2024 Mathews Lift 29.5 & Why I'm NOT Keeping It!

My thoughts on the 2024 Mathews Lift 29.5" ATA bow, and a comparison to my 2023 Phase 4 33". I'll let you know why I'm not keeping the 29.5" Lift, and what I'm going to shoot for 2024 instead.
#mathewslift #provinggrounds #texasbowhunter
TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forum - discussions.tex......
TBH Facebook - / texasbowhunter
Facebook - / michael.midd. .
Twitter - @TBHCreativMedia
Snapchat - mimiddleton
Instagram - tbhcreativemedia
My Gear
Video:
Sony A7s iii
Sony 24-105mm f/4
DJI Osmo Pocket
DJI Mavic Air 2
DJI Inspire 1
Audio:
DJI Mic 2
Zoom H5
Tascam DR-01
Rode VideoMicro
Archery:
Mathews Lift 33
Mathews Phase 4 33
Wasp Jak Hammer broadhead
Easton Axis Long Range 4mm
Jeanette's Bow
Mathews Jewel 50#
Beman ICS Hunter 500
Wasp Jak Hammer Broadheads
Camping:
DD 3x3 Tarp
Yukon Ultralight Hammock
Outdoor Vitals Stormloft Topquilt
Outdoor Vitals Loftek Underquilt
Outdoorsmanlab Sleeping Pad
Stic Knife
Yukon Hammock Rain Fly
Kelty 12'x12' Tarp
Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel 2.0 (orange)

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

Have you shot a Mathews Lift? Do you prefer the 29.5" or the 33"?

[@trevorsecord6854]

I have a 33 on order. The 29.5 I didn't like draw cycle at all at 70

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

@@trevorsecord6854 I ordered the 33", but it's a mid-June ship date!

[@trevorsecord6854]

@@MichaelMiddletonTBH wait times are getting crazy

[@Tullminator]

I got a 33 on order. I can't wait. I'm glad I didn't get the 29.5

[@gabrielhouston5660]

Picked up a 29.5 in Earth. Love the bow. For my 28” DL it feels great at full draw.

[@charleszielke2634]

I recently purchased the Lift 29.5. I own a Phase 4 29 and was happy with that bow. I will say the Lift is probably one of my favorite bows of all time. The Lift is so quiet and vibration free. The design is well thought out and the fit and finish is perfect. I wasn't sold on the Lift at first, but after my purchase, I could not be happier!

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

Awesome! Thanks for the great feedback on the bow. I’m anxious to get my 33” Lift in May. I will say that I’ve been shooting my P4 33” to prepare for TAC in July and it is shooting really well! We’ll see how the Lift measures up!

[@stevestone5903]

Super commentary !! Easy to listen to, very informative. Maybe one of the best break down of bows I’ve watched so far. Thank you.

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

Thank you for the feedback, Steve. I appreciate it!

[@omm7763]

Wow, I absolutely love your honest opinion. I tested out the 33 inch lift and the 29.5 inch lift. I found the 33 to be more stable and more accurate. But, in the end I want a smaller bow that I had to tune my body and arms to, to get accuracy. Don't get me wrong, I really loved the 33 inch lift. But I rather be off 1 inch back 40 yards then carry around a larger bow. This is just my opinion. If you like the draw cycle of the phase 4, you will not like the draw cycle of the lift 33 or the 29.5. It is a little bit more upfront heavy and continues until the back end drop off. The phase 4 I found it a little hard pulling about halfway. The lifts I found both very difficult to pull until you get to the back wall. But almost gradual and equal. In the end I went with the 29.5 lift. I've been pretty happy with it for the last three months.

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

I like your thought process. The 29.5” is a GREAT shooting bow. I enjoyed shooting it, and really liked the size and light weight of it. My original intent was to keep the 29.5 Lift AND the 33” Phase 4 to have both options, but I decided I don’t really need 2 bows (I have other backups, if needed). I have an opportunity to essentially trade the 29.5 for the 33 Lift, so I decided to take advantage of that and be able to compare the 33 Lift to the 33 P4. Thanks for the feedback!

[@ross7684]

People complained about the old wooden grip bows, then they complained about the Focus grip, then they complained about the Flatback grip and now they complain about the Engage grip. If it's a Mathews, people have to have something to complain about. I have the engage on my Traverse and the Focus on my Halon 32 and I prefer the Focus grip, but shoot the Engage grip about as well.

[@Getdownorlaydownbum]

I put the ultra view 2.0 grip on my lift made a huge difference hand placement was natural and consistent I couldn’t get that with the engaged grip I guess I was use to that hoyt grip but that 2.0 fixed it

[@micahdunleavy9227]

Very few ppl complain about the Hoyt grip… fyi

[@GirthQuake3]

The old wood grips were sweet I thought

[@rwc-outdoors]

Really good and informative video. Appreciate you taking the time.

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

Thanks!

[@chriskell8479]

I wanted the “ switchback” but I missed the boat. I still have and use my MQ32.

