Well I've had my M405 for a few weeks now and thought I'd share my thoughts.
As I explained in my hello thread I've had to switch from trad & compound due to injury.
My first crossbow was the TP GT Flex, purchased to shoot NFAS field and for that it is great. We can't use cocking aids and I can handle 180lbs ok by hand.
Having been bitten by the crossbow bug bigtime, something I never thought would happen being mainly a trad guy, I'm really enjoying shooting without pain plus it's so much fun!
Soon after I decided I wanted something with more oomph for long distance target without having to point at the moon, enter the Matrix 405.
My first impressions were good but several things since have made me question my decission a little. Nothing really bad but stuff I've had to and are going to address.
Firstly the serving wear was awful to start with, a great flat appeared where serving contacts rail. I was turning frequently due to string stretch and lubing the rail freqently but even so it mashed it in short order.
In comparison the GT Flex is still on it's original string after many many shots.
While investigating the issue I noted there is much more down pressure on the Matrix plus the rail due to the camo coating felt rough under the nail when the GT Flex rail is like glass.
Ok easy enough to sort so I took some Brasso metal polish, like your autosol I guess, and went to work carefully. It's much smoother/slicker now, secondly I bought some Venom serving lube and rail lube, the second string has surpassed the first by a factor of 3 and still going well, I expect another 100 bolts before It'll need reserving. .... So that has sorted that and I can now live with the slightly higher wear considering the higher down pressure and holding weight of this beast.
I would advise new owners to do the same. ... No doubt it would wear smooth in time, many strings on!
The grip size was a little narrow for me so I've wrapped tightly with 1.5mm Dyneema yaght line and it fills my hand much better, that is of course personal taste.
I'm struggling to get the consistant accuracy I'm getting from the GT Flex, there are a couple reasons for that IMO.
Number one and the most annoying is the trigger, it's not as good as I originally thought and hasn't smoothed out like the Flex did. OK it's holding far more weight, 290 compared to the Flex's 180.
I'm going to have to buy a Trigger Tech unit I feel.
I was contemplating the target 1.5lbs unit but if I ever get over your side to hunt that's going to be downright scary not to mention potentially dangerous! It'd be hairy enough target shooting this wee beastie with a 1.5lb trigger break!
So it's the Hunter 2.5 I think. My only worry is that it won't be light enough for me on the M405, it may go over the 2.5 as it's designed for both the M380 and the M405. ........... I've asked the question but the reply just said "around the 2.5 mark but breaks cleanly which is more important" ......
I agree a clean break is essential for good accuracy but I'd hate it if it turned out to be 3.5lbs as there is potential for pulling off target if my trigger technique is not bang on. Living in the UK it's not so simple to return / exchange. ............ No doubt an improvment over the stock trigger but I want to get it right first time if poss, so advice from you guys on that would be much appreciated.
Secondly, and this is not a knock at the bow or Excalibur because lets face it it is a hunting bow not a target bow, but I feel this M405 is the limit if not a bridge too far. IMHO ................
At 30 yards it would down a bleedin BULL ELEPHANT and I guess that's all you want as hunters, (Not an elephant before someone gets the wrong idea and shouts at me
and yes I could hit the kill zone 90% of the time @ 30 - 50 yardsThere is so much energy stored in this thing it makes it more of a challange to shoot accurately (especially with that trigger) that's why I think it's surely reached the limit now? No opposing parallel limbs to help cancel/reduce forces like compounds, it has to go in to the bolt and the rest we feel in the bow, etc etc …....... It's a good job I like a challange, it's not as easy to shoot or quite as enjoyable as my GT Flex, (Exhilarating and fun are the words I'd use) may be the Trigger Tech unit will change things some, I hope so.
Excalibur build quality is very good, I'd like to see stainless fixings but of coarse cost would increase. Something I'll change over time.
I'm still glad I didn't go for a compound, I'd forgotten how obsessed I can get with having things bang on, I'd be forever checking timing, cams, etc etc! …......... That's the old Engineer in me.
Anyhow just a few thoughts observations, not a review cus I'm not experienced enough with Xbow's and nowt other than my Flex to compare with, plus we can't hunt here so it would not be fair.
When I eventually get the Trigger Tech unit I'll report back.
As before, any advice, tips, comments greatfully received. …........
Styks/
) I noticed the POI had changed and I wanted to investigate the problem. Damn good job it had this DFI or my limbs would've gone bye bye!
).