by Jackson | Aug 28, 2014 | Reviews
It’s time to get serious about getting a compound bow. I’ve been really looking to the best compound bow packages out there. There are lots of great options and I almost feel like I could just close my eyes and pick and I’d do alright, but I don’t want just a “good” bow. Nope, I want the “best” and I think that’s the way it should be. After all, there are tons of super smart people making these things and I sure don’t mind benefiting from all their hard work.
I’m not going to rank these because they’re all really good and will fit each person a little different. But, throwing all that aside, I’m going to look for the durability, quality of the bow, and quality of the accessories to come up with what I think are the best compound bow packages. There’s no point in getting a bow package if you’re going to have to turn right around and buy parts to replace the accessories. So that’s a bit of what I’m looking for.
I’ll put a link to the products to go where I found a good deal on it so you can check it out for yourself and read the reviews and what not there. I’m also a big fan of getting plenty of information, so that’s why I do that.
Just so you know, none of these bows come with arrows. None of the adult ready to shoot systems come with arrows so don’t expect it. The bow package is only the bow and it’s accessories that are attached to the bow. You’ll have to get your own arrows and if you want some help, then here are some of the best carbon arrows.
Best compound bow packages
Infinite Edge Bow Package
– The amazing versatility of this bow is so cool. It can literally be set to work for almost every single person out there. It’s only missing a stabilizer and bow sling, but neither of these are necessary to have a great shooting experience. I’d recommend checking this one out for sure. I didn’t rank these, but I might put this in the top two. The accessories are good for a bow in this price range. You can always upgrade if you want. Priced around $320-350, I like it a lot.
Bear Archery Apprentice Bow Package – The perfect Ready to Shoot system for anyone getting a first real bow or someone with a smaller stature. The max draw length is 27″, but don’t let that stop you from thinking this isn’t the real deal. The only accessory it doesn’t come with is a stabilizer and bow sling, which isn’t a big deal at all. Priced around $250-290, you can do lots of growing with this bow.
PSE Ready To Shoot Surge Bow Package 
– This is another one of my favorites. Packed with all the features you’d need and the replacement to the very successful Brute series, you’ll find that this lighter version packs all the punch you need and an adjustable draw length out to 30″ makes sure it will fit almost everyone. The accessories are good and you get all the things you’d need. All that’s left to get are arrows and you’re ready to go. Priced around $475-500, you’ll get everything you need.
PSE Ready to Shoot Stinger – One of the RTS systems that showed me the light. This bow package is a great lower budget bow that packs lots of punch and delivers with good accessories to make for a good shooting experience right out of the box. Priced around $320-400, it’s a very good and solid shooting platform.
Diamond Archery Carbon Cure RAK Package
– This compound bow package has two great features. First, the bow is adjustable over a good range to let you tailor it to your needs. The second is the accessories are pretty good with this bow. You get a 3 pin sight, whisker biscuity rest, stabilizer, peep sight, and bow sling which means you’ve got everything you need to start shooting good groups from the beginning. The whisker biscuit style rest isn’t the best one ever, but it is pretty solid. Priced around $550, you do get a complete system.
These are the best compound bow packages for beginners and experienced shooters. Most of the ones that are being made now have the amazing adjust-ability built-in to help them fit each person and increase their skill with little to no effort. How’s that for an awesome experience.
The last note I want to make about these bows. You can always find better pieces and accessories if you put together your own bow from scratch. I’m interested in finding the best bow that you don’t have to go find extra parts or replace things from the beginning. None of these are perfect, but these are all very very good and should definitely be given a look to see which will work best for you.
photo credit
by Jackson | Jul 15, 2014 | Compound Bows
The Barnett Vortex is a youth bow that provides a “real compound bow” that also gives you room to grow and adjust for your needs. Having a compound bow that can grow and adjust to a young archer is a challenge, but I believe the Barnett Vortex is an excellent bow to fill that need. The problem with a compound bow is that you must have it specifically fitted to one person. This personal fitting is how you get the let off advantage from a compound bow.
