Well, even though I am relatively new here, and this is a Bowtech site , I am going to post my first ever completely un-scientific review of my new Merlin Max Extreme. I am sure I will not adequately describe this fine tool, but I will try.

First impression:
This bow is built very solid. You can tell the first time you pull it out of the box. The fit and finish of it are what I was hoping for, after hearing all the praises of Merlin. The limbs and skins are just cool. You look and you know this bow should be nice to shoot. The machining is very clean and smooth, with bevels and rounded edges in all the right places. The camo finish is very different, but nice. The pattern is kind of like the new digital camo the troops are wearing, with more detail of course. It kind of has a snake skin look to it. The cams are large and very well machined and finished. There are no rough spots and the string grooves are wide with nice rounded edges.
All the measurements are dead on. The ATA is perfect at 33”. The brace height is perfect at 8”. And while I have not measured the draw length exactly, it seems to be right on as well. After I put the loop on, I have the exact same anchor as I did with my old bow, which is how I got my DL for this bow, not from the sticker, but an actual measurement.
For accessories, I have most that I need, but may change a few things later. I am using my trusty GKF 3D Rover, a 7” Doinker hunter and a Copper John Dead Nuts Pro III. I shoot Gold Tip 3D Pro 7595 cut to 28.5” with 125 grain tips. I really like the setup so far, but I may get the TKO and a Stealth, who knows. I have not decided on a quiver for hunting yet.

Mechanics:
Again, this bow is just solid. The locking limb pockets are new for me (had my Mathews FeatherMax for years), but seem to take that next step towards stability. The grip slides consistently to the same spot every time, and is quite comfortable. The riser is rounded a bit more where your thumb web hits, and the wood side plates add to the overall comfort. I ordered the bow with 55-65 pound limbs, with Kevin at Pinwheel saying it should max out around 67, which sounded good to me. For me this weight range seems perfect for a good all around bow. It is not too heavy for a long day shooting league or practicing, while at the same time, I can bottom out for 3D or hunting season. It just seems like a great compromise, especially given the efficiency of today’s bows. Why pull 70-75 lbs?
The string is not your typical factory string. From what I understand, it is a pre-stretched 8125, similar to the custom strings most buy just after getting a new bow. This is not needed for this one. I have shot several hundred shots, with no noticeable creep and no peep rotation. In my mind, this is a nice added bonus for this bow; it already comes with a high quality string.

Kinetics:
As far as the way this bow shoots, it is just plain fun. The draw cycle is EXTREMELY smooth. There actually is a valley with these cams, which I like, and a very hard wall. You will know when you hit the end. I have a bum shoulder, so the draw cycle was important to me. The Max Cam on my Mathews is quite harsh when compared to these Omega cams. I have shot the newer Mathews, as well as the Bowtech Liberty and Justice bows, so I feel I can honestly say there is no noticeable difference in how smooth these cams roll when compared to these others. It builds smoothly and lets off nicely into the valley. Like I said, it is fun.
Now for the shot. This is where this little bow really stands out from the crowd. The only way you know it happened is because there is no more tension in your arm and you hear a thunk at the target. There is absolutely NO vibration or jump or kick or anything upon release. The bow literally just sits there, waiting for more. Without a stabilizer and with a relaxed grip, it will roll back, but very slowly. I put my 7” Doinker hunter, without the removable weight, and the bow almost balances in my hand. I did not need to use the stabilizer for removing shock or vibration, as there was none. I also don’t think I need a sling, I could shoot it with an open, relaxed hand, and the bow is not going anywhere. All I can think is those limb covers must be doing some good work, as well as the riser geometry that Kevin always talks to. Another bonus of this bow, no need to spend $15-25 on limb savers.
As for speed, I don’t know yet, but it is plenty quick. I am going to try to chrono it this weekend.
Now for what counts, accuracy. This is where it gets even more fun. I spent Sunday paper tuning and getting things as close as I could. I was only able to shoot about 15 feet, as I was doing this inside at home. On Tuesdays, I shoot an indoor paper animal league. I decided to try to get the Max X sighted in and shoot the round with it, as it is our last practice round before we get serious. This was the first time I had shot the bow past 15 feet. Well, I sighted it in and proceeded to shoot my second highest score ever in this league. I even dropped one arrow, or I would have been at or over my high round. Remember when I said this bow was fun to shoot? I am still getting used to the weight, as this bow is ¾ of a pound heavier than then my old FeatherMax, but obviously it was not that tough of a transition. I have group tuned or really dialed this bow in yet, but I have no doubt it will only get better.

In closing, I do not regret for one second buying this bow without ever having shot it, or even a Merlin in general for that matter. I took a leap of faith, and there is no looking back now. Kevin was great to work with, and continues to be the dealer others say he is. I have always enjoyed archery, at least for the last 7 years I have been participating seriously as a bowhunter and now even a somewhat competitive archery, and this new bow is just making it that much more fun. I am sure partly because it is new, but also because it is an improvement. I guess I am now one of those Merlin zealots you see over on AT, but I can see where they get it. These bows are going to become very popular as they spread out and gain accessibility.

The grip.

Locking Limb Pockets

The riser

Back of the grip, sorry for the glare.

And the famous limb skins....

Well done...

jmac_or-

Thanks for taking the time to do the review, nice job! I see you are liking your Max Xtreme just as many others are now, including myself.

This bow will certainly "grab ahold of" it's share of the market once people get to shoot them,(in fact orders are starting to really come in now) simply because of what you correctly stated above in regards to no shock or recoil, and the fact that it is truly a "fun" bow to shoot. One of the best kept secrets this year IMHO. (Altho word is definately starting to get out!)

Thanks again for the review, enjoy! Pinwheel 12

jmac_or,

Yep, they're nice bows, but I've got a question. How many shots have you got on that string? My experience was quite different and a few of my buddies who got one, ditched the string in short order. They were all 1/2 longer then specs, before the bow was even shot. In addition, peeps never stopped turning on any of the ones we have experience with. I also don't know about the pre-stretched part. I have a string jig that I can put 500 lbs of tension on a string. I put one in the jig and was able to stretch it a full 2" with no problem. I know Winner's choice was using 8125, but they put 700 lbs tension on their strings to remove the stretch. I've also heard that Winners Choice is going back to Ultra Cam.

Anyway, if your string is working as it should, then I'm sure you'll love the bow. Have fun with it.

jmac,

Great report on a great bow!
I'm not even interested in shooting anything but Merlin and Bowman bows.
Few bows come close to the Merlin quality, jmo.
Kevin is the best dealer you will find and great to deal with.

Straightarrow,

Stewart Bowman makes his own strings and cables and says you begin to destroy the fibers in the string when you stretch them beyond 170lbs.
I am stunned that Winners Choice would stretch them to 700lbs!!!


Sag.