Mathews Outback
 

I got my hands on the new outback yesterday at my proshop. I really like the new realtree HD camo, looks great. I hung it back on the rack, another guy picked it up and proceeded to dry fire it. :eek:OUCH. The shop owner wasn't very happy. What is the date that the ata show begins,as I can't wait to see what else they have in store? The outback has a real parrallel limb design and a high brace. It reminds me of a souped up version of the mq32. THe string colors are different, black and brown. I don't know if it is the same material that came with the lx or not. THe grip has a centerline marking on it, something about the string being more in line with the center of the bow. It draws and holds super smooth too. I couldn't tell difference in the bottom cam, but it looks alot like the hp cam on the lx. I'm sure their is a difference, but I didn't have alot of time to check it out. The zero tolerance limb pockets, string suppresors and roller guard are all standard on it as well. Over all in my opinion a great looking bow. Bhunter 32.

RE: Mathews Outback
 

The outback seems heavier and not as balanced as the bowtech justice
just my opinion. Oh and the justice is 129 bucks cheaper in my area.

RE: Mathews Outback
 

Most of Mathews bows are around 4.3lbs or so, if you put in different Harmonic Dampeners it makes it even heavier, but I shot one at my local proshop, and it is one sweet bow, to me the only Bowtech that comes close is the Liberty, but it is not that close (my opinion!!)! It is very well belanced, nice smooth draw, it has the slighty rounder HP cam, it is Mathews most extreme Parallel Limb Design ever, to me it awesome!

RE: Mathews Outback
 

I have shot Mathews bows for several years and really like their product. I think that I will steer clear from the outback however. The bow is great , for me the ATA is short. With shorter bows there is often canting problems. The bow is probably great for hunting but I also shoot competitive 3-D with the same bow I hunt with. The longer bows seem to work better for me. My LX is a little short for competitive shooting but allows me to handle it better than the real long ones in the field. I think that Mathews was going after a certain market when they built this one. But that is just my opinion. I have no doubt that it is a well made bow and may work for you. By the way, my wallet is still recovering from buying my LX.

RE: Mathews Outback
 

Still waiting on my 2 Outbacks to come in but today was able to spend a lot of time with a 70# Outback in the shop. I had a chance to alternate shots between the Outback and the following bows; The LX, Legacy, the Bowtech Patriot, Liberty, Justice, and Mighty Mite VFT. ALL great bows, but without a doubt the best was the Outback. Quiet, smooth, no shock, and great looks. In my mind there was a difference.
In regards to some peoples concern over the short ATA consider this. When companies first came out with short bows the limbs were long and risers were short. Thus, problems with overall stability. Now, with a riser as long as the LX, limbs shorter and much more parallel, with the addition of enough weight (less weight means less stability) means you have a short bow that acts and feels like a longer bow. In my opinion the Outback was even more stable than the other bows of 34-37 I have tried. People who think the outback is a short version of the LX, or a SQ2 on steroids are just wrong!

RE: Mathews Outback
 

Jag Mag

Here in my area Mathews LX-$599, Legacy-$569, Q2-$549
Bowtech LIberty-659, Justice-659, PatriotVFT-659

Talking about overpriced!!!

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: Mathews Outback
 

bwrong I would like to know where you seen this price in my area? Im
being charged 619 with out tax from mouldys archery that is 5 miles down the road from me. The out back is going for 739 with out tax at scheels sporting
goods chain.

RE: Mathews Outback
 

I shot the Outback today as well. Extremely smooth, quiet, no jump after the shot, and well-balanced. It is quite a bit heavier than I'm used to; I think that's because the riser's so much thicker. Throw in string suppressors, harmonic dampeners, and the big metal holder for the roller guards as opposed to carbon, and it adds up to quite a bit extra weight. Of course, that all probably helps soak up vibration a bunch too, as this bow was whisper quiet without a stabilizer or limb savers or leeches.

One shop had it at $629; the one I shot it at today had it at $629.

Jag-mag, sounds like that Scheels place is just plain trying to rip everyone off.

RE: Mathews Outback
 

Anybody have a picture of one?

RE: Mathews Outback
 

I would love to see pics too. My pro shop does not have them yet. Sounds very interesting.

