Mathews Vertix Review

Editors' review

It's no secret Mathews has created a massive following since the development of the solocam years ago. For 2019, Mathews remains focused on the hunter with another evolution in the archery world with the Vertix. From a specification standpoint, the Vertix is not much different than other Mathews hunting bows with a 30-inch draw length, 6-inch brace height, and speeds up to 343 feet per second. The price is even similar to other flagship models with an MSRP of $1099. With draw lengths ranging from 26-30.5-inches, the Vertix will fits just about everyone as well. Shooters loving the high let off shift in cam technology will also appreciate the ability to choose from 80 or 85% as well. Where the Vertix is different from the previous Mathews bows is the brand new Switchweight modules allowing peak draw weights of 60, 65, 70, and 75-pounds. Along with this, the new Engage grip is one of the best feeling grips from Mathews ever, and there is even an option for side plates from Mathews this year for those wanting a different feeling than the Engage grip. Many shooters consider the outgoing Triax the most vibration free bow ever produced, and Mathews claims the Vertix has 20% less vibration than the Triax. The overall weight of the Vertix is pretty heavy with a physical weight of 4.67-pounds before the addition of any accessories. Those true to the Mathews lineup, and demanding a compact bow for their hunting needs, will be stoked about the new offering and the relatively competitive price point for the added innovation.

Finish

Perhaps the greatest part of the Mathews lineup is the number of camo patterns available on their rigs. Mathews offers the latest camo patterns, from some of the most popular camo companies around in 2019. Not to mention the dipping process used creates an absolutely stunning end product, which looks amazing, and truly shows the pattern as well as possible. The available options include, Optifade Elevated II, Optifade Subalpine, Ridge Reaper Forest, Ridge Reaper Barren, Realtree Edge, Stone, and Black. Some shooters may be disappointed in no offering from Kuiu like some other popular bow companies have, but for the most part, shooters will be thrilled with the choices and how they looked on the finished product.

Riser

The Triax from last year was one of the most loved bows of 2019. However, it there was a resounding con to the Triax, it was the overall size of the bow. The Vertix addresses the 28-inch compact measurement of the Triax by adding two full inches to the overall measurement. The added two-inches gives the Vertix a more stable platform while improving on the rest of the features shooters came to love about the Triax. The increased riser length makes the bow more stable at full draw, which will ultimately be a more stable shooting platform. The riser has a dual riser cage on the top and bottom of the riser like other Mathews bows as well, which sturdies up the bow to keep it from twisting under the pressure of the cams being drawn. The bottom of the riser also has 3D dampening, which takes the harmonic stabilizer and pushes out to the front of the riser towards the target. This gives the vibration a spot to go after the arrow is fired without it heading straight to the shooter's hand. Shooters are also able to cut down on the vibration adding a front or rear mounted stabilizer to the riser as well. The latest installment of the Dead End String Stop also keeps the Vertix as silent and vibration free as an bow Mathews has created.The riser is packed full of technology to quiet the bow and make it as free of vibration as possible. The end result is a bow that feels as good as it gets after the shot. However, when the riser is created so rigidly, the physical weight of the bow also increases. It was not long ago when bows were created to be as light as possible. However, the new trend is leaning towards making rigs a bit heavier for some added stability and better feeling after the shot. Heavier rigs are typically easier to hold on target as well, which will improve accuracy too. A bow weighing in at 4.67-pounds before adding dampeners and accessories is pretty heavy for such a compact rig. However, the trade off of an easier aiming bow with less felt noise and heard vibration is more than likely worth having a heavier bow for most shooters.Mathews also partnered with QAD to create the Mathews edition QAD Ultrarest, which mounts directly to a dovetail mounting position on the riser itself. QAD is an outstanding rest, and Mathews takes that rest to new heights with a riser integration mounting system for this specific rest. Shooters wanting to use the traditional HDX, or any other rest not QAD for that matter, will still be able to do so. Those wanting a QAD, specifically designed for Mathews, with a more secure mounting platform will have the option for the first time to have on the Vertix though.

