Congratulations on your purchase of a Mathews bow.

The Mathews Heritage Bows...
Elegant works of art and craftsmanship
that offer exceptional performance!
Designed by Matt McPherson;
inspired by memories of
watching his father.
See the Heritage
at your Mathews
retailer!
• At left, Original
Heritage longbow;
center, Hawk modified
longbow; right, Eagle
recurve
• Beautiful hardwood
laminate riser; premium
bamboo limbs
• Comes with leather softcase
• Each bow serial numbered
Justin Charles Thermal Underwear
Made of 100% New Zealand Merino
SuperSoft Wool
• Extremely soft; won’t itch or irritate your skin
Owner’s Manual
Setting up your new Mathews bow...
As you probably know, once your Mathews bow is properly tuned, it will stay in
tune thanks to the single-cam design. However, initial setup of draw length, weight,
nock point, etc. is critical to maximize the performance of your new bow.
Draw Length
If your new Mathews SoloCam bow is equipped with a “StraightLine” MaxCam,
which is draw length specific, there is no adjustment on the cam. Other Mathews
cams are adjustable for draw length and come set at the longest draw length setting
unless your retailer has indicated otherwise. Mathews offers several cam sizes to
help ensure optimum draw length and performance for your measurements and
shooting style. The draw length on your bow is adjustable on the cam a maximum of
one inch down from the peak draw length. This is accomplished by moving the
string loop to any of three adjustment posts on either side of the cam. The number
1 post would be the longest draw length for that particular cam. For example: to
shorten the draw by 1/2", the string would be moved to the number 2 post on both
sides of the cam. The Mini MaxCam can be adjusted down from its peak draw
length, approximately 1/2". This is accomplished by moving the string loop to the
secondary post on the cam.
• Wicks moisture 28% faster than synthetics
Draw Weight
• Absorbs 30% of its weight before feeling damp
(vs. 5% with synthetics)
Mathews SoloCam bows have a 10 pound weight reduction range from your bow’s
peak weight (example: if your bow has a peak weight of 70 pounds, you can adjust it
as low as 60 pounds). Draw weight adjustments are made using either a 3/16" or 7/32"
Allen wrench. Turn the limb bolt clockwise to increase the draw weight and counterclockwise to decrease the weight. Each rotation is equivalent to 3 or 4 pounds of
draw weight. It is very important to adjust the limb bolts equally but do not exceed 5
full turns out from maximum draw weight. Your Mathews SoloCam bow will generally perform best at its designated peak weight.
• Wool neutralizes bacteria growth so it won’t smell
• Natural fiber crimps create air pockets for better
insulation
• Naturally stretchy for a comfortable fit
• Fully machine washable
See it at your Mathews retailer!
18
Congratulations on your purchase of a Mathews bow. At Mathews,
we are committed to doing things ONE way... the best way to the
top. ONE cam, the Solocam, which we invented. Mathews innovation has caused EVERYONE to want to say, “I shoot a Mathews.”
And this has helped to propel Mathews to Number ONE in the field
and in the world of professional archery. Welcome to the top...
Nock Point Installation
There are many variables involved in determining where to install your nock point.
These include: type of arrow rest, arrow spine, whether you use fingers or a release
aid, and your hand placement on the bow. As a general rule, the nock point should
be set perpendicular (90°) to your arrow rest or somewhere within 1/2" above the 90°
point. This guideline is a starting point – you may need to move your nocking point
as you fine-tune your Mathews SoloCam bow.
3
The following is a breakdown of Mathews’ available cams. For more details,
visit your Mathews retailer.
About the MaxCam™ on your bow
Mathews invented the perimeter-weighted cam, technology that creates a flywheel
effect which lengthens and strengthens the cam’s power stroke, dramatically
increasing arrow speed while also reducing recoil. We call our perimeter-weighted
cams “MaxCams”. There are multiple different MaxCams:
Note: MaxCams are not compatible with any Mathews non-MaxCam model.
The use of a MaxCam™ on such models will void the warranty of that bow.
Q: Can I take the string suppressor arms off and still shoot my bow?
A: No, this would not be a safe thing to do. To incorporate the suppressor
arms the limbs must be drilled, and the arms put on and then the screws
installed. If removed, it could make the limbs weak and could possibly
cause damage to the bow and/or personal injury.
Q: Can the Harmonic Damper weights be interchanged?
A: Yes, they can be arranged for a custom fit and feel.
StraightLine COBRA Cam
With dual perimeter weights, the StraightLine
Cobra Cam is incredibly fast and forgiving.
Engineered for the Switchback, it offers the bestever combination of speed and smooth shooting.
Available in either 80% or 65% let-off.
StraightLine OUTB Cam
The Mathews OUTBACK features the StraightLine High Performance Cam
(OUTB stands for Outback High Performance). It’s been customized to fit on the
Outback in either 80% or 65% let-off.
