Mission Journey vs. Mathews Switchback

Illustrator · Jan 24, 2008

I've been looking at the Journey as an alternative to the much more expensive Switchback. From what I can tell, these bows are identical except for the roller guard which the Journey doesn't have as well as the dampeners which come on the Switchback. Otherwise, Speeds, ATA, etc seem to be the same.

Anyone shot the Journey? Opinions?

Also, I was wondering if the grips are the same, meaning I could take off the fat Mathews grip and replace it with a torqueless grip made for the SB.

Please reserve your opinion unless you've actually shot/handled the Journey. Thanks!

jkcerda · Jan 24, 2008

Illustrator said:
I've been looking at the Journey as an alternative to the much more expensive Switchback. From what I can tell, these bows are identical except for the roller guard which the Journey doesn't have as well as the dampeners which come on the Switchback. Otherwise, Speeds, ATA, etc seem to be the same.

Anyone shot the Journey? Opinions?

Also, I was wondering if the grips are the same, meaning I could take off the fat Mathews grip and replace it with a torqueless grip made for the SB.

Please reserve your opinion unless you've actually shot/handled the Journey. Thanks!

aaaw c'mon.

i havent shot the journey yet, but. you might be better of looking at tth classifieds here on AT.

you are only saving about a $100 from teh SB to the journey.

dont know about the grips.

BTW.

WELCOME B.:darkbeer::darkbeer:

Illustrator · Jan 24, 2008

Difference in MSRP is $200! I'd rather buy a new bow than used, since this would be my primary bow.. and $200 is a big difference :wink:

Thanks, man! Good to be back!

jkcerda · Jan 24, 2008

Illustrator said:
Difference in MSRP is $200! I'd rather buy a new bow than used, since this would be my primary bow.. and $200 is a big difference :wink:

Thanks, man! Good to be back!

you are needed in MV, go down to the bar, we are fighting already!

Stratcat · Jan 25, 2008

The specs are that of the XT not the switchback.
31"ata
7.5" brace height
315 ibo
I have not shot the Journey but have had one in my hands.
the grip is smaller in height as well as width.
The grip does not extend beyond the riser shelve like on other mathews bows.
I thought is was the best grip i have felt on any mathews made bow.
I do not know if it will interchange tho.
Try one out and let us know.
Hope this is the info your looking for.

Illustrator · Jan 25, 2008

Yes, the Switchback... the Switchback XT... we were saying the same thing

Thanks for the grip feedback. I dislike the Mathews grip and thought if I ended up with a Journey I'd have to swap that out as well... Maybe if it's narrower, I won't meaning more money for other gadgets!

nebling · Jan 25, 2008

Send a PM to campo. He shoots for a shop that carries the Mathews, and he just switched to a mathews from a Darton.

I would suggest a few others over those two though!!! :wink:

Illustrator · Jan 25, 2008

I thought about asking Campo :wink: I'll send him a PM

I am by no means locked into those. Two local shops, between the two of them carry:

PSE
Browning
Bear
Mathews
Mission
Hoyt
Elite (sorta)
Bowtech
Diamond
and at least 1 or 2 other brands.

Wife and I are going on a bow shooting orgy in the next week or so, so I'm just doing my research. I have NO idea what I'll end up with, except it probably won't be a Mathews due to the high price tag.

wv_hunter · Jan 25, 2008

If I had to chose between just those two, I would go with the switchback. I have heard alot of good things about the mission bows, but if you shop around you don't have to pay msrp. If this helps, In my area the switchback xt goes for around $630, the mission $540.

nebling · Jan 25, 2008

Hey Illustrator, are you looking to just buy a "bare" bow? Or are you going to go out and purchase an entirely "new" set-up?

I mean, are you going to use your existing accessories?

txcookie · Jan 25, 2008

I Love my Brute

PSEGUY

I mean Illustrator

I am challenging you to try the new Brute! It gtg in all areas including price and you would have enough money to pimp it out. Just my .2 but the Brute is definatly wirth taking a strong look at.

PSUBowhunter · Jan 25, 2008

Just looking at the specs, it looks like the Mission bow is more like the Mathews Outback. CLoser in ATA and speed than the original SB.

nebling · Jan 25, 2008

txcookie said:
PSEGUY

I mean Illustrator

I am challenging you to try the new Brute! It gtg in all areas including price and you would have enough money to pimp it out. Just my .2 but the Brute is definatly wirth taking a strong look at.

Don't discount the Diablo. Very nice also!!! :thumb:

Campo · Jan 25, 2008

Well, I am a little biased when it comes to recommending bows...

The Switchback XT was one of the best bows Mathews has ever released.

They hold their retail value like no other and are a great, smooth drawing, smooth shooting bow. I would steer you towards the SB XT, since it will hold its value should you want to upgrade.

Also, Mathews has great customer service. They are a piece of cake to tune, have few issues out of the box, and allow you to shoot more than a binary style cam.

If you have anymore questions, send me a PM, but, I would recommend the Switchback XT. :nod:

jcsanders79-xt · Jan 25, 2008

If this is going to be your primary bow I think you owe it to yourself to get the XT. Those "little" differences like no rollers and dampening help make the XT a smooth shooter! Check my sig, yes I am bias but theres a reason I haven't upgraded!!! The XT with a Torqueless grip and Bucknasty Strings is the best bow I've shot. You will not be let down. Whats the price you are getting on the XT?

Illustrator · Jan 25, 2008

Well, I knew you guys would be telling me to buy a Mathews, but I'm pretty much discounted Mathews due to the price, hence me looking at the Journey instead.

Even in the shops locally, price difference is pretty significant. I need to buy a bow for me and the wife, so I probably can't swing a Mathews and still be able to buy her a new bow.

Has anyone actually shot the Journey? I know the SB XT is a great bow, but I'm probably not going to buy one...

Illustrator · Jan 25, 2008

PSUBowhunter said:
Just looking at the specs, it looks like the Mission bow is more like the Mathews Outback. CLoser in ATA and speed than the original SB.

I guess I should have clarified, since you guys seem to be confused... I mean the Switchback XT.

Specs on Mission Journey:

IBO Rating:315 fps *
Cam(s):Journey Cam with perimeter weight
Peak Draw Weight:40, 50, 60, and 70
Draw Length:25 in. to 30 in. (Also available in half sizes.)
Axle to Axle Length:31 in. *
Brace Height:7 1/2 in.
Physical Weight:4.25 lb. lbs
Letoff:80%
String/Cable Length:
String: 91 1/2in.* Zebra Hybrid
Cable: 35 5/8in.* Zebra Hybrid

MSRP: $599

Specs on Switchback XT:

IBO Rating:315 fps (Approx)
Cam(s):StraightLine Perimeter-Weighted XT Cam
Draw Weight:40, 50, 60, 70 lbs.
Draw Length:25"- 30" with Half Sizes from, 25 1/2"- 29 1/2"
Axle to Axle Length:31" (Approx)
Brace Height:7 1/2" (Approx)
Riser Length:25 1/2" (Approx)
Physical Weight
4.25 lbs (Approx)
Letoff:65% or 80% (Approx)
String/Cable Length:
Zebra Barracuda String Length - 87 3/4" Cable Length - 33 1/2"

MSRP: $795

Looks pretty much identical to me :wink: Except for the $200 price difference and a different length in string cables, which I'm guessing the roller guard may have something to do with :mg:

Look, it's easy to say buy the expensive bow since it's going to be better. Of course it's going to be better in most cases. But if I can't afford the more expensive bow, it's a moot point, especially considering I'm also buying new sites, rests, everything for both bows we purchase. (Heck, new arrows are needed as well and I want a new release.. it adds up!)

nebling · Jan 25, 2008

What are you looking for in your bow? Speed, smooth draw, single cam, binary cam, weight, etc.....It sounds like you already have your mind made up?

Maybe after you shoot the journey, you might change your mind! :chortle:

Illustrator · Jan 25, 2008

Far from having my mind made up, but I can't ignore what the finances tell me

My bow that I shoot right now isn't terribly forgiving, it's slow, it's loud, it torques, etc etc... so anything will be an improvement.

I want something fairly fast (of course I'm shooting about 245-250 right now, so that won't be hard to beat) fairly smooth and quiet. Single vs. Dual cam I have no opinion.

txcookie · Jan 25, 2008

Right now there are several single cam bows shooting 305+. IMO unless you feel like you have to be the best there is no reason to spend more than 400 on a bare bow. You can get a Bengal or a Brute for less than 399. They are smooth fast quite and shoot pretty darn good. with a lifetime warranty what else would ya need?

Mission Journey vs. Mathews Switchback

Illustrator

jkcerda

Illustrator

jkcerda

Stratcat

Illustrator

nebling

Illustrator

wv_hunter

nebling

txcookie

PSUBowhunter

nebling

Campo

jcsanders79-xt

Illustrator

Illustrator

nebling

Illustrator

txcookie

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