moving from recurve to compound

[merv]

Little seed of a thought at the back of the mind at the moment.
I would be curious to hear the views of anyone who has made the switch.
Have you taken to it like a duck to water or did you find the change hard going.
How long was it before you thought hey im enjoying this...why did i stick with recurve so long
Why did you change to compound from recurve in the first place,and have you ever looked back........or indeed went back to recurve again.
over to you.
thanks.

[pwiles1968]

I am compound and apart from my beginners course have never really shot a recurve so am not 100% qualified to answer your question, Infact I am so far over on the darkside I am in danger of being stoned for posting in the recurve area .

I know several people who have made the change and love it, only one who has changed back to recurve because he could not get on with compound, I would have thought the majority of compounders would have started on recurve I am guessing I am in the minority.

[Kae]

When i've had problems with my recurve (waiting for repairs/new parts etc) i've shot compound.

The transition is very easy as the same principles apply, the other direction would be a lot more difficult.

I won't change to compound as I enjoy the challenge of recurve, but it does pose its own challenges.

Kae.

[gjb]

havent made the change to the darkside myself. A couple of people tried at our club but didnt stick with it. The whole tuning process for a compound seams to be too complicated.
Those that did stick with it had injury problems that meant they couldnt hold the poundage on the fingers. 75% let off is tempting.

[phil_r_58]

I found it no problem. But a lot of people think they are magic. Not true, just like with re-curve, or longbow even. The bow will only be as good as the person behind it.

The let off will feel good, but can make the release more critical. I find that a lot of modern bows are so short that the string angle is to sharp for finger shooting, so you might need to go to a release aid. Now that will feel stranger then the difference between compound and re-curve.

I would suggest borrowing one if you can, just to see how you get on. And if you like it, don't forget, you can be patriotic and buy British made.

Money off vouchers from anyone called Ben gratefully accepted

[Meddler]

I went to compound simply because the amount of time I had to shoot disappeared, and I found it difficult to get on with the recurve. After 24 arrows my form disappeared as I got tired. With the compound I could get through 60 arrows no problem.

When I shot regularly (ie once a week), I found I could just about go the distance on a full FITA.

As has been said above - it's different and has its own challenges. But I have enjoyed the tinkering.

[laminatekid]

changed over six months ago and have never looked back, shot my first full fita at lillishall last weekend(shot 1189) I would now find it hard to shoot a recurve. Does take a while to get used to the release and to acheive a good release as opposed to a dirty punch.

[Chumpzilla]

I shot recurve for 4 yrs but never really settled into it or found my form. Was on the verge of quitting and hubby persuaded me to try compound 12 mths ago. Liked the feel of it straight away so stuck with it.

I'm just starting to get my head round tuning and seem to have achieved a certain level of consistency which means I managed a 1209 Fita at Lilleshall last weekend.

I'd definitely say try it and see what you think. Compound isn't for everyone but then it would be a boring world if we all liked the same things wouldn't it?

[geoffretired]

I changed after 9years of recurve. It was forced on me because of a finger injury.From the early days of compound I knew I would not go back to recurve. A good compound is a dream top shoot. However I would offer some advice. Make sure you get your draw length setting sorted to suit your body;not the same as your recurve. Make sure you learn how to use the release aid properly. It is not difficult; but the wrong way is just as easy and often you learn the wrong way without knowing.
Go for it!

[Ceri Jones]

I did the full change over. Had a compound since april last year but stayed with Barebow up until april this year when i got it out and shot a Dbl. Stafford and thus my change to the darkside began. Then i got myself a Hoyt HavocTec and never really looked back.

If you do change over, dont expect results straight away. You'll have a lot to get used to. Start at a poundage you can handle and hold then work up or its very easy to injure yourself.
You will get people saying things like: thats cheating, makes it easier etc. just ignore them, they have a bigger 10 indoors.