I'm in the market for a new bow I just recently switched from a comppound to a recurve but was thinking about trying a longbow (as my recurve is out of comission) I'm still new to the game and hear d some buzz on the net about the viperdelux longbow (internature) I think... I know it lacks the quality of some of the better bow but the price is right,I just wanted to collect some opinions on whether or not this would make a good starter bow or not. Thanks.
here you go, I had the same question
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=044297;p=1
it would be ok but i would start by looking on trad gangs bows for sale i think you would get a better bow. :thumbsup:
I agree with Jeff. I bought one as my first trad bow early this year and it was a good bow for the price, but for maybe $50 more, you could get a much better used bow from the classifieds.
Mark
What I posted on that other Viper thread ....
"MO, the Viper longbows are well made and shoot just fine. The only differences 'tween the standard and Deluxe are cosmetic. The Viper will exhibit reasonably decent arrow speed only if you replace the stock 16 strand Dacron string with a suitable string of low count modern fiber (such as 12 strands of Dyneema or Vectran, i.e. - Dynaflight'97, 450+, Dyneema'02, FastFlight, etc). A good modern fiber string length for the Viper is 64-1/2". The long limbs offer good shooting stability, but will reduce arrow speed and are more difficult to maneuver in the brush or up a tree stand.
IMO, there are better (faster, shorter) hybrid hunting longbows than the Viper, but even if purchased used most of them will command about $100 more. It's all about trade-offs and compromises, when spending money is in limited supply."
My Viper and Legend reviews (PDF reader required) ...
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=31&t=000457
I have been shooting my Viper Deluxe for about a month now and I am very happy with it. It is 60lbs@28" and I draw about 26.5" with it. I replaced the factory string with a 16 strand B-50 Flemmish because I was more concerned with quiet than fast. I added a pair of spiderleg silencers and it is whisper quiet. It puts 29" carbonwood 5000's with 200gr points and 4 5.5" shield cut feathers into a fist sized group at 15 yards. Not having hunted with it yet, my only concern is it's 68" length but I will find out about that on Oct. 1 when deer season opens.
Brian