Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Bowhunting Hoyt or Mathews bow?

My family most shoots Hoyt, but my wife wants me to get a Mathews. I’m not looking for the latest line up, I could do with bows that are a season or two old, I’m looking more for good performance than look. I’ve done a bit of research, I found that in terms of pricing (https://hunthacks.com/), the Hoyt is definitely less pricey than the Mathews, and the Hoyt seems more adjustable, whereas the Mathews also needs additional purchases, like new cams.

Do you guys have any more things that can help me consider either of the two better, or other brands that you think are better than Hoyt or Mathews? Please let me know. Thanks!

I have shot both of them. Currently shooting a Hoyt Faktor, a four year old bow. Previously I shot a Mathews Drenalin.
Both are great bows. And I suspect that both companies still have some good models.
If you can, go to a pro shop and shoot several of both and decide.

Are you looking for a used bow or a left over new one? If new than almost all the 2017 Mathews will be about the same price (except the Z3) so go with the model you shoot best. Also, remember the 2017s will be considered last years model come November. I shot the majority of the Hoyts, Mathews and Bowtechs last winter and found the Hoyt products to be lacking. I really wanted to purchase a Hoyt so maybe sometime in the future. The Bowtech Reign is about the most adjustable bow on the market and a very nice shooting bow. However, in the end I shot the Halon 32 the best and that is the one I chose. Its personal so go test them out and let us know what you think.

I see I would have to do a lot of exploring on both side,
will try a few 2017 Mathews bows and see how they feel. I should be back with updates before this week runs out.

Hoyt on the other hand I haven't heard much good about.

Outdated compounds, and Matthews go out of date pretty quick...are like last years snow, not worth much. So, you should be able to get all the used bows to try you want pretty cheap. I mean, you gotta be in the "bow of the month club" to stay up with Matthews bows. I like them and I used them for about 10 years. I got sick of paying for the latest and greatest only to get a flyer in the mail two seconds after I buy one advertising the same name bow with an XT or XR after it. What got me away from Matthews was also the weight, they have lightened up recently, but were always heavy bows.
I have a Hoyt Carbon Matrix I bought the first year they came out and still shoot it, zero problems and I don't feel like it is behind the times at all. In all fairness, I have never had any problems with any of the top name compounds...then again, that "bow of the month club" thing has nobody really keeping them very long. Personally, I'd stick with Hoyt.

My first expensive bow was a Mathews Drenalin LD, I love that bow if fact I just took it elk hunting this weekend for nostalgia sake. I have tried a few other Mathews bows since then and I can't find one that I like. I have been shooting a Hoyt Nitrum 34 LD for a few years and I love the bow. It goes out to 100 yards easily, 3D not hunting. I am a Hoyt convert. I would love to get my hands on a Hyperedge. I love long ATA bows.

You lost me at my wife wants me to get....

I noticed mathews have the best resale value...if that matters. Im a mathews fan. I've strayed but always come back.
Bought a new halon 32 6 this year to replace my mr8.
Really like my mathews bows!

i still have a mathews q 32.still shoots great

I think bows are a feel choice, more then a brand. You have to like the feel Blindfolded to shot it decent. In my humble opinion , a lot of the new bows feel top heavy in my hand. Hence , I stick with antiques from Hoyt................

This is awesome, but do not let the shock of approval from your wife make the decision for you!!!!!!!!!!

i haven't owned many bows but all my compounds have been mathews. my mq1 is still laser straight and its probably 15 years old. i would go to a good private bow shop and handle them all. darton makes a good bow too in my opinion. see what feels and shoots good for you best.

I would have to say just shoot what feels best. I shot a Matthews for several season and had no interest in parting with the reazon6.5. I dry fired it and had to get a new cam and also replaced the string. Sold it after that as it never felt the same after. Buddy bought it and and couldn't be happier.
I now shoot a Stevens inception so brand loyalty is not a big deal to me. Shoot several as recommended and see what feels best

Both are great. When I bought my last bow, I walked in knowing I'd be leaving with a Mathews, walked out with a hoyt. Just felt better to me.

Try shooting a Prime. Lots of us have made the switch--yes, also had Hoyt and Mathews. I do agree on the resale of the Mathews.

A friend owns an archery shop and was going to give me the same price on a Prime or Halon (higher price). I shot both side-by-side and got the Prime. Prime also gives you free string replacements--ask your shop about it. Shoot all of them and decide what you like best. Lots of good bows on the market today, so it's hard to make a bad choice.

Prime will be next in my herd of bows, free strings and dual track cams makes tuning very easy for fixed broadheads.

I prefer the Hoyts. Mathews has a top limb tip forward at the shot that feels strange to me. The Hoyts tend to be very neutral. Both manufacturers make top quality rigs.

What do you get with new bows all the time that you needed that old bows didn't cut the mustard?

I often wonder.

Still can kill all I want with a round wheel 91 bow. Or my Brackenbury recurve.

I'd like a new bow, but every time I start to look, I just realize, I refuse to shoot past 15 yards. Deer will move if they are further than that and I have to live with my choices.

What will a new bow do?

I could shoot small enough groups out to 90 yards with my round wheel bow in the day....

After all that babble, I'd sure grab what FELT the best and shot the smoothest to me... could care less what the name is.

Disregard, I just realized some folks buy guns every year just to buy them, not for a specific purpose and because they wanted a new one.

I guess I"m unfortunately more purpose driven.

Me too. Big fan of longer ATA. I still have two older ( 20 plus years) pro vantage hunters

as a bowhunter of over 50 years,its the indian not the bow mostly.this 2017 early fall my son wanted a new bow I told him spend your money the way you want ,but son: that 2009 hoyt katera bow has killed elk already for you and bet it still will.so again with his 2009 hoyt katera we both went bowhunting for elk in fall of 2017 out west and again his old 2009 katera killed a huge bull elk that will score typical 360 plus off public land on our own again. son now agrees that old bow" 2009 hoyt katera" will work again next year 2018 ! as far as brand that is what ever brand you feel look`s good and you think you shoot well . we both have had good luck with Hoyt and Barnsdale compounds. good luck with your choice,Pete53

I shoot Prime and Elite. I think they're the best bows out there right now. Best of luck on whatever you choose!

Well I won't be much help to ya. I've been using my Matthews Outback for nearly 12 years now. I don't feel like I'm missing anything by not trying to keep up with the revolving door at Matthew's with the newest model.

That said, I sold a Hoyt HavocTec to buy the Matthew's. I don't see any reason to switch it out now.

I'm using Hoyt, my best bow ever. Recommended

I've always shot Hoyts only because I couldn't afford a new Matthews. But they all put meat on the table.

If it's your wifes bow, she should pick it, after all she has to shoot it! A person can have a top of the line bow, but for some reason just not like it.

They are all good, it comes down to feel.

I’m on my 5th or 6th Mathews bow.
It’s an all blacked out Z7
For right now I’m very happy with this bow and have no plans any time soon to upgrade.
If I did though it would be another Mathews.
This bow just keeps killing deer for me so I just can’t part with it.