Grip

The Engage grip is one of the best feeling, most repeatable grips ever released from Mathews, which is saying something considering the love shooters had for previous grips. The grip has a flat back, and is fairly slim, which allows shooters to easily repeat their hand placement shot after shot in the correct position. When the shooter's hand is consistent, and properly placed, the entire bow has less torque and better repeatability, which leads to the best possible accuracy. From a comfort standpoint, the composite material feels nice in hand, and should feel nice in cold weather conditions. The old wooden grips from years ago look a bit more premium, but the functionality and increased accuracy of the Engage grip is appreciated. With all that being said, the grip is the area shooters are most connected to; literally, the only consistent connection point to the shooter for the entire shot sequence is the grip. Rightfully so, shooters need to be picky in how it feels to them because accuracy is at risk if it is not comfortable. Mathews also released a new side plate option at the ATA show, which creates a slightly different feel altogether for those wanting that feeling as well. To have more than one grip option to choose from right from the factory is outstanding, especially when each feels so great.

Limbs

With the newly integrated Mathews Switchweight technology, every Vertix bow is capable of a draw weight range of 50-75-pounds. Now, this design is not all because of the limbs, but rather the limb adjustment in addition to the cam modules. Therefore, the limbs remain adjustable, but the cam modules are responsible for major weight tweaks. As designed, the limbs and modules work together to offer peak draw weights of 60, 65, 70, and 75-pounds, without needing to purchase different limbs to make that draw weight change happen. Mathews sticks with the split limb technology to store the energy from the Crosscentric cam system, but they are no longer solely responsible for adjusting the draw weight from 50-75-pounds.The split limb technology does not come with dampeners straight out of the box, but anyone wanting to add them through aftermarket accessories could easily do so. Honestly though, most shooters are going to be fine with the feel and noise straight out of the box. Mathews limbs are durable and long lasting, and should leave shooters with a problem free rig in terms of longevity and long lasting limbs. The big ticket item with the limbs for 2019 on the Vertix is the ability for every single bow to go from the lowest of draw weights to the highest just by using the appropriate cam module.

Eccentric System

The Crosscentric Cam System shooters have come to love from the Mathews lineup gets yet another innovation added to the base cam with the Switchweight technology. The cams are adjustable from 26-30.5-inches with half-inch increments and allows shooters to choose between 80% or 85% let-off. So when choosing a cam module for the Vertix, shooters will be picking a draw length, let-off, and peak draw weight. In addition to this, the Vertix shoots arrows up to 343 feet per second according to IBO specifications. Some shorter draw length shooters may be disappointed in the lower range of the draw length, but Mathews created another rig with shorter draw shooters in mind, which may be a better option for those shorter than 26-inches anyways. The Crosscentric cam system continues to use the top hat spacing system as well for adjusting the space between the limbs and the cam for the best tune. The top hats help shooters adjust and left or right tears easily by changing the spacers.The Crosscentric cam is not new to the Mathews lineup, but perhaps the most talked about feature, the SwitchWeight modules is brand new to the system. This technology allows shooters to change the peak draw weight by simply changing the module of the bow. This gives every Mathews bow the ability to have a draw weight of 50-75-pounds without needing to change out the limbs for a new set. Simply removing the module with two set screws, and replacing it with the appropriate draw module will give shooters full use of the 25-pound draw weight range.It is important to keep in mind that as easy and as cool as it is to change the draw weight with a simple cam module, a bow with a 25-pound draw range may require drastically different set ups, but that may be okay. Shooters wanting a turkey hunting bow setup for 50-pounds, and an elk hunting bow setup for 75-pounds can do all that without needing to purchase new limbs; which, by the way was never an option in the past because Mathews did not offer peak draw weights on their flagship bows heavier than 70-pounds in recent model years. Although these arrows are more than likely going to be different as well, the setups for a bow with 50-pound limbs, and one with 75-pound limbs may require new arrows, and will definitely require new sight tapes or pin gaps. With that being said, those things are easier on the wallet than having completely different bows for different hunting seasons. It is just important to keep in mind, there is a bit more to the easy adjustment of a bow's draw weight to get it shooting well and ready for the season.