StraightLine OVAT Cam
Another version of the revolutionay HP Cam, (THE LEAST COMPLEX, MOST
ADVANCED cam) this one is designed specifically for the Mathews Ovation.
Like every High Performance Cam, it's StraightLine, smooth and remarkably fast!
Available in 80% or 65% let-off.
Mustang Perf o rmance Cam
A perimeter-weighted StraightLine cam designed specifically for the short-draw
Mustang. Like every Mathews cam, it's perimeter-weighted for more speed (which
is especially important on bows with lower draw weights) and less recoil.
It comes in 70% let-off.
StraightLine LXHP (High Perf o rmance) Cam
The LEAST COMPLEX, MOST ADVANCED cam ever engineered, the
revolutionary StraightLine Cam is superior to any cam (single cams, 11/2 cams, two
cams) we've ever tested! This smooth-shooting, straight-line, high let-off cam is
smokin' fast! And, it is available on the Mathews LX in either 80% or 65% let-off.
4
Q: What type of bow press should I use with my Mathews bow?
A: A dual-roller type works best. Stay away from center pull presses. It
may damage your riser.
Q: Can I order parts directly from Mathews?
A: Any part, under warranty or otherwise, should be ordered directly
through any of our authorized Mathews retailers. They can get parts to
repair your bow and, if necessary, can send the bow to the factory for
repairs. The Mathews retailer must initiate all repairs.
Q: Why doesn’t Mathews have a split-limb bow?
A: Some manufacturers introduced split-limb designs to reduce bow
weight. Our bows are already among the lightest on the market. In fact,
when you compare the width and weight of our SlimLine limbs to many of
the split-limbs (the combination of both limb halves), our limbs are narrower and lighter! Also, through testing, we’ve determined that splitlimbs are inferior, because they often have an unbalanced load. If you
place a straight-edge across the limb halves, you’ll often find they aren’t
even with each other. They might have a neat cosmetic look, but we have
yet to find any shooting benefits.
Q: I want to introduce my children to arc h e ry, but I don’t want to be burdened
with buying a new bow every time they grow a few inches. What can I do?
A: The Mathews Genesis is the answer. It’s a bow that fits virtually everyone. Its zero let-off design means there are no specific draw lengths.
Anybody with a draw between 15" and 30" can shoot the bow. So, as kids
grow, they won’t outgrow this bow! And, at 20 pounds, the
Genesis will shoot an arrow with the speed of a 35-pound recurve!
17
Frequently Asked Questions
(with answers from the technical staff at Mathews)
Q: Will the HD roller guard fit any other Mathews bows?
A: Yes it will. The new HD roller guard can be ordered for the Outback,
Ovation and LX model bows. These are the only other models that it
will work on. The roller guard can be ordered as an extra, but it will not
be installed at the factory.
Q: Can I get a Barracuda string for my older Mathews Bow?
A: Yes. We make the Barracuda string for all of our different models.
Q: Is the let-off on the new Cobra Cam adjustable?
A: The let-off on the Cobra Cam is specific to that cam. To change the
let-off you would need to order a Cobra Cam with the let-off that you want
to change to (65% or 80%).
Q: Where do I start my nocking point when setting up my new Mathews bow?
A: As a starting point, place your nock point level to 1/8" high of center.
Q: What weight arrow should I use for IBO and AMO speed tests on my bow?
A: We test IBO speeds with bows at 70-pound draw weight and at 30" draw
length with an arrow that weighs 350 grains. The AMO test is done with a
bow at 60-pound draw weight and 30" draw length with an arrow that
weighs 540 grains. Nothing added to the bowstring.
Q: How do I get center shot on my Mathews bow? Do I use a center-shot tool?
A: We recommend measuring off the side of the riser at the rest attachment
hole to the center of the arrow shaft approximately 3/16". Adjust the rest as
needed for proper arrow flight. A center-shot tool is not needed.
Q: What is the minimum arrow weight I can safely shoot with my Mathews
bow and still not void the lifetime warranty?
A: Five grains per pound of draw weight would be the minimum.
Black Max 2 Cam Chart
This is the cam that powers the Mathews Black Max 2, the fastest bow on the planet!
It delivers maximum speed with minimum kick and is available in either 80% or 60%
let-off. Or, for maximum speed, in a Turbo Cam version which has 50% let-off.
StraightLine MaxCam3™
The StraightLine MaxCam3 was designed specifically for the Mathews Legacy.
In conjunction with String Suppressors, Harmonic Damping and Parallel Limb
design, this perimeter-weighted MaxCam helps to virtually eliminate overall
recoil vibration. Let-off is 70% (with hysterisis).
