Mathews Atlas Compound Bow

The Mathews Atlas is a purpose-built answer to a question the industry ignored for years: what does a real flagship hunting bow look like for an archer with a 32 to 34 inch draw? At its $1,349 launch price it delivers a long 34.75 inch axle-to-axle chassis, a forgiving 7.75 inch brace height, and a published IBO up to 350 fps - a figure it earns from a long power stroke, translating to a measured 306 fps at a 30 inch, 70 lb, 350 grain setup and comfortable hunting-speed numbers with heavy arrows. What the spec sheet cannot show is how it shoots: the Crosscentric cam smooths out on this long chassis, the back wall is firm and secure, and the 3D damping makes it one of the quietest bows on the market. Every time I come back to it, the same thing stands out - the pin sits still and the shot vanishes, a rare combination on a bow this large. It is not the fastest bow at an average draw length, and its size asks something of the shooter who carries it, but those are the trade-offs of a tool built for a specific archer. An excellent bow for the long-draw hunter who values fit, forgiveness, and silence over an IBO headline, and one that is particularly strong from a treestand or ground blind where a quiet, steady shot matters most. Buyers at a more conventional draw length who prioritize speed and press-free tuning should also look at the Bowtech SR350, while those wanting a similar forgiving platform from another flagship brand should consider the Hoyt Ventum Pro 33... read full review