a problem. Best thing to do is get yourself down to Quicks and try some bows!!!