Concentric SoloCam™
In an effort to squeeze every last ounce of consistency out of the Mathews Icon, we
developed the Concentric Solocam, a round, perimeter-weighted cam that mirrors the
round wheel on the opposite limb. This symmetry in shape and measurement results
in never-before-achieved systematic consistency and, ultimately, accuracy. Let-off is
70% (with hysterisis).
The Original MaxCam™
The revolutionary perimeter-weighted cam that started it all, the Original MaxCam
is available on the Classic, Conquest 3 and FX2. It generates incredible arrow
speed while also remarkably reducing recoil, thanks to perimeter-weighting. The
Original MaxCam™ is available with 65% and 80% let-off.
Mini MaxCam™
Now shorter-draw-length shooters can get all the advantages of perimeter
weighting. Available on Mathews FX2 and Conquest 3 models, this cam accommodates draw lengths as short as 22" with peak draw weights down to 35 pounds.
The Mini MaxCam™ is available only with 65% let-off and has
approximately a 1/2" adjustment range. Putting a Mini MaxCam on a bow reduces
the draw weight approximatly 5 pounds.
Note: The Mini MaxCam requires a different idler wheel and string/cable lengths.
Super-Soft Cam™
The Super-Soft Cam™, designed especially for finger shooters, provides an
extremely smooth draw and a release that rolls from the fingertips. This special
MaxCam™ is available on the Conquest 3 and FX2 and only with 60% let-off.
Q: Do the string suppressors weaken the limbs?
A: On the contrary, the string suppressors actually strengthen the limbs.
16
5
Arrow selection...
Determining Proper Arrow Length
The first step in selecting your arrows is to determine your arrow length. This is
determined by several factors, including arm length and full-draw anchor position.
If you are using an overdraw, you can mark the arrow just in front of the rest. The
distance from your mark to the string groove in the arrow nock will be your correct
arrow length. Your Mathews retailer can be an invaluable help in this process.
Maintaining your Mathews® SoloCam® bow...
Never dry fire your bow
Never shoot any bow without an arrow on the string. Without the arrow to absorb the energy,
dryfiring can damage your bow and can cause personal injury. Damage to your bow due to
dryfiring will not be covered under the warranty.
Periodically check strings and cables
Always inspect your bow for frayed strings and cables. Replace damaged strings and cables
immediately. Mathews strings can be waxed and maintained as any other fast-flight string.
Please make sure you are using the proper string for your bow.
Bushings are self-lubricating
Your Mathews SoloCam bow requires no lubrication – all bushings are self-lubricating or
have sealed ball bearings.
Do not alter your bow
Any alterations to your Mathews SoloCam bow will void the warranty. Alteration could cause
damage to the bow or personal injury.
Use only a double-pull bow press
Never use a single-pull bow press. We recommend a double-pull press to avoid damage to
your riser or bow. Damage caused by a single-pull press will not be covered under warranty.
Repairs and shipment
Visit your Mathews retailer for servicing and repairs. All bows and warranty parts returned
to the factory will require a Return Authorization (RA) number that your retailer can secure.
Your retailer will handle all warranty issues for you. The RA number must be clearly printed
on the outside of the box near the address label. If a package does not have an RA number,
our shipping department will refuse it.
Wa rranty information
Every Mathews SoloCam bow has a LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY. Warranty repairs are our top priority. Each bow has a
unique serial number, and warranty cards are required to obtain warranty service. Should you ever need repairs, the Mathews retailer
from whom you purchased your bow is very knowledgeable about the bows and may be able to complete the work right in their shop.
If the bow does need to be sent to us, we assure you that we do strive to do the warranty repairs and service work and
re-ship your bow within three working days from the time it arrives in our shop.
LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
THIS BOW IS WARRANTED AGAINST DEFECTS IN MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER FOR
THE LIFE OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THIS INCLUDES ALL BOW PA RTS EXCEPT THE STRING, BUSS CABLE, CABLE
SLIDE, RUBBER STRING SUPPRESSOR "FINGER" AND COSMETIC APPEARANCE (CHIPS, DINGS, SCRATCHES) CAUSED
BY NORMAL USE AND WEAR. BOWS SENT BACK TO MATHEWS WITHOUT A PRE-ISSUED RETURN AUTHORIZATION
NUMBER WILL BE REFUSED. ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, WRITTEN OR IMPLIED, ARE VOID WITH ANY
ALTERATIONS TO THE BOW.
Honesty is the best policy...
Mathews bows are covered by one or more of the fo l l owing patents, with other patents pending:
#5,368,006, #5,676,123, #5,752,496, #5,791,322, #5,809,982, #5,890,480, #5,996,567
6
15
The Solocam Forgives My Flaws
I
n my lifel ong quest for the perfect bow, I’ve always de s i red one that could
som eh ow overl ook occ a s i onal lapses in my shoo ting form or release, and sti ll
deliver high ly accurate shots. That might sound like an unre a l i s tic hope, but
va rious models of the Ma t h ews So l ocam bow have salva ged many of my flawed
shots on the ra n ge and in the wood s . Such for giveness in a bow boosts my
shoo ting con f i dence every time I draw a Ma t h ews.
