>>657082I would suggest not going with a brand just because it's been recommended. Archery is highly individual and dependent on the body configuration of the person shooting. What is a great-shooting, comfortable bow for one person will shoot and feel like crap to another. Instead, try this:
-Look at all of the different bows they offer in your price range.
-Pick them up. See how they feel.
-Hold each one out at arm's length as if you had just completed a shot. See how it feels in your hand. Is it top heavy? Do you have to adjust your grip to keep it from tipping forward, back, or to one side or the other?
-How does the grip feel? Is it too fat? To thin? Just right? If it's too fat can you take the grip off and shoot off of the riser?
-Write down all of the ones you like so you can then read about stats and reviews (Take reviews with a grain of salt. You're looking for the general pros and cons that may affect your use.)
Start by going on how the bow feels even before you shoot it. A bow that feels bad is not going to be fun to shoot. If it balances poorly in your hand then, even with a stabilizer, you may have to fight its movement, which can affect your follow-through.
Once you have found ones that feel good just holding dead in the hand look at other things you may want to consider. What is the brace height? What is the axle-to-axle length (ATA)? Can draw length be adjusted in half-inch increments? Which ones have what you're looking for?
Once you have ones that feel good and have the features you want, then go shoot them. Shoot them all. Go home and think about your experiences with them. Go shoot them again. Narrow down your selection. Shoot the ones that make the cut some more.
Ultimately you want to walk away feeling you bought the best bow for YOU, not what the guy behind the counter likes. If your shop is a good one, they want you to buy what's best for you, too and shouldn't badger you into a particular brand or model.
