Best/most enjoyable older compound bows

[Skunkworks]

I am looking into buying my first compound bow, although I have done some traditional barebow archery. I don’t want a new flagship model, but something solid and enjoyable (and affordable) for 3D archery and later for hunting. Based of lurking forums I am leaning heavily towards a Mathews Switchback XT.

Any arguements for or against this? Are there better bows I should be considering?

 

[Bump79]

Personally, I would step up to a little newer or a mid tier bow. I've seen Prime Ronan's going for less than $500. That's is nearly the same system as their flagship bows - same cams, limbs, limb pocks. Just a different riser.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

On a bow that old you're just gambling that it hasn't been abused.

 

[Swamp Fox]

The XT is a great bow. It or the longer ATA Switchback (34 in.) --which I prefer-- would serve you well.

 

[betelgeuse]

The XT is a great bow. It or the longer ATA Switchback (34 in.) --which I prefer-- would serve you well.

I have an S2 which is nearly the same thing. I love it

Also have 3 other friends that still shoot XTs

 

[Swamp Fox]

I have 2 S2's and still use them. Killed my biggest whitetail with one of them.

I have a few "favorite" bows --LOL-- and S2s are one of them.

Am also a huge fan of the Q2 --- : )

 

[Cdnance]

That switchback xt is an awesome bow! I use it as my backup when I’m traveling but I wouldn’t mind using it for most anything. If you find one in good shape you’ll probably be more than happy with it. These newer bows have all sorts of bells and whistles but the old xt is a killer.
Good luck on your search!

 

[brca005]

I'll add in the Mathews Z7 for consideration, I LOVED that bow and wish I had never gotten rid of it, I shot it really well. It'd be hard for me to pass up a Z7 if I could find one (I haven't looked very hard for one either).

 

[betelgeuse]

I'll add in the Mathews Z7 for consideration, I LOVED that bow and wish I had never gotten rid of it, I shot it really well. It'd be hard for me to pass up a Z7 if I could find one (I haven't looked very hard for one either).

Tons of them on Ebay

 

[brca005]

Tons of them on Ebay

Well that was a stroll down memory lane, there's some, it appears more of the Z7 Extreme's than Z7's. Those guys are wanting new prices for those things. It's always comical to me that guys think bows hold their value like guns do.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

I still have my old Hoyt Provantage. Great bow for those times.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

If you can find a Switchback with the appropriate limbs and cam for your draw weight and length for $400 or less, I would say take a gamble on it. But I wouldn't pay much more than that for a used bow that old. They were/are good bows, but limbs don't last forever. When the limbs start to splinter or crack, you're looking at $150-200 to replace them.

If you're wanting a Mathews, I would recommend a Vertix (2019 flagship model) or newer. That would get you into the era of dual cams with Switchweight mods and get you 99% of the performance of Mathews' current flagship models.

 

[Nicaburns]

Mathews Drenalin is an amazingly smooth bow for its time… The Creed is truly light and quick for its time period as well.

 

[fatlander]

You can buy a 15 year old bow that’s got nostalgia like the switchback for 400 bucks, and put another 5-700 bucks in for quality accessories.

Or you can find a year or two old flagship bow, full set up with great accessories for anywhere from 1k to 1500.

I’d go that route.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[PredatoronthePrairie]

I Have a mathews switchback I'd let go with a Montana black gold 5pin site an drop away rest for 500. Complete package.

Original owner. Bought the year they came out.

 

[Agross]

I bought a newer bow and I’m still shooting my Mathews drenalin. Love that bow. Shot a lot of animals with it. Smooth shooter

 

[blackveltbowhunter]

Arguments for:
-Smooth shooter
-Parts are always available
-Won't depreciate much
-Has lots of excellent hunting attributes
-Solocam system is reliable, smooth, and trouble free

Arguments against:
-Slow shooter
-Parts will not be cheap, if needed.
-You will pay more for a 20 year old bow than most bows 10+years newer.
-While a solid hunting bow, it lacks attributes you may want in a 3d bow ( Yes, I know any bow can crossover ).
- Solocam system is outdated, slow, and can be nuanced to setup correctly.

The SWBXT is a classic hunting bow and it sounds like it would serve you well, but just keeping it real when an item becomes a classic its shortcomings can be overlooked and its cost may not reflect its real value.

 

[graniteghost]

I had a switchback LD and honestly regret getting rid of it sometimes. Sold it to a coworker who was able to kill his first antelope with it. Like previously mentioned, if you can find one under $400 it’s a great bow. I sold mine for $350 fully set up with arrows.

 

[Skunkworks]

I Have a mathews switchback I'd let go with a Montana black gold 5pin site an drop away rest for 500. Complete package.

Original owner. Bought the year they came out.

XT or regular?

 

[Skunkworks]

Arguments for:
-Smooth shooter
-Parts are always available
-Won't depreciate much
-Has lots of excellent hunting attributes
-Solocam system is reliable, smooth, and trouble free

Arguments against:
-Slow shooter
-Parts will not be cheap, if needed.
-You will pay more for a 20 year old bow than most bows 10+years newer.
-While a solid hunting bow, it lacks attributes you may want in a 3d bow ( Yes, I know any bow can crossover ).
- Solocam system is outdated, slow, and can be nuanced to setup correctly.

The SWBXT is a classic hunting bow and it sounds like it would serve you well, but just keeping it real when an item becomes a classic its shortcomings can be overlooked and its cost may not reflect its real value.

Very helpful list, thank you