New Member, First Post

[carpman1972]

Seems like alot of debate on brand names and models rather than techniques and knowledge of the field. Maybe that's what it is supposed to be. I like opossum's post where he sais, "Got my first kill with a crossbow today"   rather than alot of the others that say my crossbow is better than yours. My personal opinion is go with what you can comfortably afford and practice, practice, practice. Now, I understand the old saying, "You get what you pay for"  In alot of cases that is true. I'm not bashing the high end bows or the low end bows. Personal experiences will vary, therefore creating personal opinions of certain makes and models. Think about the number of different caliber rifles available for hunting, start asking around, some like the 30-6, some like the 30-30, some like the 7mm mag. Point is, which one does the individual prefer ? Then ask which brand name they prefer. How many different answers are you going to get ? ALOT !!! Because each person will use what they feel comfortable with, and what they have confidence in. Most of the time, these feelings arrive from personal experience. Crossbows are no different in my opinion.
On a side note: My choice of weapon to hunt with, does not affect your hunting.

[jh45gun]

I got to tell you that the first crossbow I bought was a Barnett Ranger cheap low end crossbow as that is all I could afford at the time. It did the job but just barely I did kill two deer with it that were close but it for a 150 pound xbow was not fast at all and it left a lot to be desired in the accuracy dept compared to a better Excaliber, Horton, Or Ten Point. Now I am not going to knock Barnett but they do have some what of a poor reputation on the net and folks have complained about bows coming apart and hurting they guys shooting them. That should be publicised might save some one else some grief. Chinese bows are cheap copies of the lower end Barnetts they are not worth the money spent on them. Folks who want a reasonable priced Crossbow should get a Excaliber Vixen or a Horton Compound both are excellent bows for the money and the prices and models go up from there. Yes you do get what you pay for and to waste money on a poor excuse for a xbow that may sour your expirences is not worth it when for a few bucks more get a xbow that is accurate and a joy to shoot. I have shot Horton compound crossbows they shoot well. I would stay away from the Steel Force as they have not that great of a rep either but Horton has come out with a new Recurve that should be a decent bow. Any Excaliber is a Excellent crossbow as are Ten Points Ten Points are pricey but the guys who own them like them. I have no experiance with the Parkers and Great Lakes so I will not comment on them.  I will tell you right now I did practice and practice and practice with that Barnett Ranger and it did not even come close to what my Excaliber Wolverine does. It cannot touch the accuracy or the faster speed or the trigger which on a Excaliber is excellent. Yes I practice practice practice with my Wolverine too but it sure is a lot more joy to shoot and a lot more satisfying. Most of the guys who say get a better rifle or bow or crossbow speak from experience not arrogance and do not want you to make the same mistake they did. As far as Rifle Calibers go its a open ball field pick what you like and stick with it as most all calibers are capable of doing what they were intended for. Same with choice of product pick what appeals to you but do not buy something if you have read a lot of negative comments because it probably is true. How ever that is not always the case. Henry rifles were much bashed on the internet by so called "Experts" LOL because of some plastic parts and an alloy reciever. Funny thing was they were praising their Rugers that has a alloy reciver and some plastic parts. Now you go to forums like Rimfire Central and they guys that own Henrys have lots of praise for them they are a fine rifle. So you do have to do your research too and sort things out before you buy. It just took a while for the gun to gain acceptance as owners found out that those so called experts were wrong. For the most case those that praise or bash a product do from personal experience. I think you have to search enough to get enough opinions to make a wise decision. I really do think some folks bash products on the net just to do it with no real experience. Ever read some of those rate a product reviews on some websites you can tell by some they are just doing it to cause trouble I have seen some music gear ones that were like that.

[carpman1972]

Glad to hear you are happy with your Excaliber crossbow. But do you really think that just because your happy with it, everyone else should get one ?

[Redhawk1]

Glad to hear you are happy with your Excaliber crossbow. But do you really think that just because your happy with it, everyone else should get one ?

Maybe you missed the point. I happen to like Horton crossbows. I have had great results and give my experiences. Sure it does not matter what others think, but the whole reason we come here is to give our experiences and hopefully not have to worry what others think. Debate sure we do that here. You don't want to here about how we feel about our actual bows, crossbows or for that matter rifles or handgun, I think you came to the wrong site.

If you don't like debate posts,that is an easy fix. Don't read them. 

[jh45gun]

Glad to hear you are happy with your Excaliber crossbow. But do you really think that just because your happy with it, everyone else should get one ?

No its all about choice I also said Horton Compounds and Ten Points were good crossbows. I would suppose the Parkers and Great Lakes would be ok too but I do not have that much expirence with them. I will say however When I first got my Barnett I knew it was not the best but thought it was ok my old post here prove that. THEN I got to shoot a Ten Point and a Horton and saw my Barnett was sorely lacking. After I went to the Excaliber forum and saw how the guys there loved their Excalibers I wanted one. Due to the kindness of a internet friend I was able to get one reasonable. I upgraded the limbs to the newer style though there was nothing wrong with the old ones and I kept them for a spare set though I doubt I will ever need them. My Wolverine was made from 86 to 92 so it is 15 to 20 years old but you would never know it it is like a new xbow. Excalibers are biuilt to last and have some of the best crossbow triggers on the market with a 3 pound pull which makes for the excellent accuracy they have. No I do not think every one should own one but those that try them usually get one though that is not the case all the time of course. Some prefer compounds. I also like mine as I can string it and take the string off my self. With a compound you need a expensive bow press to do so. I can do that with a 20 dollar stringer attachment.

