CrissyK

THANKS EVERYONE for the help.

I bought the Excalibur Phoenix (just the bow, no extras). I also bought him some kind of deer call that he drooled over on a commercial yesterday (knightandhale.com) and some kind of e-chips that he can put on his fishing lures that attract fish.

Haha, am I the best girlfriend ever or what? He is going to be so impressed.

Thanks again for the education and advice.

Oh and I got the bow for $399.95 with free shipping from bowhuntersuperstore.com! They said it is shipping TODAY!!!!

GrumpyTom

Congrats on the purchase.

But do you realize that you have have just made many many other females upset.

Now how can they live up to what you just did


I bet there have already been many males who have shown this post to their wives or girlfriends and said ........ see what a good wife/girlfriend will buy for the other half

Again congrats, he will be more then happy.

awshucks

Hi Chrissy! welcome to the forum! Echoing Grumpy Tom, the only difference in Excals [until they brought out thumbhole stocks this year] is the length of the rail. To get from 150# pull bow to 225# pull bow, they just make the rails a bit longer to get the poundage [and price,lol] up. I have both the Phoenix and Emax. The Emax [same bow as Equinox but old style rifle stock] is a real bruiser and not a pleasure to shoot like the Phoenix. BHSS has had them best prices on the net, but has a credit only policy on returns, so if you use them, be aware you can't get a cash refund. Another word of caution, Excal offers two packages. One is called the "Right Stuff" and has every thing a new xbower will need. The other is called "Just enough Stuff" or something like that and is for folks that already have some of the gizmo's you need to string and shoot a xbow. the two new models this year are : Vortex [same as Exocet] and Equinox [same as Exomax] but both have the heretofore unavailable thumbhole stocks. Have fun!

Edited to add: W/ Excals, the taller you are, the easier it is to cock the higher poundage [longer pull/stroke] bows.

KLS

I think you made the right choice with excalibur too, I have a phoenix and love it, in fact you'd be hard pressed to get me to trade it for any other crossbow
it was my wife who talked me into getting it actually, I was undecided between the phoenix and vixen and she made my mind up for me, and I'm gladshe did now...



the only problem I'd see is that MAY come up is thatmost people who arent very knowledgeable about crossbows tend to see the compound style as superior, a recurve is kind of looked at down on as not being as good when in fact the recurve is superior in alot of ways(if not most ways), if he falls into that catagory you may have to explain that to him...
excalibur crossbows arent cheap junk, they'rehigh quality, top of the line crossbows



I also agree with letting him get what he wants for accessories, for a guy picking and choosing what you wantfor it ishalf the fun and comes from personal prefference thats hard for anyone else to judge

the only thing I'd suggest is that you could pick up a scope mount for it, thats something thats a pretty standard accessory and unless he choses the stock pins for sights(which is pretty unlikely) its something that will be needed and usually has to be ordered so getting one ahead of time would probably be a good idea, then he can play around with different scopes without having to wait for the needed mount to arrive

BigTiny

You made a great buy with the Phoenix. You got really good advice from the members here, and he should really love the gift. I have a Vixen and love it. I don't want to be a wet blanket, but before the bow gets in, check your local laws to make sure crossbows are legal hunting gear where you live. There's some strange restrictions out there. If it's not, then you should have no trouble returning the bow still in the box.

ranger56528

Heck any Ecal is a good buy....I also feel the same way with 10point.....

Hotburn76

You are going to have a happy Man on Christmas!! How familiar is he to CB's and deer hunting in general? Also, do you plan on getting him other stuff. The reason I ask is since you bought him the bare bow it will be like giving someone a car with no gas and oil, he will not be able to "play" on Christmas day with it. If he is totally new to the CB world then you should get him the right stuff pack also. Alot of things in there that a well experience Excal guy can do with out, but will be like gold to him being a new guy to the Excal line. The stringing aid is one of them things that I think is a must have. If you get this you will still be under your original budget and he will have all he needs to go out and shoot the same day! When he opens the gift, send him our way and we will help him out with whatever he needs! This is from the BHSS web site.



Excalibur 2007 Right Stuff Standard Crossbow Acces., Realtree AP.
[EX6660]




$159.95
Excalibur 2007 Right Stuff Standard Crossbow Acces., Realtree AP.

Accessory packages are a must for the hunter who wants it all. The "Standard Package" comes with Quiver Bracket, Excalibur 4-Arrow "Realtree Hardwoods" Quiver, Deck Wax, Excel String, Rope Cocking Aid, Crossbow Stringer, 6-Arrows w/Vanes and 6-100 gr.Target Points and 6-100 gr. Broadheads.

GrumpyTom

Just maybe she does not want him to be playing with the BOW on christmas day or the evening



I think it would be best for him to choose his own accessories. Just too many personal choices that could be messed up on from scopes to arrows, and other things. I bet he will be here to the forum after christmas.

Mr. Longbeard

Guy must be related to dennis rodman