2023 Bow Buying Test Review... Who Wins??

Enjoy this break down of the 6 best bows of 2023!

[@chadsmith4788]

Do your tests blindfolded with no information on what bow is being shot. You will see a difference in the results! Different things will stand out that you didn’t see or feel. I do agree with the top 3 bows.

[@tonyviers-de9qi]

Absolutely!! Noone is doing this. And I believe if you know what bow you are shooting, you cannot completely overcome your bias . Impossible

[@jacobconti6511]

Kinda hard to shoot blindfolded

[@tonyviers-de9qi]

@@jacobconti6511 shooting for feel and sound,not accuracy . Youve never shot with your eyes closed?

[@usbsol]

This is a good idea 👍

[@binskihops]

Absolutely, hated the Mathews grip before even shooting it. I shot the v3x yesterday and loved the grip

[@bv12ringer]

I would also consider customer service. It took 5-6 weeks to get my brand new bow repaired waiting on a new cam due to a defective cam. That is what swayed me as Mathew’s service was a few days

[@chrisyancy9510]

Mathew’s all the way I like how the quiver fits tight to the bow and for balance the bridgelock can’t be beat the grip does suck but that’s usually the first thing that gets changed on every new bow..

[@jeffgenchi5863]

Looks like he had fun. Love it.

[@rickblankenship669]

I agree with Dre_Sted I have the Halon and the V3X imho the the halon shoots better than the V3X , i really like the way you tell people to shoot different bows to see what fits them best . MFJJ keep up the great videos

[@jimhuffman2629]

Do you guys test triad bows

[@joncox2682]

Man, this kids judging is super harsh he better be glad he didn’t pick a bow up 10 years ago. He would’ve cried it would’ve been so bad for him.

[@texasbowhunter4083]

Dropped the Revex in the first 3, I stopped watching. I think it’s the best shooting bow to come out in years .. Just my opinion

[@Rikcey]

I'm fine with the Omnia finishing 4th, it's not for everyone. But objectively, you did it dirty with that 6 for special features. Okay, no integration, but standard interfaces. But the 1/4" DL adjustment and the micro letoff adjustment (you can get new gears from elite if they rattle, but even removing it still makes it infinitely adjustable) surely make it a step up over the PSE. I mean, DL and Letoff make it easier to get it to shoot well for you. How you have to mount the sight you want is secondary.

[@UltraLimitedHD]

Well said...

[@jayfry905]

The prime had zero vibration so I’m going to give it a 6 ???

[@the_sharp_carpenter]

They also have arguably the nicest finishes in the business, adjustable flex guard, Sherpa mounts top and bottom and thread stud mounts for multiple ways to run stabilizing and quiver

[@blainlux622]

Add let down in the test. When in a hunting situation, being able to smoothly let down is important. Great job guys.

[@brucescott9814]

If you had him blind folded I wonder if the result would been completely different 🤔👍👍👍👍

[@CalebSmith87]

I feel like there's some bias here in favor of big brand names lol. The omnia is a much better bow than people are giving it credit for. I can tell you right now the 5 for vibration is not even remotely true. It's one of the deadest bows on the market right now. I shot most of these bows when I bought my omnia and the phase 4 was the only one that I liked as much as the omnia. I went with the omnia because the phase 4 didn't come in a size that felt right for me. Love your channel by the way and I learn a lot from you but I just think this was more of a popularity contest lol.

[@fastcamo]

I agree, I think he wasn’t honest with himself.

[@jeffcrooks7305]

Went with what his boss is shooting 🤔. Shoot them blind folded for an unbiased opinion. I enjoy your channel, keep it up!

[@mikewhitehead677]

This is obviously one person's opinion. Everybody will rate all the bows differently depending on their preferences. Go to your local shop, shoot as many bows as possible & pick what is right for you.

[@Thedudeabides803]

This was so stupid he didn’t pick the Mathews. What is the world coming to? I’m kidding and I will give the Bowtec serious thought. Still enjoying my halon 32 but the time is coming.

