Compound Bow Comparator

The Mathews MQ1 is the smooth, forgiving single-cam hunter that defined an era, and time has been kind to what it set out to do. Built from 1998 through 2002 with unchanged specs, it pairs a long 37-inch axle-to-axle and a tall 7.5-inch brace with a 3.75-pound carry weight and a StraightLine MaxCam that rates 308 fps IBO, moderate speed traded on purpose for a bow that holds still and stays in tune. Its 70 and 80-percent let-off options and slim, low-torque grip round out a shot that owners remember as the smoothest and calmest of its day. What stays with me about a bow like this is how little it asks of the shooter: no cam timing to chase, no short-brace twitch to fight, just a steady pin and a settled release. It is an excellent used-market 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 and 3D rig. Buyers who want a compact, forgiving value single-cam should also look at the PSE Nova, and those chasing near-identical speed in a shorter frame should also look at the PSE Spyder. Read full review...

The PSE Nova is a decent quality bow at a very reasonable price. While it's not the quietest rig out there, the bow is quiet enough for many hunting scenarios. Admittedly, the Nova is an accurate hunting bow with good shootability characteristics. Although this rig is not as good as some of the better quality (and more expensive) bows, it's considered to be a great starter bow for shooters on a budget due to its low price tag and decent quality. Overall, the Nova is a good choice for beginners who are on a budget, don't plan to upgrade it immediately, and are not too excited about super fast speeds. Read full review...

The Spyder makes a great bow for learning how to shoot and to start hunting, target shooting, or shoot 3D. The S4 model is designed for youngsters, while the single cam versions (VC, ST & RF) are designed for teens or small framed adults. Although this bow might need a few things added to make it quiet and dampen vibration, it is very easy to handle, lightweight and has a lot of performance built into this small package making it ideal for learning to shoot. Read full review...

• Smooth, gradual SoloCam draw that owners of the period rated the finest of its day and still praise decades on
• Long 37-inch, tall-brace geometry that steadies the pin and forgives small form errors on the shot
• Single-cam simplicity with no two-cam timing to drift, which is why so many are still hunted 20-plus years on
• Settled, low-recoil shot from the perimeter-weighted MaxCam that made the bow feel calm in the hand

• Good bow for starters who are on a budget
• Smooth and easy draw cycle
• Accurate bow with a generous brace height
• Modular-adjustable eccentric system
• Draw length can be easily adjusted without using a bow press
• Decent bow for the money

• Easy to shoot & handle
• Smooth draw cycle
• Durable
• Very adjustable
• Performance

• A 1998-2002 bow is a used-market buy today, so budget a fresh string and cables and a pro-shop once-over before hunting it
• Draw length is set by the cam itself, so confirm your exact length up front since changing it later means a cam or module swap rather than a dial

• Overall quality could be better
• Some modifications could have narrower grips
• Could be a bit faster

• Could be a bit quieter (needs a silencing package)