“The Wand chooses its Wizard.” I went to my local Archery store and they did a full work up on me: Kinda felt like I was at a Physicians office. Anyway, my draw length (31.5) eliminated 80% of the bows in the store for compatibility, and I was looking for a beginner bow. Budget was around 700-800, but the draw length meant that the only available bows were starting around 1400, and it only went up from there with all the other necessary attachments. The store owner said “I’ll be right back” and went around the corner of his shop, brought up a dusty plastic bag that housed a bow: A Prime Archery Centergy X1. At this point the bow was about 5-6 years old, but he said nobody has ever touched this bow: It’s still brand new, and no prior owners: I would be its first owner. He swapped out the bow strings at no additional cost and had me give it a try. 3 months later, I’m still in the honeymoon phase of shooting this bow. I registered the bow and it’s well within warranty for a free string change in the next 3 years. There is so much to learn, and so much practice to be had, but I walked out of the shop well within budget with an experience that felt like the wand scene from Harry Potter. “The Wand chooses its Wizard”.
I shoot a prime centergy with a 2 pin spothogg slider, shoots out to 80yds comfortably. I run a 300 victory rip with 125gr broadheads and have blown through elk and deer with ease.
As a top 5 Olympic archer in my own mind, I demand the highest performance and latest cutting edge tech from my bow equipment regardless of cost. Though in the real world I often miss entire targets, buying the most andvanced and up to date equipment each year assures that I miss more accurately, or at least with less vibration.
The crunchy/grindy feel you talk about when drawing is from the cable slide not running smooth on the cable rod. You can actually see it jumping when you draw the bow at the 12:00 mark. Put you a Saunders Hyper Glide cable slide on that thing. Problem solved.
I bought a Switchback XT brand new in 2006 when they first came out. I'm still hunting with that bow. Is it slower than new bows? Yes. Is it as quiet as new bows? I'd say it's pretty close. Personally, I like the draw cycle on the XT better than some of the newer bows. I think putting newer accessories on my XT with quality arrows has helped that bow shoot as well as it does. I don't practice as much as I used to practice, but with the XT I can walk out and shoot softball-sized groups at 60 yards with little to no practice; that bow is such a great shooter. I say all that to say, this video felt more like an advertisement than a true test. Why not shoot the old bow with better arrows? Why not turn up the poundage? Why not put on a better rest? Phase 4 is a great bow, but there are some shooters out there in the used market like the XT. :)
from how I understood it, he wanted the entire build to be "budget friendly". I agree, I shot an 07 Switchback XT for 12 years, I absolutely loved that bow!
If you pop that log of a grip off of those older mathews they actually have a nice flat back and the grip is thinner. Add a string stop, quality accessories including strings and cables, and shoot it again. Those old single cams were simple and reliable. I have an LX that I refuse to part with. Currently shooting Hoyt, but the LX isn’t going anywhere, it’s a great back up bow.
Would be more interesting if you outfitted both bows with the same accessories, sights, stabilizers, rest for a more accurate side by side. Would also be interesting to see how a bow like the outback or switchback XT compare since those are more similar with a more parallel limb design compared to the Q2
You can’t ever do a fair comparison if the bows aren’t equipped the same way and are shooting the same arrows. Apples to apples that Q2 is not that different performance wise. The new bows may have interchangeable grips and how you set the draw weight is different but the older solo cam bows are still great bows and perform great.
@@ecleveland1the q2 was a pretty good step below even the switchback and xt. The drenalin was a refined switchback. Those bows don't hold a candle to a new flagship. You claim the accessories and arrows would make them comparable. I bought a leftover flagship Xpedition this season and I'm using old accessories from a bow prior to my last bow. And the gap between them is still ridiculous. And his Phase 4 is in nearly every way an improvement over my MX16.
Ya like he said the q2 was light and wind would push him. Now if the wind didn’t push him it looked like he could’ve had better grouping closer to the bullseye than that phase 4 from looking at the where the good q2 shots were
Matthew solo cam switch back XT was the very first bow I ever owned. I really wish I still had it. It was an amazing shooting bow. To this day I've never shot anything but a Matthews
I took a break from bow hunting for about 15 years. Jumped back in this season and my experience definitely reflects this video. I’m blown away by how my more comfortable shooting modern bows are. I never used to shoot past 30 years back then. Now my warm up is 50.
Funny how you can buy those fancy new bows in a couple years fully loaded for the price of the accessories..getting the bow basically for free. I do it ALL THE TIME! Thanks to those who need a brand new fancy bow every year!😉😊👍👍
I owned a PSE Thunderbolt that was a 1999 vintage , and it had the same features with single lightening cam and looked similar to the Mathew’s bow. You’re right about it being a bit violent when shooting it . If you torqued your grip when shooting it would snap your arm a good one reminding you to practice using the correct grip .
Your Phase 4 setup in NY state through a pro shop is almost 3200$ right now, helps if you can build it out and tune it yourself to keep the price down though. My ol lady’s diamond build I did shoots like a dream only 650$ into it including black eagle custom built arrows, keep this good info coming my man, helps us all!
