8 replies to this topic

[Oldquacker]

I shot a crossbow today for the first time at the local Cabelas store. I shot the Axiom first and was pretty impressed. I also shot the Phoenix and can honestly say I could not tell much difference. I would have shot other models but they were down to 2 they had put together. The salesman told me he had put 5 together this morning and he was down to those two. Then some guy came in and bought the Axiom while we were standing there. 1 other obsevation I saw was all the different displays were pretty much filled with Xbows. Not so for the Excalibur. Thats got to be telling me something right there. It will be a fun winter deciding which model now that I know what brand I am going to get.

[hankenhunter]

Another happy hunter with an excal. You are entering a whole new hunting experience and your gonna have a blast! Welcome to the family.
Keep those thumbs and fingers off the flight deck.
Safe and happy shootin,
Hank

[TerryG]

Shop around, you can find better than MSRP deals out there. Stick with it, the Excals are awesome to shoot.

[Cossack]

TerryG, on 29 November 2011 - 02:39 AM, said:

Shop around, you can find better than MSRP deals out there. Stick with it, the Excals are awesome to shoot.

It's nice to have a knowledgeable dealer near by BUT that's not always the case; dealer should have explained the difference between the barrels, accessories of the two bows. Nice thing about Excal is that you don't really NEED a dealer to service the bow. Most everything can be done yourself. Shoot as many as you can that way you will tell not only what fits you best-I particularly like the thumbhole stock on my Vortex- but the effort it takes to cock the bow. Hard cocking bow may be an issue if you plan to shoot a lot.

[Oldquacker]

Cossack, on 29 November 2011 - 10:58 AM, said:

It's nice to have a knowledgeable dealer near by BUT that's not always the case; dealer should have explained the difference between the barrels, accessories of the two bows. Nice thing about Excal is that you don't really NEED a dealer to service the bow. Most everything can be done yourself. Shoot as many as you can that way you will tell not only what fits you best-I particularly like the thumbhole stock on my Vortex- but the effort it takes to cock the bow. Hard cocking bow may be an issue if you plan to shoot a lot.

Are you saying that is pretty hard to cock the Vortex? I know I considered the Phoenix to to be pretty effortless to cock. The Vortex was the next bow that I wanted to shoot.

[Vortexter]

I'm 65 and can cock my Vortex pretty easy. I was looking at the Axiom, but I wanted a metal rail and disapater bars I found a used Vortex online and the story is.........happy ever after!

[vixenmaster]

Shoot all the models yer interested in 1st. Then you can make up yer mind & not wondering what if! I have shot every model of Excals Hunting series Bows except the Axiom, have no interest in a model without an alum. rail. I own a Vixen, so the 175 pounders are not any better. The Equinox or Vortex would allow my arrows to kill their prey a fraction of a sec faster & flatter trajectory. So its easier on yardage est. making, other than that they're all the same

[Cossack]

Oldquacker, on 29 November 2011 - 07:51 PM, said:

Are you saying that is pretty hard to cock the Vortex? I know I considered the Phoenix to to be pretty effortless to cock. The Vortex was the next bow that I wanted to shoot.

Since I'm unaware of your limitations-if any-I cannot say that, only that you should take that into consideration. Some folks (me included) purchase the Equinox for e.g. only to find out that's it''s difficult for them to cock it frequenty, so practice becomes more of a chore. I'm 71 and in relatively good health but with both shoulders surgically repaired cocking effort is material.

[ScottytheLoner]

Ahhh yes.  I remember my first time.  Took her home with me after meeting her, and she has served me well ever since.