I was sitting bored in my dorm surfing the internet while I should be tackling some chemistry homework. I ended up looking at compound bows and crossbows online and comparing the pros and cons of each. While pondering, I came to a conclusion that compound bows and crossbows are similar in many aspects besides one... PRICE. I did some research and found the following...

Compound bow.
-Hoyt Charger (bare bow) $499.99 + tax = $541.24
-Ripcord Arrow rest $99.99 + tax = $108.24
-Copper John Dead Nuts sight $94.99 + tax = $102.83
-Stinger Sport stabilizer $49.99 + tax = $54.11
-Scott Archery Mongoose release $74.99 + tax = $81.18
-Peep sight $9.99 + tax = $10.81
-Release loop $7.99 + tax = $8.65
-String silencers $5.99 + tax = $6.48
-Easton Bloodline 400's $64.99 + tax = $70.35
-Field Tips $9.99 + tax = $10.81
-Broadheads $39.99 + tax = $43.29
TOTAL...........$1,037.99

Crossbow
-Barnett Ghost 350 $599.99 + tax = $649.99
-Broadheads $39.99 + tax = $43.29
-Field Tips $9.99 + tax = $10.81
TOTAL............$703.59

An entry level compound bow rigged up with middle of the line accessories with just enough to shoot costs around $400 more than a higher than entry level crossbow with just enough to shoot. I can see why crossbows are becoming more and more common these days.
Just a thought.

That's a little inaccurate. You can buy a decent quality set up package bow for the price of the Hoyt bare bow. Granted it may only shoot 290 IBO instead of 305 but it's still a bow and accessories that you can shoot and hunt with for years if it is given proper maintenance. In the late 80s and early 90s I hunted with a Bear Whitetail 2 I paid $64 new for and killed my first 5 archery deer with it. I buy higher end bows because I can now but when I was young and financially challenged I hunted with what I could afford and killed plenty of deer.

Yep im with passthru. This is my first year with a crossbow but used a compound for over 20yrs and several different ones and never paid that much fully decked out. By the way the crossbow i purchasd was the barnett ghost 350. Will let ya know if i kill anything with it.

I bought my first compound from Oshmans for $120. I put about $25 worth of stuff on it and went and shot a doe. Since then, I have spent way too much on stuff.

I bought my Mission Riot, with lighted 3 pin sight, 4 arrow quiver, Scott release, 6 gold tip arrows, a bow case. For a little over 600 at a pro shop, that came with some range time, instruction and paper tuning. And as far as crossbows go you can't just look at the price, I've seen some nice crossbows with what I thought where terrible sights/scopes, and your going to need more bolts, and broad heads and all that. In the end it's not as close as you would think. Plus think of the down sides, the weight being the biggest one for me, my bow and my wife's bow are lighter together than most crossbows.

Got my 08 Diamond Ice completely rigged for $425 at cabelas bargain cave....it was LAST YEARS MODEL. Tru glo sights
QAD rest
Quiver
String silencers
Stabilizer.

Just had to buy arrows and points.

Don't think so!

I want tonknow where you are buying field poinys for almoat $11. WAY TO HIGH.

and yer comparing it to an exploder

i just walked out with a bow fer the kids at $550 with a case, wrist strap, arrow, broad heads, field tips and a hat. goes from like 10-70 lbs with draw lengths from a 5 y/o to 30". the 60-70lb was $100 more.

what bow is that? i bought a banshee for my son and dont like it at all, should have known better.

some crossbows cost at least 1000 bucks.
so I think you just go what you love.

Guessing it might be the Mission Craze.

Reason I compare a bow rigged up with these accessories to crossbow without so many accessories is because 90% of the time that I read of people buying a package bow such as the Hoyt Charger package with all of the Fuse accessories, they say they are junk and go out and put things like I listed on their bow. Whereas, with a Barnett Ghost 350, I hardly hear of people saying the package deal is junk (I don't even think you can get a crossbow bare?) and they normally keep the scope, quiver, and arrows. Being a crossbow, it doesn't require as many accessories. I am just noticing how much cheaper a crossbow can be than a compound bow. Granted, I would much rather shoot a compound, but they are getting so dang expensive.

You're a lucky man then. I can never find deals like these.

I bought my Matrix for over 1000 dollars and then had to get arrows for it and that was another 100 dollars. Granted I could have gotten a less.expensive one.

I have a crossbow for a few reasons. My shoulders are so tore up pulling and holding a bow kills me. Also, if something pops out of the brush all I have to do is pull the trigger. The best part is I can use either hand to shoot with if I need to twist and make a shot. I got a jackal, not the top of the line or most expensive, but I've taken 2 hogs and a doe already this year with it. I have bout 400 tied up in everything so I'm not complaining

I got my first deer with one and bought it at Wal Mart same price i still got it riged for bow-fishing.

went out bought my compound from gallions on closeout for 50% off plus case and all accessories. probably have 400-500 into the setup and have been using it for years, still kills deer just fine.

buy a used bow from a reputable shop that checks them out well... I walked out the door with mine for 300 dollar shot it for a year and a half

And this is why most people consider crossbow hunting easier but if that's what you like buy it and get to know it well so you are deadly with it. But cheaper? I think not. The cross bow I would get rivals my decked out Mathews in price.

What crossbow is that, passthru?

I have a fear of buying anything archery used after my last bow ended up having a crack in it. For me, its a new bow or no bow.

Bought a Parker Crossbow for $319. Bought a rope cocker and a string suppressor. Great crossbow.

Like I said the shop you buy it for is the key, I got mine at pigeon road and they are the only ones who work on my bows... I guarantee that Allen would make it 150% right if you had a problem with a used bow he sold to you.

I would not EVER buy one at a pawn shop etc.

i bought a loaded 2011 hoyt maxxis31 that was only in the field once for $500