Hello all, I am looking for opinions on the Martin X200 for a first trad bow for my wife. We looked at some and found a 35lb @28 that she liked. She pulls 25.5 so I figure she is pulling around 27 to 29 lbs. Just would like a little feedback on this bow. Is there better bows out there to be had for around $350? This will be her first bow in trad, but she does have archery experience. If she really takes to it like I think she will I will get her a nice custom, so this is just to get started and have a bow that I can let other folks use to get them started in trad.
Dan
My wife's first was a 35# Martin Stick... not a bad bow for the money.
Did you check out the classifieds here ? good bows for same money..
I have been crusing the classifieds for several weeks looking. Found some great ones, but sometimes you just cant please a woman cause she really doesn't want one with someones name on it.
Dan,
My wife, Natalie has been shooting a Martin X-200 since the early '90s. We purchased it new at Three-Rivers Archery when they were at their former location- so it's been a while for sure. Her bow is 40#s at 28" and is 60" long (her draw is about 25"). Although my wife does not hunt deer, she does shoot her bow quite a bit at our 3-D targets out back.
As far as an entry level bow, I can't imagine a better bow than the X-200. In a literal sense, it has been strung/unstrung well over a thousand times with no issues whatsoever. Although not as pretty as many custom bows, it is well made, durable, smooth to draw and accurate. I set my wife's Martin up the same way I set up my Widows as far as shelf material, string silencers, etc.
My wife really enjoys her X-200 and refers to it as, "My little Martin."
The X200 is a perfectly good bow. If it was me, I would be looking for a Hunter, instead, but it may be hard to find one in that draw weight.
My wife shoots a Martin Prodigy which is very light weight (mass weight). I don't know if Martin still makes them. She loves the little recurve and is very accurate with it.
Dave in Ft. Collins, CO
personally, I wouldn't buy a new one. I bought a x200 in excellent shape for $145 to my door. I love it. There was a #35 x200, appeared to be in great shape, on another site for $200 a couple months ago. If you want the website, let me know.
If your a looking for a good bow that will stick with you, look no further. I own an X-200 and it is a great bow; very forgiving to shoot, smooth, and very graceful. This has been my first bow and I have yet to take an animal with it, other than the foamy variety. I have also had my wife shoot a lower pound weight in the X-200 and she really enjoyed it. Check out these websites for some better prices on these bows:
http://www.biggameproshop.com/traditional-archery.htm
http://www.fsdiscountarchery.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=73
http://www.above-timberline.com/store-categories-Martin-Traditional-Bows_1712057.html
Anyway hope that helps. If you have any othe questions let me know.
Matt
Bought mine at big game pro shop best price and really fast delivery check them out. The guy was very nice who answered a couple questions from there also. The x 200 was my first bow and I still use it. It is smooth and a nice looking bow. I found it shot better with a bear weather rest. I think 350 is high though. I think bass pro or cabelas had them for 299 and big game pro shop beat that.
IMO, the X-200 makes for a fine lightweight trad bow for learning and for hunting.
For those who need a lightweight draw (25-35#), I think a recurve is better than a longbow (or even a hybrid longbow) because at that light a draw weight the arra's gonna need all the "umpf" the bow can muster for decent speed.
If recurve is ok, I bought a new Chek Mate Falcon for $300 delivered.
QuoteOriginally posted by jts15:
If recurve is ok, I bought a new Chek Mate Falcon for $300 delivered.
Forgot about the Falcon! Yes, better than the X-200 and so is the King's Pawn! ChekMate bows are superb!
ChekMate Recurves (http://www.recurves.com/Chek-Mate_1-Piece_Recurves.htm)
I started my second time in trad with a Martin X200. I think they are a very good bow. I don't think your Wife will need to go to a more expensive bow unless she just wants to. Frank