[@BY-dq3mt]

I have 3 mathews bows so I’m a supporter. However, don’t understand why they spend so much R&D on fancy stuff and not on a far more important and basic element like the grip. That’s the first thing I change on every mathews bow and I feel I’m in the majority.

[@myronriggs9613]

I agree with you. If matthews would work on two things I would definitely get one. First is the grip and second is tunability

[@bryce8174]

What grip did you get

[@SeanDiego]

What grip

[@SeanDiego]

???

[@Hotrod_archery]

Politely. With all do respect. Someone who doesn’t understand the mechanics of the bows they’re shooting, smacking a trigger…someone’s going to be mislead by this kids feelings on the bows. Because he clearly is saying his random thoughts with no experience or knowledge from any in depth time spent shooting a bow. You’re putting the info out for the world. Based off a kid that’s clueless.

[@gratefuldude82]

Rx7!

[@jeffcopenhaver2217]

Too bad the Darton Prelude 32 wasn’t in the running, but then again he probably wouldn’t have picked a Bowtech then 😂

[@MarkoJosic]

There is no better grip then prime and im not prime fan.

[@the_sharp_carpenter]

Nor a better finish,

[@danielroy5699]

MFJJ, I think you should do a "Pro-Am" Edge Challenge! Pick 2 other shooters, each get an Diamond Edge and $300 for a release, arrows, and any "upgrades" (receipts shown (costs not including taxes)). Each shooter gets a week to practice. Winner is chosen by highest points: 1 point for every dollar not spent 20 arrow 5 spot total score 3d course total score Pop a balloon at 100 on the elk, 1 point deducted for every arrow needed to pop (10 arrow mercy rule?)

[@jayminer9416]

Feels like the Omnia got shorted a little. Everyone feels a bit differently though. I shot the BT, Elite, Hoyt, and Prime side by side and felt that the Elite edged them out. The grip, balance, and vibration won me over. The draw cycle can be taxing after shooting a few rounds....but its not horrible.

[@archer3181]

I knew as soon as there was a Bowtech in there you would push it on him as your a tech homer. He’s trying to answer your questions on and you pretty much tell him it’s this or that. I would also say that the elite has more features than all those bows minus the pic rails. Bowtech would be close with the elite in tunabilty.

[@dustinmize994]

Think maybe final 2 should get shot at some targets see which is more accurate. Other than that good test.

[@drewolm]

The best 29-32” bow for 2023 is the 2017 Mathews Halon 32-7.

[@colecathcart8572]

I just got a 32 6 and I love it

[@drewolm]

@@colecathcart8572 Comparing performance from todays bows to those bows, the Halon series often out performs. Mathews really hit on something there.

[@colecathcart8572]

@@drewolm I upgrade to the halon from my bear cruzer g2 and it actually blew me away on how much better a bow can get. The bear was my first bow so I had no base to go off of when buying it.

[@TheManic.5-OH]

I'll take the HALONS younger brother, my VXR 28 @ 75# DW and 29.5DL for whitetail hunting. Yes, my string angle is aggressive. Aggressive AF, BUT it hits so.friggin.hard! And it is dead nuts accurate at 60 yards. Softball groups. My V3 31 @60# is what I'm shooting for target, I'd probably take the halon over that tbh. They messed things up putting the cable roller right at center shot. Dogsh1t vane clearance.

[@sobe303]

It would be great to see a best carbon bow and a best metal bow.

[@o.n.e.wayhunting]

I’d drop the draw cycle and special features category, especially the special features one and replace them with speed.

