Mathews Classic Compound Bow

The Mathews Classic is the forgiving, low-maintenance single-cam hunter of the mid-2000s Mathews line, and time has been kind to what it set out to do. Launched at $589 MSRP and built unchanged from 2004 through 2007, it pairs a long 36-inch axle-to-axle and a tall 7-inch brace with a 3.6-pound carry weight and a MaxCam that rates 310 fps IBO - moderate speed traded, on purpose, for a bow that holds still and stays in tune. Its two quieting technologies, Harmonic Dampers and String Suppressors, and its comfortable wood grip round out a shot that is calm and undemanding. What I keep coming back to with a bow like this is how little it asks of you: no cam timing to chase, no twitchy short-brace behavior to fight, just a steady pin and a quiet shot. It is an excellent choice for the whitetail hunter who walks in far and sits long, and for the developing archer who wants a forgiving platform to build form on, particularly strong as a dependable, tune-and-forget treestand rig. Buyers prioritizing a more compact, higher-brace package should also look at the Bowtech Tomkat, and those wanting more speed and a wider adjustment range should also look at the Hoyt Trykon... read full review