Tim, even though a Mathews model makes up part of my moniker here on the boards, I think you'll find that the "old timers" will agree I'm not one of those hyped-up bandwagon promoters who tries to convince others to buy what I'm using to validate my own self-image about what I happen to shoot...

I'd agree with the above assessment of shooting everything you could get your hands on; however, I understand your circumstances. Given those facts, I think you'd be really smart both shooting-wise and extremely fiscally responsible to you and your family (if you're old enough to have others in your care) in going with the LX. Heck, I still shoot my MQ-1, and though there are faster bows on the market, none arethat much better to make me want to plunk down another $700 of my hard-earned money. There's just not that much of a difference between the bows of just a couple years ago and today's bows. I know that statement is prone to catch a lot of heat, but I'm being honest here. (Not $700 worth of difference (which is what it would cost to get into a top-end bow today. Those that jump on their soap box and spend their time convincing you there is are probably in all liklihood subconsiously trying to convince themselves more so than you.)

I've shot a handful of the new Bowtechs, including the Allegiance and the Patriot. The Patriot Single Cam is one sweet-shooting rig... very sweet, in fact. I'd love to have it as a stablemate to my MQ-1. But when seriously evaluating if it's worth the money to -- in essence -- have a flatter-shooting MQ-1, I can't justify it. I practice often, work hard on judging distances, and have killed four turkeys at varying distances from my treestand as well as over twenty whitetails. I think the MQ-1 is doing just fine.

My point I'm making here is this: If I had a chance to buy an LX (which is obviously even obstensibly a better bow than my MQ) for $350, or the choice of spending at least another $150-$200 for the other models you mentioned, I'd take the LX and use the rest of the money for accessorizing or buying tags to the state you've always wanted to hunt. If you emotionally blindfolded yourself, I bet you couldn't ever tell the difference in quality (sure, there's going to be some nuances here and there) and you'd end up with a super first-rate, top-notch quality product for a whole lot less money. If it was the Bowtech or the Diamond which you said were being offered at the same price point, I'd tell you the same thing.