RE: Mathews Outback
 

My shop just got one in. The owner left me take a few pokes out of it on the range. Yikes! Not much of a valley and very stiff draw cycle. I'll stick with me Hoyt

RE: Mathews Outback
 

I have pics from the Mathews brochure, I can email them to you, they are huge, but that are the only ones I have, around my area they are going for $699, the thing is, why do all different places have cheaper prices, it is the same bow, and Mathews does not usually discount of of list!

RE: Mathews Outback
 

I've got mine ordered, thing that stinks is they never really pump the Lefties out real quick. Hopefully I'll see it before March.

RE: Mathews Outback
 

Why does Mathews feel the need to add weight to all of their bows? I understand the benefits to a target shooter or even a whitetail hunter walking a 1/4 mile to their stand. I, however, can easily put on 10 miles chasing mulies and elk. That extra 1/2 to 3/4 lb. DOES make a difference.

Mathews is supposed to be coming out with a new bow at the ATA called the "Classic". It's supposed to be an "improved" version of the MQ1. I have an MQ1 and LOVE it. If Mathews Classic adds more wieght to the MQ1 design, then no matter how good it shoots (which can't be much better than my MQ1) it will not interest me. There are other people to sell to other than the 3-d shooter and whitetail hunters. Us mountain dwellers need a LIGHTER bow!!!!

RE: Mathews Outback
 

drove by the local Mathews dealer 3 times today before stopping in to look and talk to the guys about the new Outback. They had just gotten one in Friday and were trying it out... I've been shooting a Legacy for 2 years and though that it would be hard to beat how that bow shot and how it felt in the hand, but this new Outback is IT!!!!!! I like the new camo, it draws smooth, and has no hand shock that I could tell. I mostly use my bows for hunting 20 ft or so in a tree and don't worry about weight or speed when it comes to picking a new bow. Needless to say, I ordered one even though I always wait until after Mathews shows all of their new lineup... The dealer did tell me that if I wanted one of the other Mathews bows when the are let out of the bag, I could place another order and he would sell the Outback on the rack.

RE: Mathews Outback
 

I spent some time at my local Shop shooting the new Outback and MAN,..... it is one sweet shooter!!! A very nice machine that will certainly be a HOT seller this year. Smooth, super quiet, fast, just an excellent hunting rig for the treestander or the turkey blind. I was really wanting to try a "shorty" this season and was leaning more toward the Hoyt ViperTec but not after shooting the new Outback. The new camo is also a welcome change. I did find that the longer riser on the Outback did give the feel/stability of a much longer bow and should make this little sweety a pretty solid performer. Overall, I have not been his impressed with Mathews since the intoduction of the Q2. I strongly suggest anyone in the market for a new bow this year to not buy anything until they have shot the new Outback.

RE: Mathews Outback
 

CG: You got to remeber that the MQ1 was their first real seller, it does not have Harmonic Dampeners, String Suppresors, Cable Roller, it has the orginal Maxcam, and has a lighter riser, Mathews does this for one main reason, to eliminate vibration through the riser, to me the bow does not feel that heavy (I walk a mile to my stand!!), my LX with all the stuff on it weighs around 4.5lbs, not to mention the added stability you get when you put all the good stuff on their bows! It is also to balance the bow out! And also, isn't the MQ1 at 37" ATA, a little long for Mtn hunting, I would think something like the SQ2, Q2, or Outback would be preferred!?!?

Muzzyman: You must be use to the Cam and 1/2 system, because the Outback is much smoother than any Hoyt I have ever shot, and a stiff draw cycle, it is a much more rounded cam, it should be super smooth, and there has to be valley, otherwise it would not be a good Mathews!

I would have to say it is one of the finest Mathews, but I want to see the others coming too! But I can tell you one thing, with all these new bows, I would have to say Mathews has regained the top spot, with Bowtech being a close second! and Hoyt right behind them!

RE: Mathews Outback
 

Jeff K, I would have to agree with CG. The extra weight of the LX left me yearning for my Mathews Z-light at the end of the day. I have already packed my bow in 5 miles off the main trail head. Each morning it takes about 2 hrs of walking in the dark to get to where the elk hang out from where I camp at. When you walk and stalk from sun up to sun down in elk country a few ounces are noticible by the end of the day. The only time I don't think that it would be noticible is when it is strapped to a 100 lb. pack of elk meat. I use my LX for short hunts and for the 3-D range. When I go on the extreme hunts my Z-light is at my side.

