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So why don't you guys like Mathews?

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So why don't you guys like Mathews?

Old 11-19-2002, 06:22 PM
  #21  
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Default RE: So why don't you guys like Mathews?

cbanman,

Ditto on what Bowtech Shooter stated. Browning designs their own bows but uses PSE's manufacturing plant to produce them.

I hesitate slightly about sharing my true opinion of Mathews bows only because such discussions usually end up in a useless debate that cannot be proven one way or the other. So why bother? <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> There are several very knowledgable folks on these forums who will not get into a debate about Mathews, (or some other companies for that matter) simply because emotion tends to get mixed in and people get out of hand.

If you want my &quot;bottom line&quot; take on the issue...for what it is worth....

They do tend to be quieter with less vibration and recoil than the norm. I don't think that they offer any special high quality components more so than some of the other companies out there that charge less for their bows. Mathews has been the leader in innovative designs for the past 7 or 8 years...first with the solocam...then the perimeter weighted solocam...then the shortest bow for a time...then the long riser/parallel limb design...then the harmonic dampeners in the riser and finally the integrated roller slide/cable dampeners. I don't think many, if any, other company can boast of so many &quot;breakthroughs&quot; (for lack of a better word) in such a short time period.

But, I believe their innovativeness is slowing down. Other companies such as Bowtech seem to be more on the cutting edge of what people are looking for....Fast, accurate, quiet designs. That is what Mathews had 6 or 7 years ago with their Zmaxs and Ultramaxs which is why they were so big. Bowtech basically picked up the ball that Mathews started to kick and went with it to another level.

Ofcourse, we still have the perennial favorites...Martin, PSE and Hoyt...who continue to sell solid, quality bows on a yearly basis and who continue to refine and somewhat innovate small design changes from year to year. I really think that Hoyt is making alot of heads turn with their lineup this year but I don't want to go into that though as I have already bored enough folks with that issue...<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Hope this answers your question.


















Edited by - PABowhntr on 11/19/2002 19:25:47
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Old 11-19-2002, 06:47 PM
  #22  
 
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Default RE: So why don't you guys like Mathews?

As the other people have stated Mathews does make a great bow just as Bowtech, Hoyt, PSE, etc. I happen to shoot a Mathews because I liked the way the Q2XL felt to me better than any other bow out there. For me I feel they make a good bow that is fast (not as fast as some & not as slow as others), I like the way the straight line cam draws and feels, I really like the grip, the lack of hand shock, quality parts, great warranty, and they have a nice looking camo.

I have owned 2 of them & know a lot of guys shooting them. overall none of us hav had any problems and so to me that is good!

A few key factors to look at are as follows.

1. what feels best to you when you hold the bow, draw it, and shoot it.

2. find a good dealer you like dealing with & go with a bow they sell. In the end this can end up being big!

3. look at the warranty, get one that is good!

4. shoot a brand you feel meets your needs as a shooter, hunter, and is solid in the ethical belief system you have.
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Old 11-19-2002, 07:43 PM
  #23  
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Default RE: So why don't you guys like Mathews?

I really don't think Mathews' sales are going down all that much. They are still #1 in overall sales of hunting bows to my knowledge, regardless of what we each independently prefer, and many 3D'ers still love them.

I have to mirror some of PAB's thoughts on this, however I don't believe that raw speed sold many of Mathews' bows, with maybe the exception of (as stated) the original Z-Max and the Black Max. They soon realized in their early years that building quiet bows could generate more income because they were not stressing the components as much as their competition, and thus they felt maintenance would be more infrequent, and warranty issue percentages much lower, which equals more money. Seems John Q. Hunting Public agreed, and for whatever the reason--hype, marketing, advertising, word of mouth, or maybe quiet, low shock, accuracy, whatever, they have sold many thousands of bows, and are the undisputed leader in hunting bows currently, like it or not.

However, the conventional solocam design was not without problems. Over the past ten years each manufacturer has tried their own versions of different &quot;band-aids&quot; to rectify these inherent problems, mostly to no avail.(I myself have touched on these many times, as have alot of other techs) Thus solocam evolution has evolved to where we see it today, development of hybrid systems such as the Darton CPS and Hoyt &quot;cam and a half&quot; are quickly gaining the attention of lots of archers as more and more realize their benefits over a conventional solocam system. Soon, Mathews too, will have to further evolve their system to stay in the mix. This seems to be the way solocam design is heading, at least from my perspective.

(My feeling is they will eventually re-invent the twin cam, they are already up to &quot;cam and a half&quot;! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> Sorry, couldn't resist Frank! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>)

OK, bottom line--I believe Mathews bows to be quiet, and quite stable to shoot. I believe their best cam was the original Maxcam on the original Conquest however, which was the one everyone got to pay royalties on. The MQ1 was a popular bow, even tho the straightline cam was not totally &quot;straight&quot;. Once the Q2 and Q2XL worked through their cable chewing and paint falling off issues, they performed well also. I personally do not care for the stationary roller guides on the Legacy or Icon from a technical standpoint that I have mentioned in previous posts, therefore still prefer the MQ1, Q2, or Q2XL. Other than that, and the fact that I feel the conventional solo design is becoming dated and screaming for an upgrade, I have no beef with them. My son still shoots an MQ1 for hunting, but will soon retire it for a new Merlin after this season is complete.