[@madwe2269]

Agreed. "Oh no it had a little vibration and didn't draw as smooth" is the top critique I see in modern archery. No one talks about how fast it is with a range of hunting arrows, or how well it holds on target. Except inside out precision, figures it takes someone who used to work at the bow rack to know what it takes to have a good hunting bow

[@michaelcolthart4006]

Fit and finish on a Prime was a 3!? Lmao, all credibility lost……

[@reygarcia6627]

Good video guys… idk about the vibration levels you gave the phase 4 and the vtm.. I have both and a RX7. they all shoot great and accurate. I’ve been shooting the phase 4 a month straight trying to like it as much as the others.. the vibration is what I’m not liking. It’s not as dead as the Hoyt’s.. I got all 3 because I’m new to archery and couldn’t decide.. the Mathew’s phase 4 is growing on me but as soon as I pick up the VTM or RX7.. it makes me realize.. the Phase4 it isn’t no Hoyt. These Hoyt’s have ZERO vibration and really are dead in the hand. But they’re all great bows and I can shoot them all just as good. How ever I do like my Mathew’s grip more only because I added the UV Bee Real 2.0

[@Illustrator76]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but the Prime Revex is widely acclaimed for being absolutely dead in the hand, and having the best fit and finish in the industry, hands down. Some of those bow ratings overall really puzzled me, but if he found what he likes, then that's what matters most.

[@tinfoilsombrero1439]

This is like Mathews guys slamming away on their keyboards, telling other bow users that if they don’t use a Mathews, they should be put to death for their ignorance. Then ask said Mathews guy how many animals he shot last year and he goes radio silent. Opinion is just that.

[@nevadapoole6180]

Prime dead in the hand yes! But for fit and finish idk where you pulled that out of😂😂😂

[@bow4u756]

That is absolutely true!!!

[@daddski1]

@@tinfoilsombrero1439 Really? I''m a relatively new Mathews guy,(last two seasons) bought the v3 and then v3x 33. Animals last year 9 out of 9 attempts. How bout you? This v3x 33 is an awesome bow. And I also have a beautiful carbon Hoyt, it too is a great bow. I have mainly used Bear however, had been for 40 years. Before getting the V3 I never saw the need or want to spend that much money on a bow when a Bear for half or less of the cost always filled my freezer nicely. Your claim that Mathews sux just shows you are a fanboy of a different brand and many using yours... also no deer or animals last year. For me 3 deer, an elk, turkey x 2 and three pigs. I did try the Prime and have several times in the past years. I just have no dealership close enough to handle issues so they lose. Nice bow but you claiming it beats Mathews in anything is just smoke and mirrors friend. I am NOT one to say use this brand or you suck.... Every brand out there these days make a usable system. Even Chinese on Amazon will sell you a 200 dollar bow that will take a deer. So stop your insanity and just get what you can afford folks and be happy. Saying a mfg like Mathews means you cannot take a deer or other animal is just stupid. These guys do not stay on top for generations because they make bad stuff.grow up and knock off the stupid stuff.

[@sapperROSS]

End of the day its what the shooter likes, this is just a video of some kid picking which bow he likes. Ive shot hoyt and mathews and i own an elite and im very accurate with it. We can all agree pse is crap tho right lol

[@thorwaldjohanson2526]

I think it is a very valuable video. They really break down the different aspects and the strength and weaknesses. Of course it is still all subjective but it can give a good starting point and give you some information on what to focus on perhaps when trying different ones for purchase.

[@JamesBond-oc4gm]

Honestly nothing wrong with pse. I've had mine since 2015, still doing great. To each their own. Everyone is different

[@reygarcia6627]

😂😂😂

[@brockpeck7073]

Pse is awesome. Your crap! If someone said you can have a free bow any bow. I would pick a pse over hoyt, bowtech, and Mathews

[@sinepari9160]

I've owned a bunch of PSE's and they aren't the best designed/finished/smoothest bows but they will get the job done. A lot of this stuff is just personal preference and wanting a bow that hits 350 with the smoothest draw in the world. There's a reason he liked the bowtech the most, it's probably the slowest bow in that test of top 3 manufacturers.

[@lovesvanilla666]

Lost credibility with me- dudes initial reactions don’t match the scores given. Nonsensical arguments. I smell a personal distain Josh has for prime tbh.. 🧐

[@madwe2269]

Prime had no vibration but it gets a 6 because he doesn't like the grip?

