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This is my first compound bow I've owned. After getting my draw length measured and/or finding the formula online to calc myself and trying a couple manufacturers' bows, I found Mathews bows were smooth and fit me well. I found the used Mathews Switchback on eBay and got the package for at least $500 less than a new Z7 package (i.e. sights, drop away rest, Mathews quiver, dampeners, etc.) From the time I received my bow until I could start consistently putting arrows within 4" circles at 18 yds. was about 2 months of shooting in my basement 5-6 days per week. I still have a ways to go before I feel confident to hunt deer with a bow. However, I have found this bow to be smooth, quiet, accurate and well made. It's also adjustable from 70-60 lbs with the right Allen wrench, which I did adjust down 2 full turns to approx. 62 lbs. to gradually build up chest / arm muscles needed as a new bow hunter. I'd recommend Mathews bow (i.e. Switchback) to others looking for a quality bow with these characteristics.Read full review
First of let me say I own and operate my own archery shop. Nothing large but I am a bit of a techno nerd in archery. I own and use a Matthews Switchback xt for deer and hog hunting and own and use a switchback ld for competition. The switchback xt is one of the most forgiving bows with a 7.5” brace height. My ld has an extra forgiving 9” brace height but suffers from a 2” longer an ATA and a tad slower than and not nearly as parallel as the xt. The shorter ATA of the xt leads to a string angle at full draw of less than 45 degrees at a full 29.5 inch draw witch allows better target acquisition at less than perfect stands in a tree stand. I do not use a kisser button on either bow but use a hand to chin land mark for shooting. I also know of several individuals that use they xt on the competition circuit I participate in as they prefer the shorter ATA as well as the slightly faster speed. I’m in no way a Matthew fanatic as my wife shoots a PSE and my daughter a bow tech diamond razor edge. I believe fitting a bow to ones body and draw dimensions is more important to speed or ATA. This bow is practically illegally silent and dead (no after shock) in the hand.Read full review
Mathews has made a lot of different bows. In my opinion the Switchback is the best ever. I recently ran into a switchback that had been put away by someone and I bought it and put a new string and sights on it. It is absolutely awesome. I had sold my first switch back and thought I was upgrading. I now feel as though I have upgraded and went back to the switch back. It's crazy accurate. If you haven't tried one. Take the time to do it. I bet you'll be a fan.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Probably a zillion good reviews out there about this bow. Heres my story - bought one 3 years ago - the thing is like a crossbow - very accurate. This summer, my 15 year old started shooting my bow while I was on a work trip - I came home, and we bought another identical bow for him. 4 inch groups at 60 yards - and I truly believe the bow can do a lot better, its just that I can't shoot any better. I can hold better groups at that range with this bow than I can with my 12 gauge Ithica slug gun with open sights from a standing position - I mean I suck with a gun, but still. A few hints though: -The bow is very forgiving if: 1. - You MUST use a wrist sling and shoot with an OPEN bow hand. I cannot stress this enough - the bow cannot take any torque from a gripped bow hand when the arrow is released. With a sling and shooting from an open bow hand, the bow is awesome, if you shoot with a closed hand, you will probably blame the bow, but it will be the shooting style, not the bow. 2. - You must tune the bow. Period. It is a high performance bow, a lot going on is a very short split second, so if the arrow is not aligned properly, you will lose accuracy quickly. This is because it is a very fast arrow, any poor tuning is magnified. Tuning should not scare you - AT ALL. There are a lot of gadgets you can buy to tune a bow, don't waste your money on them. People buy them because they dont understand what they are trying to achieve. Perpendicular to the string, and centered to the limbs. Thats all there is to it. Quick and efficient way to tune - hold the bow out in front of you (not drawn), line up the string in the center of the arrow and when the string is dead center on the arrow, see that the string is also dead centered on the limbs. If it is not, adjust your arrow rest left or right to correct the alignment. Remember, when shooting and the arrow nock comes off the string, the bow is in the closed position. A slight misalignment here and you quickly develope some fish tail left and right. Next step is to adjust the elevation. IMPORTANT! Many arrow rests 'fall away' when the bow is closed. The arrow rest must be in the up position (the same position it would be in right before you release the arrow). When it is in the up position, the arrow must be a perfect 90 degrees (perpendicular) to the string. Adjust your nock point up or down to make the arrow perpendicular. A slight misalignment here and you quickly develope some porpoising up and down. You are done. It is that simple to tune your bow. The correct arrow is somewhat important, but tuning and good shooting form will outweigh a poorly matched arrow diameter and spine. Fletchings must clear the bow and arrow rest of course, but beyond that, the bow will be forgiving of arrows that do not perfectly meet spec. I shoot all kinds of junk out of this bow - judo points, flu-flu fletchings, arrows with severely messed up fletchings - all good. Last little hint about tuning - shoot an arrow with no fletchings from ten yards into a block of foam. The lack of fletchings will not allow the arrow to 'correct' during flight. The angle of the arrow in the foam will tell you a story. I totally recommend this bow - it can take a beating, its not heavy, shoots a super fast arrow, easy to work on, small, forgiving (when tuned and shot properly), and if you don't want it anymore, there will ALWAYS be a buyer.Read full review
I have owned four other brands of compound bows however this bow is by far the best. I have had shoulder problems over the years and this bow is by far the smoothest and easiest to draw. It is not the fastest on the market but if you can shoot more accurately and easier it is a no brainer to choose the switchback xt. The extra few feet per second is a small sacrifice.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned