Best thing is to go to a shop, tell the tech you are interested in a Mathews (whichever model) and then tell him you'd like to try at least two other manufacturers' brands with the same configurations, then try them all, blindfolded. Yep, this eliminates the "brand popularity", "buddies' influence", "marketing and hype" and whatever else, and gets down to the bottom line, which is fit, feel, ease of draw, recoil, hand shock, and vibration. When blindfolded, have the dealer simply put a bow in your hands without telling you which brand or model it is, help you hook up the release, let you draw, and point you in the correct direction to shoot into a bale. shoot a few arrows with each bow. This way you'll "feel" it, and you will know which one you should buy based on what feels best to you, not looks, name, etc. It's amazing how many people actually come into the shop with one bow in mind, and after trying several blindfolded, walk out with a completely different bow. Good luck in your search. Pinwheel 12