[@JBJHonez]

🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬Matthew’s can suck it. Just got my bow Monday, Aug 12 2024 and the limbs are cracked already 16 Aug 2024z. It’s gonna be weeks according to my local bow shop. Warranty or not, this is bs and everyone should get a refund and not have to wait weeks to get their bow back because they’re gonna miss hunting time. If I would have known, I wouldn’t have got it. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 Thanks for the video

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

Ouch! That’s horrible timing, for sure (not that there’s EVER a good time for that! 😳) Did you buy your bow from the local shop? It seems like for 4 days they could completely change bows (provided they had another in stock.) I hope they can get you back in action sooner than anticipated.

[@JBJHonez]

@@MichaelMiddletonTBH just dropped it off right before the comment and it could be weeks. Deer bow season starts in 3 weeks. I’m just gonna use my 2019 PSE evoke 35 since it’s reliable

[@JBJHonez]

@@MichaelMiddletonTBH and they didn’t have another one in stock.

[@marlonorsburn4345]

Man I’ve been hearing that Mathews ships a new set of limbs overnight to the shops. I hate that it happened to you man.

[@JBJHonez]

@@marlonorsburn4345they didn’t in my case. It took them a week after my shop got in touch with them to ship, another week for him to get it and 3 days to get to it because he’s swamped. Had to cancel several Midwest hunts because of how swamped he is and he’s the only bow tech at the shop.

[@josephfolsom2030]

Appreciate the very practical review. I have the Phase 4 29”. Shortest bow I have ever owned. I have shot the Lift 33 at a shop and I can say that it held better than the Phase 4 29. I was shooting it well for only shooting it on 3 occasions. I would say the the Phase 4 is smoother drawing especially at the end of the draw cycle. Not that the Lift 33 was harsh but definitely not as smooth. I haven’t given the Phase 4 33 a lot of attention but would like to shoot it as much as I have the Lift 33.

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

Thanks for the feedback and your thoughts on the different bows.

[@marcuswhitney6560]

Thank you! Nobodys talking about the problems. I heard 90% of the time tophats need to be swapped on these lifts, and cam lean is a thing. The match strings arent better than abb or gas, and a new set costs $190🙃 ill stick with my V3X another year

[@JohnNeedham-zk5ms]

I’m not a Mathews fanboy I shoot 80# bows sense I was young it was common to find 80+ pound bows in the aluminum arrow days but like he said ruff to tune had to creep tune it so I’m well over 80# and it is easier to draw than most 70# bows I can throw the 55# mod and my daughter sight and she shoot great out to 50 yards I love it and I shot every flagship bow that was out

[@raynerussell7998]

love my phase 4. wont let her go for years.

[@WendellTillery]

Small subtle changes or a revamped bow equals higher prices every year.

[@IZZYR23]

I got a mathews monster 6 and o just shot the lift and the draw cicle coming from the monster 6 the lift is awesome, you want to feel a heavy draw cycle tried a monster 6 and i had it for years and i love my monster 6 bit the loft is awesome

[@mckinneysoutdoorservice1231]

Love the mathews but the draw killed my shoulder with old injury when back to hoyt

[@lthome5]

Why compare a 33 inch bow with the 29.5 inch? They are not the same so you aren’t comparing apples to apples. For me, a shorter bow is easier to shoot if sitting up in a tree or in a ground blind. If you are used to shooting a longer bow then a short bow may not shoot the same. That doesn’t make it an inferior bow.

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

Did you watch/listen to the video? It’s been awhile, but I believe I explained why in the video: 1. I already owned the P4 33 2. Mathews shipped me a Lift 29 So those are what I had to compare. 😜 I actually mentioned in the video that I was “somewhat comparing apples to oranges.” I also explained in the video that I, personally, generally prefer a longer axle-to-axle bow and why. I realize that many (if not most) like a shorter ATA, but as the title indicates, this was about why “I’m” not keeping it. BTW, I did end up keeping the Lift 33 and sold the P4. 👍 Thanks for watching and for the feedback. Best of luck to you this season!

[@KurtL1776]

Good review. I tried the Lift this past week, but I just couldn't get on board with the feel and draw cycle. I ended up ordering a RX-8 Ultra. Nothing against Matthews just didnt love the Lift.

[@JBJHonez]

There’s a lot of bows with the same axle to axle length within half an inch. .5lbs isn’t worth the extra $$$

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

If A2A is your only (or primary) consideration and .5 lbs isn't an important one, then it's hard to disagree. The Lift bows are a great combination of smooth/quiet/fast/shootable/etc. that probably make it worth the price difference for some people.

[@buck16]

I find this review to be somewhat ridiculous. Comparing a 33 Phase 4 to a 29.5 lift makes no sense. You should have compared the 33 Pase 4 to a 33 Lift.

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

Fair, but it was simply my thoughts on why I like my current model bow (Phase 4 - 33”) more than the Lift 29.5, which Mathews had sent to me (as part of our sponsorship agreement at TexasBowhunter.com. ) I mean, there’s nothing click-baity in the title that would lead you to assume this would be a comparison between 33” model bows. I will do another comparison between the 33” models when the Lift 33” arrives in mid-June. I’m sure you’ll be on the edge of your seat waiting for that. 😜

[@buck16]

@@MichaelMiddletonTBH Ok sounds good.

