Todd and I got invited up to the Mathews retailer show yesterday to check out some of their new bows. Got to shoot pretty much everything they are offering for this year and I must admit I was pretty impressed. I haven't shot a Mathews since the DXT came out, and even then I only shot it a handful of times at my local shop. I shot the Z7 Extreme, eZ7 and the Z7 Magnum with the Magnum being my personal favorite. Speed intrigues me and speed-wise it is the most comparable to the Judge I'm currently shooting. As much as I like shooting my Judge and think it's a great bow (looks and quality are top notch) it doesn't even compare in how smooth the Z7 draws, how dead in the hand it is, and especially how quiet it is. For a "speed' bow I was very, very impressed. 6 3/8" brace height which is longer than the Judge @ 6", and still IBO rated at 340 fps. Shot it with nothing but a WB rest and some monkey tails on the string. The only thing I wish was different was the weight. At 4.25 lbs is a wee bit heavy (seems like 4 lbs is the magic number). Also shot the Monster and it's more what you'd expect from a raw speed bow. Not too loud, but a good amount of recoil on the shot. At 4.5-ish lbs it was too heavy for my taste. All in all I was pretty impressed with the Z series bows. Got some sneak peaks at a few new products from other companies that are coming out for 2011 as well. Bohning and Tru Glo both new new quivers, Pine Ridge has a cool selection of soft kisser buttons in a variety of colors, Scent Blocker is coming out with a new safety harness and safety vest as well. Can't wait for ATA next month when we get to see everything. Cuddeback is debuting a new camera called the "Attack" that's supposed to be pretty nice.
Justin: Good write up. I've always thought bow weight was a give and take situation. What you give up (xtra weight), you take back/gain in how steady the bow is. And, this likely contributes to that dead in the hand feeling so many strive for. The Mathews line is selling really well at my local shop. Gotta be a reason.
My first bow was a Mission X3 last season. This season I saved up and bought an original Z7. I have had zero issues with either one. I draw 70lbs and I could not believe the difference between the two when I went in to get my Z7. It felt like half the effort of drawing back the X3. Very very smooth and easy. It was worth the extra hours at work to have the Z7 in my hand when I walk into the woods. Next year I will be replacing the string and adding a drop away rest. Other than that my bow will remain unchanged and I will remain confident in my equipment.
I shot the MR6. 6" brace height, somewhere around 350+/- fps. Nice feeling bow and blazing fast, but not my cup of tea. Felt a lot like the PSE Omen to me.
gonna take a lot for me to shoot something other than a Mathews bow. sounds like yall had a good time!
I've been looking at that Z7 for a few months now. You didn't help matters any by the impressive write up. My Allegence might become my backup bow next year.
Hey Justin, you need to try the new Matthews with the new Elites. The Pure and Pulse were really impressive when I shot them Saturday. The Pulse is way more smooth and quiet than the Judge from last year and the Pure was a perfect blend of smooth, steady, quiet and dead at the shot. Didn't get a chance to shoot the Hunter as the shop I was at can't keep them in stock but I see one in my future. Thanks for the write-up.
Not entirely sure. Supposed to be an IR and a standard flash version w video capabilities for around 225ish. That's all they would tell me. Sent from my HTC Incredible
