You know I've shot the same bow for almost 5 years and who know I might for another 5. But I always enjoy watching what the manufacturers come out with to compete with one another. I especially like how they position their offerings against one another. So I'm looking at what Bowtech has done and it seems to me that they're doing a great job. They've come up with this new cam concept which if it proves to be solid could be very big for them. As far as positioning, they've got a short ata bow positioned against the Outback with similar specs and a little more speed. If it has the smoothness of the Outback and the cam system comes through, that could be real strong positioning. Then they have the long ATA bow which answers the Ovation/Conquest. The 33ata 7" brace has better speed than the LX and again if the cam is smooth and comes through on what is promoted, again very strong positioning. Then we have the 37" offering. On this one I'm wondering if they were anticipating that Mathews might come up with something in that ATA range.

So I sit back and I do wonder how is Mathews going to try and answer? The only places that I see is maybe with a bigger brace height bow in the 34ATA range. I was thinking they might go to an even shorter ATA like in the 30" range, but I think they probably are satisfied with the response they got with the Outback plus it's new so they don't usually move from a successful offering in subsequent years. So I'd be surprised if they did anything on the short ATA end. So maybe a taller brace height in the 34 ata range and maybe a new offering in the 37" ata range.

They might also do something with their low end offering, maybe change something on the FX, but they always seem to offer one low end model, so I would think they'll keep something like it.

It sure does seem that Bowtech is putting the heat on them. What do you guys think Mathews might come up with?

Another single cam??

Perhaps they will come up with the bow many fans anticipated last year, a revamped MQ1 with the HP cam (only to be disappointed with the Classic instead). I agree that Bowtech's new lineup looks very good, but Mathews has its legion of followers who will buy and support them no matter what they come up with.

When I tell my non-bowhunting fishing buddies I bouught a new bow they all say the same thing..."Is it a Matthews Solocam?"

Matthews response will be to continue to stoke the marketing/advertising juggernaut that has made them so successful. Until another company can match them blow for blow with TV personalities, print, and committed dealers they will remain #1 regardless(within reason) of what the other bow companies produce.

Just my $0.02

UR

I think that you may be onto something with that. I think companies definitely look to fill "holes" in their lineup. Having a series of bows with axle to axle lengths that vary by 2 to 3 inches with brace heights in the "shootable" range of 7-8 inches would make a very solid and competitive lineup.

Matt's got to work on a few issues AFAIC

1) HP cam bow noise. The HP cam in combo with the roller guard makes for a critical cam timing setup. my 80 pound Liberty shooting the same weight arrow (400 grains) is much quieter than my 60 pound Outback. No matter what I do I cannot get the bow nearly as quiet as my Legacy was. Shoots fantastic, but just not quiet enough for me.

2) He needs to bring back what the customers want..which is something to fill the gap left by the departed Q2XL and MQ1...37-38" bow, 7.5" brace, updated stuff. Icon is too slow and critical for most guys. Ovation too long and doesn't perform well in the shorter draw lengths.

3) "mid length" bows are driving the hunting market: 33-35" bows..needs an updated replacement for the Legacy.

4) Slick marketing. This is key to retaining as much market share as possible. For the past few years they have pounded one bow model into everyones skull..it works, but I cannot help but think it works best on those less informed, I think most americans like choice, and putting all the effort into pimping one new bow model per year I believe will backfire for Mathews in the end. This is the reason BT and Hoyt are so successful..lots of different config models for customers to choose from.

AFAIC, if Matt doesn't pull something to wow people out of his sleeve in 2005, BT is going to really put the hurting on them, as well as Hoyt who completely left the back door open for 2005 with what is basically a slightly different cosmetic line-up with increased pricing. People like Martin are going to pick up the sales slack too with their excellent pricing (and going away from the noisy as hell Tru-Arc(CPS) to the much quieter Tru-Arc+ (C.5 design) should really help catalog sales).

Buckfevr:
BowTech had the Pro 40s in the 37-38" range. They're keeping it for guys that like that ATA, IMO. I shoot a P40 for 3D, and am not so sure I'd like anything longer for that. I'd say BowTech build what they build as a response to what, they feel, the customers want. Not what some other company builds. In 04 people wanted smooth. We got the Freedom cam. Looking ahead to 05, hybrids seemed to be gaining in popularity (what customers want). Now we have the Equalizer cams. It seems to me that BowTech endeavor to put bows in customer's hands that they ask for.

Great responses guys. I think there is another issue, in terms of positioning and that has to do with the cams. Mathews has pretty much bet the ranch on the solo cam. And I think for better or worse I think that they have strong brand equity regarding the one cam that will be hard to erode. It may have been that the Liberty was just as smooth as the Outback, perhaps it had a better cam than the HP cam, but the equity that the Mathews has in terms of the solocam, still resonates and I think that was expressed in the # of Outback sales. However, Hoyt did real well with the cam and 1/2. And I think that it was good positioning not going against Mathews strongest point. I think that here Bowtech with this new cam system has an opportunity to differentiate themselves, as Hoyt did with the cam and 1/2. And it's a good move IMO because they haven't painted themselves into a corner as Mathews has with the committment to the solo cam.

What do you guys think about that?

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...

Alright we've seen the specs on the Bowtechs, Hoyt' has really just refined things this year. Now if you are Mathews what do you do? I'll go first. I put out a shorter version of the Outback 30 ATA with whatever brace I need to get 310. I come in with a 34 ATA 7.5" brace @ 310. I bring back the MQ1 but with the HP cam 37ATA 7.5 brace @310. And I change the specs on the Ovation so that it has the punch of the Conquest, get the brace height down to 7 and bring that IBO up. I drop the Legacy, the Icon and either drop the FX or do something minor to it, like they did with the classic to have something on the lower end.