[jh45gun]

Yep and I have said I shot a Horton and liked it and also a Ten Point Redhawk is right We talk about other brands here and several own Hortons and some Ten Point some do own Barnetts too that are higher priced than my Ranger was a hundred dollar crossbow on sale. My point was and I think most will agree here was that getting a cheap crossbow just does not cut it and that means the cheap barnetts and its chinese nockoffs. Other other hand the 300 dollar Hortons and the Excaliber Vixens are great crossbows for the money. I cannot add Tenpoint to that short list as their crossbows are well made but they are also a bit pricely.

[carpman1972]

What kinda price for an Excaliber Vixen ?

[jh45gun]

I think the average is about 350 bucks but I have seen cheaper ya got to shop around. That is with a peep  front sight pin  set up. A scope mount willl cost you more as will a scope or red dot of your choice. They sell an accessory kit with  the quiver, arrows scope and mount and stringer and rope cocker I think that is 200 more. If your on a budget used Vixens can be found but they go fast folks snap them right up. For Prices if you live in the USA  I would check with Dan Miller he is the Excaliber Rep for the USA.  So the Vixen is more expensive if you buy the extras with it. The thing is some companies make a entry level crossbow you cannot say that about the Vixen it is the lowest priced Excaliber but nothing entry level about it. Here is Dan's Number he is a good guy and will answer any questions you have he may even have some used gear that can set you up cheaper than buying new.
Dan Miller can be reached at:

Horizontal Archery
37432 Fifth Avenue
Sardis, OH 43946
(740) 483-2312
(740) 483-2030

Most xbow companies sell accessory kits with their crossbows some are more reasonable than others. One thing to remember if you think that this is a rip off you buy a Compound or Recurve Bow you pay big bucks just for the bow then you still have to outfit the bare bones bow with all the accessories so there is no difference really.

[carpman1972]

About $550.00 then.   

[jh45gun]

About $550.00 then.   

I was wrong on the price I just looked it up at the Excaliber site and the 200 dollar kit is with out the scope and mount. SO more if you want a scope as scopes cost 130 bucks by them selves along with the mount which is about 40 bucks so 370 for the kit with the scope and mount. If it was me and you wanted a Excaliber I would look for a used set up or buy it piecemeal as you can afford it which is what I did. I bought my scope and mount after I got my xbow and bought each at differnt times I bought the mount first and then a red dot sight and then the scope which was used also as you can get deals if you look around and let folks know your looking. I have heard of guys getting deals on ebay you could try that. I still would call Dan and ask him if he has any used Excalibers in stock and what it wuld cost to outfit one he may have some deals on accessories too.

[carpman1972]

Around $700.00 for a new one outfitted. Plus arrows and broadheads.           
$300.00 for a steelforce outfitted including arrows and broadheads. That's bow, scope mount with rings, BSA scope with crossbow recticle, quiver, 4 easton aluminum arrows with field tips, 6 horton carbon strike MX arrows with horton FX PRO fixed blade broadheads, rail lube, rope cocker, and stringer. That's all new equipment.

[jh45gun]

I am telling you the Summit is a better deal my brother has one and with a Excaliber scope it it right on out to 40 yards of course the scope and mount was extra but for starters if your going to buy a Horton stay away from the steel force and get the Summit. Same price and better bow and yes that is a new price too 300 bucks for the crossbow and the accessories.

[awshucks]

Around $700.00 for a new one outfitted. Plus arrows and broadheads.           
$300.00 for a steelforce outfitted including arrows and broadheads. That's bow, scope mount with rings, BSA scope with crossbow recticle, quiver, 4 easton aluminum arrows with field tips, 6 horton carbon strike MX arrows with horton FX PRO fixed blade broadheads, rail lube, rope cocker, and stringer. That's all new equipment.

Those figures are WAY high, you need to shop prices more.  There was a 1 yr old Vixen on AT xbow for sale part of forum ready to hunt for $550 a few days ago, prolly gone by now.  Comparing an Excal to a steelforce is like an Impala to a Yugo.

[carpman1972]

Using prices jh45gun put up for new equipment, not used. Wasn't comparing bow to bow, only price to price. No doubt in my mind, excal is much better bow.

[smokepolehall]

My friend get what you want, if the Horton steelforce melts yer butter grab it like fresh toast! Myself i 'd get a Vixen comes with a peep. You can pick up half dz. arrows off ebay with shipping fer $30 and some good B'heads and field tips a stringer and rope cocker. Be in business fer $425. Yup i used the peep fer the first year and it was death on every deer i shot out to 30 yds.