Not only a little older flagship but it would be nice to see a a brand new more budgeted bow comparison video?! Say like one of the shelf ready to shoot type of bow that you don’t have to spend more than my truck to get?! Still shooting a 90’s bear from goodwill for $25 barely out to 40!
I’m looking at getting the Gen 4 and I currently have a SQ2. Been hunting with it for years, I’ve been hunting with “old” bows my whole life so shooting it is kind of old hat. I don’t know any different, I don’t shoot over 30 anyways so the distance thing isn’t an issue. I just switched arrow systems from what you were shooting to 640 grains. Those arrows are not too fast but the sound is much quieter and they shoot dead nuts.
I hunted this afternoon with a $200 PSE bowI nought in 2003. I have kept it in immaculate condition and changed the string when needed. It shoots fantastic with carbon ar arrows. I don't see why I should get rid of it when it does everything I need it to do.
Buying 1 year old Flag ships is an amazing alternative option. Got my loaded 1 season old Hoyt Ventum for 1/2 price and it was like new. Deals are out there just need to know how to look!
Yea exactly!! I was considering buying an RX7 now that the RX8 is out, just waiting on the "iphone users" to trade in their new bow for the brand new bow so i can get a deal 😂
I remember the first upgrade in bows I ever got. The first time I shot it I didn't even realize the arrow left the bow. It was so smooth and quiet. Went from a bow made in like the 1980's to a 2014 model.
I've got a 2002 Matthew Q2 that I purchased new, and it shoots amazing. All of bowhunting shots have been 25 yards or less. My Q2 is quiet, dead in the hand, and draws smoothly and shoots accurately. I can't justify $3,500 for a new flagship bow. Hunting out of a treestand and limiting my shots to 25 yards and closer, my Q2 does exactly what I need a bow to do.
This is so crazy to me. I fell out of the bow game in the late 90s while in high school. I bought a lightly used bow in 2010 that was a yr old, just began seriously shooting it this yr to get back into bow hunting. So the 2009 technology that is new to me, is considered ancient technology compared to new bows 😆
I’ve shot a mathews z7 for over a decade, thought about upgrading to a newer bow this year but man, the z7 is just so smooth and fun to shoot. I’m not sure how much better a new bow can be.
I had one, blacked out with the best accessories money could buy at the time. I did hate the wooden grip but I just took it off and shot bare riser. Wish I would've hung on to that bow. It was a shooter.
Would it jump less with the string stop? Id like to see that with a slow motion camera. Plus that old woden handle can be sanded down to fit you perfectly.
Yes, I have the outback which was made the following year after the SQ2 which is what he has, I put a Mathews dead end string stop on it and holy cow man, it really made it a different bow.
Sorry no its not worth buying a new bow. And I own 6 bows. New bows don't shoot any better than 10 year old flagships. Just makes people mad when they get beat by people with older bows.
You need to go back 20 years to see some improvement. My current 2013 compound bow specs are 35" ATA, 340 fps, 6.25 brace height, 4.5 lbs mass weight. Same brand 2023 bow specs are 34" ATA, 340 fps, 6.25 brace height, 4.6 lbs mass weight. I would feel like a fool buying a new bow today! I honestly believe my current bow is built better than the model that would replace it today. As a matter of fact, I would switch brands if I had to replace my current bow. I don't plan on replacing my current 10-year compound bow EVER! Spec-wise very little has changed in 10 years. Mathews taught me to ignore marketing hype over 25 years ago. Compound bows have made some vast improvements over the years, but spec-wise they haven't changed much in a very long time. Practice with what you have, & you will be successful!
I still shoot my old Q2 and it’s set at 70lbs 29-1/2 draw and it shoots at 292 fps. My arrows are the correct spine and weight for whatever the IBO certification is . The new bows are nice but come on $2500 is insane for a hunting bow set up. Companies come up with all sorts of cool tech buzzwords for their own new products to market them and charge higher prices. I shoot just as fast, just as far, and just as accurate with my Q2. When Mathew’s made the Q2 they made a solid bow that is every bit as good as any bow on the market today.
Can we see the Q2 decked out with a uv slider, drop away rest, some stabilizers and 350 grain arrows and see how well it does out at 100 yards vs the lift
Best thing you can do is go to a professional archery shop and give them your budget, and shoot every bow you can in your length and poundage (new or used) within that budget. A good archery shop will be more than willing to do that for you, and you will be way better off than just going with the "flagship" or "latest and greatest"
The new bows are too expensive & too dam heavy. A lot of people would be glad to have some of the older Mathews. I had a Q2, a Switchback & still shoot a chillR & I can shoot all of them dam good at 60/70yds
Right! Folks are nuts to spend that much money on a piece of aluminum and a couple pieces of fiberglass. Have shot used high end bows all of my life, usually ended up getting the bow for free if you added up all of the accessories. Loved my chillR with the rock mods!
I shoot a Mathews MQ1 that I bought brand new 26 years ago. I have jazzed it up with a new string, sight, rest and stabalizer since then but other than that it is point and shoot and the deer don't seem to know the difference. I would like to have a new one but I do not see the pont.
Well..... I being hunting with the same bow for 5 years I didn't even knew when it was made I wonder sometimes but never really made the effort to find out 😅 I appreciate it the information
My 2011 APA King Cobra was a violent bow I thought. Have not done archery for years just starting again and took it off the hook. I am learning something new here.