Draw Cycle/Shootability

For all intents and purposes, the Vertix feels like a Triax from last year, only better in virtually every category. The Vertix eliminated another 20% of post shot vibration from what many feel was the most shock free bow ever produced. In addition to that, the Vertix 30-inch frame is just about the best feeling compact bow axle-to-axle measurement. It keeps everything compact enough to be comfortably used in all hunting conditions, and the added 2-inches of overall measurement makes it feel like the Vertix holds on target like a target rig. The cam system is smooth and effortless like the other models sharing the Crosscentric Cam System, and the after the shot experience is arguably the best ever from Sparta, Wisconsin. The two grip choices are outstanding as well, even for shooters with love for the outgoing Mathews grips. Literally every part of the bow has gone thorugh minor tweaks and upgrades to make the Vertix a real contender in the 2019 hunting bow category. Just like any bow purchase, the final decision will come down to personal feel and what each shooter is looking for in a new rig. However, no one will be able to argue about the Vertix being a well designed hunting bow for shooters wanting a compact option.

Usage Scenarios

When asked in the promotional video for the Vertix who the target audience was for the newly designed bow, the answer was simply, "We targeted the hunter." For a company so revolutionary to the archery industry to say that statement should really instill confidence in consumers looking to purchase a new bow. This was not random engineering to create a 2019 bow model. Mathews took their high standards and worked to create a bow with hunters in mind. For shooters wanting to get out on the 3D range with friends for bragging rights or an attempt to win a free lunch for beating their buddies, the Vertix is going to be a solid performer. For those looking to earn national bragging rights or shooter of the year trophies, Mathews may have some other rigs in their lineup that more closely matches those goals. However, those who want a hunting bow, backed by one of the most recognizable names in the game, the Vertix is going to be hard to beat.

Mathews Vertix vs. Mathews Triax

Bow	Mathews Vertix	Mathews Triax
Version	2020	2019
Picture
Brace Height	6 "	6 "
AtA Length	30 "	28 "
Draw Length	26 " - 30.5 "	24.5 " - 30.5 "
Draw Weight	50 lbs - 75 lbs	40 lbs - 70 lbs
IBO Speed	343 fps	343 fps
Weight	4.67 lbs	4.46 lbs
Let-Off	80% or 85%	75% or 85%
Where to buy Best prices online	$675 to $1399.99 Compare prices	$619.99 to $1150 Compare prices
	compare more bows

These two bows are the most recent hunting bows to come out of the Mathews camp, and they give shooters an amazing experience for any style of hunting. The Vertix is designed to have less vibration after the shot, which is a true mystery considering many folks felt the Mathews Triax was the best ever in that category from Mathews. For shooters demanding the latest and greatest, especially from a technology standpoint, the Vertix is the clear winner. The Switchweight technology is new, and worth a look for shooters wanting the newest technology offered. The specifications are all similar, and there is truly no wrong choice. The final decision will be made based on personal preference and the type of technology shooters want in their hunting rig.

Summary

The Triax was appreciated by almost every shooter laying hands on the bow last year out of the Mathews factory in Sparta, Wisconsin for being the most quiet and vibration free bow they ever felt. Many said this was the best it could get. However, Mathews engineers took this as a challenge, and produced the Vertix, which has 20% less vibration than the Triax! For those impressed by what they thought was the best, they will be excited to see how it has become even better with the Vertix. Shooters will love a bow with the ability to go from 50-75-pounds without the need to purchase new limbs or even have a bow press to change out the cam modules. However, if shooters are not interested in having a bow with different draw weights so easily available, the shorter 30-inch Vertix is still a sweet little bow, which Mathews says is the quietest and most vibration free rig they have ever produced. Everything about this rig was made with hunters in mind, and for that reason alone, shooters should feel confidence in this flagship model knowing the end result was created to be in the woods. For an MSRP of $1099, Mathews is competitively priced with other aluminum riser flagship models. However, this price may be a little steep for some potential buyers. All bow purchases come down to personal preference, but the Mathews Vertix has a lot to get excited about.