Barnett Vortex Youth Compound Bow Package
The Barnett Vortex is that happy medium that lets you tune the bow to an individual archer. You can adjust it to fit a variety of archers.
Bow specifications
- Draw weight – 19-45 lbs
- Draw length – 22″ – 27″
- Let off of 60-70%
What’s included
- The bow
- 3 aluminum arrows
- Arrow Rest
- 3 Pin Sight
- 3 arrow quiver
Not included
Special notes
- Right handed use
- Camo pattern finish
The pros
This bow is a huge improvement from a “toy bow.” This is the real thing! The bow is solidly made to ATA/AMO standards and provides a great amount of let off which is the purpose for getting a compound in the first place. You can get some serious performance on a budget. You do get everything you need to start shooting immediately. The only thing you’ll need to do is adjust the sights if you choose to use them.
The cons
As with most beginner bows, the bow itself is the strong point. The weak points are with the accessories. You should consider getting more arrows from the beginning. This goes with all archers though. I highly recommend carbon arrows as they are much sturdier. The arrow rest can also be replaced if you want.
The only other thing you need to know is that the bow is adjustable, but you can’t get all draw weights at all draw lengths. The smaller the draw length, the lower the weight. The idea is that a person with a longer draw length will be able to handle a higher draw weight.
Barnett Vortex Youth Compound Bow Package
Overall, this is a great bow that will last you multiple years. Priced around $130-160, you’ll get a great deal.
Some of these links go to Amazon. They are affiliate links and I will make a small commission if you choose to make a purchase. It will not affect your price at all. It will go to helping make this a better site and resource for others. This Lil Banshee bow review is 100% my own opinion.
by Jackson | Mar 3, 2014 | Compound Bows
First off, I love bow names. The Sinister just makes me happy.  Don’t let the name fool you. For a ready to shoot package, this beast not only gives you super performance, but you’re going to get a much lighter and smaller bow that makes it easier to take anywhere and that is what makes it Sinister.
This bow shoots fast, quiet, and it’s deadly. Here is the Amazon link so you can check it out yourself.
PSE Sinister Ready to Shoot Package
Bow specifications
- Axle to Axle – 28″
- Brace Height – 7 1/4″
- Weight – 3.9 lbs
- Draw weight – 50-60, or 60-70
- Draw length – 25.5″ – 30.5″
- Arrow speed – 319-327 fps
What’s included
- Aries bow sight
- Whisker biscuit arrow rest
- Mongoose 6 arrow quiver
- Flextech stabilizer
- Neoprene bow sling
- peep sight
- nock loop
Not included
- arrows
- trigger release
- bow case
- target
Special notes
- This is the Ready to Shot Package version.
- Easily adjusted with Allen wrenches
- Comes in right and left hand options
- Comes in different draw weight ranges
There are several Pros for this bow. The first is that this bow is smaller than many other bows. The second is that it’s lighter than other bows. These two things make it great for taking it into to tree stands, long hikes, or thick brush areas. You can adjust your own setting with just an Allen wrench. The PSE Sinister has 10 different notch settings for you to choose.
The ready to shoot package takes so many things out of your mind. It comes ready to shoot, you just need the arrows and something to shoot at. The Aries sight is a 3 pin sight with fiber optic strands to help catch light. You get a Mongoose 6 arrow quiver that mounts to the bow. The bow sling is really handy for making sure you don’t drop your bow. The nock loop is for your trigger release that you use. It really comes ready to shoot which is great!
PSE Sinister Ready to Shoot Package
There are a few cons that you should know about as well. First, the bow has a bit of a strong cam cycle that might take a bit of getting used to. It does have a 75% let off once you get drawn back all the way. The peep sight isn’t the best and it might need to be replaced after a short time. That’s about it for the negatives.
