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Do I “Need” a New Bow?

CDC

New Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2019
Messages
8
I know I don’t truly need a new bow but after a brief conversation with the bow tech at my local bow shop today, I’ve been thinking.

I told him I’ve been shooting the same Mathews Legacy for nearly 18 years. It has a 70 pound draw weight and I’ve been thinking I might benefit from shooting something with a lighter draw weight.

He responded by telling me that if I shot any of the new bows I’d never want to pick up that old Legacy again.

I asked him to explain and he simple said that the bows have advanced so much in recent years that if you’re shooting anything more than ten years old there would be a night and day difference.

Your thoughts?


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I shot a Legacy for 9 years. Good bow. Would suit you well forever. I bought a 2013 Elite Pulse and love the heck out of that bow. Had the opportunity to buy my Legacy back from my buddy, thought it would be awesome to have back. Shot it and said "Nevermind.". I'm way too happy with my bow now. Haven't had any reason to buy a newer one yet. Shoot a bunch of em and see what you like. With all that being said, I think it's really awesome when guys hunt with bows they've had forever. If that's not a wishy washy answer I don't know what is. Good luck.
 
Well it’s a rabbit hole. But I’d opt for a bow that’s now about 1-3 yrs old. You can get a smokin deal on one & it would far exceed the performance of your old one. I wouldn’t get one just to get one, but if you want to drop a little bit of weight & letoff then I would consider it. Most of the new bows are dropping now or soon. Don’t feel in a rush if you still shoot your bow well , spend a couple weeks or a month or 2 & find a good deal.
 
I love my Mathews VXR. You couldn't pay me to go back to my old bow and it was only 6 years old.
 
Of course you need a new bow!

With that said, I am hunting with a bow that is probably 17 years old. I bought it off of Craigslist when I started having troubles with my shoulder and I couldn't shoot my selfbows.
 
Seeing as folks kill plenty of deer with trad bows, it's pretty clear we don't "need" new bow technology to kill deer (unless you have an injury or physical limitation). Haha That said, it's pretty amazing how sweet-shooting some of the newest bows are. I shoot a 2013 bow, and I'll probably look at getting a new one after this season because some of the new bows have a noticeably smoother draw cycle than mine (without sacrificing speed) and are much easier to tune (allegedly), which is really attractive to me. All that to say, I wouldn't advise upgrading unless there's something(s) in particular you're looking to improve upon, such as those I mentioned. Otherwise, 20-year-old bows are still plenty effective.
 
I bought a new bow this year, after I paid for new strings and a full time up on my 2008 Diamond "The Rock"... And still couldn't get it to shoot a heavier arrow setup the way I wanted- and the local shop wouldn't spend more time helping me tune it.

I bought a Sanlida Dragon X8 for $200 from Amazon after watching reviews and tuning info from Sean's Outdoor Adventures on YouTube. I was able to do the assembly, setup and tuning entirely on my own and am thrilled with how it shoots over how my old bow was doing.

It's not a high end bow, but the upgrade to dual cam from single, and the experience of setting it up and confidence of learning how to correct paper tears, timing, etc. Is empowering. I may never end up in a shop again.

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If you ever have to ask - Do I need a new ________ ?

The answer is always YES!!!!

Go shoot a new set of flagship bows... you will be absolutely amazed. Night and day from your 18 yr old bow. You will also be amazed when you see the price tag.
 
I just bought a new VXR and it was a night and day difference from my old bow. The draw cycle was so much smoother that I was gonna shoot less poundage but ended up keeping it the same. Very happy and the price wasn't that much more than when I bought my last bow several years ago.
 
Nope. No need at all. However, if you want one it is a different story. You will get the same or better performance out of a modern 60 lb bow that you are getting out of that Legacy. The efficiencies, cam tech, materials, tolerances, etc. have just moved forward so much. And for the last, I’d say 8-10 years we have hovered right around that 320-340 IBO (I am aware that this number doesn’t reflect actual performance). The new trend seems to be moving towards giving the buyer tuning options, i.e. Bowtech Revolt, Elite Kure. I bought a brand new VXR 28 this year, and now wish I had waited to try the Kure, it is just a really awesome shooting bow.
-Chuck
 
Great advice from all, thanks!