[@JustinCue-p7n]

Love the channel and content. Can we be sure he is 100% non-bias considering those are your top two bows you preach in almost every video? Again, love the videos. Maybe blindfolded with no bow info. See what results that creates?

[@paulgroniger4494]

All of the quantitative measurements aside (dB, FPS, weight, etc.) putting a numerical value to the qualitative aspects of a bow (in the hand feel, shoot-ability, balance, draw cycle, back wall, etc.) is a great way to make a decision based on personal preference. One suggestion would be to weight each element... for me fit and finish would be a low weight while tunability and balance would carry a higher weight and would have greater influence on the final decision.

[@cjr4497]

These point blank bare bow test are pointless. This didn't tell us anything about how well the bows would shoot for the guy. I agree with weighting the elements. I would put vibration and extra features very low. No one shoots without stabilizers and picatinny rails or built in dove tails have nothing to do with shootability.

[@nevadapoole6180]

Tbh all this video is this guy telling you his personal preference for feel of a bow 😂

[@nevadapoole6180]

​@@cjr4497 having the built in dovetail makes for easier tuning though just to point that out, not important to some important to others, the bottom line there's so many bows out there that perform well it just comes down to what the individual values and wants from their bow.

[@myronriggs9613]

I think Matthews would put a lot of other bow companies out of business if they fixed their grip and their Tuneability. That’s what is stopping me from owning one

[@mikestackz854]

Then obviously they ain’t as good as your saying because you would already own one

[@tonyallen8626]

Sometimes the bows come from the factory a little out of tune and a bow that is perfectly in tune will feel a lot better

[@joshdavis-prostaff-shooter]

If everyone changes the grip on Mathew’s and those two bows are so close why would you not change the grip and keep shooting them to give a fair comparison

[@jonheatlie3809]

Maybe not flagship bows! Not all of us can afford a $1500 bare bow

[@damirisdamir]

Agreed 😂 went into a bow pro shop and they tried to sell me a compound bow with a dozen of customizable accessories. I was looking at $1800 plus lesson's. Hard pass but I am very happy with my Arc Rolan Snake 60 recurve bow that a friend who used to practice archery, gladly handed his old one down to me. Now it's my newest and favorite recent hobby. I still can't wrap my mind around some of those price tags I've seen tho. 😬

[@Ducatistto]

Sad that PSE unite is not on ther list with EC2, but still watching the comparison :)

[@drmitofit2673]

I'm glad your cameraman didn't rush the walk thru on the intro.

[@JoelKessler-xc1fm]

I would to see you do a versus with the carbon bows. Also, maybe show some speed differences? Love the channel!

[@naturalstatehunter5591]

I was hoping you would be in on the test Josh. Good video still. I would like to see you and maybe 2-3 guys from your shop do the ultimate show down of bows and include the carbon bow offerings.

[@erxkeel]

He knew before he started he liked the bowtech 🤣

[@tylergrant-peters4563]

Watching him draw over and over you can tell the cp30 has the smoothest draw

[@tere1988able]

I was between the Hoyt and bowtech, felt like the Hoyt just felt like a Cadillac compared while shooting. Solid, smooth, durable but hey we are all different

[@ICU2B4UDO]

Last category on the right is 51, not 50...You're welcome! Lol 😂

[@GrantBontrager]

I completely agree on the Mathews grip. I will always shoot them but i will never keep stock grips on them!

[@chrississon2646]

Bow tech 👍

[@jaysonsulser6099]

Nothing against any of these bows I have shot almost all of them minus the fortis, but the new athens elevate took the win! Amazing bow doesn’t have the features of the bowtech or elite for adjustment but next year could be interesting from athens.

[@Not_Andrew_Huberman]

It's really sad that you can rip the Mathews grip off, put some Mathews side plates on it, and in 5 minutes the grip is money. Hope they listen cause otherwise it's 👌

[@billmcstay194]

It's Matt Damon from "The Talented Mr. Ripley" testing bows. Outstanding!

