Just shot the Maxxis v. Z7....

[Boludo]

I've been a hoyt guy for a while and I keep looking for a chance to buy a mathews (I've had about everything else) but nothing in the last few years has really caught my fancy. Until now.

I set both bows up at 65 pounds and shot my 400 grain hunting arrows through both. Wow! Two winners, any way you look at it. Bows have come a long way.

The Z7 really, really impressed me. Waaaaaaay better than the POS reezen. It balanced very well (huge improvement), the handle was actually a good one (about dang time!) and the draw...buttery smooth. Just like the switchback. Dead in the hand, no vibration, and just a pleasure to shoot. My favorite mathews in years, easy. The looks? Well, you be the judge of that. It looks cool in a utilitarian kind of way. Certainly not beautiful or graceful like some of the others out there now.

The Maxxis is still awesome. I really can't tell a whole lot of difference between it and my alphamax- maybe a bit smoother, maybe a bit faster. But a great bow, period. I love shooting this one as well.

I shot both bows at 65 lbs with my 400 grain arrow through the chronograph. The Z7 was hitting between 286-288. The Maxxis was between 285-287. I didn't measure the draw lengths, but they were both supposed to be 29". If you're in the market for either one of these bows, speed shouldn't be a consideration. Sixes.

So, in my mind, there is no clear winner between the two. They shoot very similar. Different draw cycles- the Z7 is one smooth pull and the Maxxis stacks up a bit differently. Not harsh, just different.

So buy whichever bow makes you the happiest. Both are awesome. I may just get that Z7.


I also shot the alphaburner...that's a story for another post.

[stixshooter]

Nice review! Doesn't the X7 have a much higher stated IBO than the Maxis?
they seem pretty close!

[3dshooter25]

Great review. Its good to see that a person who is not biased towards mathews shot the bow and was impressed. I havent had the chance to shoot it yet but Im getting tired of everyone saying how ugly it is. I could care less what the thing looks like as long as its a shooter. I think that once people see the bow in person and get a chance to shoot it that many will change their minds about it. I think the Maxxis looks like a winner also. I think that Hoyt has a great lineup and that Contender Elite looks like a stone cold shooter. I cant wait for the Conquest triumph to be released so I can see if im gonna trade my C4 for one.
Once again, Thanks for the review.

[daninmn]

Thanks for the review. Lets see how long before the " but its so ugly" posts start. If the z7 draws like a sbxt with that kinda speed mathews will sell a ton of them. My first impression as far as looks are concerned were, well, I was kinda put off. But it could grow on me.

[DFArcher]

Nice review! Doesn't the X7 have a much higher stated IBO than the Maxis?
they seem pretty close!

Hoyt says 323 for the Maxxis 31, Mathews says 332 for the Z7.

[Jwillman6]

Good review, I am going to upgrade my Trykon XL and I want to drop weight because I'm a Western hunter. These are the two bows I most interested in. If the string angle is not too acute I will probably pick one of these two. I have drawn both, but neither were set up to shoot. I plan to shoot both side by side after X-mas. Everything l see points to the speed is a push.

[tennpin]

I shot the z7 last night and it drew just like the reezen to me but real quiet and shock free.

[Boludo]

Here's a clip we took with my phone- It shows the shots of both. while on camera the maxxis averaged 281 and the Z7 287. Overall however the maxxis was a bit faster than shown here. Several shots were 288.

The bows are very similar and I don't think speed should be a consideration when comparing. They are very close.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4-np_6utBg

[DJO]

I've been a hoyt guy for a while and I keep looking for a chance to buy a mathews (I've had about everything else) but nothing in the last few years has really caught my fancy. Until now.

I set both bows up at 65 pounds and shot my 400 grain hunting arrows through both. Wow! Two winners, any way you look at it. Bows have come a long way.

The Z7 really, really impressed me. Waaaaaaay better than the POS reezen. It balanced very well (huge improvement), the handle was actually a good one (about dang time!) and the draw...buttery smooth. Just like the switchback. Dead in the hand, no vibration, and just a pleasure to shoot. My favorite mathews in years, easy. The looks? Well, you be the judge of that. It looks cool in a utilitarian kind of way. Certainly not beautiful or graceful like some of the others out there now.

The Maxxis is still awesome. I really can't tell a whole lot of difference between it and my alphamax- maybe a bit smoother, maybe a bit faster. But a great bow, period. I love shooting this one as well.

I shot both bows at 65 lbs with my 400 grain arrow through the chronograph. The Z7 was hitting between 286-288. The Maxxis was between 285-287. I didn't measure the draw lengths, but they were both supposed to be 29". If you're in the market for either one of these bows, speed shouldn't be a consideration. Sixes.

So, in my mind, there is no clear winner between the two. They shoot very similar. Different draw cycles- the Z7 is one smooth pull and the Maxxis stacks up a bit differently. Not harsh, just different.

So buy whichever bow makes you the happiest. Both are awesome. I may just get that Z7.


I also shot the alphaburner...that's a story for another post.

Nice Review - I will be very interested on your thoughts on the Alphaburner.

[parkerbows]

I shot the z7 last night and it drew just like the reezen to me but real quiet and shock free.

Thats wierd, I thought the z7 is a WAAAY better draw