What you aren't talking about though is the emotional or nostalgic experience and connection guys have to older bows that can far outweigh any measurable reason or logical argument you make to justify spending $2500 on a new bow for it's "performance". I will take that 20 year old bow all day long over the Phase 4 for those simple and beautiful reasons.
I'm no competition shooter, but I fill the freezer with my Diamond Edge SB1. Before I got that bow I had a Darton Excel built in 1991. Spend more attention at becoming a good shooter and less about having all the new shiny bits. Never be ashamed of carrying a $200-$300 bow into the woods. Spending $1 million on a Bugatti doesn't make you a better driver. FORM, FORM, FORM!
Honestly, I love my PSE Stinger 3G @ 55 lb. I was hitting X's at 3D shoots on 60 yard targets. I only got a Prime Nexus 4 due to the adjustability, 70 lb draw, and free strings for life (that won me over). I'm glad I changed over, but I would have made due with the Stinger.
I've killed a pile of deer with a mission Eleminator. I've had 3 flag ship mathews and an Elite and still go back to that bow. I have a mathews v3 still and it's a great bow, easier to shoot. In a hunting situation I can get on deer fast with the old mission.
My brother and myself got one of these bows for christmas when i was in highschool. Lady my dad worked with sold the bows for what her husband said he paid great for us bad for him lol. The were great shooters.
Never thought of my Q2 as being violent. I don't even wrap my hand around the handle when I shoot it. I guess I'm just used to it obviously having it for so many years. It also has more accessories than yours. It's probably going to feel incredible when I finally upgrade.
Killed a doe today with a bow I bought new in 08 older bows still work great. I own a new bowtech reckoning but decided to use the old Martin magnum quest!
Us old timers shot compounds in the 80s and 90s probably before you were born. Lots of world class archers did just fine with those old, slow, jumpy, loud bows. New bows have come a long ways. Maybe shoot them at 20 or 30 yards instead of 50 +. They shoot better than you think! Levi has a video shooting and old Switchback. He shot it much better than Bee! 😊
I sold Mathews bows in the 80's. Every year, Isaid almost the same things you're saying now. Time moves on. In 40 years you'll look at that awesome bow and laugh. Shoot what you can afford, dont get wrapped up in the tech stuff. The deer don't care whether it's an old long bow or a $3k compound. They're still just as dead.
Just started watching you and bought my first NEW compound bow.I got a pse brute atk to use for hunting and target I can’t wait. Love the videos thank you for the inspiration man
Love your stuff but this proves that no, in fact you don't need a flagship bow. You shot one loaded with 2 grand worth of accessories, nearly a grand worth of stabilizers alone vs one basically stripped down to bare minimum. Other than 2 flyers you admit were the wind (+ 1 with the flagship), they shot the same group. Nothing wrong with it but you're paying about two grand for less (and we don't know how much it would be with full stabilizers) vibration and little else.
Since you are in the industry, you should work on a good hunting quiver. Nobody wants all those arrows on the side of their bows. There are options for separate quivers, but most do not lend well to broadheads. Get with a company and work on that! Great videos. Always enjoyable. Keep up that good work.
I’d be very interested in a video of “light bows vs heavy bows” I shoot a bow that’s only 4.4 lbs fully setup and haven’t gone to the new Mathews just due to weight differences.
Always interesting Chris. My first several Mathews bows (and other brands) were fairly vertical and they certainly did jump out of your hand compared to the parallel limb bows of today.
I bet if you practiced with both bows, knowing and are use to how each bow reacts, the arrows from both bows would be grouped way better. Same as taking a car/truck from 2001 and comparing it to a new model. Both get the job done, just one has a way higher price tag. *Just curious, after 25 years bowhunting and reading/watching info, this is the first time I've ever heard a comment that the bow is or even part of the reason for how the wind affects the arrow???🤔
While I agree that a new flagship bow is worlds ahead of a 20ish year old flagship bow, the tech from roughly 10 years ago is far more in line with new bows than the turn of the century bows. Instead of a new flagship bow, a lot of folks at least in my area will buy used flagships from when someone else upgrades every 3-4 years. Often times they are already kitted out with at least moderately higher end accessories and can be often had for in the $500-800 range. I'd like to see you pick up something like that and compare it. It would likely change the performance vs value proposition quite a bit.
Im runnin a hand-me down 2011 Elite Pure. With the groups i shoot, it makes no sense to me to spend money to 'upgrade'. Ill shoot it till it stops shooting
Maybe try a flagship bow from 5 - 8 years ago rather than 20. Outfit with some modern accessories and I bet the difference would be significantly less.
Good shooting, but have you tried the push pull method cuz your left arm pulls left and down. If you push pull, then you left arm will stay more on target
Realistically somebody hunting for a used bow is gonna get a 2-3 year old flagship bow online for maybe half or less than half new price. But you are giving up factory warranty service and either have your own tools or pay a pro shop a modest fee for help. Also there is a chance you will get scammed, eventually everyone gets scammed. The real benefits of buying a new flagship bow are fresh new strings, warrranty, inspection and service by competent professionals. Personally my next bow will be a brand new from the pro shop because we have been blessed with a great new pro shop and i hope to see them expand and be successful.
