Used Flagship Mathews vs. New Budget Range PSE or Similar

[ajmott1992]

I'm looking at a few bow offerings

The first offering is a Mathews V3X 33 fully setup with:

• Mathews Flatline stabilizer
• Mathews LowPro quiver
• Ultrarest Integrate MX arrow rest
• Engage sights
• and carbon arrows (not sure the brand/model).
• Advertised Used - Like New for $1500. (Priced out new I estimated $2200+tax in value when it was brand new). Is this $1500 offering a good value?

Alternately I could pick up the good-ole-reliable single-cam PSE Stinger (or equivalent) brand-new that everyone raves about being "the ultimate work-horse bow" and probably get it setup out the door around $1000 (estimated).

I know this is comparing apples and oranges, but my understanding of bows is "anything flagship from 5+ years ago is budget/mid-line today". I mean, bow tech is just getting too good, it's like we spend $1000 extra on splitting hairs... I guess what I'm looking for is advice from more experienced hunters. I would call myself "seasoned" but my experience is with hand-me-down bows from the 90's and such... this would be my first real big-boi bow.

Just to throw a wrench into the equation: I found a PSE Carbon Air Stealth fully set-up (advertised used - good condition with only cosmetic flaw) with:

• 2 pin LED TRU GLO slider
• trophy taker drop away rest
• dead center stabilizer
• 14 carbon maximum red/blue arrows cut at 26 3/4".
• Asking $900... That seems like a steal.... but the drive is like 3 hours away LOL.

Side note: I already know all the default answers: "you need to shoot them and see what you personally like. Go to a pro-shop and try different bows and get a feel for what you want." etc. etc. I get it. What I'm hoping to get from this post is "real-world perspective" and some idea of value/bank-for-buck, like are any of these offerings good deals or am I better off going a different route?
FWIW, I'm 5'10", 165lbs, 28.5" draw-length. I live in the western US. Hunting deer and elk. (Tho I'd like to tree-stand hunt whitetail with this in the future as well).

 

[alexnelon]

Those are both severely overpriced.

That v3x should be closer to $900 all in.

The PSE closer to maybe $400 and I wouldn’t buy it for that much because the accessories are trash.

 

[ajmott1992]

Those are both severely overpriced.

That v3x should be closer to $900 all in.

The PSE closer to maybe $400 and I wouldn’t buy it for that much because the accessories are trash.

Thanks for the response. I just found another deal too:

2013 Hoyt Spyder 34. Comes with:

• 7 pin sight (brand not specified)
• QAD HDX arrow rest
• 6 arrow Hoyt 2 piece quiver
• Stabilizer (brand not specified)

It is set to 70lbs and 28.5 draw which is my draw-length (meaning I shouldn't have to worry about mods). Dude is asking $300.... I know it's an old bow but holy crap it looks like a steal.

If I may ask again: Would you recommend I continue searching for these used flagship deals, or just get a brand new "budget but good" bow like the PSE Stinger outfitted with my choice of accessories?

 

[180ls1]

Thanks for the response. I just found another deal too:

2013 Hoyt Spyder 34. Comes with:

• 7 pin sight (brand not specified)
• QAD HDX arrow rest
• 6 arrow Hoyt 2 piece quiver
• Stabilizer (brand not specified)

It is set to 70lbs and 28.5 draw which is my draw-length (meaning I shouldn't have to worry about mods). Dude is asking $300.... I know it's an old bow but holy crap it looks like a steal.

If I may ask again: Would you recommend I continue searching for these used flagship deals, or just get a brand new "budget but good" bow like the PSE Stinger outfitted with my choice of accessories?

Used flagship but find a better deal.

That Matthews was released 4+ years ago

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Without going in to specifics of pricing or exact models, in general I would definitely prefer a used flagship over new budget bows. I will say though I wouldn't want to go too used or too old. I don't buy bows very often and tend to keep them 10+ years so that could be why, but when I buy a used bow I like it to be no more than 2-3 years old.

 

[ajmott1992]

Used flagship but find a better deal.

That Matthews was released 4+ years ago

Even with all the accessories? I see Mathews V3x's going for 700-850 on ebay bare bow. But this offering has $700+ in accessories tacked on. What kind of deal should I be looking for?

 

[Live_weighT34]

Used “flagship” over a new budget bow. That Hoyt carbon wouldn’t be terrible but keep in mind they were notorious for limb splinters and Hoyt no longer makes any parts for those bows.

The V3 sounds like a fairly good deal.

I walked from the archery scene 5 years ago so I’m not completely up to date on current pricing & offerings but I spent 6 years behind the counter of a pro shop so I’m not completely speaking out of my rear.

 

[ajmott1992]

Used “flagship” over a new budget bow. That Hoyt carbon wouldn’t be terrible but keep in mind they were notorious for limb splinters and Hoyt no longer makes any parts for those bows.

The V3 sounds like a fairly good deal.

I walked from the archery scene 5 years ago so I’m not completely up to date on current pricing & offerings but I spent 6 years behind the counter of a pro shop so I’m not completely speaking out of my rear.

hey thanks for your professional opinion. I might do more research on the Hoyt for potential limb issues. I feel better buying something a few years old vs over 10 years old.

I seem to be getting a consistent response to just stay away from any budget or mid-line bow and go with a used flagship. It's just figuring out what a good deal looks like.

 

[180ls1]

hey thanks for your professional opinion. I might do more research on the Hoyt for potential limb issues. I feel better buying something a few years old vs over 10 years old.

