Mathews Monster 7.0 Review

Since the change on the 2010 riser the bow has been a great hunting companion. Using the QAD ultra rest it has achieved amazing accuracy. Some rests will not work with this bow as it has a serious jump, out of the gate. If you don't have big forearms it can be difficult to haul up and down mountains because of the weight, however it could be that the weight helps with the overall stability and quietness of this bow. I have recieved countless comments from strangers on how quiet this bow is. A short draw length will drastically reduce the speed. I recommend using the original string with the weights. The dealer put the nock stop below the nock rather than above it due to the jump and it has performed well. The split yoke which attaches to eccentric cam bearings on each side of the cams is a work of genius. This innovative binary cam system is in large part what makes this a great bow.

This bow holds exceptionally well. The length and minimal reflex of the riser allows for quick target acquisition and a very steady hold. This coupled with a solid back wall, the M7 is just an absolute pleasure to shoot. It has a generous valley for hunters making it easier to hold for the shot. It is also very quiet, making it perfect for hunting.

The stock grip is bulky and would be easy to induce torque on the shot. It can be switched for the optional focus grip witch is a great design and minimizes torque. The wall is not as solid as bows that have limb contacting draw stops, but it is solid for very minimal overdraw ability. The stock strings still require improvements. The take quite a few shots to settle and have slight peep rotation.

Overall Mathews' best bow to date.

after i shot a few different bows (pse xforce, bowtech destroyer, mathews z7 and monster7) i decided that the best all around bow was the monster 7. shoots much better then the xforce, smoother then the destroyer, and had better balance then the z7.

i however dont recommend shooting a monster7 without a deadend string stop or it might turn you off as there is more noise and vibration the the z7 or the destroyer but with it its very comparable to a z7 with better balance. i went away from mathews after my outback because nothing felt or shot like that to me that mathews came out with since except maybe the switchback so i went to the alphamax. mathews defiently won me back with this monster 7. its feels as smooth as my outback, balances like a target bow, better draw stroke and back wall then my alphamax, and smokin fast, even at low 55 lb draw. overall its my favorite bow ive ever shot and finally gave me something to shot to stop wishing i had my outback back.

my setup:
2010 mathews monster 7 (camo, red custom accessories, deadend string stop)
55 lb 31 inch draw
430 grain arrow at 310 fbs and 89 ft lbs of energy
HHA OL-5519 sight
axion glx 5" stabilizer
mathews downforce rest
easton axis nano 340's at 32 in

PROS:
Draw Cycle - The M7 has an amazing draw cycle considering it is a speed bow. My bow is currently set at 59 pounds, and it pulls easier than my 53 pound X-Force. The reason for this is there is a little play at the beginning of the draw cycle, helping you get momentum, and then when the peak weight starts ramping up, you are already 1/4 of the way back. There is a slight hump when falling into the valley, but minimal compared to the Monster, X-force, Reezens, etc.

Let-Off: Not many people notice this, but the M7 has a true 80% let-off. My X-Force says 80% let-off, but i would guess more like 70%. The M7 is truly 80%. Once you get it back, it wants to stay there.

Balance: The bow is VERY well balanced. The riser design is actually more like a target bow, with a reflexed riser design of only about 1". Compared to the Z7, it is significantly less reflexed.

Speed: With it set at 58#, 28" DL, and 307 grain arrow, I am getting 302fps! I love it!

Holding on Target: The bow is perfectly balanced, and it holds on target like a dream. In owning 5 bows, this bow holds the best on target. It is the perfect riser design...it is designed more like a target bow, but it has the speed of a hunting bow. It is an amazing combination.

CONS:
Vibe: When I first bought the bow, it did not have a Dead End installed. Without the Dead End, the bow does has some vibration in the grip after the shot. It doesnt last long, but it has a distinct vibration. After installing a Dead End, this issue is eliminated, but if you buy the M7, i would strongly recommend installing some type of STS system on the bow.

Weight: The bow does have some weight to it. I believe Mathews states it is 4.4#, but that is without accessories. With the harmonic dampeners installed, and the Dead End, you get closer to 5# than 4. So if you are thinking it will feel like a Hoyt (weight wise), you are wrong. It is a bit heavier, but that can be a benefit. The more weight, the steadier the bow, but if you are going to stalk, you might want to look into a lighter bow.

Its a great tool in the woods or on the course. Plenty of speed and forgiveness for any situation. I would highly recommend this bow for someone looking to upgrade to a top of the line speed bow. I think its Mathews best bow to date.

Overall Excellent Quality fit and finish. Has all the quality's of a very shoot-able bow. Real respectable speed. I have not found anything I really disliked about the bow. If I had the extra money I would buy one to add to my collection! So if anyone out there does not want theirs, I'll take it!

Was apprehensive to shoot, as I didn't care for the original Monster 6. I was very pleasantly suprised. The draw cycle was superb, particularly for a fast bow. The bow is dead in the hand at the shot, and there is no vibration. I was amazed how quiet it is. I held at full draw on a late season doe for an extended period of time and found the substantial valley lent itself well to this task.
As all things are visual, including bows, appearance is important too. I think the M7 looks like a performance bow. The fit and finish are top notch.
The only thing I would change on this bow is the overall weight. When loaded with accessories, it is a bit heavy. As a treestand whitetail hunter is was not a deal breaker. If I was toting it on a western mountain hunt, maybe.

Many target bow qualities with a mid range ATA, minimally reflexed riser, and great balance. 65% cams feel very smooth like a target bow, but make speeds like the speed bow it is. Cam mods to change DL and let off make changes easy and give shooters more affordable options to try.

My setup is an all black Monster 7 with custom ordered black strings. I rigged it with a Down Force rest, Axcel Armortech HD Pro 7 pin sight, and an 11 1/2" Doinker Power Bar stabilizer. I use this for hunting, 3D, and bowhunting. I will also change out the stabilizer to a 30" Black Max with ACE back bars for shooting open/unlimited class or indoor events.

I shoot mine at 28", 60lbs, and the 65% mods with a 385gr Gold Tip arrow at 280FPS.