The brace height on the XT is 7 1/2".

Plenty on here -- including me -- have shot the XT pretty extensively. It IS a sweet little shooter, but I don't think there's too many people that's just been blown away by it. I can tell you about another bow with very similar specs that people HAVE been blown away by, though... if you want me to.

I don't think there's any inherent problems being discovered by any XT owners. Mathews has -- for years -- put substandard strings on their offerings, and I've heard mixed reviews about the Barracuda strings this year that the XT carries. Gibblet, one of the string makers who frequents this forum, says that he's getting a ton of business from Mathews owners who still feel the need to replace their Barracuda strings with an aftermarket offering. I haven't shot them enough to give you an honest opinion, as shortly after they were launched on the marketplace, I started shooting for BowTech ... and most everyone thinks they've got some of the best factory strings on the market being put on any manufacturer's bows.

Anyway, if a string is your only concern, that's not much -- all things considered. (Besides the fact that you'll be giving up close to 20 fps to another bow with very similar specs...) It just irks some people to pay nearly $700 for a brand new bow and the first thing you've got to do is run out and buy a new string.