But that is another story. <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> Just my own thoughts, Pinwheel 12

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Old 11-19-2002, 07:49 PM
  #24  
 
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Default RE: So why don't you guys like Mathews?

It does 'nt matter really what everybody else likes it's what you like and having confidence in.If you spend $300 and your happy fine.I posted on here Your First Bow and alot of animals have fell to those old bows and back then the bows were half of what they cost now.I shoot the Q2 first Mathews I've owned and I like but, I'm looking to see what they come out with this year to.I used to buy a new bow every year and have shot most of big named brands.The PSE MACH 6 the guy told me was so great and I bought two of them at almost $800 a piece and sold both.Buy what feels good for you and learn to shoot good with whatever you choose and have confidence in your equipment.
Don't get caught up in the speed scene.For those that say Mathews are not fast I get 296fps out of mine with 75lbs. and 3-49 ACC'S.How much faster do you need?
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Old 11-20-2002, 01:18 AM
  #25  
 
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Default RE: So why don't you guys like Mathews?

I don't know why I don't like Mathews. I guess I just never met one.

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Old 11-20-2002, 01:36 AM
  #26  
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Default RE: So why don't you guys like Mathews?

I have no problem with Mattews bows other than I can't afford a $500 bow right now, but I will certainly consider all bows when I can, until then I will stick with my XI Impulse, as it does the job and seems to get better with age!

&quot;We do not inherit our wildlife from our fathers, we only borrow it from our children.&quot;
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Old 11-20-2002, 07:40 AM
  #27  
 
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Default RE: So why don't you guys like Mathews?

Why don't I like Mathews? Let me count the ways. Here's two:

I can't stand their &quot;in your face&quot; marketing and advertising, most of which is a bunch of BS, twin cams being dead and all, inventors of the solocam. Please.

I don't care for any of their bows. I rate them as average, and to spend upwards of $700 for a bow, I want it to rate better than that.

How's that Frank? Fiesty enough for you?

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Old 11-20-2002, 07:46 AM
  #28  
 
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Default RE: So why don't you guys like Mathews?

Matthews are really good at one thing: Marketing!
They went out... gave hundreds of free bows to up and coming shooters and somehow they 'dominate' the sport... Those shooters would outshoot anyone with any other bow... they just like the free equipment. Test some other bows regardless of price... You will be amazed at what you can find in the $200-300 range as opposed to dropping $500+ for a Matthews
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Old 11-20-2002, 07:52 AM
  #29  
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Default RE: So why don't you guys like Mathews?

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>It does 'nt matter really what everybody else likes it's what you like and having confidence in.If you spend $300 and your happy fine.I posted on here Your First Bow and alot of animals have fell to those old bows and back then the bows were half of what they cost now.I shoot the Q2 first Mathews I've owned and I like but, I'm looking to see what they come out with this year to.I used to buy a new bow every year and have shot most of big named brands.The PSE MACH 6 the guy told me was so great and I bought two of them at almost $800 a piece and sold both.Buy what feels good for you and learn to shoot good with whatever you choose and have confidence in your equipment.
Don't get caught up in the speed scene.For those that say Mathews are not fast I get 296fps out of mine with 75lbs. and 3-49 ACC'S.How much faster do you need? <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

Yea, but my Patriot will do the same thing with that arrow at 70lbs with (I would venture to bet) an inch less draw.

296 is plenty if you don't mind drawing that kind of weight. However, for the draw length or draw weight impaired, they need something a little faster. Do you have a 31&quot; draw?

Oh yea, that whole claiming they invented the solocam things kind of ******* me off, too.

Protect your hunting rights, &quot;Spay or neuter a liberal.&quot;

Edited by - silentassassin on 11/20/2002 11:03:06
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Old 11-20-2002, 09:50 AM
  #30  
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Default RE: So why don't you guys like Mathews?

I am quite proud of you Frank & Pinwheel. I sometimes miss the whole Mathews vs. Hoyt bashing threads also. But what you guys said was good information.

I shoot the SQ2 Mathews and am very happy with its performance. I have said it before and I will say it again. This is not the fastest bow in the world. My old twin cam Golden Eagle was probably faster. But I am not a speed freak when it comes to my bow. My bow is quiet, comfy and accurate. That is what I needed in my bow.

When I bought mine, I did look into the hoyts. But I didn't really like the grip or the riser. The riser is starting to grow on me, but I still don't like the grip. Just doesn't feel good to me. My dealer sold Mathews and Hoyts and he is a local guy. So I gave him my business and ran off with a Mathews.

Guys can complain all they want about the marketing of the Mathews. But if someone goes and buys a bow just because of an add they seen, they are just plain crazy. Whether it be a half page Bowtech, full page Hoyt or a 2 page spread on Mathews. That is all about catching your attention.

I don't consider myself a pro at archery in the least. But if you want an honest opinion of what to look for in a bow, here is what I got.

Shoot as many bows as possible. Different manufacturers and different lines. Go by feel of the bows, quietness and accuracy. Shoot these bows with your eyes shut so that you are concentrating on how the bow feels and not where it hits. The last thing you need is to be pulled back on that buck of a lifetime and be thinking to yourself, this bow just don't feel right...I hope it makes the shot. You have to be confident in your equipment so that you don't have to second guess it when it is on the line!!

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