Went Bow Shopping today

[Newf]

So after about 17 years of not picking up a bow, I’ve started toying with getting back into it. Way back in 05, I used to own a Mathews Switchback. Sold it and all the accessories. Never touched a bow since. I used to enjoy it, but it got pushed aside for other hobbies.

Fast forward to now- I stopped by Jim Bows today and chatted with the folks there, very helpful and informative. I checked out a bunch of bows, Bowtech, Hoyt, and Mathews. Bowtech was out right from the start. Something about the grip just wasn’t comfortable for me. Then I bounced around a couple of the Hoyt models, RX7, VTM34 and the Mathews V3X, looked at the Phase 4 but never tested it.

In all honesty it was more or less a toss up. The Hoyt and Mathews are excellent pieces of equipment, at the end the guy was just passing me the Hoyt and Mathews so I could follow up one shot with the other bow for as close of comparison as I could get between shots.

Something about the Mathews just felt better… not that there was a night and day difference, just something. So I think I’ve settled on a Mathews V3X. But like any significant purchase I’m going to do some homework before spending the money.

Have any of you folks on here had any experience with either of these bows? Any real world field experience worth passing on? Good, bad, or otherwise!

[Passthru]

Try more bows. Nothing bad to say about any of those but your missing PSE, Prime, Darton, Elite, APA. Accurate archery and Wyld archery sell bows as well in the area.

[Passthru]

Originally Posted by Passthru

Try more bows. Nothing bad to say about any of those but your missing PSE, Prime, Darton, Elite, APA. Accurate archery and Wyld archery sell bows as well in the area.

Assuming you are in the Edmonton area

[Lefty-Canuck]

I would look at getting a bow from one of the major companies from an actual proshop, parts and service being the main reasons. You went to the right place for that!

LC

[DiabeticKripple]

I did the exact same thing last year.

Bowtech was out first, even though I had a Bowtech at that time. Next was a toss up between the V3X and the Ventum Pro 33”. I ended up going with the Hoyt since it just felt right in my hands. The draw cycle was just a touch nicer for the way I like it.

[Newf]

Spent last night cruising through websites and YouTube videos researching the V3X bows, and this morning I went back to Jim bows again. (Calgary shop)- those guys are gonna hate me

It was very quiet there this morning, I was the only customer there and 1 guy shooting in the lanes. So the guys behind the counter had lots of time to chat. Lots of patience too. (Thanks guys!)

Anyway they set me up with a Mathews V3X 33 and a V3X 29 and let me go shoot to my hearts content testing both bows, checking in multiple times to see if I had any questions, or offer some input. Not once was I pressured to buy, or felt rushed. It was a great experience.

Anyway between both of these bows it was a virtual toss up. I am having a tough time deciding. But based on my draw length I think the V3X 29 might be the way to go. It just shoots so smooth.

Now I need to pick a color?!

[Jtenkink]

I did the same thing a while ago, ended up trying to decide between the Hoyt ProVentum 33 and the Matthews VX3. So close it was really hard to decide, kinda was leaning towards the Matthews but honestly it might have been the marketing I’ve seen as opposed to how the bow actually felt. In the end I ended up purchasing the ProVentum 33 since it was on sale over Black Friday (also from Jim Bows Calgary, excellent guys to deal with). Unfortunately the only one they have was in Edmonton so I’m waiting for a call that it’s made it’s way to Calgary so I can go pick it up and get it set up.
Honestly though you can’t go wrong with either of those bows. I’m sure the other guys make great bows too (I shot a PSE for years and really liked it) but those two were the ones I came down to deciding between. Also can’t go wrong with Jim Bows.

[bigbuck]

Originally Posted by Newf

Spent last night cruising through websites and YouTube videos researching the V3X bows, and this morning I went back to Jim bows again. (Calgary shop)- those guys are gonna hate me

It was very quiet there this morning, I was the only customer there and 1 guy shooting in the lanes. So the guys behind the counter had lots of time to chat. Lots of patience too. (Thanks guys!)

Anyway they set me up with a Mathews V3X 33 and a V3X 29 and let me go shoot to my hearts content testing both bows, checking in multiple times to see if I had any questions, or offer some input. Not once was I pressured to buy, or felt rushed. It was a great experience.

Anyway between both of these bows it was a virtual toss up. I am having a tough time deciding. But based on my draw length I think the V3X 29 might be the way to go. It just shoots so smooth.

Now I need to pick a color?!

Pretty much did the same thing last year. Ended up with the Mathews V3X but in the 33'' length. Seem to shoot a lot smoother for me compared to the 29''. Either way you will have a sweet setup!

[Newf]

Well…… a new Mathews V3X 29 is ordered. Granite color. Should be here mid-late January.

Was hoping they would have had one in stock so I would have had a little Christmas present for myself, but unfortunately I wasn’t that lucky.

[Landshark]

Originally Posted by Newf

Well…… a new Mathews V3X 29 is ordered. Granite color. Should be here mid-late January.

Was hoping they would have had one in stock so I would have had a little Christmas present for myself, but unfortunately I wasn’t that lucky.

Congratulations on choosing a fine bow. Post a pic up when you get it. And where will you use this bow if you're not at the lanes?

[Newf]

Originally Posted by Landshark

Congratulations on choosing a fine bow. Post a pic up when you get it. And where will you use this bow if you're not at the lanes?

I’ve got access to some properties- but I won’t be using it in these temps!