What traits do I seek in a for giving bow? It must com bine several factors ,
including balance, s t a bi l i tyand a no-torque design. Since their earliest devel opment,
Ma t h ews So l ocam bows have incorpora ted these ingred i ents with innova ti ons like
Don Dvoroznak
Ha rm onic Dampers, the Ro ll erGu a rd, String Su ppre s s ors, p a ra ll el-limb design, a
peri m eter-wei ghted cam, and stra i ght-line/dual-feed single cams.
Accurate, consistent shoo ting also requ i res balance and a torque-free gri p. Most bows require stabi l i zers and other ad d - ons to ensure high performance. But the grips and ri s ers on Ma t h ews So l ocam bows
are so com fortable, well-balanced and well - designed that most people shoot these bows accurately out of
the box wi t h o ut needing auxiliary gear to make up for shortcom i n gs in their form or release.
In addition, unlike most dual-cam or du a l - wh eel bows, the Mathews Solocam has on ly one source of
force. No matter what, the bow remains ste ady while you aim, d raw and shoot. Pair that with its para ll el limb de s i gnand gen erous brace hei ghts, and the Ma t h ews So l ocam overcomes its own er’s shoo ting flaws.
No other bow could look out for me with su ch loya l tyand con s i s tency.
Using the Easton Shaft Selection Chart
After you’ve determined your arrow length, find its corresponding measure in the
length column. Move down this column until you reach the correct draw weight of
your bow. The correct spine for your arrow is found where your draw length and
weight intersect. Use the “hard cam” category on the chart for a Mathews
SoloCam bow.
— Don Dvo roznak
vs.
Wins:
Top 3’s:
Top 5’s:
Top 10’s:
35
112
185
369
vs.
vs.
vs.
vs.
All other
brands
combined
9
20
35
71
All ASA & IBO
Men’s Pro,
Women’s Pro,
Senior Pro and
Limited Pro
events in 2004
There’s no question...the numbers don’t lie.
Talk abo ut domination! For the seventh year in a row,in 2004, Mathews won more
professional ASA and IBO events than all other bow brands combined. And, again,
it wasn’t even close! Forget about archery. Is there a brand in any sport that dominates
the competi ti on like Mathews? Who makes the most accurate, high-performance bows
in the world? The numbers don’t lie.It’s Mathews!
14
7
The Mathews Solocam: Always in Sync
Tuning your Mathews® SoloCam® bow...
Tiller
Setting the tiller on your Mathews SoloCam bow is easy. In fact, there’s no measuring necessary. Starting from a point where both limbs are tightened completely,
simply back them off an equal number of turns.
Estimating Center Shot
Using the correct arrow size, position your arrow on the string at the nock point.
While holding the bow in front of you, visually align the bow string with the center
line of the grip. The string should run true down the center of your arrow shaft.
This is a good reference point to begin paper tuning. Note: A good starting point is
13/16" over from the riser to center of arrow shaft.
The Importance of Paper Tuning and Tear Patterns
With an improperly tuned bow, broadheads may shoot as much as 18" off center at
20 yards (when compared to field tips). By tuning a bow to shoot a good hole in
paper, you will ensure the best possible broadhead flight.
Before beginning, it’s important to know that perfect “bullet holes” are not always
I
fly more than 50,000 miles each year bowhunting across North America. Even with the
custom a ry airline abuse of my bagga ge , wh en I re ach camp, I know I’ll pull my bow from
its case and shoot accurately the first shot. Every time!
I credit that rugged consistency to the Ma t h ews So l ocam. It’s a high lyefficient bow that
eliminates worries abo ut cam synch ronization. Let’s review some basics. Wh en you draw a
bows tring, your muscles transfer ener gy into the bow’s bent limbs. Wh en you release the
s tring, most of that ener gy tra n s fers to the arrow and the stored ener gy is converted into
kinetic ener gy, wh i ch is “mass in motion.” The more kinetic en er gy the arrow has, the harder
it hits and deeper it penetrates. How well the bow transfers its ener gy to the arrow is called
Bob Robb
“dynamic efficiency.”
The wh eels on twin-cam bows have three basic designs. A true round-wh eel de s i gn stores the least en er gy. Many
bows have soft cams, a modera ting shape on the wh eel ’s string side and an egg - s h a ped design on the cable side. This
de s i gnprovides the smooth draw of round wh eels and some of the speed of radical cams. The third design, hard or
speed cams, stores the maximum ener gy and shoots the fastest arrows . These cams have a radical egg-shape on the
wh eel ’s cable side. Speed cams are the to u ghest to draw and shoot smoothly.
