Which One??? Equinox or Vortex and why?

[John Taylor]

I am interested in getting a crossbow and I'm pretty sure that I have narrowed it down to an Excalibur. I was pretty sure that I was going to go with the Equinox but I have been reading from some of the other forums that the Equinox has some issues with the serving more so than the Vortex and is also a lot louder. Those are the two that I am most interested in just from what I have read. I have no knowledge at all of crossbows. I have never shot one but hope to find a dealer that has them both to try out first. In the mean time any help would certainly be appreciated. If you have any experience with either or both, I would like to hear what you have so say and any recommendations. Also what do you think the average effective range is for both on whitetail deer? Thanks in advance for all responses!!

[FLA-XBOW]

IMO I think the Vortex is the sweet spot of the Excalibur line.

Sean

[one shot scott]

Nothing wrong with the e'nox, just learn how to reserve your own string. Sound/vibrations can be managed. A boo string with whiskers and a s5 and your good to go

[Cossack]

Depends if you plan to shoot a lot. Fond the Equinox to be more difficult to cock, hard on serving and with harsher shot. Downsized to Vortex, couldn't be happier.
Don't miss the 15-20 fps at all.

[vixenmaster]

Learn to reserve center serving then pick one of the 2 as its personal choice. Both are excellent models

[awshucks]

Had an Emax, like the Ecet much more..............

[John Taylor]

Thanks for the replies! Keep them coming! If you have any other suggestions I would like to hear them as this is all totally new to me.

[strum]

i see from the 2 you picked your set on the thumb hole models..I have an exomax and love ,,it will be my go to hunting bow..But...for all around target shooting im going with a pheonix or an exocet,,maybe even an axiom..
like the others said the higher poundage ones are a little rough on serving but i learned to reserve so its no problem for me..i would say its all in what kind of shape you are ..if your fairly fit and dont mind needing a little umph to cock then go with the biggun..but you should go somewhere that you can shoot all of them..and spend some time dont get in a rush..shoot a equinox 10 or 15 or even 20 times..youll know by then..

[sumner4991]

There's literally only an inch of difference between them.

I have no trouble cocking the meanest of them and can shoot all afternoon, when it isn't stinking hot.

Guys that like the longer bows are usually speed freaks or just have long arms and like the "fit" better. I'm the speed freak . . .I like the option of shooting a heavier set-up and still keep the trajectory relatively flat.

The servings will eventually wear out on every bow. However, with the Excalibur, you can reserve the string and be shooting again in twenty minutes, or less.

When you go and shoot the bows, it will pick you. Buy the one that feels the best when you are shooting it freehand.

Welcome to the forum John!

[deerhunter0430]

I have a equinox with the S5 and boo string with wiskers and it is a lot quieter than when i first got it!! i really like the equinox ....

[Bones]

I think they call it the oldest on the ecal line up but I shoot the exo 200 and love it( same poundage as the vortex ) Taken everything from moose to grouse with it no problem. Either bow you choose will be great. Have fun enjoy
Bones

[j.krug]

Finding a dealer that would let you shoot both would be a bonus. Nothing beats hands on. I have shot the E-nox and E-max but have limited experience with them. No complaints with either of those beasts. I chose the Vortex and don't regret it one bit. Either one would serve you well. Good luck choosing a bow and let us know what you decided.

[georgiaboy]

Welcome to the forum john!!!!
As has already been stated...shoot them both and it will choose you! I've never shot the nox but i do have a vortex and in my opinion you get the best of every thing with this bow. Not to hard to cock, not bad on serving's, plenty of speed (mine is shooting 318fps) and their all deadly accurate!!!!
As far as shooting distance is concerned at normal bow range's (35-40yds max for me) the difference's are negligible.
Good luck!!

[seabee401]

John, in my opinion, you cant go wrong w/ any model excal. They are the best by far. I am new to this also. My first was the Phoenix.Love it,still have it.then I decided I needed more power so i bought the Vortex.Great bow also but I soon realized that I could not get used to the thumbhole stock. I think it was the way that the trigger felt too close to the hand grip and my finger was wrapping too far around the trigger. So , I sold it and bought an Exocet 200. Love it. pretty much the same as Phoenix (traditional stock) w/25# extra push.
I'm used too shotguns and rifles w/ traditional stocks so thats probably why. Thats just me. Like many of the more knowledgeable people here say, try them all and you'll know the "one" when you shoot it.
Tom

[strider23]

Welcome to the excal forum John.

I agree with everyone's comments and I'll reinforce it with some of my own. The best thing to do, as stated before, is find a dealer that will let you shoot them, if possible. If not shoot, then at least let you cock and uncock them so you can get a "feel" for the difference in draw weight. I'll even say that you should handle a couple of the compound style xbows. This will give an appreciation to the weight saving design of the Excal's. I held a couple of Ten Point models and couldn't believe how a few pounds more made the xbow feel unwieldy compared to the Vortex that I bought.

To sum up my setup:
Vortex with a 40 strand, cat whiskers equipped string made by Boo. S5 string stop. A top mounted quiver made by Groundpounder (really helps to spread the weight distribution).

Find what feels best to YOU and go with it. Then the real fun begins, sighting it in, buying upgrade accessories, etc...