Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Bowhunting Mathews Bows??

Tex,

Seems like alot of us are looking at getting bows <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

The real question is, what bow is the easiest to shoot well? The answer to that is one that fits you well, and is tuned up to fit you, as well as one that is smooth and has no recoil.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned or questioned is whether you plan to shoot with a release, or with fingers. A short axle to axle bow can only be shot with a release, a 38" or longer bow can be shot either with release or fingers. Also the longer bows are reputed to be smoother.

What the new bowshooter really needs is a bow that is foregiving, and since I'm also a newbie, I don't have the answer to what that is.

I'm sure not going to bad mouth Mathews because they are excellent bows. The best? Only if it fits you well and you like the feel and you shoot it well. Buying one without looking at other makers is sort of, no offence intended to anyone, but foolish. There are dozens of makers that make bows that not only compete with Mathews performance and quality, for many they are better. Look at the new Hoyts, Parkers, Martins, Archery Research, Kodiaks, Bowtechs and the list goes on and on. Look at everything you can, better yet shoot them. If the Matt bow still feels best, buy it and be happy. There are some awesome bows out this year, I've gotten in a bit of trouble with the mrs., she didn't understand why I needed 2 more this year. I really do like the Legacy, but there are a few others I really liked better. Mathews are not magical bows, they aren't techno wonders either. What they do well is make some very fine products and employ the very best marketing team in the business. Mathews are not the most expensive bows either, just about every maker has a model or 2 that are similarly priced.
Some of you were asking about short ax. to ax., quiet bows that are easy to shoot take a look at the Parker line, now that is quiet. At the very least, they are equal to the Matt lineup. My personal taste is an '03 Cybertech, thats 35 inches of pure shooting perfection. (IMHO)

Given the many rave reviews for this bow ... of course it now appears to be discontinued.

Any word on which current Mathews bow carries on its characteristics?

John, The current short bow from Mathews is the SQ2. The next size up is the Q2 & that's the one I got to get back into bowhunting in 2001 after a 20 year break from the sport. I was amazed at how easy it was to be accurate with these new single cam outfits. Here's a link to Mathews site. To see specs on the MQ32 click on discontinued models.. http://www.mathewsinc.com/mathewsin...ogCategoryID=87&cboCatalogID=290

Awsome tools these folks build. Bruce

The SQ2 seems to be the closest. It is a nice short axel bow but it sure isn't for most beginners. It has a somewhat harsh draw cycle, little valley and despite a long brace height, it isn't that forgiving. If you let down on a full draw or creep a bit, pay attention or it will get yours quick.
Spike, good shooting with that Xi. They are nice shooters. I have two friends that won't give them up for anything.

Thanks, though I have to admit I get the drift but not all the particulars.

Guess if I take up bowhunting I will have a whole new lingo to learn!

I know what you mean, I went through the same thing when I got into it. Most people pick it up pretty quick though so don't worry. Pro shops are a huge help to beginners. If you are interested in getting started, I would suggest, probably like most everyone else, is to visit as many pro shops as you can. Tell them what you are looking to do with it. The good shops will show you a large number of bows and have you shoot them. Stay away from the shops that just hand you one bow and tell you this is the perfect one for you. Ask them everything you can think of, you'll get those answers and more. Ask other archers at the range questions, you'd be surprised how helpful they will be. Be a little wary of friends that tell you that you have to have a certain bow and pulling at least 70 pounds. The biggest problem I see is guys pulling more weight than they should, that and their draw length is too long. It is no fun if you have to struggle with every shot. Setup the right way, archery is more fun than it should be so get ready for a lifelong addiction.

Try a Techno-Hunt if you can find it near you, will definately help your shooting and it's a whole lot of fun.

i know that this is an old post but i want to put my .02 cents. matthews is by far the best bow on the market. their customer service department could use a little help, but other than that they are a great company. the bows are quality made and shoot fast and quiet. i saw an earlier post where the person said that competition shooters were having problems with their matthews. i think that is a crock. more competitions in the last 7 years have been won by matthews than any other. they are expensive bows as i have had my mq1 for 4 years and my icon for right at a year, i have not had the first problem with either. here is my advice if you can afford it, buy it. for what you pay for it you will want to learn how to shoot.

I never realized that this post was 2 years old until I replied. Mathews makes some very nice bows. They are the best on the market only if they fit you and you shoot them better than anything else. Mathews hasn't won a single competition but they employ some of the best shooters around that have. The thing is these guys would win shooting just about anything. Mathews dominates ASA and IBO competition because they own most of the shooters. Not so for marked yardage competitions. Not that they couldn't get more wins there, they just don't own as many shooters. It is a great marketing ploy that makes for great advertising. I can't help but wonder how much Mathews could knock off the price if they didn't take out 8 page adds in every magazine, bashing a competitor's product. Enjoy your Mathews, they are fine bows and may last you as long as my 23 year old Hoyt has. They may very well be the best for many people but unless you try other makes, you'll never know. I have friends that swear by them and others that swear at them and one that thinks the Mathews name is a curse word after his go around with one.

just want to say this. i have shot almost every manufactured bow on the market and in my humble opinion matthews is the best out there. i have a hoyt havoc that has claimed countless whitetails in and around the areas that i hunt. i love that bow. however, it is not as quiet, fast or forgiving as my matthews. i also have a pse that i shoot in competiton for about 2 years. it helped me win a few trophies, but it is also not a matthews. i have no affiliation with matthews what so ever, but they make a great product as do many of the other bow manufactures out there. for my money it will be a matthews. this is the same thing as remington and winchester, both make great products and some shoot better than the other, but i will go out on a limb and say that the equipment you use can make or break you in a hunting situation or a tournament situation. i can shoot all of my bows equally well( i have 5 differnt bows from 4 different companies). out of the 5 my 2 matthews shoot more consistent and comfortably than the others. that is what i base my opinion on.....

Sounds like you made a fine choice for yourself. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing Mathews here. I think they are fine bows and I believe they are a good value for the money if and only if someone shoots them well and likes the feel over competitors bows. If they don't, then it is a mistake to buy one just because it says Mathews on it. I can introduce you to a number of diehard Mathews fans and they love them, I can also introduce you to a number of ex Mathews owners that have found something they like better. Lately that would be a lot of new Hoyt owners from what I'm seeing. But there are many that don't care for them either and there are some great bows out this year. It is a good year to be in the market for a new bow. There are too many fine bows out there to ignore just for a brand name and that's the point I'm trying to get across. They are not magical bows that turn everyone into Robinhood. They are not techno wonders, despite what their advertisement suggests. They are good, solid products that have drawbacks like any other design. They should have their own marketing school though because that is what they make people believe. For some they really are the best , for others, no. Personally, I like the feel of a 2 cam bow but there are many single cams I like as well. I also not a big fan of long risers, they feel a bit too top heavy for me. To each his own and that is a good thing. Just look how many new companies are making bows now. Parker, Kodiak, Bowtech, Storm, Champion, Archery Research (owned by PSE) and the list keeps growing. The competition is getting fierce and thats good for all of us. It takes more than advertising and some bolt on doohickeys to keep market share and that goes for more than just Mathews.

WELL STATED AND I AGREE 100% WITH YOU ON THE FACT THAT FEEL IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN NAME BRAND.

I first bought a mathews Q2 and i love it! Then i bought the mathwes Icon and its more acurate and its the best compound that i have ever shot period!

Slickhead