Bowtech vs Matthews

Sbarrera185

Sbarrera185

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 12, 2019
Messages
114
Looking at getting into archery so of course need to get new to me equipment. I’ve been going to archery shops and seeing and doing research. An archery shop in the area has two bows I’ve really come to like

1. Bowtech Amplify (New)
2. Matthews (Used, can’t remember the model)

They’re both the same price and come with everything set up and ready to shoot. Which would be the better option? I know it will probably be whichever I feel shoots better but out of personal use which would be recommended.

Thanks
 
You already answered your question. Shoot them both as much as you can and pick the one that feels and shoots the best for YOU. Also try some others. If you are new then I would get the one with longer axle to axle and higher brace height.
 
Two thoughts:
1) shoot them both and see what you like.
2) don't shoot either and just get one and get comfortable with it

I think there is a little too much emphasis (especially for new archers) on "shoot it and see how it feels". You don't know how it feels, your form is (more than likely) atrocious, your draw weight is much lower than it will be in a year, your draw length is likely shorter than it will be in a year, you don't know what release style you like yet, you may not even know what you want to do in archery (hunt, target, 3D, backyard champion). Not to be insulting, but new archers don't know what feels best usually, because the way they shoot today is night and day with how they'll shoot in a few months even.

That said, if you shoot them and one jumps out as the clear winner, go for it. Nobody makes bad bows right now in the big manufacturers. I went into a shop convinced Matthews was the bow for me, I shot it and went with bowtech...and almost chose the PSE over the bowtech. But, if I'd ordered sight unseen, I would be super comfortable with the matthews, PSE, or bowtech.
 
Start with knowing your draw length. If you don’t know that there are YouTube videos to help. Not every bow can be set up for every draw length. As a guy with arms like an albatross ask me how I know!

Are you definitely going to hunt, or do you want to do target archery? There are older bows that you can get for target that are very economical.

If you go used, make sure you can get parts like cams for it. I have two Mathews bows and know I can get parts as they’ll still make them for their very first bow. Cannot tell you if other brands do.

I do not hunt, but I own a Mathews Traverse (hunting) and Conquest 4 (target). I bought both due to my draw length and availability when I got into this about this time last year.

Like the post above this notes, if you try a bunch something may really stand out for you. In my case I bought them both used and untried. I have no complaints with either one. OTOH I have a friend who will only shoot another brand and “hates” Mathews (except the Traverse). It’s really all personal.

Unlike others, I won’t swap out bows regularly. I’m a “one and done” guy as the ones I got work for me.

Good luck!
 
Nothing against target archery but this is a hunting forum. So I assume OP wants to hunt.
 
How can anyone give any personal info about the Matthews if you don’t know what model it is?
 
Last edited:
87TT said:
Nothing against target archery but this is a hunting forum. So I assume OP wants to hunt.
Click to expand...

One never knows…

I’d like to hunt but my knees are too beat up. I wanted a hunting bow nonetheless, but started with a target bow as it was cheaper & easier to obtain used at the time

Why am I here if I don’t hunt? Always things to learn & love learning!
 
I was a Dodge guy for a lot of years. I just bought a new Ford. Nobody makes bad trucks right now.

In the bow world I think brand loyalty is becoming a thing of the past too. It's an amazing time to be alive :)
 
AaronMColeman said:
I was a Dodge guy for a lot of years. I just bought a new Ford. Nobody makes bad trucks right now.

In the bow world I think brand loyalty is becoming a thing of the past too. It's an amazing time to be alive :)
Click to expand...

I get that and understand it. But with it being my first bow that will be used for hunting I’m looking at getting something that will last for a while. I do know nothing is perfect as well. Just seeing what everyone out there is shooting or using and how they like or what others recommend.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You are comparing an entry level bow to a few year old flagship, that is almost exactly the same as a current year flagship (v3x 29).

The SW mods on the vertix will allow you to go from 50#-75#, and draw lengths from 26-30.5 with a mod change. Those mods are generally $50-55. The Bowtech will allow you to change without purchasing anything, and offers a wider range starting lower in draw length and weight. The Bowtech will have a warranty, tho read what it does and doesn't cover. The used Mathews of course has no warranty. They will both tune with shimming the cams, I assume anyways, not positive with the Bowtech. That will require a press.


Pretty similar in the speed department, might see 8-10 fps difference between them. Same brace height, longer ATA on the BT, however the huge SW cams make the Mathews seem like a longer bow, plus the riser is longer.

I think it would come down to how important the warranty is. The Mathews could end up needing new bearings if the previous owner overtightened the axle bolts, otherwise it should be pretty problem free except for actual damage from missuse. I think the Vertix is a better bow, but depending on the situation, it might not be best for you.
 
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