I will say, with Mathew’s you get fresh new zebra strings which means they may as well sell the bow with NO strings on it. Personally I have the money to buy a new bow and I refuse too. I’ll go buy someone else’s regret for almost half price. Purchased a v3 31 fully loaded that costed around 1800 to equip when purchased and paid $800 for the setup. Purchased a solution SS a week later for $500. Silly
@@martypopeye8236 i got my 80 pound pse xpedite nxt for $600 with a spare custom string. Put a QAD on there and tried to walk back tune it, no adjustment necessary. As good as it gets.
I use to shoot a Mathew mission craze at 45 pounds. That bow I have owned for 10 years. My pro shop sees me I come in a lot and shot. They told me I see you here a lot shooting the mission craze you should try a new bow. They asked why have I not switched I told him the v3x33 which was the bow I wanted was 1 200 $ I told them I can’t afford it. So they told me I will take 300$ off and I said deal. Now my buddy has my mission craze.
My bow is 14 years old and I still love shooting it. Been the demise of many good bucks including p&y’s. Every year I think this will be its last but I keep using it. Pearson Z32. Not even in business anymore.
Best shooting bow I have ever seen. I have had 8 bows since, never shot better than the sq2. The new bows have lots of positives, but putting in tight groups is just as achievable with it.
What about a bow like a 2014-16 to a 2022-2023 model? Is it worth upgrading the bow then you think? I would just put new strings on it and be good to go.
I don't want to surprise you but putting stabilizers with weight on there will stop it from jumping out of your hand. If you want to do an apples to apples comparison just swap the stabilizers between the bows, oh wait Matthews made it so you have to buy all new accessories with a new bow. How kind of them.
I agree a new bow is great. However, there are people that are buying new bows every year or every other year. From a hunters perspective it does not make sense to buy a new bow that often. I do agree if you are shooting competitions than maybe every other year at most. I think hunters are better off with going after the used market to update there 20 year old bow. There are lots of 2 to 3 year old bows out there that you can get at half the price of a new one.
my brother is currently after me to get a new bow....but i think my 2014 creed is just fine. a new bow would really have to impress me in order for me to jump on it
“The Wand chooses its Wizard.”
I went to my local Archery store and they did a full work up on me: Kinda felt like I was at a Physicians office. Anyway, my draw length (31.5) eliminated 80% of the bows in the store for compatibility, and I was looking for a beginner bow. Budget was around 700-800, but the draw length meant that the only available bows were starting around 1400, and it only went up from there with all the other necessary attachments.
The store owner said “I’ll be right back” and went around the corner of his shop, brought up a dusty plastic bag that housed a bow: A Prime Archery Centergy X1. At this point the bow was about 5-6 years old, but he said nobody has ever touched this bow: It’s still brand new, and no prior owners: I would be its first owner. He swapped out the bow strings at no additional cost and had me give it a try.
3 months later, I’m still in the honeymoon phase of shooting this bow. I registered the bow and it’s well within warranty for a free string change in the next 3 years. There is so much to learn, and so much practice to be had, but I walked out of the shop well within budget with an experience that felt like the wand scene from Harry Potter. “The Wand chooses its Wizard”.
Keep that pro shop, it’s hard to find one that’s honest these days (36yrs experience)!!! Don’t know your shop, but kudos to them!!
Meh, I’d rather save up a little longer and get the best I can get.
@@progradepainting3755the best from 3 years ago isn’t any less it was then as now.
I shoot a prime centergy with a 2 pin spothogg slider, shoots out to 80yds comfortably. I run a 300 victory rip with 125gr broadheads and have blown through elk and deer with ease.
Good bow!
In the year of 2043, that $2300 Mathews bow will be considered ancient technology by another RUclips bowhunter and available at a pawnshop for $200!😂
@2300? 💀
@@chadwarren3582 - Did u watch the video???
With all the stabilizers, rest and sight probably more in some markets.
@@aaronshorter864under the command of Trudeau. We would pay almost 4K for that build around here.
@@chris_in_HD you’ll have that in those socialist areas
As a top 5 Olympic archer in my own mind, I demand the highest performance and latest cutting edge tech from my bow equipment regardless of cost. Though in the real world I often miss entire targets, buying the most andvanced and up to date equipment each year assures that I miss more accurately, or at least with less vibration.
"In my own mind" 😂
The crunchy/grindy feel you talk about when drawing is from the cable slide not running smooth on the cable rod. You can actually see it jumping when you draw the bow at the 12:00 mark. Put you a Saunders Hyper Glide cable slide on that thing. Problem solved.
I bought a Switchback XT brand new in 2006 when they first came out. I'm still hunting with that bow. Is it slower than new bows? Yes. Is it as quiet as new bows? I'd say it's pretty close. Personally, I like the draw cycle on the XT better than some of the newer bows. I think putting newer accessories on my XT with quality arrows has helped that bow shoot as well as it does. I don't practice as much as I used to practice, but with the XT I can walk out and shoot softball-sized groups at 60 yards with little to no practice; that bow is such a great shooter. I say all that to say, this video felt more like an advertisement than a true test. Why not shoot the old bow with better arrows? Why not turn up the poundage? Why not put on a better rest? Phase 4 is a great bow, but there are some shooters out there in the used market like the XT. :)
from how I understood it, he wanted the entire build to be "budget friendly". I agree, I shot an 07 Switchback XT for 12 years, I absolutely loved that bow!
