Hey guys, I was wondering if yall could help me out with something, I know there are a few big names when it comes to archery (Mathews, Hoyt, Bowtech, PSE…ect) but I was wondering the differences between the brands I’m not looking for personal preference but more of facts, for example and I don’t know much about this brand or if this is true but I was told that one reason to go Mathews was there is a hole in one of the cams and as long as that little hole is lined up you know your bow is tuned or something like that, but that’s kinda what I’m looking for why chose one over another and please don’t give me the saying “it’s like choosing Ford over Chevy both the same just what you prefer” because there has to be some science or some key difference rather than personal preference

I like my Mathews because of how smooth it shoots. How quiet the bow is with very little noise dampening devices is astounding. I have buddies with Bowtechs, PSE, and Fred Bears etc. But my Mathews outperforms them all. Don't get me wrong those bows are sweet shooting, but if you are going to spend the money I would go with the Mathews.

I'm the total opposite, I can't stand the back wall of a single cam bow... and the weak feeling release. Only bow I would own from mathews is the chill, and its a dual cam.

To the OP-Typically daul cam bows typically are faster and have a more solid backwall.
They usually have a little stiffer draw also. With that being said the new dual cam and limb techology has gotten to the point they can match a single cam draw with better speed and less nock travel. Aka elite.

I wouldn't just limit yourself to bowtech, hoyt, bear or mathews, I highly suggest shooting elite, newbreed, g5, strothers, limbsaver, etc.

I'm more of an Elite and the newer bowtechs guy. I don't think there is a bad mfg out there

It really is personal preference though. They all make good bows.

You want smooth, get an Elite.
You want blazing fast, PSE or Bowtech.
You want a single cam, Mathews.

You want to fit in with everybody else, Mathews, Hoyt, Bowtech.

I shoot a Strother.

i like em blazin fast. I can shoot farther with more confidence. I am a bit biased towards PSE...

Let the games begin..

so yours is neither smooth nor blazing fast? you might look into getting a hoyt.

It is actually both, but I'm not the type of person who thinks my bow brand is the best for everybody. I'm suggesting go shoot a bunch of bows.

I'd be happy to shoot a Spyder or Element if you gave me one. They are beyond my budget.

A lot depends on what you intend to do. If you're going for distance, a fast bow will give you more of it but is less forgiving of bad form. They are also on the average louder to shoot. Slower bows are by and large easier to draw and are more forgiving and quieter, but you sacrifice distance.

I shoot PSE. For me it has a good balance of speed and forgiveness.

I agree but........

What about Hoyt, Mission, and Diamond?

Sorry, I'm going to give the chevy vs ford comment I haven't been into the bow tech updates for awhile. I shoot a Darton. They were the second manufacturer of bows only after Bear. They are usually innovative and have been winning competitions for decades. They don't have a tv show though. But, anymore if you are just going to kill a deer within 30 or so yards there all pretty decent. Heck, there has been more deer probably killed with the SL50 than any other bow. Just check the different bows out and do a little research on what characteristics you would prefer. Unless you need a specific brand at the 19 hole after you done on the archery range.

Only way to buy a bow is go to an archery shop with a salesman that knows what the he77 he is doing (NOT CABELAS or BASS PRO) and shoot as many manufacturers as possible.........Then buy a Mathews.

But seriously, there are completely different bows just between models from the same manufacturer. Just with Mathews you have the Creed, Chill, and ZXT and none of them are much alike when shooting them to me. The same is true with Hoyt and others. When you shoot a bunch of different ones you will find one that just feels perfect in your hands.

I have had bear, high country, bowtech and pse. They were all good bows and did what i wanted. Planned on keeping my bowtech until i shot a matthews dxt, and had to have it. Like others have said, shoot as many as possible and pick the the one that calls your name. Dont worry much about brand, the technology is there in all of them.

Shoot them and see how they feel too you. Find a good shop, I like pigeon road in Stevenville but there are other great ones around

There are differences between all of them. Minor diff too. Me I like it to stack quick (longer power stroke that way which generates more speed and power) but smooth with a great transition into a good valley and hard back wall. For me it's the Obsession bows line (knightmare). Can't beat their price either! I see your in Houston area. I live in La Porte. If your interested in shooting mine drop me a Pm

Rob

I love my Hoyt, with that being said.

I also believe that most bows today are very close to each other in technology. One company may advance in an area of another, but then the other may advance in an other area making it a wash. I would try to handle and shoot as many as you can if possible. But as far as one company being way better than another, that is not the case in my opinion.

Well said

I shoot Diamond, black ice. I really want a new bow, but just cant pull the string so to speak. However I am really digging the Hoyt Spider?! Why, cause I do....what I'm saying is the bow you'll be most happy with is the one you like. Do some research, shot some if you can...but buy the one that makes you drool. The one you can not put down, and when you do, you have to pick it up again! Then you will shoot more and any faults you will overcome with practice. Best of luck, enjoy the journey, if your like me, you only do it every 5 years!!

I've shot Mathews the last 6 years I loved the short compact bows but I wanted more speed out of a small bow so I switched to Pse DNA and love it .I think Adam p hit the nail on the head on this one .Mathews has the best resell value for sure

X2

X2 to what cntryislandboy said. Sorry guys, still learning!!

Like everyone has said, there are a lot of really good bows out there now, when 20 years ago, that wasn't the case. The key is how it feels to you when holding and shooting it and also how you intend to shoot it the most. A long bow is great for target shooting, but gets a little cramped in the tree stand, etc. The biggest thing by far, in my opinion, is how do you grip the bow, and what does the handle feel like based on your grip preferences. That's 95% of the battle, at least with today's bows.

Want marketing hype......buy a Mathews....want the best, buy a Bowtech!

If you are tired of hearing things about the big 3, try look at an upcoming company called Athens. This is one of the smoothest drawing bows out there. Very good IBO speeds. A rock solid wall. Quiet. No vibration on the shot and will put it where you are aiming. Great company with excellent customer service. Give them a look and it may be the answer to all of your bowhunting questions.

I bought my last bow based on feel, not brand. It was a Mathews Switchback