Viper Deluxe ?s

[Shawn Leonard]

Harold, as Rob said they are not a bad bow, but I agree with some others. If ya keep looking ya can buy a nice used mild R/D custom for close to that and I mean very close. I just sold a Bamboo Longhunter(semi-custom) for $200 and a Roy Hall Cherokee (very custom) for $275. If ya can wait and save a few pennies, I would go the used route. Shawn

[Rob DiStefano]

What Shawn just said.  

If you have time, yer patient, and can cruise the classifieds religiously, you'll definitely find a gem of a deal on a hybrid longbow that's a better performer than a Viper, and with a shorter length which is better for hunting.  

I bought a near-new Bear Montana on our classifieds a year or so ago for $150 shipped, and no question that's a faster longbow.  It's not a big deal to alter the Montana handle, and I even lopped off the huge limb tips that took the LOA from 64" to nearly 62".  

And as Shawn sez, there will be other good bows at good prices cropping up almost every week or two.  Ya just gotta spot 'em quick so ya can get first dibs.  

All that said, if you've got a Viper coming, congrats!!!, it's a good mild r/d longbow that's got a lotta built-in stability and forgiveness.  Enjoy!      

[Shawn Leonard]

Harold ya better go thru the classifieds again. There are 5 pages ya know. I just saw several very nice customs for between 200 and 300 hundred and ya can make an offer on some. I see a Big River and Missippi Lakes ya could probably get for $225 or so. Shawn

[hs6181]

I've been looking at the classifieds and waiting for things to come together on my end for awhile now. I did see some but either the weight would be off for me or the price off. If I could handle another 5 or 10 pounds I would have one off the classified right now. I love looking around there.
BUT WE NEED MORE PICTURES in the classifieds!!!!
always wanted to say that

I guess I just ran out of patience and figured I better get while I got.  

[VA Bowbender]

I have one and I like it very much.
 

[hs6181]

VA
very nice    

Rob
I ordered my string yesterday from Chad. I can tell from his emails and questions that he does top quality work.

[Rob DiStefano]

Yep, yer gonna love yer new string and what it'll do for yer bow's performance - guaranteed!

[guzzi2000]

I have a viper and it's ok. It was my first longbow. My mistake was getting a 55#. Should have gotten a lighter one. A boyer friend was able to reduce the weight to about 50# at my 27 inch draw. It still pulls harder then my 50# Quinn recurve and my friends 55# longbow. I did replace the string with a flemish. If I had been more experienced and had shot more bows I would have looked around a little more before I bought the viper. I managed to take my first bow deer with it. Take the advise of others and do some more shopping. I will soon be shooting my second new bow since the viper. I think if you are patient and look you can do better and not pay a whole lot more.

[Rob DiStefano]

I found the Viper to be a smooth shooter once it had a better matched string.  It's not at all a "bad bow", but it does lack some speed due to the long limbs and mild r/d, and the 68" length will hamper some folks when hunting in the bush or up a tree stand.  Other than that, the bow is a keeper, IMO - and a valid bow for a newbie considering the price tag.  And the longer limbs will offer more shot stability, particularly for a newbie to trad.  

Yes, with patience and time a better used longbow will pop up eventually, for sure.  And then the Viper can be a backup bow or a loaner to someone looking to get a taste of trad archery/bowhunting.

[guzzi2000]

hs6181,

I didn't mean to make it sound negative about the viper. For the money it's a good bow. I think I payed about 175.00 for mine. You will be happy with the new string. Make sure you check that the nock grooves are smooth. I had file mine some, because they started to cut my flemish string. Might not be a problem with yours, just a heads up.

[hs6181]

Thanks for that little piece of info guzzi, I'll be sure and check the string grooves real good.

I think I'll be happy with the bow. I've been shooting a long time, off and on 30 yrs, just never bought a new one, always been used. I know some of those from the past were much nicer (got it from a Tradgangr) then the viper. I can't help it, the last couple of years have made me a cheepskate.

I've always liked the longer bows, if I was paying $1000 for a bow it would still be at least 64"s long.

Now its time to buy some arrows