Everyone I know who has had a switchback XT loves it. Such a great bow.
If you pop that log of a grip off of those older mathews they actually have a nice flat back and the grip is thinner. Add a string stop, quality accessories including strings and cables, and shoot it again. Those old single cams were simple and reliable. I have an LX that I refuse to part with. Currently shooting Hoyt, but the LX isn’t going anywhere, it’s a great back up bow.
Yeah but compare a 2023 flagship vs a 2017 flagship and see if there are any noticeable advantages.
I second this statement and say move it up to a 2020!!
But that wouldn't sell any new Matthews bows would it?
Agree 💯
Would love to see the phase 4 vs a Chill R
Exact same speed as well
Would be more interesting if you outfitted both bows with the same accessories, sights, stabilizers, rest for a more accurate side by side. Would also be interesting to see how a bow like the outback or switchback XT compare since those are more similar with a more parallel limb design compared to the Q2
You can’t ever do a fair comparison if the bows aren’t equipped the same way and are shooting the same arrows. Apples to apples that Q2 is not that different performance wise. The new bows may have interchangeable grips and how you set the draw weight is different but the older solo cam bows are still great bows and perform great.
@@ecleveland1the q2 was a pretty good step below even the switchback and xt. The drenalin was a refined switchback.
Those bows don't hold a candle to a new flagship. You claim the accessories and arrows would make them comparable. I bought a leftover flagship Xpedition this season and I'm using old accessories from a bow prior to my last bow. And the gap between them is still ridiculous. And his Phase 4 is in nearly every way an improvement over my MX16.
Ya like he said the q2 was light and wind would push him. Now if the wind didn’t push him it looked like he could’ve had better grouping closer to the bullseye than that phase 4 from looking at the where the good q2 shots were
Matthew solo cam switch back XT was the very first bow I ever owned. I really wish I still had it. It was an amazing shooting bow. To this day I've never shot anything but a Matthews
I still have and shoot my XT
I took a break from bow hunting for about 15 years. Jumped back in this season and my experience definitely reflects this video. I’m blown away by how my more comfortable shooting modern bows are. I never used to shoot past 30 years back then. Now my warm up is 50.
I still hunt with that same bow. I did put a dead end string stop which was a big improvement. Love that bow
This kids weak. Tons of complaining, it’s tiring.
Just had mine restrung after digging it out after many years (10+), still shoots great. It definitely needs that dead end stop for me.
Funny how you can buy those fancy new bows in a couple years fully loaded for the price of the accessories..getting the bow basically for free. I do it ALL THE TIME! Thanks to those who need a brand new fancy bow every year!😉😊👍👍
I owned a PSE Thunderbolt that was a 1999 vintage , and it had the same features with single lightening cam and looked similar to the Mathew’s bow. You’re right about it being a bit violent when shooting it . If you torqued your grip when shooting it would snap your arm a good one reminding you to practice using the correct grip .
Your Phase 4 setup in NY state through a pro shop is almost 3200$ right now, helps if you can build it out and tune it yourself to keep the price down though. My ol lady’s diamond build I did shoots like a dream only 650$ into it including black eagle custom built arrows, keep this good info coming my man, helps us all!
Not only a little older flagship but it would be nice to see a a brand new more budgeted bow comparison video?! Say like one of the shelf ready to shoot type of bow that you don’t have to spend more than my truck to get?! Still shooting a 90’s bear from goodwill for $25 barely out to 40!
Compare it to a PSE Stinger Max. A $300 ready to go bow.
6:23 really like the butter friendly arrows 👌😂😂😂
I’m looking at getting the Gen 4 and I currently have a SQ2. Been hunting with it for years, I’ve been hunting with “old” bows my whole life so shooting it is kind of old hat. I don’t know any different, I don’t shoot over 30 anyways so the distance thing isn’t an issue. I just switched arrow systems from what you were shooting to 640 grains. Those arrows are not too fast but the sound is much quieter and they shoot dead nuts.
I hunted this afternoon with a $200 PSE bowI nought in 2003. I have kept it in immaculate condition and changed the string when needed. It shoots fantastic with carbon ar arrows. I don't see why I should get rid of it when it does everything I need it to do.
Buying 1 year old Flag ships is an amazing alternative option. Got my loaded 1 season old Hoyt Ventum for 1/2 price and it was like new. Deals are out there just need to know how to look!
Yea exactly!! I was considering buying an RX7 now that the RX8 is out, just waiting on the "iphone users" to trade in their new bow for the brand new bow so i can get a deal 😂
I remember the first upgrade in bows I ever got. The first time I shot it I didn't even realize the arrow left the bow. It was so smooth and quiet. Went from a bow made in like the 1980's to a 2014 model.
I have been bow hunting for 40 years, 99% of my kills have been under 20 yards. That old bow will fo just fine. Take the extra $ 2500 buy gold.
