Best Compound Bow for the Money

Unless you have just won at the casino or the lottery, you are probably as budget minded and broke as the rest of us. Times are tough and seem to be getting tougher with cost of living increasing. That being said, it seems unreasonable to have to cut back on the things that make you happy, like archery and other hobbies! As archers are tightening their belts, manufacturers are designing and producing some amazing bow options that will not drain your bank accounts and empty your pockets. Let’s examine some of the best compound bows for the money;

Performance vs. Pricing

Before you start your journey to choosing an economical compound bow you need to understand that you can’t have it all. There will be no one bow that encompasses every single aspect you are seeking. More often than not archers want blazing fast performance with a silky smooth draw stroke. They want low hand shock and a high let off. Archers also desire lightweight bows that are compact, attractive, forgiving, quiet, easy to use and adjust and affordable. This perfect bow just does not exist and you will have to give up some less desirable characteristics in lieu of your priorities.

The Big Budget Bows

If you have an unlimited archery budget, which so few of us do, you will not have to worry about the specifics. You can simply purchase a company’s “flagship” bow. This is their highest quality model with all the bells and whistles, they will have the latest bells and whistles, best performance ratings, best graphics and more. Of course you will have to expect to spend over $1000 for just the bare bow. These bows are representative of the best of the best.

Compound Bow Production Costs

Moving on from the top of the line bows, let’s dive into what it actually costs to provide you with a compound bow. After the bow is designed, the production process is long before a finished product is ready for purchase. Aluminum parts are carefully shaped using a combination of casting, machining/milling and forging. After that is done, those parts will have to be anodized, film-dipped or deburred. Some of the parts will get tapped or drilled. Hardware like grips, brackets and others have to be fabricated and finished. Once all of that is done, every bow will require strings, bearings, bushings, graphics, rollers and more. Once all of this has been made, someone has to put the bow together and test it. This process takes several months. A basic compound bow production cost will be approximately $150 US per unit but is usually higher.

Finishing and Camouflage

Once a bow is manufactured, bow companies will pay royalties on that popular camo finish that most bow hunters are so fond of. These patterns are not free to use. The creators of those patterns receive royalties for the use of their product and these royalties are not cheap. This brings up a dilemma for manufacturers. The fact is that off-printed camo indicates to a customer that the bow is cheap yet bow producers want to keep costs low. Most bow manufacturers deal with this by offering variety, both the expensive camouflage as well as custom colors and patterns.

The Lowdown on Bow Pricing

Depending on the number of operations and assemblies as well as the bow complexity and pattern, a run of the mill compound bow will cost between $150 and $300 per unit to produce. This cost can increase with longer risers and complex designs. This is an important fact to keep in mind when you are staring at that $500 price tag and thinking it is a little ridiculous. A $500 bow is not out of line at all.

How to Choose a Compound Bow

Follow these simple steps to aid you in choosing the perfect compound bow for you;

Eye Dominance: It is important to determine which of your eyes is dominant. Your dominant eye is often the same side as your dominant writing hand however cross-dominance is not uncommon. In order to figure out your ocular dominance try these simple steps;

o  Step 1: Form a triangle with your thumbs and forefingers and stretch your arms out in front of you.

o Step 2: Look through the triangle and center in on an object, like a picture or doorknob. Ensure that you are keeping both eyes open.

o Step 3: Now take turns closing one eye, then the other

Did you notice that the object will stay put with one of the eyes but will jump with the other? Your dominant eye will keep the object centered in the triangle you created with your fingers.

Draw Length: The best way to determine your draw length is to have it measured at an archery or sporting goods store. You can, however, estimate your own draw length by using the following method;

o Step 1: Measure your arm span. Standing up straight you will hold both arms and hands extended forming a “T”. Measure the tip of your middle finger to the tip of the other one. You will most likely need a friend to help you with this.

o Step 2: Divide that number by 2.5. This will estimate your draw length.

Axle Length: This is the length between the wheel-like axles that are attached to the bow’s tips. It is important to accommodate the type of shooting you will be doing. A longer axle to axle length is more forgiving then you are attempting to take a longer shot but if you are constrained on space it will be hard to maneuver.

Draw Weight: This is a measure of how many pounds you can draw. Many people will start with a lower poundage bow if they have never drawn one before. As you practice and improve, your shooting muscles will develop. It is not uncommon to find a bow that offers an adjustable draw length and weight.

Best Compound Bow

1. AW Pro Compound Bow Kit Archery Set

2. Bear Archery Brave Bow Set

3. Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Bow Package

4. 25 lb Black / Camouflage Camo Archery Hunting Compound Bow

5. SAS Siege 55 lb 29” Compound Bow