RE: Mathews Outback
 

Elkcrazy8, Interesting. I am whitetail only so I have no reference point to give input. A few ounces makes that much difference? Your point is good as it relates to the whole topic of which bow should I buy though. Personal preference, where and what you hunt, etc. all need to be considered. I would imagine though that when it comes down to it 95+% of the entire human race buy on emotion and support it through fact in whatever decision they make in the buying process (myself included). I think for myself, put in your situation, would be able to offset the added ounces by the advanteges of a bow like the Outback provides......understand?

RE: Mathews Outback
 

Jeff,
The question is WHY???? The MQ1 is light (3.6 or 3.8 lbs. ?) and quiet. VERY quiet. So they are very capable of making a light shootable bow. My question is why not make it available now? And 37" is perfect for a mountain bow. I don't have a stabilizer on my bow and the 37" a to a offers a very stable shooting platform without additional weight.

Also I wasn't personally attacking you and your walking ability. There is a very real difference in hiking vertically for 2 miles (several times a day) from 8000 to 10,500 ft. and walking into a tree stand. That extra few ounces does make a difference.

I love my MQ1 but I won't buy a bow over 4 lbs. for the above stated reasons. I wish Mathews would just offer some greater variety in their mass weights. I've shot the Legacy, LX, Icon, etc. and they are great shooting bows. But the MQ1 shoots just as well without the bells and whistles. Pretty much Mathews has not significantly improved the MQ1. They've just added weight and few more FPS.

RE: Mathews Outback
 

BB9,
I don't understand and the reason is that a half pound over the course of a day really adds up, especially when it is at the end of your fingers. Go to an ultralight backpacking site and browse for a little bit. What those guys do is basically what I and Elkcrazy8 and a lot of elk hunter do. Put on a LOT of miles at high altitude. They will spend $200-$300 to buy a camp stove that is 3 oz. lighter than the one they have. Not better, but LIGHTER.

If you want to put this in perspective. Find the biggest hill around your area, put a plastic bag over your head and poke a hole the size of a pencil in it to breathe through, and walk up and down it all day from sunup to sundown and tell me if you wouldn't wish you had lighter boots, lighter jacket, lighter pack, etc.[X(]:D:D

RE: Mathews Outback
 

Man, do I ever agree with CG on this one!

The first blatantly obvious thing that glared out at me when I picked up the Outback was its weight... bare bones, it far outweighs my MQ-1 with sights, quiver, wrist sling, and stabilizer. DEFINITELY a lot more heft there...

And the guys were right about the valley; there is none basically. Any creep at all, and she's gonna go. Maybe you loved the bigger valley Mathews had before, but this model ain't got it. The shop owner explained that's where Mathews was gaining a little extra speed at. It did draw smoothly though, just no valley.

Having said that, though, she does shoot smooth! I'm sure all the extra bulk does a good job soaking up the vibes. It seemed a touch faster just eyeballing the arrows on the way to the target (I didn't shoot through a chrono), and it was absolutely rock-solid. It honestly reminded me of the glowing reports everyone's been attributing to the Bowtech Liberty.

Having said all that... Would it be worth it to plunk down several hundred dollars more -- provided I could get a few hundred for my current MQ-1, either as a trade or outright sell? Nope. CG's right; the MQ-1 shoots almost as smooth, is very noticeable lighter, and is whisper quiet in its own right.

Unless you've just got to have the latest of the latest, you'd do well to save several hundred dollars and buy yourself a used MQ-1.

RE: Mathews Outback
 

ANYONE--what kind of speeds and how smooth is the draw cycle?

RE: Mathews Outback
 

IBO speed of 308, and very smooth draw cycle -- just no valley to speak of.

RE: Mathews Outback
 

I have to agree with elkcrazy the added is strenous by the end of the day, my first bow that i hunted with was a golden eagle falcon flame that is one heavy bow compared the bow im shooting now, a bowtech extreme solo and that few ounces is very noticable with the way me and my dad hunt. we cover some hectic terrain and this is how he gets his nickname mtn goat.

By the way elkcrazy beautiful bull! Congrats!

RE: Mathews Outback
 

CG: I know the altitude you are talking about, but when climbing and all, all the bows are going to feel heavy after a long day of hiking and climbing, but the weight is not that much more, less than 1.5lbs, it is all going to be heavy, but I would rather use my LX over the MQ1!!

RE: Mathews Outback
 

I can understand the Elk guys wnatinga lighter bow. that's gotta be tough.

That said, as a lazy east coast whitetail hunter :D , me like the added weight for stability when shooting..especially on a super short axle to axle bow.