I've got a 2002 Matthew Q2 that I purchased new, and it shoots amazing. All of bowhunting shots have been 25 yards or less. My Q2 is quiet, dead in the hand, and draws smoothly and shoots accurately. I can't justify $3,500 for a new flagship bow. Hunting out of a treestand and limiting my shots to 25 yards and closer, my Q2 does exactly what I need a bow to do.
Love this! Would be also interesting to see the same, but with a more recent and comparable used bow
Like an RX-1 just saying!
The SQ2 was my first bow. I shot so well with it. I loved that wooden grip.
I got mine when I was 15 as my first serious bow and now 32, just had it re strung for nostalgia.
Would a string stop fix the jumping out of your hand thing?
This is so crazy to me. I fell out of the bow game in the late 90s while in high school. I bought a lightly used bow in 2010 that was a yr old, just began seriously shooting it this yr to get back into bow hunting. So the 2009 technology that is new to me, is considered ancient technology compared to new bows 😆
I’ve shot a mathews z7 for over a decade, thought about upgrading to a newer bow this year but man, the z7 is just so smooth and fun to shoot. I’m not sure how much better a new bow can be.
I had one, blacked out with the best accessories money could buy at the time. I did hate the wooden grip but I just took it off and shot bare riser. Wish I would've hung on to that bow. It was a shooter.
The top is an idler, not a cam. Only the bottom limb has a cam.
Its also called the wheel
Would it jump less with the string stop? Id like to see that with a slow motion camera. Plus that old woden handle can be sanded down to fit you perfectly.
Yes, I have the outback which was made the following year after the SQ2 which is what he has, I put a Mathews dead end string stop on it and holy cow man, it really made it a different bow.
Sorry no its not worth buying a new bow. And I own 6 bows. New bows don't shoot any better than 10 year old flagships. Just makes people mad when they get beat by people with older bows.
You need to go back 20 years to see some improvement.
My current 2013 compound bow specs are 35" ATA, 340 fps, 6.25 brace height, 4.5 lbs mass weight.
Same brand 2023 bow specs are 34" ATA, 340 fps, 6.25 brace height, 4.6 lbs mass weight.
I would feel like a fool buying a new bow today! I honestly believe my current bow is built better than the model that would replace it today. As a matter of fact, I would switch brands if I had to replace my current bow. I don't plan on replacing my current 10-year compound bow EVER! Spec-wise very little has changed in 10 years. Mathews taught me to ignore marketing hype over 25 years ago. Compound bows have made some vast improvements over the years, but spec-wise they haven't changed much in a very long time. Practice with what you have, & you will be successful!
Brought the Heli m back in 2012. Still my current bow. Would bee cool to see that comparison to the new Lift.
I still shoot my old Q2 and it’s set at 70lbs 29-1/2 draw and it shoots at 292 fps. My arrows are the correct spine and weight for whatever the IBO certification is . The new bows are nice but come on $2500 is insane for a hunting bow set up. Companies come up with all sorts of cool tech buzzwords for their own new products to market them and charge higher prices. I shoot just as fast, just as far, and just as accurate with my Q2. When Mathew’s made the Q2 they made a solid bow that is every bit as good as any bow on the market today.
Can we see the Q2 decked out with a uv slider, drop away rest, some stabilizers and 350 grain arrows and see how well it does out at 100 yards vs the lift
Basically it is the same speed per pound :) so hard to say if the old one wouldn't be just the same speed if it would be 75 pounds also.
Best thing you can do is go to a professional archery shop and give them your budget, and shoot every bow you can in your length and poundage (new or used) within that budget. A good archery shop will be more than willing to do that for you, and you will be way better off than just going with the "flagship" or "latest and greatest"
Looking at those groups it's hard to make a case for a $2,300 or more setup.
The new bows are too expensive & too dam heavy. A lot of people would be glad to have some of the older Mathews. I had a Q2, a Switchback & still shoot a chillR & I can shoot all of them dam good at 60/70yds
Right! Folks are nuts to spend that much money on a piece of aluminum and a couple pieces of fiberglass. Have shot used high end bows all of my life, usually ended up getting the bow for free if you added up all of the accessories. Loved my chillR with the rock mods!
I love my chill r. I will never part with it
I shoot a Mathews MQ1 that I bought brand new 26 years ago. I have jazzed it up with a new string, sight, rest and stabalizer since then but other than that it is point and shoot and the deer don't seem to know the difference. I would like to have a new one but I do not see the pont.
I also still have, and shoot an MQ1. Your point is very well made. At normal hunting ranges for deer, it will do just fine.
Well..... I being hunting with the same bow for 5 years I didn't even knew when it was made I wonder sometimes but never really made the effort to find out 😅 I appreciate it the information
My 2011 APA King Cobra was a violent bow I thought. Have not done archery for years just starting again and took it off the hook. I am learning something new here.
There is no timing issue with the cable guide because there is only one cam ;)
What you aren't talking about though is the emotional or nostalgic experience and connection guys have to older bows that can far outweigh any measurable reason or logical argument you make to justify spending $2500 on a new bow for it's "performance". I will take that 20 year old bow all day long over the Phase 4 for those simple and beautiful reasons.
