Help with first crossbow - Ibex vs. Matrix

[bigredopie]

Well there is no doubt the matrix line is the new kid on the block as it has only been on the market a year so far. That being said I believe it was in testing and development for several years to ensure they are as bullet proof as their older brethren.

Packing more power into smaller limbs is definitely a riskier proposition and I have read about more limb problems with the new bows over the last year than I remember seeing with previous models. I believe that is one reason the adf is included on the 380 models and many have added them to their 355's. Most issues seem to arise due to dry firing the bow so the adf helps to eliminate this issue.

I do love shooting my 380, but I am so glad I had my Vortex first to learn and make mistakes with. It just seemed to be much more forgiving. Think of it like buying your first vehicle. Your first one just has to be reliable and able to handle some brain farts, but once you get the hang of it, then you can invest in the sportscar. A little long winded, but that is my 2 cents.

[Excalibur]

Nobody would know better than you, your wife and kid. Get your hands on them and test them out.

[SKILCZ]

So I shot the Ibex and the 355 side by side. Cocking, I could tell the Ibex had a lighter draw weight, but having to pull it back further made the difference less noticeable. Shooting, I felt like the Ibex was a little smoother and definitely quieter, probably due to the lower force, I imagine. When I held the two on top of one another, the Matrix was considerably narrower. I didn't notice the weight difference much when shooting, but the Matrix was a little more easy to hold and steady, seemingly from its narrower size. Both bows were display models and had not been sighted in, and neither had the quiver attached. I nailed the bull's eye with the Ibex, and the Matrix shot about 3-4" off reproducibly in the same spot at 20 yards with multiple shooters. I know the Matrix just needed to be sighted in.

Is there any disadvantage or advantage to 18" vs. 20" arrows?

[Hunt it]

I've owned majority of excal models over the years. Bough my first one from Bill and Kath when they made them in basement of farmhouse in Breslau 31yrs ago.

I now shoot a 380 and would never switch back. If your wife and kids can cock the 380 they will find the size and weight nicer to work with than larger models. I shoot 410gr arrows at 355fps and there biggest issue is finding a target to stop the arrows! There is no wrong model but take family to a shop with range and see what they are most comfortable with and go from there.

[ertreecare]

Proud to say i just bought my first excalibur and it wasnt a easy decision with every bow having a good review lol.wife only gave me a $500 limit for a new bow so i got her nails done took her out to dinner and bought a tanning bed then played the guilt card!!! Ended up buying the matrix 330! And it cant get here fasy enough.im curious if the 330 comes with the string bumpers or if i need to run out and buy some? Most reviews do not mention then but a few of them do.any help would be appreciated

[Peacemaker]

so...which did you decide on? I have been struggling with a similar decision. I have an exocet, and need/want a bow for my kids/guests to use. I started out thinking of a $250 Barnett Jackal, then a used axiom/Ibex...but now I am thinking of either a new axiom/ibex for the guest bow, or buying myself a matrix 380 and making my exocet the guest bow.

Right now I am thinking Ibex/axiom. I can use my existing arrows and stringing aid, and I probably only need one case for the two bows. I know the matrix 355 is "only" about $300-$350 more than an axiom, but a new axion is already $250 more than my original thought of the Jackal. Used Axioms (Axiae?) seem to be going for $380-$400 or so delivered.....and new ones are in the $500 range. For the extra Franklin (in the US) I'd just as soon go new.....

Aside from a little hassle of the larger size in a ground blind, there is not much I could do with a Matrix that I can't do with my exocet (and thus Axiom).

[paulaboutform]

Proud to say i just bought my first excalibur and it wasnt a easy decision with every bow having a good review lol.wife only gave me a $500 limit for a new bow so i got her nails done took her out to dinner and bought a tanning bed then played the guilt card!!! Ended up buying the matrix 330! And it cant get here fasy enough.im curious if the 330 comes with the string bumpers or if i need to run out and buy some? Most reviews do not mention then but a few of them do.any help would be appreciated

Congratulations! Great choice. I'm sure you're going to love it...don't shoot at the same target! I don't know if it comes with the reds but I'd give Danny Miller a call. While you're talking to him I'd also see about getting an adf. Just my thoughts. Enjoy!

[Peacemaker]

I thought I would come back to this thread rather than start a new one. I am thinking hard about pulling the trigger and getting an Axiom SMF as my spare bow. But, question for the experts....is the plastic/composite rail going to have any real-world negative impact compared to the aluminum rail on my exocet or the other bows? I know to expect a slightly lower arrow speed due to the shorter draw, but does the SMF have any additional flex ir imprecision that would/could effect accuracy? Or, can I expect to Robin Hood two arrows at 30 yards, just like I can/could with my exocet?

I can take my time with this decision since I realistically won't want/need a second bow until October.......

[jparchery]

The Matrix 355 is what I just bought recently and I love it. It's compact, light and very accurate. The new matrix line are more narrow that the Exomax or ibex, also stronger limbs and can reach greater speeds. If you are only shooting deer the 355 is perfect, and if you ever decide to do a moose or bear hunt the 355 can take down any North American animal with ease. Get a Matrix 355 !!

[Peacemaker]

Get a Matrix 355 !!

this would be the right answer if cost was not a factor. But cost is a factor, and since my 310 FPS (chrony'd) exocet gives me plenty of speed for hunting, I figure 180-285 on an Axiom would be fine, too. If the narrower limbs really was that important, I would not have gotten an excel in the first place. Plenty of compounds out there that are 28" wide or less.

And it's more than just the cost of the bow; there are arrows and accessories; assuming an axiom can be gotten for $500, a Matrix 380 for $1000, Matrix 355 for $850, and Matrix 330 for $700. So I spend $350 more for the 355, then I gotta buy some extra diablos for $50, extra string for $30 (I already have one for the larger limbs), extra case for $80 (I already have one that fits the larger limbs), and maybe an extra cocking aid for $30? And I don't even know if my 100 grain BH's will work nicely on the diablos....

So a Matrix 355 will end up costing me twice what an Axiom would cost......I'd like to have a Matrix over the axiom.....but not at a 2X premium.

[strum]

Get a Matrix 355 !!

this would be the right answer if cost was not a factor. But cost is a factor, and since my 310 FPS (chrony'd) exocet gives me plenty of speed for hunting, I figure 180-285 on an Axiom would be fine, too. If the narrower limbs really was that important, I would not have gotten an excel in the first place. Plenty of compounds out there that are 28" wide or less.

And it's more than just the cost of the bow; there are arrows and accessories; assuming an axiom can be gotten for $500, a Matrix 380 for $1000, Matrix 355 for $850, and Matrix 330 for $700. So I spend $350 more for the 355, then I gotta buy some extra diablos for $50, extra string for $30 (I already have one for the larger limbs), extra case for $80 (I already have one that fits the larger limbs), and maybe an extra cocking aid for $30? And I don't even know if my 100 grain BH's will work nicely on the diablos....

So a Matrix 355 will end up costing me twice what an Axiom would cost......I'd like to have a Matrix over the axiom.....but not at a 2X premium.

Peace I certainly understand the cost factor..
so far I haven't heard a bad review on the Axiom.. it seems to be holding up well and the accuracy is equal to the rest.
the other option is to buy a good used package.
I have a friend who bought an Exocet last year new and I bet he hasent shot it 30 times..he is now thinking of selling ..pm me and ill give you his no.