What to do now?

Cochise · May 3, 2005

Well, after doing a lot of online research I walked into a local archery shop ready to drop $350 on a Reflex Grizzly left-hand bow. Instead, the counter guy tells me all the reasons why not to buy the bow. I picked the model because: 1. it's 38" ATA looks shootable with fingers, 2. it's rated at 305 fps IBO, 3. it has an actual 70% let-off, and 4. it's right in my price range. The guy at the counter tells me I should really be shooting a release, the 70% won't work with fingers, it's not a popular bow out west (California), plus he'd have to order one. Instead, why not buy this left-hand PSE Nova I have in stock? Besides, he says, most "fast" bows are for release shooters and why don't you want to shoot a release?

Now I know he's just trying to be helpful. But I didn't fall off the potato truck last night. I'm no William Tell/Robin Hood, but I've shot archery for a while and I think I know what I want and can work with. So anyhow, I thought I'd check with you all on the Reflex Grizzly. Will it work for a finger-shooter? Is it a good bow? For $350 is it a good move?

BOHNTR · May 4, 2005

It's a great bow.....a little short for me (when I shot fingers I liked at least 40") but definately can be shot effectively. I do agree that the higher the let-off percentage, the more difficult it becomes to finger shoot consistently. I preferred a "crisper/quicker" release. Shooting a Fab-Tab may help you if you decide on the higher let-off.

Sounds like the shop may have a bunch of PSE Nova's in stock and needs to off-load some.

Either way, buy what YOU want and practice. Have fun and good luck.

BOHNTR )))---------->

c3 · May 4, 2005

I believe you can also put Hoyt low let off modules on the Reflex Cam.5's.

The Grizzly is a nice bow. I've had a Reflex Teton with command cams since 1999. It's been a great little bow and only cost $225 in the shop at the time. Reflex does a nice job with parts from the top of the line Hoyts. All the components and such are identical between Hoyt and Reflex. There is no comparison between the value of a Nova and the Reflex, IMHO.

Order what you want and don't accept what they happen to have in the shop. I know what it's like to be a lefty and never able to try things out. Forces us to be more finicky about our purchases

Good luck with it and let us know how it works out for you.

Cheers,
Pete

Cochise · May 4, 2005

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. I'll let you know what happens. Expect to make a move within a month's time.

Lien2 · May 5, 2005

I agree with others. Don't let the guy "helping" you push you into buying something you don't want. I say get the Reflex and try it, if you don't like it, then bring it back and try something else. You said it yourself, you have been shooting for a few years and you would know better than anyone what you can work with.
Good luck.

Lien2

gilamonster55 · May 5, 2005

Sounds like the guy is insulting your intelligence! You did the research, you know what your looking for.....!!!!

BlackTimber · May 6, 2005

That Grizzly is a far better bow then the Nova.

AZtrophyhunter · May 6, 2005

Go w/ the Grizz. Question for ya though, why don't you like shooting a release? I shot fingers for a long time & then I switched. It felt a little funny at first, but I got used to it & now I won't go back.

TheSwede · May 7, 2005

I am suprised you have not got this response yet?

"Don't buy either bow, buy a Mathews and everything will be fine and dandy."

You have the $ in your pocket, so really it is your decision and not the salesman's. If you have not taken it (Grizz) for a test shot yet, you may want to try one out to see how you like it, and go from there.

Good luck.

Cochise · May 7, 2005

Being a lefty it seems that the stores I've visited invariably don't have the models in stock that interest me. I still shoot fingers I guess cause I'm from the old school and want to stay connected to the whole shot process. This is not a flame on release shooters. I may yet go that route. Right now I like the work involved in developing and honing down as flawless a finger release as I personally can. That's all.

Thanks for all the help fellas. I have about a 27/28-inch draw length and shoot an old 41" ATA Hoyt Eclipse that I bought in 1990. Just looking for a good, affordable upgrade from a good bow manufacturer with decent IBO rating and more let-off than the 50% I'm now shooting.

redelkarcher · May 7, 2005

Well I'll just tell ya that I hate it when you walk into a pro-shop and the employees have a bias towards things. I helped manage a pro-shop for a while and that was one thing that I always made sure not to do. I am a PSE shooter so nothin' against the Nova but if you got your mind set just go with it.

I was a finger shooter for the first few years of hunting and I enjoyed it.. But I will tell ya I am a lot more acurate now that I shoot with a release. It was hard to switch but I am glad that I did. Good Luck Man.
redelkarcher>>>--------------------->

Boskee · May 8, 2005

Cochise, based on what you said above if the axle to axle length is 38" you should have relatively little finger pinch with a 28" draw. I like bohuntr above preferred to shoot 40" bows when I shot fingers and they worked just fine. My draw length is a little longer than yours and I did shoot a 38" bow for a while and shot it very well but not as good as my longer model. Given the difference in the draw length you should be fine. Ask your dealer if you can put 65% letoff modules on the bow and if he's not sure call Hoyt and get the straight scoop. I understand completely what you are talking about because i too shoot from the wrong side. I now shoot a release, but I'll let you in on a secret, the animals you shoot with fingers or a release won't know the difference. Fingers is a little more difficult to master and most guys shoot a release better quicker so that's why they're pushing you that way. You're looking at a good bow and if you shot it and like it go for it! Good luck and enjoy your new bow.

SneakAttack · May 10, 2005

Buy a Mathews and everything will be fine and dandy...There, I said it.

Or buy the one you want and can shoot well. Sounds like the Reflex is worth a shot. Good luck.

ps. I do shoot a Mathews...along with the rest of the civilized world.

'It's all about the gut pile'

elk_horn · May 10, 2005

Chochise, Martin makes some nice bows for your price range...try ezlivinsportscenter.com...they always have some good buys on many diferent kinds of bows. You can call them with the number thats on their web site and they will help you.