Originally Posted by
tealboy
well, good feedback, the Q2 is a litle better than I thought. My impression was that the newer generation bows like the outback and switchback might be meaningfully improved over mine but it doesn't sound like it. Not a lot of folks have owned and shot each of the models which makes it hard to compare, but it sounds like mine is not necessarily inferior to newer models. Since i am happy with it, I'll keep it unless others weigh in to the contrary.
Q2 and the MQ1 were the top bows of the late 90s early 2000s for sure. I shot the MQ1 for 4 years and wish I never sold it. I will say, I have shot 4 Mathews and the Z7 is by far my favorite, not even close to the others. I went shopping for a new bow this year because I was not really satisfied with my PSE Bow Madness XS. I shot the Z7, the new Hoyts, the Bowtech Destroyer, the Elite bows (z28 and gt500), and all sorts of PSE's over a period of about 2 weeks. I wanted to keep an opened mind about which bow to get (which I think you should too), but in my opinion the Z7 shot better and smoother than all the other bows, hands down. I will say a couple were faster, but I don't give a rats behind about speed. Mine is shooting 292 with a 29" draw, so I am more than happy. I am putting 5 shot groups in a 3" circle at 50 yards with this bow, something I could not do with the PSE Bowmadness XS I had as my last bow.
Honestly, go to your local archery shop and shoot at least 10-15 arrows through each bow in your price range. Pick whichever one fits you best, thats what I did and it's much more fun to shoot now. You may find that you actually shoot the Bowtech or the Hoyt better, so don't be shy about trying something else. I just found that for me, the best bow at the shop this year was the Z7.