Been shooting recurves for the last 15 years for the most part. Over that time I have tried a few longbows that friends have owned but not the 3 peice hybryd style I am looking to get now. I think I want to try either an Orion or a Firefly. For the ones that have shot these bows what can you tell me about them and how do they stack up against each other.  THANKS

I can't tell you anything about the Orion other than it looks good, and I would love to try one.  I got a used firefly a little while ago so I could try one.  I love it!  I have had one LB and a curve that were faster, but nothing I have had yet has had the whole package of accuracy, quiet, fast, smooth, stable, no or very little hand shock, and for me the best accuracy of any bow I have had.  The workmanship is great.  I love the grip.  It is the quietest bow I have had so far.  The price is right.  I just ordered a new one.  I will be interested in seeing what other have to shy about the two bows if they have shot both.

I happen to own both, and it would be hard to find better bows.  It really boils to down to which one fits YOU better.

Both are well built, quiet, smooth.  I would say the Orion my be a bit faster, but have not put them side by side through a chrony.  My experience is that the Firefly is a little quieter than my Orion.

They do have differnet grip styles, so like I said, it would be which ever one felt the best to you.

You oughta just get one of each    

Over&Under, Can you try and explain what you mean by they have different grip styles ?   THANKS

It might have made it sound like they are worlds apart, I only meant they are shaped a little different, as are most bow grips, not necessarily different styles    

The Orion has a smaller throat, and is a little higer wrist, and pushes your hand closer to the shelf and arrow, whereas the Firefly fills the had a little more, and a little lower wrist.

There is not alot of difference which is why I can shoot both with little issue, but you will feel a slight difference.  You will notice too that the Orion has a small palm swell that again, pushes your hand higher towards the shelf.

Over&Under,  Thanks for the info.

something too note is that we have lessened the palm swell and raised the shelf a little since O & U bow was built.

Mike

after shooting both I personally prefer the FireFly. easier for me to "get in touch with" you might say. hey' that is why we have so many choices....everybody likes something different.

good luck either way  

QuoteOriginally posted by wingnut:
something too note is that we have lessened the palm swell and raised the shelf a little since O & U bow was built.

Mike

Thanks for chiming in here Mike, I forgot to mention that the new risers were modified slightly.          

Have not shot the orion....but my firefly is as fast, quiet, and more smooth than the dozens of customs i previously have owned.

I don't think you can go wrong with either, performance-wise.  More than anything, find the grip that suits you.

My glove size is on the border of L-XL (more toward the L) and I can't for the life of me hold the Orion comfortably.  It feels like a kid's bow grip to me     Shoots nice though

-Jeremy

Hey John, Don't tell me you're sick of the Kwyk Styk already!

I haven't shot a Firefly. But I've had Miss Faith here for about three weeks now. She's got recurve limbs so no experience with longbow limbs, but I like the riser and small grip she has. I did have to pad the shelf a bit to raise it off my hand. But it sounds like Mike's solved that issue....

Well I never had the pleasure to shoot a firefly...YET! BUT I own a Orion and I can say without a doubt WOOOOOOEEEEE! I OVE IT! is IS JUSTY ONE OF THE Best SHOOTERS i HAVE EVER HAD.Now that being said I also have a Zipper SXT and  well it's not going any place. Both these bows are what I have been looking for since I got back into trad back in 03.Both are 60" and are saweeet! I like the grip on the Orion but what has sold me on it is besides the  workmanship a is the performance from the 43# limbs. I had to drop weight because of my shoulder and it's not going to get better.So when I put these limbs on and shot it i was amazed at the speed. But like I said my quest is on to get a firefly. don't think you will go wrong with eather bow.<><

Curt, How are you doing? No the Kwyk Styk is doing just fine but I have the desire to see if I can find a longbow I can shoot as good as my recurve.

I had the chance to shoot Jacobsladder Route 66 and I loved it.  Quick, Quiet, and smooth... I have never shot a Dryad however.

Workmanship was excellent as well as all around shootability.

I've owned both, though my Orion was a recurve model and not a longbow.  Both are quality bows, for my personal shooting style I love my FireFly FX.