At first gl a n ce, no matter their design, iden tical cams on both limbs seem to make sense. The limbs work in harmony as the bow is drawn and shot. Th erefore, some bowhunters ask why they should swi tch to a one-cam bow.
Here’s why: With two-cam bows, it can be very difficult to synchron i ze the two cams to roll over at the same time.
When they don’t, performance su f fers.
No matter how skilled the shoo ter, synchronizing two-cam bows can be difficult and time-con suming. If the cabl e
stretches even a little, a two-cam bow goes out of time. Tod ay’s synthetic string and cable materials have made this
probl em worse. With the Ma t h ews So l ocam, cam synchronization is eliminated, which means consistent shot-to-shot
acc u racy.
My Ma t h ews So l ocam shoots a fast, precise arrow every time I release its bows tring. For me, that’s what
bowhunting and the Ma t h ews So l ocam are all abo ut!
– Bob Robb
possible with all shooters. Light tears are quite acceptable and will not deter accuracy. Fine tuning requires patience and consistent shooting form. Perfect results
Solocam Bows are Dynamically Efficient
are only achieved with perfect form. Also, remember to always do your final
I
sightings with broadheads before hunting.
To begin paper tuning, stand approximately eight feet from the paper (with a
suitable backstop several feet behind the paper to allow complete arrow passage).
Check your tear pattern against the following boxes for further instruction.
If it’s a combination, such as up and to the left, both instructions will apply.
After the shot, push the paper back flat
and you will see a star shaped entry
hole where the tip went through.
Tip went
thru here
SOLUTION:
Nock End Ripped High
1. Lower the nocking point
2. Use a lighter arrow tip
3. Use a more stiffer spined arrow
Note: (same for left hand)
Nock end
high
Nock end
went low
thru here
Tip went
thru here
SOLUTION:
Nock End Ripped Low
Nock End Ripped Right
Arrow Spine Too Stiff
Nock End Ripped Left
Arrow Spine Too Limber
Alternatives:
1. Increase draw weight
2. Move arrow rest to the left
3. Use heavier points
4. Use a lighter spined arrow
Nock end high
Alternatives:
1. Decrease draw weight
2. Move arrow rest to the right
3. Use lighter points
4. Use a stiffer spined arrow
Tip went thru here
Tip went thru here
Nock end ripped left
5. Use longer arrows if possible
1. Raise the nocking point
2. Use a heavier arrow tip
3. Use a more limber spined arrow
Note: (same for left hand)
NOTE: If lowering nocking point does not
eliminate problem try a different kind of
arrow rest.
(Opposite for left hand)
Note: Feathers or vanes may be hitting
arrow rest. Try a different arrow rest.
(left hand only!)
This is an example of a properly tuned bow.
Note that the point where the arrow tip went
5. Use shorter arrows if possible
6. Vanes or feathers may be striking
arrow rest. Try a different
arrow rest.
Note: (Opposite for left hand)
f you re ad bow - perform a n ce arti cles in magazines, you’ve prob a bly seen ch a rts that
show a bow’s “dynamic efficiency” for launching specific arrow wei ghts. Ch a n ces are
you just gl a n ced at the ch a rt and spent more time re ading the arti cl e’s subj ective
statem ents abo ut the bow’s look and feel. But did you know a good chart reveals a lot
abo ut a bow’s feel, ease of d raw, kick and vi bra ti on?
All those qu a l i ties rel a te to dynamic efficiency. Wh en you opera te a mechanical
devi ce , the amount of work put into it produ ces a specific amount of o utput. For
instance, wh en you draw a bow, let’s say the ef fort requ i res 100 foo t - pounds of ef fort .
Wh en you release the stri n g, the bow tra n s fers mu ch of that work , or stored ener gy,
Gary Simonds
i n to the arrow as it’s launch ed . Let’s now say the arrow leaves the bow with 70 foo t pounds of ener gy. If we take the work the arrow is capable of doi n g, 70 foo t - pounds, and divi de it by the
amount of work requ i red to draw the bow, 100 foot-pounds, we get a va lue of .70, or 70 percen t . That’s how
efficiently that bow tra n s fers its stored en er gy into the arrow, h en ce the term , “dynamic
efficiency.”
Now let’s su ppose two bows store equal amounts of en er gy, but one has more dynamic efficiency. Th a t
means it wi ll shoot any given arrow faster and with more kinetic en er gy than the other bow. Not on ly that,
but it does so with less noise, vi bra ti on and hand shock . Why? If Bow A has a dynamic ef f i c i ency of 70 percent and Bow B has a dynamic ef f i c i ency of 80 percen t , what’s happening to that 30 percent of undel ivered
en er gy in Bow A and the 20 percent left behind in Bow B? The bows must absorb that ener gy, wh i ch means
Bow B absorbs 33 percent less ener gy. That tra n s l a tes into less noi s e , shock , vi bra ti on and discom fort .
