Okay, I have been bitten by the Bow bug. I grasp the fact of the essentials about getting measured and shooting the bows before I buy to find the one that fits me...(kinda like golf).

Anyway my question is this I found Hoyt Alphatec for 75$ at a pawnshop. I and I could buy it and rig it up with new sights...etc. I researched it and found that alphatecs came out in 1995. So it is a 15+ yr old bow.

OR

I can save my money and buy a 2010 model package.

Thoughts?

cant beat the PSE Stinger for the price.

either go new or I would look for something that came out within the last 5 yrs or so.

If you live in the DFW area, check at Bass Pro Shops in Grapevine and look at their clearance rack.

Talking with the guys back in the archery department, because they lead sales in bows for BPS across the country, all the discontinued bows get sent here. The have several Bear Truth 2 & Game Over bows. They also have Parker bows as well as models discontinued in their Red Head Line.

If you time it right you can walk away with a steal. About 3 weeks ago I could have walked away with a Bear Truth 2 for $122. Clearance tag read $379 plus an additional 15%. The week I was in there they were taking an additional $200 off over $300 or $100 off under $300. I just didn't have the cash that week (rent and utilities due).

Some are bows only but they do have some packages in the rack as well.

They do have some good deals but what comes along with those deals is crappy service. The bow technicians at Bass Pro are very poorly educated about everything related to archery.

Go to craigslsit.com and type on compound bow. You will find a bow that is perfect and then just take it to a pro shop and they will set you up perfect!
Goodluck

I do not live in DFW. I am in the Galveston county area. We have BPS as well but also looking Santa Fe Archery as well.

If you buy a bow at BPS, don't let them set it up. Those guys don't know what they are doing. You need to have it set up at an archery shop.

Dont buy a Martin mine is less than 2 years old and they dont even have a limb pocket that I can replace my bent one with. So much for lifetime warranty. I didnt even get a 2 year warranty

Very true. They put a new d loop on my bow last year. I pull it back for the first time with it on and it snaps at half draw.

Santa Fe Archery is a good place, those guys know what they are doing, and will take the time to answer any questions you have. I'm there often.

Also Santa Fe Archery will allow you to try the bows, and measure you so that you are fit right when you leave the store. They actually have my bow right now, putting new cable and strings on it.

Go with a newer model. If you start with the old one eventually you will upgrade and it will be a huge transition. Technology of compound bows has come a long ways. Just look for a simple inexpensive bow like a parker, bear, or redhead possible

After being away from bows for 15 years, here is what I did back in may.

First, I found a local Bow Shop I was comforatable with after going in a few times. I talked to them about used bows and they didn't have any left handers.

Second, I found a bow I liked and asked about it on here and called them and asked their opinion. Once I got the bow I told them they could outfit it since they went out of their way to help me. 10 mintues before an ebay auction ended I called them and told them I was looking at a Mathews Q2XL for $150.00 they told me if it went over $250 don't bother and to get it if it didn't. I won the Auction for $150.

Third, I took in the bow to their shop and they rigged it up checked out and told me I made one heck of a purchase. Helped me get it shooting good and now I am one happy camper.

Only draw back is now that I am hooked I want a newer model. We will see next year, maybe my desire will fade. Have nothing but good things to say about East Texas Archery here in Tyler. When and if I pull the trigger on a new bow it will be from them.

Be careful buying a used bow unless it if from an archery shop. BPS is not the place to have your bow setup or even tuned for that matter.You should have a archery shop measure you and let you know what your draw length and your draw weight should be.