Editors' review
Mathews offers five different target bows for the 2020 model year, and the TRX 36 is the newest configuration and size offering. As the name would suggest, the TRX 36 is designed with a 36-inch axle-to-axle measurement and should be a perfect bow for many serious 3D shooters. This TRX 36 is also going to be hugely popular for a dual purpose bow for serious target archers wanting the same model to shoot indoor spots and 3D shoots during the spring and summer. The Crosscentric Cam System is far from new, but very well liked by diehard Mathews shooters, and thanks to Levi Morgan has been atop a ton of podiums. Although to be fair, Mr. Morgan could use a sling shot more effectively than most archers. The cams are adjustable from 24-30.5-inches by swapping the cam module from one half-inch draw length setting to another. However, the let-off is slightly disappointing with only a 70V or 80% option. The V in 70V stands for valley, which offers a bit more of a valley than the standard 70% modules have. The overall weight is 4.66-pounds, which is pretty lightweight considering some of the much shorter hunting models from Mathews weigh almost the same. Mathews has always offered some great target rigs, and this may be the best 3D bow they have ever produced. The price tag is massive with a suggested retail of $1849. However, Mathews is one of the leading companies in the target world, and this may be the best 3D target bow they have ever created, so for some shooters that price is justified. If nothing else, it may be more incentive for shooters to practice up and get better so Mathews may send them target bows in the future.
Finish
Mathews finish is again top notch on their target rigs. The in house dipping process leaves the TRX 36 in perfect shape with a finish that will last through the abuse an outdoor target rig may go through being transported in truck beds and even planes, while being placed on the ground between targets for shooters to rest. All the standard Mathews target colors are available on the TRX 36 with red, white, blue, black, and stone. These five colors look nice, have a little bit of shine to them, and allow shooters a bit of customization in choosing what color accessories they want to go with. Shooters can opt to build their own TRX 36 on the Mathews website as well, which will allow shooters to mix and match colors for an even more personalized look. It would be nice for some more color options to be offered, but what is available are the same colors Mathews has done for several years so it is familiar.
Riser
The TRX 36 riser is a familiar one for those with Mathews experience because it looks identical to the rest of the target lineup. The machined aluminum riser was built to be the most stable platform for a 36-inch bow and does a great job. The overall bare bow weight is pretty low tipping the scales at 4.66-pounds. This is pretty lightweight considering most of the Mathews hunting rigs are at least five inches shorter and weigh about the same. The new riser also has the 3D dampening technology incorporated into the riser which gives the bow the absolute dead in hand arrow release. In addition to that, basically the entire riser is bridged to add stability and rigidity to the overall riser design. Specifically, the area around the sight and rest mounting area has been beefed up to minimize any sort of torque or flex as the bow is drawn or arrows are shot. The reserve assist cable containment system keeps the Mathews technology familiar, not changing anything for the last several years in terms of the cable slide system. Mathews also outfits the TRX 36 with a Dead End String Stop System, and the standard Mathews target lineup stabilizer mounting holes. The TRX features enlarged bushings for the stabilizers to allow shooters to really tighten those down and keep them from moving. This may not be a feature shooter's knew they wanted, but anytime the stabilizers can be tightened down as firmly as possible is a good thing,
Grip
The Engage grip is a pretty popular grip choice for Mathews, and is the same grip shape and design offered on the 2020 target rigs for a uniform feel all season for those using Mathews on the line and in the woods. The Engage grip comes stock out of the box on the TRX 36, but shooters can also choose the Engage side plates, which have a pretty significant following as well. Mathews does not send the side plates with the TRX 36, but it can be purchased through any Mathews dealer, or even on the Mathews website. The sidplates are pretty pricey though with a suggested retail price of $49.99. For most target shooters, the option will be the standard Engage grip, or shooting off the riser with some grip tape or some modified version to make it the comfiest to the individual shooter. The Engage grip has a flat back, and a pretty large following of shooters who like how it sits in the hand. Other shooters have cited some issues with the grip being somewhat inconsistent feeling, or even taking a little longer to get used to than some other grips. Overall, having two options from the factory is great, and with Mathews being a giant in the industry, there are also aftermarket grips available from different manufacturers for those interested in a non-Mathews grip option.
Limbs
Split limbs have been the limbs of choice for Mathews for a while and the TRX 36 continues that trend. The limbs are available in three total configurations, each capable of being backed off ten-pounds from their peak weight. Shooters can get 50, 60, or 70-pound limbs for the TRX 36, which will cover the major draw weights target archers are most comfortable with. The TRX 36 also has beefed up metal pockets with the cursive Mathews logo engraved into the sides and offset with white font for some added flair. With all compound bows, the limb pockets need to be as securely fastened to the system as possible in order to have everything perform perfectly shot after shot. Mathews limb pockets have always been top notch, but on a rig like the TRX 36 designed simply for accuracy Mathews spared no expense making sure everything is as tight tolerenced as possible and performs the exact same way shot after shot. Mathews has designed a limb and pocket system for this exact purpose, and shooters will not be disappointed with the end result.