And that’s why Bow B wi ll not on ly shoot faster, but wi ll also be more pleasu ra ble to shoot.
In all of the tests I’ve re ad by Norbert Mull a n ey in Bowh u n ting Wo rl d magazine, bows with the highest
dynamic ef f i c i ency were manu f actu red by Ma t h ews.
Th erefore, wh en you want the most bang for your bu ck in a new bow, ch eck its dynamic efficiency.
through is centered in the middle of three very
comparable vane tears.
8
—Ga ry Si m o n d s
13
Mathews Means Reliability
I
’m a blue-collar, do-it-yo u rs el f bowhu n ter who wi ll never be acc u s ed of being
a high - tech target archer. Even though I’m capable of s et ting up, s ervicing and
p a m pering my bow, I’d just as soon not worry abo ut it. And su re, I want a bow
that provi des dependable, low-maintenance, top - end performance, but I never
bel i eved su ch a bow ex i s ted until I shot a Ma t h ews So l ocam.
Before I shot my first Ma t h ews, I tri ed the top - end bows from every major
bow manu f acturer in the arch ery indu s try. Some were good perform ers, some
were dependable, and some requ i red little upkeep. Non e , h owever, was bl e s s ed
with all three tra i t s .
Eddie Claypool
Th en I tri ed the Ma t h ews. Bel i eve me, I put my Mathews So l ocam bows to the
test every year, and every model I’ve used beats the com peti tion. For the past six years, however, I’ve
been shoo ting the Mathews MQ-1. I’ve dra gged that bow from the top of the Rockies to the flats of the
desert So uthwest and back again. And wh en I wasn’t to ting it mys el f on a “hump-and-get-it” s e a rch for
game, my mules were carrying it for me, and they have no rega rd for their cargo. It’s been skinned up,
banged around, abu s ed and negl ected, but it’s never given me a re a s on to do u bt its rel i a bi l i ty.
That same Ma t h ews not on ly delivers top perform a n ce on every shot, it sti ll carries the same handl e ,
limbs, string and cables as the day it first came home with me. All I’ve ever done – honestly – is wax its
string and cables reg u l a rly. In retu rn , my “battle ax” provi des faithful, acc u ra te , rel i a ble perform a n ce
wh et h er I’m hunting farmland whitetails or high - a l ti tu de el k . No hard-core bowhunter could ask for
m ore, nor receive as mu ch , from one bow.
– Eddie Claypool
The Advantages
of Single-Cam
Technology. . .
Solocam Improves My Accuracy
I
have a confession: The first time I shot a Mathews Solocam, I was on the pro
staff of another major bow manu f actu rer. I had meti c u l o u s lytu n ed and
sighted in that company’s bow and had shot it for mon t h s .
Hunting season was upon me wh en the So l ocam showed up. Af ter installing
an arrow rest and eyeb a lling the cen ter-shot and nock set, I screwed a broad h e ad
on to an arrow and shot it thro u gh tuning paper. The first arrow kicked a bit
tail-high. I lowered the nock set , and the second arrow cleanly tore the paper.
Two shots tu n ed my Solocam!
The Ma t h ews was so acc u ra te and consistent, it took me on ly a few arrows to
Lon E. Lauber
s i ght in with pins set for 20 to 60 ya rds. Af ter a short break, I shot groups wi t h
both bows. At every distance, I shot con s i dera bly ti ghter groups with the Mathews . Rem em ber, this is a
bow I had shot for on ly a few minutes. I had been shoo ting the other bow all su m m er.
The So l ocam’s smart engineering makes it inheren t ly acc u ra te . For opti mum acc u racy, a bow mu s t
launch an arrow with minimum left/right or up/down wobbl e . High-speed vi deo con f i rms the
Mathews Solocam’s straight-as-an-arrow launching abi l i ti e s .
Even so, you don’t need high - tech, s eei n g - i s - bel i eving proof to appreciate the Solocam’s ergon omics
and solid wall at full draw. You’ll qu i ckly
realize you’re shoo ting the most acc u ra te
bow ever made.
Why? Because wh en you shoot acc ura tely, you have fun; and wh en you have
fun, you sti ck
with it. Unfortu n a tely, some bow designs
don’t deliver a true arrow. Acc u racy then
suffers . S h oo ting those bows becomes
work , and work isn’t fun for lon g. Th a t’s
why I’m now with Ma t h ews, and not that
other company.
– Lon E. La u ber
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It takes much more than luck to be the dominant
buck…what does it take to get to the top? If you’re
Mathews, it’s a history of innovation and an unwavering
dedication to making the world’s best bows.
One Cam is Better Than Tw o (or One and a Half)
o m etimes one manu f a ctu ring breakthrou gh revol u ti o n i zes an en tire industry. So it has be en wi t h
the Ma t h ews line of h u n ting and target bows . One cam. Simple. Silent. Sizzling. Smoot h . Stable.
