Thanks everyone. Does the Excalibur have a crank or is one needed ??

It doesn't look like they come with one but you can get them as an accessory.

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It’s called the Crankaroo Cocking Aid and is sold as an accessory.

I have a new Barnett Whitetail Hunter 2.I really like it.This will be my first season with it but killed a deer with my friends identical bow last year.Paid around $400 for it.

That is so true and that is what I made sure of for the ones I have. It will help you in the end.I glad i got a hand crank on both of my.I learn to release the bow with the hand crank also.Do not dry fire any crossbow.For those that dose not know that.

The setter that came with the scorpyd works better, easier than the longer string one

I have an Excal Exomax, its pretty awesome....

I am very pleased with my Excalibur Vortex, it is very accurate and I have taken a number of deer with it. Excalibur makes a new line of smaller sized Xbow which are much more compact, although I have used mine from an elevated tree stand as well as ground blinds without any issues.

This bow is a tack driver out to 50yds, although I personally try to keep all my shots within 20 to 40 yards.

Good luck on your decision.

N.B.

Tenpoint is hard to beat. Customer service is second to none. Shot several excals, very nice also, but not for my hunting style (they are extremely wide and not well suited for tree stand hunting IMO). Excal is also good at marketing...have a lot of people thinking they will need to change strings while in the field Lol. Guess all the compound hunters better sell and get a long bow or recurve with that logic....in the end, you should handle them and see which one fits you and your style of hunting the best.

I bought a low end Barnett and have to say I really had trouble at 35-40 yards. It just didn't want to be consistent, but hey its a $220 crossbow. I have seen first hand the Mathews shoot a 8" pie pan at 100 yards, yes 100 yards. Sure mine will kill deer but IMO you want to go out with the best equipment you can afford. Now if someone can consistently put them in there at 40-50 yards with a $100 used crossbow then all is well, but I'm thinking you'd have trouble. Ten points are manufactured literally 5 miles from my house, good company and great bows.