Matthews, PSE, Hoyt, Bow-Tech are all great brands. I'm sure you know already, buy before you just buy one, go find the ones you are looking at and get a release or test release from the place and draw it a few times. Get a feel for a few before you buy one. Look for how hard it is to pull back to full draw and keep there. Double cam bows will want to snap out of your hand in a hurry and is hard to keep back for an extended period of time, but will be faster. Single cam bows will be smoother through the draw and to keep held back, but a little slower speed. It depends on what you want out of it. Are you target/competition shooting or hunting? For the last two years, I have used a Reflex Bighorn as my starter bow, and collected deer every year with no problem. That said, it also isn't an easy bow either. It is a Cam & half slam (double cam) bow, and it wants to launch itself if you barely move forward with your hand, and kicks out on the bottom and took some work to get use to. You also have to have a good set of arrows and broadheads/tips. If you use a fast/high pound bow, then your arrows might flex too much and you need some larger/stronger. #300-400 (Carbon is always my pref) My next bow will probably be a PSE Bowmadness. I tested a lot of Matthews, Hoyt, PSE and a few misc others before deciding on it. Do your research online and get reviews from what other people say about them. And make sure to figure out what drawlenght you are. I'm 6'2" and have a 29" draw, and usually have a bow Lb around 55-65 depending on stability. And make sure to find a reputable place to tune it for you. Getting the Rest/Knock straight with the arrow, Kisser Button, peep sight aligned for your eye so you don't have to twist and turn your head, and the limbs equal so its balanced when shooting. And if needed get a stabilizer to balance it in your hand. Just like your guns, theres a lot of options and then more options for accessories on your bow of choice. Feel free to ask me if you need more help