The “S” a l so stands for Solocam, a Mathews trademark. It could stand for “Su per Bow.”
No more does a target arch er or avid bowh u n ter need to sacri f i ceone attri bu te to have anot h er in his
bow. You’ve proba bly read or hea rd how a fast bow is of ten a loud bow. Or how a short , l i gh twei ght bow
is proba bly not an accura te bow. Or how a quiet bow has to be a heavy bow, or, well, you get the idea.
Ma t h ewsproved long ago that those days are go n e . Now, with a new Ma t h ewsbow, you can have
your cake and eat it, too. Only the Solocam makes it possible. It is the foundation for archery en gi n e ering that bord ers on perf e ction.
If you’re skeptical that a Ma t h ewsSolocam can del iver all of the best bow innova tions all in one
package, you should do three things before you set down this bow:
F i rs t, read the te s timonials on the following pages from some of the leading arch ers in the bowh u n ting business. Secon d, ch e ck out Ma t h ews’ a rch ery tou rn a m ent track record on the ba ck cover. Third,
ask to shoot this bow. Th en shoot the co m petition. Th en shoot this bow again.
The next time you find you rself anchored at fu ll draw, you’ ll be aiming a Ma t h ews Solocam. And
whet h er a bull’s eye or a bu ck is your aim, you’ll be shooting the best.
S
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Vibration: Do You Know What You’re Missing?
Mathews Solocam Proves that Speed Kills
A
W
t some time almost everyone has said, “I didn’t know how good I had it until
I lost it.”
Well , I had that ex perience shoo ting a Ma t h ews So l ocam exclusively for a year
and then shoo ting a com peti tor ’s bow to give me back ground for an arti cle I was
wri ti n g. Talk about bad vi bes! I didn’t know how good I had it until shoo ting
something other than a Mathews.
Try as I migh t , I could not enjoy shoo ting the com peti tor’s bow. True, it didn’t
jar my bow arm like a sof tb a ll hitting the end of an aluminum bat in March , but
I was forced to drive to the local pro shop and adorn that bow with every
Pat Durkin
vi bra ti on-absorbing device the store stocked. That bow eventually qu i eted and
quit jumping as if it were plugged into an el ectrical socket, but the question arose: Was it worth my
time, ef fort and ex pense? Nope. My 40-som ething joints and pati ence didn’t need the abuse.
Of course, my smoo t h , mild-mannered So l ocam bows fire mean arrows! I’m not a tech n i c a lly minded person, but I attri bute their high speed and incredible acc u racy to Mathews’ su per-efficient de s i gn
and functi onality. It just makes sense that if a bow can harness all your mu s cle ener gy and transfer it
cleanly and efficiently from the bow to the arrow with less hand shock, the arrow should have a bet ter
chance of re aching its mark quick ly and efficiently.
Likewi s e , a bow that squ a n ders mu ch of that ener gy wh en making the tra n s fer from bow to arrow
shouldn’t be expected to deliver both speed and acc u racy. Som ething’s gotta give, and for me it was
acc u rac y. Th a t’s why the Ma t h ews joins me wh en it’s time to put everything on the line in the deer
wood s . That other bow? Let’s just say it’s not sending out many vi bra ti ons I can feel from that dark
corn er in my closet.
– Pa tri ck Durkin
Mathews Solocam: The Silent Killer
A
l t h o u ghmany bowhu n ters think slow arrows all ow animals to “jump the
stri n g,” I think the real culprit is the noise created wh en a bows tring releases.
Quite simply, that “slap” scares the dayl i ghts out of a deer, wh i ch reflexively coils
and spri n gs from danger. Because deer and other big game have ligh tning-fast
ref l exes, they uninten ti on a lly du ck even the fastest arrows.
So, the key to hindering that defense mechanism is reducing your bow noise.
After all , if t h ey can’t hear it, t h ey can’t flee it. And because vi bration is the greatest source of bow noise, Mathews never stops working to de s i gn those shock waves
o ut of a ll So l ocam bows . Their efforts give the So l ocam a significant noise adva n t a ge
Steve Bartylla
over its competition, especially its two-cam and cam-and-a-half competi tion.
One key reason a Mathews bow is so quiet is its para ll el-limb design. As physics dictate, the more para ll el
the limbs, the lower the recoil. The lower the recoil, the lesser the noise!
Mathews wasn’t satisfied with that accomplishment, however. It reduced the noise of its already-quiet
bows even further with Harmonic Dampers. Althoughthe bowstri n g’s release sends a shock wave zipping
thro u gh the riser, Harmonic Dampers help absorb these vi bra tions thro u gh their unique de s i gn and strategi c
placement.
