Micro or Matrix?

[racking up points]

It's a tough choice, so get both.

[wildcatter]

It's a tough choice, so get both.

Thats whats great about this forum,,,,,someone always has the perfect answer,,,,,,,,,,,

[Trigger1212]

Gents,
Thanks for the warm welcome! I'm sure some of you are also former service members, regardless, may you all enjoy your Memorial Day and do something you enjoy! I work in the auto industry and it always irritated me when I see all the companies open and having sales on Memorial day. If you want to honor the fallen service men and women, then give everyone the day off to enjoy it the way they want. Nuff of that!

After the warm welcome I have to say apologizies for the late reply! Was traveling home from out of state when I wrote the original post. Got home and my daughter just got back from college, brakes down to metal on metal, so an immediate job there, getting carpet for the house, keeping Mrs. happy, another job (and important one!) there, blah blah, you get the idea.

Now to the meat of it:
First off a shout out to 'racking up points"; A) Great image, grew up in Michigan so loved seeing the Tigers mark! B) "Just buy both" comment, you will notice in my original message I have considered buying both, "just because". Main point I liked about your post is the "SPOM" angle (Spending Other Peoples Money). I love doing this myself. Most fun I ever had doing that was when my brother-in-law asked my help in getting him outfitted for archery hunting. Great guy but so tight he squeaks when he walks. Got him a Matthews bow and all the fixings, for some reason he was not tracking the prices, but I was! When we hit the cash register he almost had a stroke and I laughed my azz off, priceless! He still has the same setup 15 years later, going to get his moneys worth!

Micro vs Matrix

1. I have shot both bows several times side by side at about 20 yds. Every time I pick up a micro my very first thought is that is actually "feels" heavier than the 355. Must be because it's shorter and the balance between the hands. My mind says it's "denser" than the matrix. Subjective but feels heavier.

2. When I carry my Equinox in the woods to the stand uncocked with the cocking strings on it, I usually carry it with one of the limbs hooked over my right shoulder and hang on to the limb with my right hand. With the micro not much limb to hang on to, short! But that is the point, short and compact.

3. To me the Matrix feels a bit more comfortable, micro almost feels too short. I'm a smidge over 6 ft and 215 lbs (twisted steel and sex appeal - of course), and I usually hold my bow with an extended front hand (like shooting a shotgun) and with the micro always end up holding it up past the "forearm" and grip the front of the rail. In that aspect the matrix feels better as it is slightly longer. Now having said that, when hunting from my tree stands I almost exclusively shoot from the setting position and in that position I will use the short grip position to be able to rest my left elbow on my knee for extra support so a "short" bow is fine.

4. No question the micro has tons of "cool" factor.

5. Nightmare - I hunt primarily from tree stands though I'm sure the day is coming that I will use more ground blinds.
A) Concerned that a "black" bow up in the trees will stand out like the proverbial "diamond in a pig's azz" as the saying goes. Anyone use one of these in the trees?
B) As far as the Nightmare being faster, not sure I buy into that one. I'm sure one bow will have a tendency to be faster than another (of the same model) due to slight differences in limb strength. If you have some good "rail snot" on your machine I cannot see how one color can be faster than the next. Just my 2 cents worth.

6. When practicing I do usually shoot a fair amount, 4 arrows at 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and then back down the scale. So usually a minimum of 40 shots per session. So shooting fatigue can become a factor.

7. If you have a micro you love it, if you have a 355/380 you do the same. Originally I said micro/355. Most of the matrix fans say if you are doing the 355 then you really should do the 380. Hesitating on the 380 as it is "slightly" larger than the 355 AND a highly recommended (on this sight) and known excalibur retailer recommended the 355 over the 380 as he felt it was inherently "more accurate". 380 vs 355, using same arrows, not working about standard equipment levels, any feeling regarding accuracy levels one vs the other?

8. Last complicating factor, rumors of "new" micro, faster or slower? If I get the current micro will I wish I waited? Good Grief!

As you can see I'm still "conflicted" and have made no real decisions. It's fun to torture yourself over these decisions but at some point it's time to sh-t or get off the pot, summer will be gone and I'm loosing valuable shootin time!

Thanks for all the input and feedback!

