I think it's bad as well. Now before the Mathews folks descend on me like a squadron of P-47s, let me say I LOVE the HP cam bows and Mathews bows in general, they shoot and tune incredibly well, as good as anything I've had. I love my OB except for the noise issue. It shoots better than anything I've had this year.

But like anything in life, stubborn refusal to change can be a bad thing. Especially in business.

I just don't see where the technology can go from here. As for tuning and accuracy, I don't think it can or needs to get any better..the HP cam is pinpoint accurate, and tunes very easily with fixed blade heads. In fact, I didn't have to tune for crap on mine. I eyeballed the string down the center of the grip, set my rest, set the loop 1/8" above level and arrow flight was impeccable. Stingers, and Razorbacks hit with field points exactly out to 45 yards. Also the offset limb pockets really make for a very forgiving design as far as torque goes.

They cannot make the valley any narrower for more speed without alienating folks. They can't beef up the draw force curve either without getting rid of smoothness. Low brace heights are taboo. Right now the LX, Ovation and Outback are louder than the previous Q series bows and the Legacy, and noise seems to vary from bow to bow regardless of how well the cam is timed...this may be a roller-guard issue, but the noise complaints seem to be more prevalant on the OB in the local shop.

So yes..I think it's not a smart move. They've banked EVERYTHING on single-cams and I believe that it will hurt them in the next 10 years as much as it's made them in the past 10 years. They have thier loyal fans, and justifably so. The bows shoot awesome, are low mainetance in general, and shoot very smoothly and accurately with good speed. As much as people hate them, I think it's more of an image/marketing thing than legitimate technical disdain. However the competition has caught up or exceeded them. Plus the hardcore bowhunter guys that are not sponsored, like to try new stuff. A guy who bought an MQ1 in 1997, really didn't get all that much more or different if he bought a Q2XL in 2000. Same with the guy who bought an Legacy and buys an OB. The OB has a better wall & balance, but louder and doesn't really feel any different at the shot.

People will wander..more-so in coming years...Many of the shops loyal Mathews guys switched over to Hoyt in 2003. Sales used be 80/20 Mathews over Hoyt, now it's dead even. There are still some guys who ONLY look at Mathews, or Hoyt, but most guys who go into the shop now, actually SHOP for a bow. They have a price range they are looking for, and shoot what is available in that price range and pick what feels best. They are getting more educated, and the more they get educated, the less effect big advertising will have.

whew...sorry for the long post...