Still not satisfied, Mathews next introdu ced String Suppressors to ad d ress another major source of vi bration. Sl ow-motion video shows the bowstring flexes inw a rd and back out repeatedly until all vi bra tion leaves
the stri n g. In turn, these vi brations ri pple throughout the bow to create noise and other vi bra tions. String
Suppressors absorb, dissipate and reduce these vi brations. As a bonus, the suppressors don’t allow the string
to flex far forward before the arrow nock disengages. Therefore, Mathews bows provi de the “for giveness” of
bows with much longer brace heights.
Fri ction is yet another noise source , so Mathews developed its Roller Guard to furt h er short-circuit
unwanted noise and produce a smoo t h er-shooting bow.
At Mathews, the quest for quiet perfection never rests. That’s why with Mathews’ superior engi n eering and
innova tive features, your So l ocam bow wi ll be as silent as any predator stalking its prey.
– Steve Ba rtylla
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hile bowhunting a big bu ll elk in the Ca n adian Rockies last fall , I tra i p s ed across
miles of tough terrain for hours in tem pera tu res at least 20 degrees bel ow zero.
Ot h er than determ i n a ti on, my next-most vital com p a n i onwas my Ma t h ews LX high performance single-cam bow.
Once I slipped into bow ra n ge of the bu ll, I ra i s ed my LX with confiden ce, knowing
it would launch a high - s peed “d a rt” for maximum pen etra ti on. I wasn’t disappoi n ted.
Af ter my arrow stre a ked thro u gh the cold mountain air and into the unsu s pecting elk,
the bu ll bo l ted a mere 30 yards, stopped and dropped . Bel i eve me, after the long trek
that bro u gh t me to him, I was gl ad to be carrying a bow that consisten t ly produ ces
Dick Scorzafava
su peri or arrow speed , flat flight and
deep pen etra ti on. Af ter all , I had come too far to see my
ef forts squ a n dered by my equ i pm ent. That just won’t
h a ppen with a Ma t h ews!
Mathews makes the fastest bow on the planet , the Bl ack
Max 2. And every bow in the Ma t h ews line is fast. In fact
the new-for-2005 Swi tch b ack has a gen erous brace hei ght
of a pproximately 7 inches wh i ch is almost 1/2-inch more
than my LX and it’s faster than the LX! Fast a n d s i l ky
s m ooth! One reason is overa ll efficiency. You get more out
of what you put into a Ma t h ews, in the form of en er gy,
than with any other bow. And the peri m eter- wei gh ted
cam, a Ma t h ews inven ti on, uses cen tri f u gal force to
increase speed and redu ce vibra ti on.
Th a t’s yet another living dem on s tra ti on of Ma t h ews’
slogan, “Ca tch us if you can.” It’s not just a catchy phrase.
It’s a self-confident dare ; a ch a llen ge . And from my pers pective, the Mathews So l ocam never wavers in backing
up its words. What more can you ask of a stalwart
companion?
– Dick Scorzafava
Mathews Solocam Defines Simplicity
T
he Mathews So l ocam bow has nearly made my custom bow shop in the basem ent
obsolete . I built it more than 20 years ago, but my wi fe now wants the space.
Fra n k ly, she has me defenseless. I no lon ger need the two bow presses once necess a ry for tracking and tweaking bows tri n gs and cables on the bows I used to test and
wri te about. Because I now shoot a Mathews, I set it up and pret ty mu ch for get it.
Wh en I shot a dual-cam bow, I was preocc u p i ed all season with keeping it in tune.
Those bows dem a n ded constant ti n keri n g. Take the buss cables, for instance. Th ey
acco u n ted for more “tuning ti m e” than all other adjustments com bined, including
n ock - s et loc a ti on and cen ter-shot position. And cabl e - tuning was a fru s tra ting ch ore .
Jeff Murray
Truth be known , it was vi rtu a lly impossible to get both eccen tric wh eels to ro ll in perfect harm ony. Because I’m an incura ble perfectionist, I don’t miss those days of tri a l - a n d - error tu n i n g.
Fast-forw a rd to the true modern com pound bow, the Ma t h ews Solocam. Th ey set up in no time, ri ght out
of the box. And once set up, t h ey stay that way. With on ly one cam ro lling over, it’s simpler to maintain. In
fact , t h ere’s nothing to adjust the cam to because it doe s n’t need a partn er! Add the Ma t h ews’ p a tented newfor-2005 Zebra Ba rracuda bowstri n g, and you furt h er simplify the setu p. Th ere’s virtu a lly no twi s t , which
means no tu bing is needed to keep a peep in place.
F i n a lly, Mathews’ l a test peri m eter- wei gh ted cam de s i gns produ ce stra i ght and level nock travel, tops in the
bowhu n ting worl d . In tu rn, broad h e ad tuning is mu ch simpler! So, add it all up, and the Ma t h ews So l ocam
defines low maintenance. I hardly need a bow shop any more. But please don’t tell my wi fe.
– Jeff Mu rray
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