Mathews Bow Models: A Comprehensive Guide

Mathews Inc. manufactures a range of compound bows, with models catering to both beginners and experts. The company was founded in 1992 by Matt McPherson, an engineer and bow enthusiast who built his first compound bow at 13 years old. Since its inception, Mathews has been committed to innovation and delivering high-quality bows. They offer a variety of product lines, including the V3 series, the McPherson Series Monster Safari, the TRX series, and the Conquest 4, each with unique features and specifications to suit different needs and preferences.

Mathews' Single Cam technology

Mathews Archery, Inc. introduced its No Cam ST Technology in 2014 with the launch of two new bows. This technology utilises two circular and concentric string tracks to create a balanced system with a smooth draw cycle and straight and level nock travel, improving accuracy.

The No Cam ST Technology is a notable improvement on previous single-cam and dual-cam bows, which suffered from vertical and horizontal nock travel. Nock travel refers to the vertical and side-to-side movement of the nock when the bowstring is released, which can cause the arrow to fishtail horizontally and porpoise vertically.

The No Cam system uses two large wheels, which rotate concentrically and synchronously, ensuring the string remains at the same radius from the centre of their rotation. This mitigates timing issues and cam lean, which are common problems in single-cam and dual-cam bows.

The No Cam ST Technology also incorporates two smaller Advanced Vectoring System (AVS) wheels pinned alongside the main wheels. These smaller wheels provide the camming action to power the bow and are responsible for the draw-force curve felt by the shooter.

The No Cam HTR, driven by this technology, features shorter, more rigid quad limbs, a less-reflexed riser, twin Harmonic Stabilizers, and Mathews' patented Focus Grip. It reaches speeds of up to 330 feet per second, with a 32-inch axle-to-axle length and a 6 5/8-inch brace height. The No Cam HTR also comes with RockMods, offering letoff options of 65%, 75%, and 85%.

The innovative No Cam ST Technology also influenced the design of a new target bow, the No Cam TRG. This bow incorporates the No Cam ST Technology with a less-reflexed riser and new cut-outs for added strength and stability. The No Cam TRG also features twin Harmonic Stabilizers tuned to its 38-inch axle-to-axle frame. It offers brace heights of 7, 8, or 9 inches and four exclusive finish options, including Black Anthem. The RockMods in this bow provide a solid back wall and further customisation, with 65% or 75% letoff options.

The VXR model

The VXR is Mathews Archery's flagship bow. It was released in 2020 and is available in two models: the VXR 28 and the VXR 31.5. The VXR features an extended, six-bridge riser designed to cut weight while adding strength and stability. This new geometry increases cam efficiencies and enhances the effects of 3D Damping, making the VXR the most stable and stealthy platform Mathews has ever built.

The VXR's Crosscentric Cam with patent-pending Switchweight modules allows users to change the draw length and peak draw weight in 5-pound increments by simply changing a mod. The system is available in 60, 65, 70, and 75-pound peak weights, with each set of mods programmed for a smooth draw and maximum efficiency. The VXR also features a new enhanced stabilizer bushing, which increases the stiffness of any attached stabilizer by up to 10%, enhancing accuracy and vibration damping.

The VXR is also compatible with Mathews' new Silent Connect System (SCS), a versatile add-on that allows for the quick and silent attachment of the Mathews genuine bow rope and bow sling. The SCS kit includes a bow rope and sling made with Cordura for durability and adjustability. The VXR has received positive feedback for its shooting experience, with users praising its zero hand shock, quietness, and extreme stability.

The VXR has an IBO rating of up to 344 FPS and a physical weight of 4.44 lbs for the VXR 28 and 4.66 lbs for the VXR 31.5. It offers draw weights of 60, 65, 70, and 75 lbs and draw lengths of 25.5" to 30" for the VXR 28 and 26.5" to 31" for the VXR 31.5.

Monster Safari model

The Monster Safari is the top-end bow from Mathews Inc., the world's premier archery manufacturer. It is the biggest, baddest, smoothest, and fastest bow they have ever made. The Monster Safari is a McPherson Series bow, named after founder Matt McPherson, who has been building bows for over 50 years.

The Monster Safari is a dual-cam bow that produces awesome speed and power. It is comfortable to shoot and is enough to harvest any animal in the world. The bow is perfect for hunting the biggest of big game, like its name suggests, and is ideal for African safaris. It has a smooth draw with lots of power and is built for hunting.