My wheels are turning so there’s probably no stopping them now. I’ll hunt with my Legacy this year while doing some homework on what’s available. Maybe find a good deal in the spring.


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Get a new set of Sitka camo while your at it. Oh, and big sticker for the back window of your truck for the bow you get. I bet you will kill 2- 150" plus deer next year.... But in reality...
Life is short. If you can afford it, and it makes you happy. Why not. Can't take it with you. You had that one for a long time. So if the next one lasts you just as long, it's a good investment. Break down how much per year it costs. It's really nothing. Find a good deal on one and go for it. Just don't settle on one to get one. Make sure you really like it, and your feel super confident in it.
 
MattMan81, I’m definitely not that guy. I own one set of light weight camo (circa 2003) and one set of heavier weight camo (circa 2013).

Quick story though. Prior to buying my Legacy ($549 new) I had a Bear Whitetail II ($99 new). I purchased a used PSE bow for my wife (around 2002 maybe 2003). She has a much shorter draw length but even with that in mind, I flung a few arrows from her bow and immediately knew I was buying myself a new bow. Her PSE was a night and day difference from my Whitetail II. I went back the next day and bought the Legacy. I had never even considered buying a new bow before shooting my wife’s bow.

I also just sold a truck that I bought used in 2001. So I’m a little more practical than latest and greatest. I will confess that it had a Mathew’s sticker in the back glass though.


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No you don’t need a new bow. Is your bow killing things? Then nope you don’t. Having said that, if you’re wanting something lower poundage can’t hurt to go look. As others have said, be prepared for sticker shock. I usually jump in archery talk and pick up a year or two old flagship for half off. Let someone else soak up the depreciation
 
The bow tech makes money from telling you those things. My dad still shoots his Q2 and I'm still shooting my Switchback. I'm familiar with that bow and it's taken a lot of animals successfully for me. If you do decide to buy a new bow and want to sell the Legacy, let me know :). Back the Legacy off a little if 70 is getting harder to pull.
 
I got into hunting late into the game (3 years ago) and I don't shy away from a challenge so I decided to take up archery once I started looking at bows I couldn't believe the prices. New compounds bows often alot more expensive than a hunting rifle. I decided to buy used. I ended buying a mathews sq2 solocam. Close to 15 year old bow. I put new strings on it (GAS) and started practicing with it. I LOVE my old bow. Got it for $175 and it works just as good as a $1100 new one. IMO it's hard to beat an old solo cam mathews!!!
 
You should definitely get through the season with your current set up. Then, when the bow shops are in their slow period I would go in and shoot a few. Also tell them off the get go that you WILL buy a new bow. That way they know you aren't wasting their time. Do your research and have an idea about what you want. Also, think about what arrow + broadhead combo you want in advance so they can set everything up and come up with recommendations.

It's exciting to get new gear, just be patient and you will end up with an amazing set up.

All this to say...Yes, you need a new bow. Keep the legacy as a reminder of all the time you spent in the woods. Its time to hang that thing on the wall and poor a glass of whiskey, you did good!
 
You should definitely get through the season with your current set up. Then, when the bow shops are in their slow period I would go in and shoot a few. Also tell them off the get go that you WILL buy a new bow. That way they know you aren't wasting their time. Do your research and have an idea about what you want. Also, think about what arrow + broadhead combo you want in advance so they can set everything up and come up with recommendations.

It's exciting to get new gear, just be patient and you will end up with an amazing set up.

All this to say...Yes, you need a new bow. Keep the legacy as a reminder of all the time you spent in the woods. Its time to hang that thing on the wall and poor a glass of whiskey, you did good!
The things are going, it may be a while before shops hit a slow period. Covid is driving everyone outdoors and the shops can't keep up with the demand. My guy said he's up 30% from last. Stocks are depleted and manufacturing is struggling.
 
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