DarDys
So under the tree I found a Mission Sniper Lite with the CB Pro package, a RDS system, and a case.

A great choice for sure. I mentioned the Mission 360 only because it has a little more speed. My Mission 400 is a wonderful crossbow. You should really enjoy the Sniper Lite. She did very well by talking to someone that actually knows something about what they sell.

Does someone's bottom still hurt?

I had a first timer archer with me tonight and put a nice doe down. Second deer he has shot with me coaching as he started hunting last season.

Now that I have the weapon, what are the expandable head suggestions?

dpms

DarDys

So, with all of that being written, what are the recommendations for what I should be purchasing? The research I have done so far has left me overwhelmed with information and confused by what features are important.

I thank those that provide useful responses in advance.

Lot of choices out there for someone just getting into the game. Of these features, what are some that are the most important to you;
 
cost
reliability
customer service
speed
weight
width
ease of cocking
easy maintenance
 

 
 
 
What do you think of the Wicked Ridge line of crossbows by Ten Point? Primarily the Warrior G3

Thanks for the info.
 
I wouldn't mind upgrading from my crapping SA Sports Fever.  I still have my older vertical bow, but more and more, I like to stay on the ground when hunting, so xbow fits that bill.

psu_fish
Thanks for the info.
 
I wouldn't mind upgrading from my crapping SA Sports Fever.  I still have my older vertical bow, but more and more, I like to stay on the ground when hunting, so xbow fits that bill.

I really wasn't kidding several posts ago where I said I'd choose one of the newer, lighter vertical bows over the Warrior . . . if I had the time to shoot and get good at shooting.  I have no physical limitations/injuries.  My point of reference for vertical bows vs. crossbows was a Hoyt I got as a kid 27 years ago, that I sold 12 years ago.  
 
If you're sitting on the ground - especially with no blind - the Warrior on sticks is definitely easier than a vertical.  
 
I obviously have nothing against crossbows, but even in our ground blind, having shot a Mission Hype last week at a pro shop (and ended up buying one for my son - thanks for your recommendation) I'd probably choose that (or any of the other newer, lightweight models) over the Warrior.  Definitely if I was in a tree, and 100% no doubt if still hunting/stalking.  
 
As it is, I have another son who will be joining our ranks next year on the Mentored tag, so he'll use the crossbow now.  Hoping to get another 6 or 7 years out of the Warrior, and don't see any reason why I won't at this point.  

rsquared

psu_fish
Thanks for the info.
 
I wouldn't mind upgrading from my crapping SA Sports Fever.  I still have my older vertical bow, but more and more, I like to stay on the ground when hunting, so xbow fits that bill.

I really wasn't kidding several posts ago where I said I'd choose one of the newer, lighter vertical bows over the Warrior . . . if I had the time to shoot and get good at shooting.  I have no physical limitations/injuries.  My point of reference for vertical bows vs. crossbows was a Hoyt I got as a kid 27 years ago, that I sold 12 years ago.  
 
If you're sitting on the ground - especially with no blind - the Warrior on sticks is definitely easier than a vertical.  
 
I obviously have nothing against crossbows, but even in our ground blind, having shot a Mission Hype last week at a pro shop (and ended up buying one for my son - thanks for your recommendation) I'd probably choose that (or any of the other newer, lightweight models) over the Warrior.  Definitely if I was in a tree, and 100% no doubt if still hunting/stalking.  
 
As it is, I have another son who will be joining our ranks next year on the Mentored tag, so he'll use the crossbow now.  Hoping to get another 6 or 7 years out of the Warrior, and don't see any reason why I won't at this point.  

 
I have a Mathews Drenalin, and I tried to use it out of my ground blind, but was too awkward to shoot comfortably and accurately in a sitting position on a 5 gallon bucket and also a hunting seat/chair I bought to try to remedy that problem.
 
I prolly should just pony up the money and get a really good xbow.
 
Just seems a bit excessive to drop 800+ when I use a Savage Axis for $289.99 with middle of the road Simmons scope and have great success with it. But I know you get what you pay for with xbows, and most other things in life.  

^^^^^^^^^^
Thats the one. Perfect bucket/stool. I use Rage crossbow X mechanicals. Serious wreckin damage right there. For the bows with the pocket for the broadhead to sit in, what size bolt are you shooting? 20 or 22 inch?
 
BH
 

Since X Bows are to easy. I took out the Renegade 54. Another one bites the dust. A trophy doe about as big as they get.

Very pleasant not hot not cold,sunny but windy. Saw Canadian geese,2 fox squirrels,1 grey, 2 red tails and one huge group of deer,the biggest group I've seen in several years. Restored my faith in PCG,there are still are deer. I've filled 2 doe tags and with the Ohio buck I think that's more than enough my wife implied. I still have my  buck back tag and another doe tag. Probably been at least 15 years since I shot 2 doe. I'm not ruling out a buck only hunt with the X bow or flintlock. That's one thing I've never done is get a late season buck. Waiting for a little snow,January and February are bunny time.

BloodyHand
^^^^^^^^^^Thats the one. Perfect bucket/stool. I use Rage crossbow X mechanicals. Serious wreckin damage right there. For the bows with the pocket for the broadhead to sit in, what size bolt are you shooting? 20 or 22 inch? BH 

Mine has the cut out at the end of the rails. It came with 22" bolts.

i have a lot of time to decide on brand and model of head at this point.

Speaking of crossbow laws. I asked the BOC to consider removing the minimum draw weight. There are crossbows now with 110# draw weight shooting 380fps. There is one coming out this year with a 90# draw weight that shoots 330 with a 400 grain arrow. Faster than most compound bows.
 
Not sure how the PGC even enforces a minimum draw weight? Do WCOs carry the equipment to test draw weights on bows? I think not.

K.E. = 0.5 x m x v^2
Draw poundage is meaningless.  Yes, higher draw weight bows/crossbows "typically" have higher fps but with designs and design efficiency improving all the time, draw weight / poundage becomes even more meaningless, hence DPMS' comment above.

psu_fish
I know FPS goes hand in hand with Kinetic energy...so what kind of KE does a 110 lb draw have vs. 125 lbs

Eyes explained it well. There are 280 pound crossbows that have less KE and speed than some 110 pound crossbows. Design and efficiency rule.
 
Some of the more efficient crossbows out there are decreasing their draw weights while utilizing new designs that allow for increasing power strokes to achieve impressive speeds.
 
A draw weight restriction is a really old way to regulate crossbows. 20 years ago, yes, it would have weeded out underperforming devices. Today, it weeds out some of the most efficient designs out there.
 
And what good is a draw weight restriction if it is about impossible to enforce in the field?