I seem to be getting a consistent response to just stay away from any budget or mid-line bow and go with a used flagship. It's just figuring out what a good deal looks like.

If you want a deal on new, look at one of last years/model flagship Prime bows. You can grab them new for around $700 and many times the shop you buy it from will set it up for free plus you get free strings for life.


Personally, I would just want that Matthews for cheaper as you are probably looking at a new string soon ($200) and a shop to help setup and adjust it to you ($50). Just a guess.

 

[Marshfly]

Even with all the accessories? I see Mathews V3x's going for 700-850 on ebay bare bow. But this offering has $700+ in accessories tacked on. What kind of deal should I be looking for?

I paid $750 for my son's used Phase 4 29 with about 100 shots through it last summer on ArcheryTalk with a QAD MX rest. When Lift X's came out my local Scheels was blowing out regular Lifts for like $1000. A V3X should be $500-600 bare IMHO. $1500 for a fully kitted (but all used) V3X is nuts.

I have a total of about $1400 in that Phase 4 btw. Keep shopping. ArcheryTalk is BY FAR the best place to shop for a used flagship bow IMHO. I find that fully kitted newer bows are simply listed for WAY too much.

My suggestion is to find a bow and then shop hard here, on ArcheryTalk, and on Ebay for lightly used accessories. You will find LowPro Quivers for $100 off, limb legs for half off, sights for 40% or more off.

Here is my son's $1400 Phase 4. It's quieter, lighter, and smoother than my V3X.

 

[ajmott1992]

I paid $750 for my son's used Phase 4 29 with about 100 shots through it last summer on ArcheryTalk with a QAD MX rest. When Lift X's came out my local Scheels was blowing out regular Lifts for like $1000. A V3X should be $500-600 bare IMHO. $1500 for a fully kitted (but all used) V3X is nuts.

I have a total of about $1400 in that Phase 4 btw. Keep shopping. ArcheryTalk is BY FAR the best place to shop for a used flagship bow IMHO. I find that fully kitted newer bows are simply listed for WAY too much.

My suggestion is to find a bow and then shop hard here, on ArcheryTalk, and on Ebay for lightly used accessories. You will find LowPro Quivers for $100 off, limb legs for half off, sights for 40% or more off.

Here is my son's $1400 Phase 4. It's quieter, lighter, and smoother than my V3X.

View attachment 874712

This is really the response I'm looking for. Thank you so much. I now have a good idea on what a used flagship should cost used. I'll def dig around and see what pops up. Did you set that up yourself or pay a shop to set it up? Should I factor that into the cost?

 

[Marshfly]

This is really the response I'm looking for. Thank you so much. I now have a good idea on what a used flagship should cost used. I'll def dig around and see what pops up. Did you set that up yourself or pay a shop to set it up? Should I factor that into the cost?

I have 4 archers in my family so I'm doing all the work myself. Haha.

Honestly, You should spend the time to learn to do a lot of your own work. Most bow work isn't that difficult. The Mathews bows are really nice because you can do things like peep installs using the stay-afield-system at home. A sight is really easy to install, as is a rest.

You will need to know your drawlength. It's easy to measure to get really close. Or just head to a Mathews shop and pay them for the right mods. They should get you sorted out. I would not worry about a tune at first. If you are new to archery you will simply be doing it again once you learn to shoot torque free.

Here's the process I would use for a new shooter. Find your bow, buy a used sight, and maybe just buy the rest new from the shop you go to. That won't cost a ton more than a used one. Support those guys as much as you can afford. Buy arrows and a target there too. Go to the shop and get your mods changed to fit you and have them install your rest, D-loop and a peep. Then go shoot a lot. That's all you need to start. You can add a quiver and MAYBE stabilizers later.

 

[Live_weighT34]

hey thanks for your professional opinion. I might do more research on the Hoyt for potential limb issues. I feel better buying something a few years old vs over 10 years old.

I seem to be getting a consistent response to just stay away from any budget or mid-line bow and go with a used flagship. It's just figuring out what a good deal looks like.

In my experience/opinion the 2012-18 models were the ones that had issues but no bow is immune to limbs cracking.

Definitely stick to the last 5 years for flagship bows. I really liked my VX3 & Bowtech Revolt X and I do own a Hoyt RX7 now that I enjoy. Bows have changed in looks but nothing else as far as tuning or performance has changed in the last 12 or so years. Some tweaks to make certain things more convenient but frankly that’s about it.

As far as a “deal” that’s all up to you but $1500 for that Mathews set up you detailed in your OP seems to me like it could be a fair deal, not a steal but fair.

 

[Sizthediz]

If you go to AT in the "Vender spotlight deals" tab. if interested in Elite bows these are pretty good deals. I have purchased (2) elites from him. A kure and an Enkore. There were absolutely to issues, communication was great. Bows were new as described. If interested

 

[Wheels]

I agree with using Archerytalk or there are brand specific Facebook pages where you can find some good deals. Do your homework if buying used, make sure the seller is well vetted.

 

[rookieforever33]

Generally the best deals I've seen are new in stock flagship bows from a year or so before the new big drop. Start off with the accessories you want new rather than changing ones out that came on a used bow. Might be a little more out of pocket at the time but a better value considering you can use it longer. Also a better resale if you end up selling it as a 1 owner bow. Hitting a few different bow shops to find this may be time consuming, but worth it.