I'm no competition shooter, but I fill the freezer with my Diamond Edge SB1. Before I got that bow I had a Darton Excel built in 1991. Spend more attention at becoming a good shooter and less about having all the new shiny bits. Never be ashamed of carrying a $200-$300 bow into the woods. Spending $1 million on a Bugatti doesn't make you a better driver. FORM, FORM, FORM!
Honestly, I love my PSE Stinger 3G @ 55 lb. I was hitting X's at 3D shoots on 60 yard targets. I only got a Prime Nexus 4 due to the adjustability, 70 lb draw, and free strings for life (that won me over). I'm glad I changed over, but I would have made due with the Stinger.
I had many bows, but now hunt again with my Stinger HP. its reliable,and well done his job.
I owned a Q2XL back in the day. Awesome bow. I shot that bow so well. Definitely amazing how much bows have evolved.
People have been successfully hunting with bows for thousands of years. The more tech we add the less important the shooter becomes.
Had that same matthews as my first bow..
Thing was great, i gave it to my dad when i upgraded
I bought my Mathew’s mission riot 10 years ago, the only bow Ive ever owned. Still hunt with it and love it!
I've killed a pile of deer with a mission Eleminator. I've had 3 flag ship mathews and an Elite and still go back to that bow. I have a mathews v3 still and it's a great bow, easier to shoot. In a hunting situation I can get on deer fast with the old mission.
Mathews should come out with a bow like creed but with the new risers.
My brother and myself got one of these bows for christmas when i was in highschool. Lady my dad worked with sold the bows for what her husband said he paid great for us bad for him lol. The were great shooters.
Never thought of my Q2 as being violent. I don't even wrap my hand around the handle when I shoot it. I guess I'm just used to it obviously having it for so many years. It also has more accessories than yours. It's probably going to feel incredible when I finally upgrade.
Also you don’t have to buy a 20 year old bow, go buy a halon or Z series if your contractually required to only purchase mathews
The best bows!
Still got my z7x and love it!
Killed a doe today with a bow I bought new in 08 older bows still work great. I own a new bowtech reckoning but decided to use the old Martin magnum quest!
Still shooting my 2012 Destroyer 350. Still love it still kills deer and still shoots great groups. 👍🤘
Us old timers shot compounds in the 80s and 90s probably before you were born. Lots of world class archers did just fine with those old, slow, jumpy, loud bows. New bows have come a long ways.
Maybe shoot them at 20 or 30 yards instead of 50 +. They shoot better than you think!
Levi has a video shooting and old Switchback. He shot it much better than Bee! 😊
You imagine if chuck Adams had this technology back in the day and even Tom Miranda , he is still walking and stacking with the new technology
How would a different bow make a difference in their kills? A dead deer is a dead deer
I sold Mathews bows in the 80's. Every year, Isaid almost the same things you're saying now.
Time moves on. In 40 years you'll look at that awesome bow and laugh.
Shoot what you can afford, dont get wrapped up in the tech stuff.
The deer don't care whether it's an old long bow or a $3k compound. They're still just as dead.
Just started watching you and bought my first NEW compound bow.I got a pse brute atk to use for hunting and target I can’t wait. Love the videos thank you for the inspiration man
Love your stuff but this proves that no, in fact you don't need a flagship bow. You shot one loaded with 2 grand worth of accessories, nearly a grand worth of stabilizers alone vs one basically stripped down to bare minimum. Other than 2 flyers you admit were the wind (+ 1 with the flagship), they shot the same group. Nothing wrong with it but you're paying about two grand for less (and we don't know how much it would be with full stabilizers) vibration and little else.
Since you are in the industry, you should work on a good hunting quiver. Nobody wants all those arrows on the side of their bows. There are options for separate quivers, but most do not lend well to broadheads. Get with a company and work on that! Great videos. Always enjoyable. Keep up that good work.
I’d be very interested in a video of “light bows vs heavy bows” I shoot a bow that’s only 4.4 lbs fully setup and haven’t gone to the new Mathews just due to weight differences.
It’s so crazy I see this because I was shooting my bow earlier and my cams broke😂
Always interesting Chris. My first several Mathews bows (and other brands) were fairly vertical and they certainly did jump out of your hand compared to the parallel limb bows of today.
If my wife asks, yes, you have to get a new bow every year…they wear out…basically they are like car tires 😂
Each cam is good for an inch yes i still have a Q2 in my collection
I bet if you practiced with both bows, knowing and are use to how each bow reacts, the arrows from both bows would be grouped way better.
Same as taking a car/truck from 2001 and comparing it to a new model. Both get the job done, just one has a way higher price tag.
*Just curious, after 25 years bowhunting and reading/watching info, this is the first time I've ever heard a comment that the bow is or even part of the reason for how the wind affects the arrow???🤔
While I agree that a new flagship bow is worlds ahead of a 20ish year old flagship bow, the tech from roughly 10 years ago is far more in line with new bows than the turn of the century bows.
Instead of a new flagship bow, a lot of folks at least in my area will buy used flagships from when someone else upgrades every 3-4 years. Often times they are already kitted out with at least moderately higher end accessories and can be often had for in the $500-800 range.
I'd like to see you pick up something like that and compare it. It would likely change the performance vs value proposition quite a bit.
