From: ut-emx!shawn@emx.utexas.edu (Shawn Boyd)
Subject: Re: Selecting a Bow
Organization: The University of Texas at Austin; Austin, Texas
Date: 13 Apr 92 08:35:15 CDT
Originator: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu


In article <1992Apr7.120739.6870@doug.cae.wisc.edu> 
rkestler@wnas.DaytonOH.NCR.COM (Rich Kestler) writes:
>
>Greetings fellow hunters,
>
>In 1992, I hope to get my first deer with a bow.  I have always
>been a gun hunter, therefore I have some questions about getting
>into the sport.
>
>My first question is in regard to which bow to purchase?
>
>Friends of mine recommended the Phantom by Oneida.  This hybrid bow
>looks kinda funky.  Any opinions about it?

Oneida Labs certainly manufactures some interesting bows.  I haven't 
drawn or shot the Phantom (nor seen one) but a friend of mine owns a
Strike Eagle which I have shot several times.  The draw length wasn't
quite right for me, so I didn't shoot it after making that determination,
but on the four shots I did take, I was very impressed.  I'm not sure 
I'd call any of Oneida's bows a good first bow, but they definately put
out quality stuff.  If your friends recommend it, and you trust their 
ability as archers, then their opinions certainly count more than mine.

Some comments on the Strike Eagle.  It delivers arrows to the target at
very respectable speeds.  We didn't have a chronograph, so I can't honestly
make relative comparisons to other bows in terms of speed.  However, like
most other archers, I enjoy watching others shoot, and I always track the 
arrow down range.  Arrows are a joy to watch fly, and you can certainly tell
a fast bow from a slow one.  This bow was tuned to 58 pounds, and it made
a 30" XX75 2213 boogie to the target.  

The draw is very comfortable, with a nice smooth well defined valley,
with just enough room at the bottom to let you comfortably feel the
wall coming before you hit it, but without that mushy feeling at the
bottom that you can get on some other smooth drawing bows.  I was
asked to watch for style, and couldn't help but notice that all the
launches were clean, and the arrow came very nicely off the bow --
that, of course can be a product of the archer and of the launch
system (in this case a TM Hunter fork) but a "sproingy" bow can make
that happen too.  I didn't see any sign of this.

Couple of problems -- the bow seemed noisy.  I could swear I could
hear those two nubby little top limbs clack on the bottom ones.  Maybe
I was just being picky (noisey hunting bows are BAD PUCKY) or it could
be that radical four limb design made me WANT to hear it make noise.
I could be wrong, but I don't think so.  My friend likes this bow a
lot, and I'm not one to comment on some- thing that could be wrong
unless I'm absolutely sure, so I didn't ask for any kind of
concurrence on the matter.  When (and if) you decide to buy the bow be
sure to shoot it (always ask to shoot a bow before you buy) and listen
for yourself.  Compare the string slap and launch sounds to other bows
you've shot.  That way you can tell for yourself whether my comments
are applicable.

The second matter is something I can honestly say I've heard from
Oneida owners.  These bows can be a bear to tune.  I've never tuned
one, so I don't know -- I do know this, I have heard more than once,
an Oneida owner grouse about tuning problems being particularly
difficult on them.  Apparently everything has GOT to be just right,
and can be hard to get that way. That's OK.  Everything should be just
right on any bow, and if you like to tinker and tune then the Oneida's
the one for you.  ;^)

I believe I've got a couple of good technical reviews on Oneida's.  I
don't have the magazines here, but I believe one came from Bowhunter
World, and another from an Australian magazine called Outdoor Action.
I'll get you the citations if you like.  I suppose I could paraphrase
some of the stats, but I certainly can't offer to publish anything
copyrighted in this forum.  Let me know if you're interested.

The Phantom is bound to be a good bow.  The Strike Eagle sure is...
however, look at as many other bows as you can before making a
decision.  Shoot 'em, talk about 'em and give some others a chance.
You might find something you like better.

>
>Also, if someone doesn't have a recommendation but knows of a brand
>that I should stay away from, I appreciate that advice aswell.
>

I took the advice of a sales person at a general sporting goods store
when I first started in this sport.  Typical novice mistake.  I bought
a Barnett Sioux, and had the top limb break at the fork and release
the wheel, axle and all at full draw.  Do not let this happen to you.
I was lucky.  I still have both eyes.  You're archer friends' advice,
and the advice of professional archers at an _archery shop_ when
buying your first bow are very valuable.

>I'll save my other questions for a future posting.
>
>Best regards,
>Rich "much, much younger than dirt" Kestler

Likewise, and best of luck with your new sport.

Shawn Boyd
Austin, Texas



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