Eccentric System
The Crosscentric Cam System is a fan favorite from Mathews fans and rightfully so. Although there is nothing new with the cams on the TRX 36, the feel is pretty great, and it makes it really easy for shooters to come off hunting season and get right into their target and 3D bows, before going back to the woods with their hunting rigs. To have a similar feeling cam system throughout the entire year is a really nice feature. The Crosscentric Cam System is fully circular with a cross section removed to add to the feel and gain some performance. Both cams are perfectly symmetrical and the same size as each other to help with the timing and efficiency of the entire system. When outfitted to the TRX 36, arrows can reach a speed up to 334 feet per second. This is a great speed for those potentially capped at arrow speed depending on the organization for 3D shoots giving folks the most performance possible without having to shoot super heavy arrows or really low poundage to keep things slow enough to be in regulations. The TRX 36 offers draw lengths from 24-30.5-inches, with a modular adjustment offered in half-inch increments. Different draw lengths do require different modules and although it may possibly be a pain for shooters who may want to try different draw lengths, it does allow the cams to be as effective as possible at each draw length. Getting out left and right tears while paper tuning can be a bit of a pain as well having to swap the Mathews top hat system. It is not a difficult process to complete, but considering companies simply limb set screws now to adjust the pockets, and ultimately the cam lean, it seems like a lengthy process to achieve the same results other systems can without even needing a bow press. Again, not necessarily a flaw in the cam design, just something to consider when purchasing a bow that is one of the most expensive target rigs available in 2020.
Draw Cycle/Shootability
The TRX 36 feels like the rest of the popular TRX models in the target lineup for Mathews, and there is nothing wrong with that. Mathews rigs tend to be in the hands of archers earning some of the best scores at every shoot, and that is not by coincidence. The 36 is the shortest 2020 model for target bows Mathews offers, and it was specifically designed to be a 3D rig. Shooters can pick from either of the two let-off options available, but it would be nice to have a sliding let-off or a range of let-off options instead of only 70V or 80%. To be fair, these will both be popular choices, and gives shooters who prefer different types of let off the ability to both shoot the 36. The 80% is great for those who want less holding weight with a longer valley, and the 70V mods are ideal for those wanting more holding weight, but also has an uncharacteristically long valley for the let-off percentage. The draw is fairly stiff, and 70 pounds is going to feel like 70 pounds, but the Crosscentric Cam feel is a favorite amongst diehard Mathews shooters, and the feel and draw force curve is what those shooters have come to appreciate. The back wall is pretty solid and holds on target really well no matter which module shooters are using. After the shot, the bow is as silent and vibration free as any other target rig on the planet as to be expected from a Mathews produced bow. The speeds are as fast as shooters can have and still be in proper specifications with the speed regulations in the 3D world, and shooters can play with point and arrow weights to get the desired performance they are looking for. Overall, the TRX is an amazing platform, and the 36-inch axle-to-axle measurement created for the 3D shooters is going to be an awesome performer for 2020.
Usage Scenarios
The Mathews TRX 36 is a designed 3D bow, and will be one of the most popular models on the 3D ranges in 2020. For shooters committed to Mathews, the tRX 36 takes everything folks love about the rest of the TRX lineup and shrunk it a couple inches to give in an overall 36-inch axle-to-axle measurement and some acceptable speeds for a target bow. Some shooters will use this rig on the line during the winter during indoor leagues, or three and five spot tournaments to keep their skills sharp. However, the dedicated target folks may be more drawn to the 38 or 40-inch TRX models for some increased stability and a longer axle-to-axle measurement. Those wanting the absolute best from Mathews on the 3D ranges though will find a lot to love about 2020 TRX 36!
Summary
Mathews has now created a target bow for every single style of competitive compound archery with absolutely no compromises made. Those wanting a 3D target bow will love the speed, size, and shootability available from the brand new TRX 36. It is packed with features 3D archers love, and is unapologetically a Mathews target bow. The 36-inch offering may also be the bow of choice for shooters only wanting one bow for a do it all target rig given its speed and specifications. For many shooters the shorter, faster 36 may be more of a do it all bow than the longer, slower 38 or 40-inch models. It may be nice to have more than two let-off options on the Crosscentric Cam System, and the Engage grip tends to be a love it or hate it grip style for dedicated target archery folks. The $1849 suggested retails is also really expensive for any compound bow regardless of the technology incorporated or manufacturer producing it. With all that said, the Mathews TRX 36 is going to be all over the place this summer and will see a lot of top finishes on the 3D archery tournament trail. For those serious about 3D archery, who may also dabble in indoor winter leagues, the TRX 36 is going to be super popular, and rightfully so. Mathews knows how to make a target rig, and the TRX 36 is a straight up tack driver.