The price can vary a lot for this bow. The one that I’ve linked to is a ready to shoot package. If you already have all the other accessories, then check out getting just the bow. It’s a great bow no matter what and I’m sure you’ll like it.
As always, I recommend you take it to a bow shop after you get it just to make sure everything is good to go.
Checkout the PSE Sinister Ready to Shoot Package
It’s one that you’ll greatly enjoy shooting and hunting with.
I do use affiliate links to Amazon in this post. If you click them and make a purchase, I will make a small commission, but it won’t cost you anything. It will help me to make this site better serve all your archery needs. My PSE sinister review is my own and I was not given anything for this review.
by Jackson | Nov 17, 2013 | Compound Bows
If you’re looking for a real compound bow for a young archer, then this might just be the right thing for you. The Crosman Elkhorn Jr. Compound Bow
is the ideal bow with a low draw weight, but with enough features to make it the real thing. It come with the things you need to get shooting almost right out of the box. All you’ll really need is something to shoot at.
Bow specifications
- Axle to Axle – 33″
- Brace Height – 8″
- Weight – 3.3 lbs
- Draw length – max of 26″
- Draw weight – 17-21 pounds
What’s included
- Bow sight
- arrow rest
- 6 arrow quiver
- arm guard
- finger tab
- 2 arrows
Not included
Special notes
- comes in right hand, I couldn’t find a left hand option
- Consider getting extra accessories when you buy.
First off, I put this bow in the group that every child goes through. They don’t want a toy anymore, but they aren’t ready for a full-fledged compound bow. This is the perfect bow for that category. With a light draw weight, it works well for most kids 9-13 depending on the child. It does come with everything to shoot out of the box. Assembly IS required.
I’m going to break this into two parts: the bow itself and the accessories.
The bow is a good value and rugged enough to stand up to a fair amount of abuse. The cable string with the bow is made for no maintenance which makes it very reliable, but not easy to put a peep sight on.
The accessories are going to work okay for the younger crowd. You’ll probably want to get some extra arrows and consider some small upgrades as the bow gets used. It does fit the young archer very well.
The price is around $50 and you might spend an extra few dollars on arrows when you get it. For that price, you’re getting a really good deal.
The Crosman Elkhorn Jr. Compound Bow review is brought to you by me, all words are my own. I don’t endorse any specific product, yet, and I didn’t receive this or any product for any kind of reimbursement.
by Jackson | Sep 25, 2013 | Compound Bows
The Genesis bow is one of the most popular bows for young archers. For many, this is the product that bridges the gap from child’s toys to a real bow. I shot one of these when i was young and it was just as easy back then as it is now. I always recommend getting a kit when you’re getting your first real bow. It comes with everything needed to start shooting right out of the box. That’s why it makes an excellent gift.
Bow specifications
- Axle to Axle – 35.5″
- Brace Height – 7 1/2″
- Draw length – up to 30″
- Let off 0%
What’s included
- arrow shelf rest
- 5 aluminum arrows
- arm guard
- two paper targets
Not included
- bow sight
- stabilizer
- bow case
- release aid
Special notes
- comes in right and left hand options
- draw weight is changed with an Allen wrench
- comes in 6 different colors
Genesis bow kit – Lime
Most kids can handle this bow starting around 2nd to 3rd grade. You should adjust the draw weight for them too. It adjusts easily and you’ll have no problems using it between adults and kids. The bow is made of aluminum and can stand up to years of enjoyment. The 0% let off means that it acts like a traditional bow. This is so that you can use it at any draw length.
If you need any other recommendation, the National Archery in Schools program recommends this bow for kids and it’s because it’s sturdy, light, and will work for all shapes and sizes. You can always add-on other accessories to make the bow fit your needs better. I’m sure you can find another genesis bow kit review, but honestly they’ll all tell you how awesome it is.
Genesis Bow Kit, Right Handed, Blue Raspberry
