Bad Bow

[EagleEye]

Well here's the story. I was up in a tree in the Pines sighting in on a small doe. I took the shot because it was the only day I had left to hunt and I was going home with some meat. It was a good shot and she went down about 35 yards from me. I waited ablout 10 minutes then lowered my crossbow and climbed down. As I was walking towards the blood trail, I felt something tapping my leg. I look down and see my crossbow in peices! Damn thing fell apart! I went to the manufacture's website and saw that it would be $29.99 for labor, $14.99 for shipping, plus parts. The total bill would have been over $300.

Now I have only shot this bow around 30 or 40 times and this is the 2nd time I have hunted with it. I think I paid around $200 for it a few years ago. WTF?:mad: Moral to the story: Do not buy the entry level Barnett crossbow and expect a quality product. Also, don't expect them to fix it when it breaks. :thdown:

I am saving up for a new bow, hoping that I can get one before next season. It will definitely NOT be one made by Barnett.

[njbowhunter]

Sorry to hear that unfortunatley you get what you pay for.

[mattstang]

at least the problem didnt make u make a bad shot and u bagged her

[billc]

my buddy had the same problem with his.

[briarpatch]

When did you buy the crossbow? Barnett recently upgraded to a 5 year warranty....maybe it's covered?....

The only manufacturer I know of that offer a lifetime warranty is Parker. Excalibur used to, but their website now shows their warranty to be 5 years also.....

[EagleEye]

I think I am going to look at Parker for my replacement. They seem to have a quality product. Funny, when I bought my compound bow 12 years ago, I never looked at warranties and I didn't look at the company name who made it. Why should the crossbow be different? I would expect a quality product from anybody I buy from. Guess my morals are a little outdated.

[briarpatch]

EagleEye.....I shoot a Parker Tornado and have never regretted the purchase. If possible, try and shoot as many different brands as you can before you buy.

[Buck Tales]

Guys, I have to admit it, sometimes cheap isn't all that bad either. I have hunted with an OLD Barnett all last season and it was flawless. Sooooooo, at the show in North Jersey 2 weeks ago, I bought a cheapy crossbow for $90. It's 150lb recurve made of machined aluminum with a glass bow that you put together yourself. I figured it should shoot fair and would not be extremly painful if I dropped it from the tree or something else stupid happens to it. At the very least I would have a backup to my antique Barnett. Well low and behold the thing shoots incredibly accurate and fast. It is below half the weight of any of the Parkers or Ten Points that I checked out yesterday at the show. Now don't get me wrong, this is a bare bones bow without the dry fire safety systems and all the other bells and whistles the top brands have. But if you really want to try out crossbow shooting without spending a ton of cash, it's not a bad choice at all. I'll take some pics this weekend and post if anybody wants to see it. I've shot it about 100 times so far in my basement at my indoor range and I'm impressed to say the least.

[shakey]

if I am correct that is the only deer you shot at right?

If so think of it this way. It had a kill percentage of 100%

Well at least you have some time before next season

[robhunt]

Ten point. My dad never had any problem. Cost alot but you get what you pay for!!

I shoot a bear element!! Soon to be a Mathews or Hoyt!!

[EagleEye]

Finally made my decision. TenPoint Turbo XLT. Found it at Cabela's in the Bargain cave. Tested at their indoor range. Sweet bow. Awesome scope. Watch out deer!

[briarpatch]

you can't go worng with a product made by TenPoint.....very reliable with top-notch customer service....if you don't mind my asking...what did u pay for it? Is it still covered by the warranty?

[Zanes11]

I work at cabelas and i try to talk people out of barnett's cause i know they'll be back with a broken bow within a month. Best way to go is Tenpoint or Excaliber, a little more expensive but its worth it if you want a bow that will last.

[EagleEye]

Briarpatch,
The bow was $648,a bit high in price but I wasn't going to go cheap again. Used my Cabela's card to buy it and afer using all my points, it only cost me $500. Not too shabby. The bow is still covered under the original factory warranty too. came with 3 bolts, scope, hat and crank in the stock. sweet deal.

[briarpatch]

you got a great deal...that crossbow...with the acu-draw...would likely retail for over 1000.....best of luck with it

[fran813]

i have a marton xbow and i shot a !) point xbow and a xcaliber i think the xcaliber is way better

[Deer Nut'z]

i have a marton xbow and i shot a !) point xbow and a xcaliber i think the xcaliber is way better

ur not making sence fran?:nuts:

[Topneck]

!)10 while hitting the shift key :huh:

[RUSS0079]

I bought a Horton Vision last year. Shot the 10 point and Xcaliber all next to eachother. The Horton was def quieter then the high priced ones. Since I dont shoot past 40 yards, I couldn't justify over 1000 bucks, when the Vision cost me 650.00 with all the goodies. Narrower then the 10 point and X, not forward heavy, which is what I was looking for. Glad all have found the x bow for them. I hope many deer fall for ya this year. I only have one to my bow last year. If it wasnt for this damn tendonitis, I would still be shooting my Hoyt!!!!

Kill them fuzzy little animals all!!!
Russ

[ropaque]

I bought a cheap Barnett jackal xbow last year for my kids to hunt with. They have shot it alot the past year and the thing is dead on accurate. You can't aim in the same spot out to 30 yards or you will ruin bolt after bolt. This past week though a couple strands of the cables frayed. I did some research and read that now the jackal comes with a cable slide. I called Barnett and they are sending me new cables and the slide for free. The people over there are great I wrote down all the bow info before I called like the serial number and Mfg number but didn't even need it. I explained my situation and she took my name and address and she said she would ship my stuff right out. I thought it was awesome. Anyway all I got to say is I'm happy not only with the cheap xbow I got from Barnett but also their customer support. I'm super excited the kinks were worked out and now my kids will be able to hunt early archery. Plus you can't beat the 5 years warranty on the bow ;)

[PAbuck]

I have to second the Jackal.....Extremely accurate my 13 yr old shoots it regularly. He has put at least 300 bolts down range and in the field and still on the original string etc....The package deal is awesome with the quiver bolts red dot scope etc. And I have to say I am impressed....Like stated before me if you want to Robin Hood a few bolts this xbow can not be beat for entry level pricing it is AWESOME....

[ub1243]

i have been looking around at crossbows to get for my dad.
100% of the brands i read about have problems.
i don't want to buy junk, but what is out there seems to fit that to a tee.

[PAbuck]

UB1243,
Check out the Jackal Look at the reviews online etc It is A great deal at the price and I am willing to say that you will be hard pressed to find more then a few (if any) negative reviews

[doeman13]

i have bought a x-bow from a fellow barner 3 years ago, it is a barnett quad 400.. I would like to say over the last 3 years so far I never had a problem. (touch wood). the problem with mine is, it is very loud. I killed around 6 deer with it, but I still rather buy a new x-bow soon that is much quieter. I would buy the next one that is already assembled by a dealer, due to the problems people are haveing when they shoot them for the first round of bolts..