[@billmcstay194]

All joking aside really good info. More and more I want a CP 30 Great review.

[@jeffgaston8187]

How do you set the nock height and rest height for each bow? Should add a 20yd shot in the test! Thanks for everything you guys put out!

[@brianclark785]

20 yard test needs to have sights so they don’t miss the target. Short shooting like this allows to focus on the feel for the bow and not focus on aiming.

[@billbailey7965]

Good job guys, I know you're time limited and you covered a lot. My only suggestion would be to have two shooters and see if there's a consensus at the end.

[@patrickscheel3943]

Things to see- your real tested arrow speeds in the #'s; definitely relevant for hunting bows. Also consider doing something like this for your long draw and short draw flagships?? Freaking love this channel!

[@theamericansavage]

Hoyt.

[@lucas.5am639]

Cool vid. Interesting test. Maybe the amount of noticeable torque at full-draw would be a good category for next time.

[@aaronnaquin8255]

Please help me guys. People are going nutz over the Sanlida dragon x8 saying it’s the cheapest bow on Amazon witch is bs bc I have the cheapest hunting bow it’s called lanneret compound bow made U.S.A. 0-70 lbs draw draw length up to 31. I need to know how to set draw length it shows 18 settings but no measurements. Trying to get it at thirty but I have no idea where to plant the screws please review the bow it’s a great all around bow for beginners

[@robertcowan8042]

I have a VTM 31 and it has a smooth draw cycle, quiet and dead in the hand. Had to shim it to get a perfect bullet hole. That is kind of a pain for the proshop. I shot the mathews phase 4 and the bowtech CP30 also. Phase 4 was nice but not as nice as the hoyt. The bowtech fit me like a glove. It had a little more vibration but not much. Held steady on target and the gear type tuning system is the easiest and best out there.. CP30is a good choice.

[@zacharymitchell7774]

Lemme start out by saying I love your channel and will continue to watch it. But there were a couple instances when “special features” were chosen that I was like WHAT? No way. But I’m also slightly elite biased so.

[@christopheroleary2512]

I wonder, how do the Oneida bows hold up to these? I've been a fan of the style and like that is looks like a cross between, or a hybrid of, a compound and a recurve bow. I understand that they are longer, but do not know much more than that. I am a beginner, and looking to upgrade from a cheaper takedown recurve.

[@tommurray1772]

Great video guys thank you. I’ve been shooting BowTech my whole life. I keep trying other bows, but I keep ending up back with BowTech.

[@Butcher411]

I love how you didn’t introduce any of the bows beforehand and the lack of info leading up to the conclusion. Couldn’t help the sarcasm but you asked for the stupid feedback 😂

[@ChadsNewEnglandTracks]

I felt the same between my bowtech sr350 and the mathews . Loved everything about both except the mathews grip feels like a 30$ walmart kids bow lol

[@barnypt1]

Well, i don’t know what this guy expects but he didn’t give anybody at least one 10. I mean Mathews is prob one of the closest to being dead then anything out there as far as vibration. Also u guys need to really consider doing these with the person blind folded or with visual aspect taken out of it. U will be amazed at what u experience. Then u are not biased by what u can see. Also i cannot help but noticed that someone may have introduced some bias…to him on the scoring a little..just sayin 😬

[@danielfetchak1865]

I would have picked the Bowtech over Mathews also because I just shot both bows and the Bowtech just feels better in my opinion.

[@jayvaughn47]

I dont even knowhalf of what yall are taking about ive been shooting a pse for almost 20 years have harvested almost 50 deer with it and 2 turkeys and a coyote mostly just like a light weight bow and this is just you 2 guys opinions

[@Hemi2247]

Hoyt literally has the absolute worst finish in the industry on their hunting bows….and this is coming from a hoyt fan. The elite and the bowtech should have been 1 and 2 for special features. Its not surprising that the bowtech and the mathews finished 1 and 2….