Im runnin a hand-me down 2011 Elite Pure. With the groups i shoot, it makes no sense to me to spend money to 'upgrade'. Ill shoot it till it stops shooting
Maybe try a flagship bow from 5 - 8 years ago rather than 20. Outfit with some modern accessories and I bet the difference would be significantly less.
Good shooting, but have you tried the push pull method cuz your left arm pulls left and down. If you push pull, then you left arm will stay more on target
I wish major bow manufacturers would sell last years models at big discounts.
Yo Chris, you taking a QAD over a Hamseke? Have a video where you break em both down and your overall rest preference?
I had a brand new z max and don’t remember it jumping out of my hand , was a good bow ! Id still shoot one even tho i have a V3 lol
Realistically somebody hunting for a used bow is gonna get a 2-3 year old flagship bow online for maybe half or less than half new price. But you are giving up factory warranty service and either have your own tools or pay a pro shop a modest fee for help. Also there is a chance you will get scammed, eventually everyone gets scammed.
The real benefits of buying a new flagship bow are fresh new strings, warrranty, inspection and service by competent professionals. Personally my next bow will be a brand new from the pro shop because we have been blessed with a great new pro shop and i hope to see them expand and be successful.
I will say, with Mathew’s you get fresh new zebra strings which means they may as well sell the bow with NO strings on it. Personally I have the money to buy a new bow and I refuse too. I’ll go buy someone else’s regret for almost half price. Purchased a v3 31 fully loaded that costed around 1800 to equip when purchased and paid $800 for the setup. Purchased a solution SS a week later for $500. Silly
@@martypopeye8236 i got my 80 pound pse xpedite nxt for $600 with a spare custom string. Put a QAD on there and tried to walk back tune it, no adjustment necessary. As good as it gets.
I have that exact 2Q and it is very loud to shoot but next bow season I want a phase 4
I use to shoot a Mathew mission craze at 45 pounds. That bow I have owned for 10 years. My pro shop sees me I come in a lot and shot. They told me I see you here a lot shooting the mission craze you should try a new bow. They asked why have I not switched I told him the v3x33 which was the bow I wanted was 1 200 $ I told them I can’t afford it. So they told me I will take 300$ off and I said deal. Now my buddy has my mission craze.
My bow is 14 years old and I still love shooting it. Been the demise of many good bucks including p&y’s. Every year I think this will be its last but I keep using it. Pearson Z32. Not even in business anymore.
Suggestions on LH sight? Something metal that doesn’t break the bank. I only whitetail hunt so 3 pin is plenty. Do not shoot enough to spend $2-300
New is new, man! But I bought new Chinese one and now thinking it would be better to by the US used but in good condition.
Imagine, imagine what a Mathews bow will look like in 20 years from now
My dads bow is an SQ2 that hasn’t been used since before I was born. I’m gonna replace the strings and use it as my first bow
Best shooting bow I have ever seen. I have had 8 bows since, never shot better than the sq2. The new bows have lots of positives, but putting in tight groups is just as achievable with it.
That’s the bow I have and my groups are inconsistent even though no wind and aimed for the same spot
What about a bow like a 2014-16 to a 2022-2023 model? Is it worth upgrading the bow then you think?
I would just put new strings on it and be good to go.
I wonder what Tom Miranda would say about this video… he went all over the world killing stuff like a pro with that bow or an older model
Tom Miranda shot a Safari
Q2 was my favorite hunting bow. Many Whitetail met their demise with it. Amazing how engineering archery equipment has evolved.
I’ve got a z7 that will hang all day with that phase 4
I don't want to surprise you but putting stabilizers with weight on there will stop it from jumping out of your hand. If you want to do an apples to apples comparison just swap the stabilizers between the bows, oh wait Matthews made it so you have to buy all new accessories with a new bow. How kind of them.
I agree a new bow is great. However, there are people that are buying new bows every year or every other year. From a hunters perspective it does not make sense to buy a new bow that often. I do agree if you are shooting competitions than maybe every other year at most. I think hunters are better off with going after the used market to update there 20 year old bow. There are lots of 2 to 3 year old bows out there that you can get at half the price of a new one.
You should do this again, but less of a gap, maybe 3-10 years
They definitely had 0.001 straightness arrows back then. No point in using the cheaper arrows with that Q2. X7 aluminum was top of the line then.
You should do a Mathew’s triax vs new. Or something around the triax year.
i still hunt with a q2 today
Buy a 2yr old flagship bow for 60% discount. Picked up a fully loaded VX-R for $699 at Scheels.
my brother is currently after me to get a new bow....but i think my 2014 creed is just fine. a new bow would really have to impress me in order for me to jump on it
I would love to see you get an onieda eagle and see how accurate you can get with it.
Have you got a C4 (Mathews Conquest 4), that is slow !
Where did you get your large round target?
Out of the old girl you should have gone period correct with an xx78 super slam!
Mathews really has to step it up with speed. My elite omnia is shooting a 435 grain arrow at 71lbs and 28 1/2" draw a d it's shooting 305fps
Hey Chris my name is Henry I am 14 and I just bought a phase 4. Shot it a couple times and the string came off would you know why?