The Monster Safari's riser is one of a kind and has an amazing strength-to-weight ratio. The Honeycomb Core Technology features a honeycomb pattern that requires lots of CNC machine work, which may contribute to the bow's high price tag. The riser, combined with the limbs, creates a 33" axel-to-axel measurement. The bow also has a stabilizer bushing, like most modern bows. The Quad V-Lock Limbs provide a lot of power without the weight continuing to build during the draw. They are extremely durable and will last a long time due to the weight being spread over a larger surface area, creating less stress on the limb. The riser/limb combination creates a 6" brace height.

The grip on the Safari is not the standard Walnut Slim Fit Grip found on the rest of the Monster line-up. Instead, it has African wood insets as a side plate-type grip, giving it a rich look and feel. It seems to balance better and settle in the hand better than other Mathews grips. It is torque-free and easy to find a comfortable spot in your hand. However, the large amount of metal riser around the grip may make it a little cold on some hunts.

The Safari's cam system is called the Advanced Vectoring System (AVS) and is new from Mathews. It allows for high levels of performance and efficiency while being super smooth. These cams are modular-specific and adjustable from 25.5" to 31" in draw length, in .5" increments. Each .5" change requires a different module that can be changed without a bow press. The draw is super smooth with virtually no hump, and the back wall is stiff. The Safari has an IBO of 350 fps with a 30" draw, 85 lb. draw weight, and 425-grain arrow. This speed produces an enormous amount of kinetic energy, which would be lethal to the biggest and most dangerous large game in the world.

The Monster Safari is an extremely impressive bow from Mathews and is probably the highest-quality hunting bow available to the public. It sets the bar far above anything else in the archery market. Its strength and smoothness, combined with its speed and quality, make it one of the best bows money can buy. However, it is also one of the most expensive.

Mathews' Switchweight module

The Mathews Switchweight module is a product designed for archers who want to adjust their bow's draw weight and length. The Switchweight module is compatible with a variety of Mathews bows, including the Phase 4, V3X, V3, Vertix, and VXR. It offers 80% or 85% letoff options, allowing archers to customise their equipment to their preferred specifications.

One of the key advantages of the Mathews Switchweight module is its versatility. Archers can easily adjust their bow's draw weight and length by simply swapping out the modules without the need for a bow press. This flexibility is especially useful for those who want to experiment with different settings to find their optimal configuration. It also enables archers to quickly adapt their bow to different shooting situations or preferences.

The Switchweight module is designed to provide maximum efficiency at each weight and draw length setting. It offers an ultra-smooth draw and facilitates fast arrow speeds, enhancing the overall shooting experience. The module is also available in different weight options, such as 60 lbs, 65 lbs, and 70 lbs, providing a range of choices for archers with varying strength and comfort levels.

In addition to its performance features, the Mathews Switchweight module has received positive reviews for its ease of use and convenience. Some users have shared their experience of quickly swapping between 85% and 80% letoff modules without any issues. This adjustability allows archers to fine-tune their equipment to match their preferred feel and performance.

Overall, the Mathews Switchweight module offers a simple yet effective solution for archers seeking to customise their bow's draw weight and length. Its compatibility with a range of Mathews bows, along with its smooth draw and fast arrow speeds, makes it a versatile and efficient choice for both target practice and hunting scenarios.

Mathews' history

Mathews Inc., or Mathews Archery Inc., was founded in 1992 by Matt McPherson, a talented and ambitious compound bow engineer. McPherson built his first stick bow when he was 10 years old and his first compound bow at 13. He founded Mathews Archery after inventing Solocam technology, which allowed for the production of faster and more forgiving bows with less noise, recoil, and maintenance.

The company began with just two employees in Austin, Minnesota, but quickly grew, relocating to Sparta, Wisconsin, in 1995, with 30 of its 39 employees moving with it. By 2008, the company had expanded to around 240 employees and occupied approximately 100,000 square feet of space.

McPherson has been determined to maintain control over every aspect of the bow-building process, from sourcing the best materials to micromanaging the manufacturing. This commitment to quality and innovation has made Mathews one of the top compound bow manufacturers in the world.

Mathews Archery offers a range of product lines, customization options, and modules to give customers exactly what they want. Their "Start Your Build" feature allows customers to customize their bows, with the most popular colour combinations being fluorescent and neon.

In addition to their focus on quality and innovation, Mathews also contributes to the community by supporting the National Archery in Schools Program (NASPR). The company invests significant funds in this program, which is directed towards training and educating school students worldwide.

Mathews Archery has come a long way since its founding in 1992, and it continues to be a leader in the archery industry, known for its high-quality products and commitment to enhancing the archery experience for its customers.

Frequently asked questions