[@ohio737pro]

The one thing about Hoyt that will always turn me away is the risers. I can not stand how the grip is with that piece of the riser going down along side of it. It cramps my hand and intrudes on my grip. If they would change that, I would consider them as contender.

[@lucas.5am639]

Looks like the E2 cam on that PSE Fortis. It's worth mentioning that the EC2 cam would be a lot smoother.

[@EpiiKSiiNz]

yeah, influence him to give mathews higher ratings than deserved, bro...every video..

[@philfancher3652]

If the Grip is the main criteria for which thousand dollar Bow to get????????

[@davids970]

The ultra view on my v3x29 made this bow a completely different animal

[@johnweaver8408]

So really all we learned was this guy’s personal preference in bows. Everyone like something different

[@stevie9361]

None of them 2023 bows should have shock and vibrations. He acts like he's shooting 80s bows

[@varmint223]

I’m 6’4 and Iv been really looking at the ss34 had or the revolt XL what’s your input on them two bows ?

[@douglasscholl4681]

I would have liked the fps baseline from your original testing and one chrono shot at his draw length and poundage.

[@Brandon-oo1mb]

Put the smooth mods on the Omnia and it’ll be #1

[@FIVE6-qk6pc]

If they didn't have cam lean out of this world it would be for sure #1 mine was awful even after shimming and limb swapping ect first and last elite I'll buy they dropped the ball I could've got a bad one but for the money I spent you get one chance

[@matthewgay3835]

i feel like people are overly harsh on the mathews grip, just change it to the beereal grip. (just my opinion don't come after me)

[@darnellwatkins4031]

I just like the bowtech tunability. I’m a dumb dumb, and I don’t like pro shops all that much.

[@808slimtrim]

Big jims bows. An actual archery bow. No bs cams stabilizers triggers peeps.

[@toreyyoung1518]

Trust me the new Botox you will not like over time. Arrow to arrow accuracy is so finicky with their new designs.

[@horselog225]

I'm going to take a stab in the dark and say JJ will rank Matthews no.1 before I watch this 😂😂😂

[@StickNString]

I wonder if he actually is gonna use the Bowtech over the Mathew’s since there is so many options out there for custom grips on the Mathew’s since his decision pretty much came down to the grip.

[@cvo.j7893]

I've always had a skewed view of bowtech from when their limbs were blowing up

[@goldtip34]

Lots of good bows to choose from

[@qouavang3646]

Best bow for me is my species ev it's killed tons of deer and wild pigs. Keep the single cams alive!!!

[@chuckiewestmoreland3353]

Next time I buy a new bow I'm going to do the one arrow thing like y'all did and drive all over to shoot as many brands as I can. Cool video as always man!

[@binskihops]

Hasn't shot the Mathews and already hates it. They need to blind fold this challenge. Way too opinionated on the bows

[@Texaslivinoutdoors]

Do 33”-35” like SS34, veracity35, trx etc next

[@kelvin0689]

His math is wrong on the Mathews. Should be a 51. But he is quick at it!

[@vfonte218]

Would be even better if he was blindfolded and didn't know what bow it was! Still a great job tho

[@johndell5335]

Many people is interested in 32 to 40 inch A to A. Do you have a video to evaluate those?

[@jayvaughn47]

Love how he has to put his elbow way up in the air to draw lol i draw straight back no chicken wing way up in the air haha

[@vikeskie]

we’re so spoiled when it comes to archery equipment nowadays.

[@parkerlipetzky]

I find it so interesting listening to everyone's different opinions on bows. I guess that's why all these companies stay in business. If we all liked the same thing there would only be one.

[@davefisher5196]

I did not know what brand of bow some were as you said ghe model but not the brand as I do not know all the models of all the brands

[@jacketprideable]

I’m going to guess before I watch the video, the Mathews wins…

[@JohnWawrysh]

Please bring in a fellow knuckle dragger and test the long draws!🙏

[@zeribamardecarvalho5738]

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