[xcaliber]

If you feel the Matrix 355 fits better, get it and don't look back. It has equal power to you Nox, and still fits well in the tree stand, or ground blind. I will keep the two models just because that 355 is that sweet!
Good luck deciding, you will definitely arrive at an educated decision.

[bubba]

You can't go wrong with either the 355 or the 380.. both are great bows, and would be my personal choice over the 335 Micro.. Good luck and also thanks for your service.. I too believe all former military should be able to stay home or what ever this day... Instead of having to work at some car lot or other. Its all about the dollar.. And less and less for our fellow fallen brothers..........

[Horizontal Hunter]

The only thing I would add is to check to make sure what, if any, limitations the state has on crossbows. Some states set minimum/maximum poundages and arrow length minimums.

One of the states I hunt has a minimum arrow length of 18" which would rule out the micro as it shoots a 16" quill.

[wildcatter]

The only thing I would add is to check to make sure what, if any, limitations the state has on crossbows. Some states set minimum/maximum poundages and arrow length minimums.

One of the states I hunt has a minimum arrow length of 18" which would rule out the micro as it shoots a 16" quill.

Don't let the minimum length alter your choice. Here is a target at 20 yards with 16.5" and 18" arrows,,, the orange vanes are 18" even at 40 yards you better not shoot the same spot twice,,,,,,

[vixenmaster]

Like some others on here i own both. Micro Nitemare is no trouble up in a tree. I used to have an all blk. vixen i used up in tree stands as my main go to Excal. My Nitemare gets over 340 fps. Its a great model. I have a 355 Matrix, its also a keeper in every way. Micro is a good 40 yd model can reach 50 on unalerted tick toters. The 355 can reach 60 yds no trouble. I am no help to you as i have both love both n keepin both,

[paulaboutform]

In response to size and accuracy, I think the size difference between the 355 and 380 is .75" which is negligible. The width is the same. As for accuracy, I'm blasting 1.5" spots at 65yards with broadheads....off the bench. Pretty tough to beat but who knows, maybe the 355 will do .5" groups at 65yards with broadheads?

Paul

[Trigger1212]

Funny that someone mentioned "know your state xbow laws. As stated earlier I currently live in Illinois, which is a state that has some great outdoors to enjoy BUT it's run by the liberals in Chicago. Must admit we finally got right to carry passed and low and behold we are now considering making it legal to use suppressors for hunting, wouldn't that be something!

Anyway, I pulled out the DNR rule book and discovered that in IL you cannot use a crossbow pulling more than 200 lbs! What a bunch of dingbats. Instead of weight if they were really concerned on what a xbow could do they would limit the overall speed of the arrow, not the pull. Hopefully as xbow usage progresses the laws will be updated.

Lucklie I do most of my hunting in MI which is not an issue. Before this is all over I may end up with 3 Excaliburs! Going to have to look at the lineup to see which one pulls 200 lbs!

Wade
Semper Fi!

[amythntr]

Funny that someone mentioned "know your state xbow laws. As stated earlier I currently live in Illinois, which is a state that has some great outdoors to enjoy BUT it's run by the liberals in Chicago. Must admit we finally got right to carry passed and low and behold we are now considering making it legal to use suppressors for hunting, wouldn't that be something!

Anyway, I pulled out the DNR rule book and discovered that in IL you cannot use a crossbow pulling more than 200 lbs! What a bunch of dingbats. Instead of weight if they were really concerned on what a xbow could do they would limit the overall speed of the arrow, not the pull. Hopefully as xbow usage progresses the laws will be updated.

Lucklie I do most of my hunting in MI which is not an issue. Before this is all over I may end up with 3 Excaliburs! Going to have to look at the lineup to see which one pulls 200 lbs!

Wade
Semper Fi!

....Hey Wade, when you are settled in to your selection of an Excalibur....NChunterkw (Keith) makes an awesome Semper Fi string that you should take a gander at...tri color of red, yellow and black...seems like that would fit your bill perfectly!

Anthony

[DES]

Welcome and thank you for your service!

Flip a coin, if you don't like it you will have no trouble selling it. I went with the 355, I didn't feel the smaller size of the Micro was worth the extra $120, the money I saved went towards good glass for it.

Since then, I've gone backwards to the older wide Excals with no regrets.