The only way you can get a decent brace height out of an extreme parallel limb bow is to make a longer heavier riser. In combination w/ the heavier aluminum "add-ons" of the Supressors, roller guard, and HD system that's where the extra weight is coming from. Were they to ditch the supressors, go back to a carbon guard, and lose the HD they'd drop probably 3/4 of a pound off the bow.

I'm curious about the valley comments. On the LX the valley is pretty good at 80% but very narrow at 65%..I'll see the bow this week, but I'm wondering if the valley is super narrow at the high letoff setting?

RE: Mathews Outback
 

Jeff, both bows I drew -- including the one I shot -- were set at 80%.

RE: Mathews Outback
 

If so then 65% is going to be brutal. I'll see if they will let a BowTech guy shoot one at the booth w/ 65% letoff :D (if at all! ;))

RE: Mathews Outback
 

I looked at and drew an Outback today. Draw cycle is smooth to about mid draw then seems to pick up much more weight before dropping into about a 1/4 inch valley!!!! At the 80% let off setting[:o] I can't inagine the 65% setting!! I own 3 BowTech Duallys and they have twice the length of valley compaired to the Outback. If you don't like "arm jerkers" you won't like this bow[:o]

RE: Mathews Outback
 

A bow company cannot be everything to everyone. Mathews is probably marketing towards whitetail hunters, who typically don't walk in too far, and sit in trees all day long (the largest segment of the market). If weight is critical, look at a small lightweight High Country, Diamond or Parker.

RE: Mathews Outback
 

Weight can actually be beneficial to those who hunt in the Mts. If offers more stabiblity of the bow when shooting it, soaks up noise and vibration!

For those Mathews guys that want newer technology, check out the SQ2 at 3.7lbs, the Black Max 2 at 3.5lbs (which has string suppresors, harmonic dampeners, etc.), the Ultra 2 at 3.7lbs, the FX at 3.3lbs, or check out the MQ1, or MQ32!!

RE: Mathews Outback
 

I was on another site, checking out one of the Posts I made about the Mathews Outback, a guy on there had the pics of the Outback he brought home, fist hand pics, very nice!





Kinda blurry but they work, this is not mine, it is a guys from Kentucky!

RE: Mathews Outback
 

Me thinks it looks like my Mighty Mite VFT! :D

Seriously, it looks like a nice bow though it took me a minute to figure out that there weren't two roller guards on the bow. :)

I am sure Mathews will sell a ton of them.

RE: Mathews Outback
 

Frank,

I thought the exact same thing. It looks alot like a mix between the regular MM's and the MM VFT!

I havn't seen this bow yet, but I would like to check it out. I have no intentions of buying one, my Liberty is all the bow that I want/need!!!!!

It is definetly a nice looking bow, but, like I said, I think I'll just keep my Liberty

RE: Mathews Outback
 

It looks like the Mighty Mite, but better! And yes, Mathews will sell a bunch of them!

RE: Mathews Outback
 

Jeff ,
Being a BowTech guy, If I wrote "Looks like the Outback .....but better" I would definitely put one of these little guys after it........;):D You forgot that little smiley guy didn't ya?;) (See how that works)

IF you don't mind me asking,Exactly how do you determine that the Outback is better than the MM VFT?
Have you shot both yet or are you just going by looks?;) (Oh there's another one)[8D]

RE: Mathews Outback
 

I sometimes use those smilies;), but usually not when typing a small amount of words;)!

I have shot the MM VFT, and the Outback, both are great bows;):D, but don't get me wrong, you and I would both have different opinions on it, I am a Mathews guy, and you a Bowtech guy, no matter what I would say or you would say we would both disagree, in my meaning by it is better, I thought it was smoother, but I like the valley on the Mighty Mite, I thought the Outback shot better (with less recoil & vibration!), was faster, and quieter. Both look good too, but Mathews is more of my style, and Bowtech is not! Now only if someone would test these 2 bows, a long strenuous test to see which bow is better!;):D[>:][:-]

But now what about the other Mathews, the Classic, now that is going to be competition for the Liberty, it seems to me that Mathews is going after Bowtech's new bows (trying to be better!);)!

Thanks Matt for pointing the smilies out to me!;):D

RE: Mathews Outback
 

What are the specs on the Outback? I am just curious because with the large idler/cam it may be more comparable to the Justice than the MM VFT.