[@robertsophiea05]

Why would it be bad to compare a 33 to a 29.5? People are looking for opinions on bows so that they can make an educated decision . People are not necessarily committed to a specific size bow. Axle to Axle is just another number on a spec sheet. Do you find it ridiculous when people compare bows with different IBO speeds?

[@Lumtiki]

I completely agree with this. I have a v3x in 33 and a phase 4 in both 33 and 29. The extra ATA changes a lot about the bow and it would be unfair of me to compare them v3x 33 to my 29 phase 4. With that being said, I value the archery community and its context creators. I love hearing about everyone personal journey and what they prefer. It’s all about you and what you like no right or wrong answers

[@dakotadickens8902]

Great informative video. It’s was kinda green apples to red apples. Instead of red to red. But that kinda all you had to work with and comes down to personal preferences. Lookign forward to the red to red and maybe even making a review myself.

[@stephensheldon8396]

I had a V3X 29 and a Hoyt RX7 30. I didnt like the short ATA at all i went to a Lift 33 and wow what a difference. I can hold on target alot better and have significantly less pin drift with the longer ATA. I was used to shooting 32-34 before i decided to go compact. It was a bad decision and thats why i went back to longer.

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

Awesome! Thanks for the feedback. I also seem to hold better with longer ATA.

[@gorankorovljevic810]

Let me know about SAS,does it fits from older models to Lift

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

I reached out to my one of my contacts at Mathews and they confirmed they are not compatible. I did order the SAS for the Lift 33 and it is about 1/2" longer than the SAS for P4 33".

[@gorankorovljevic810]

@@MichaelMiddletonTBH Thx for info mate 🍺

[@barbellsandbowhunting]

Finally an American review where he can pronounce "height" properly!

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

LOL! Thanks!

[@zacharyclark8905]

Put a RX8 ultra in your hands

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

I’m sure it’s a fine bow. Mathews is a long time sponsor of my website (TexasBowhunter.com). I was a Hoyt shooter before Mathews came on board back in 2011.

[@tonyviers-de9qi]

I have a 31” hoyt thats lighter than the lift 29

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

👍 Carbon or aluminum?

[@tonyviers-de9qi]

@@MichaelMiddletonTBH aluminum

[@tonyviers-de9qi]

@@MichaelMiddletonTBH hoyt maxxis 31 . Great bow!!! Killed giants with it . Don’t get me wrong . I love mathews . Just bought a lift 33 , love this bow

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

@@tonyviers-de9qi Awesome! I'm anxious to get my Lift 33". Thanks for the feedback.

[@charlesroberts2906]

They make the limbs so thin,and put big wheels , old bows solid limbs and smaller wheels same speed

[@barbellsandbowhunting]

I'd be up to buy it and pay for shipping

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

Sorry, I already had it sold to a friend when I made this video.👍

[@Cpt-Pugwash14]

Same, i got a lift without shooting it first, sold it a few weeks after as my V3X33 is a much better bow i felt.

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

Did you have the 29.5 or 33" Lift?

[@Truthwalk777]

Keeping mines 😄💣🏹🔥💰✅🎯🏆

[@douglasvaughn9530]

Traverse is 33" ATA not 34".

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

You are correct. I realized it after I uploaded the video while we were discussing the Traverse on TexasBowhunter.com. Thanks for the correction!

[@keithmacris2182]

If anyone wants to send me a lift ill happily take it I can't afford to buy one. I have heart problems and live on disability. I'm not too proud to say ill take one if you don't want yours

[@thomasvanderhoff768]

If you guys are going to review bows ,why would you not have your own bow ,press? Having a press teaches you how to work on your own bow .I would not trust half of thease bow techs to touch my bow. Do your self a favor and get a press then you can fine tune your own bow ,and if you mess up put back in the press and fix it ,it’s best way to learn how to tune your bow. And with you tube you have everything there to show how to work on your bow.

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

If you listen carefully, you’ll realize that the bow arrived to my house on a Friday evening and I left for our hunting property the following morning. I didn’t have a press at the lease, so I went to the local shop to get a quick tune. While I don’t own a bow press, I have a local shop near my house (that is also a site sponsor for TexasBowhunter.com) and they allow me to use their equipment for tuning my bows. (I do set up and tune my own.) I am also able to use Mathews’ SAS to press the bow for pretty much anything needed to set up and tune (although I didn’t yet have it for the Lift when I received it.)

[@drikeshoemaker4121]

Can I please please please have it

[@drikeshoemaker4121]

I’m 18 and want one so bad

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

Already sold it, bud. 👍

[@xx7legion7xx99]

Thos is the mew reezen

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

❓

[@micahdunleavy9227]

Too bad the limbs splinter to hell constantly..

[@marlonorsburn4345]

Man I haven’t had any issue at all with my lift 33. I absolutely love it!

[@cole580]

Anything to get clicks lmfao