I just bought a Hoyt UltraMag. I was in the same situation it sounds like. I wanted a new bow, but could afford any of the Mathews bows. I shot a Switchback and thought it was great, but after shopping around I found a great deal on a Hoyt. I got it and love it. I only shot the Mathews Switchback a couple of times, but I think the Hoyt UltraMag shots just about as smoth and quite and is a lot easier on the pocket book. It brought me some luck too, got my first deer with a bow 9 days after buying it!!! Good luck.