This info was posted in General area, but thought I would add to it and share it here with Martin folks.
I have a new Martin Max33 that I'm currently setting up and so far I'm extremely impressed by this bow and cam system. I've been shooting PSE both for target and hunting and really like my Evolve cams as well. But the Helix cam is right there with the Evolve so far. The stock strings/cables on the Max33 are GAS Strings and I cant think of a better stock set out there.
It was pretty straightforward to tune- and was shooting bullet holes within 5 minutes. Essentially, just twist the cables to center them into the timing mark slots on both cams, set your draw length - mine is the long draw Helix Cam and goes from 27-30". The limb stop has an elliptical shape to it and you can the fine tune/twist to tweak your DL and feel to a very fine level.
Cam lean is minimized due to the offset groove system in the Helix cams- not sure what they call it.
Theres also a pretty cool weight system (RRAD) on the top and bottom- where you can play with lighter or heavier brass weights- see pic. I'm running the heavier brass in the bottom. Bare bow is nicely balanced.
I'm running a: QAD cable driven rest, Spot Hogg It 5 pin sight, Shrewd 10 inch front stabilizer. Arrows are 450 grain Easton 330 Hexx, 4 fletch Bohning Heats with 50 grain brass inserts and 125 grain tips for extra FOC. Im a 29.5 DL. Thru the chrono, I'm getting 274 FPS with this setup right at 60 pounds. Not sure where that puts the IBO rating. But its quick and quiet at that arrow weight. I may see how 100 grain tips fly.
I'm gonna try several broadheads with this setup and I'll report back on those. the current setup after some fine tuning with a walk back method are flying like freakin darts! Heres some pics. Group was at 40 yds. I'm gonna shoot some 50 and 60 yd groups tomorrow.
Actually the Helix cams are pretty dang smooth to draw. If the Evolves are a 10, then the Helix is an 8.5 or 9 on smoothness. I'd put the fit and finish on par with the PSE's I've been shooting. If I really like a bow and want to keep it several years, I have em custom Kolorfused. Would love to see Martin offer that! It would be a good differentiator for them. Vibe is about the same. I wouldn't call the Evolve 35 a completely dead in the hands bow, and neither is the Max33. But it sure isn't unpleasant. I'm running a Shrewd 10' Ambush stabilizer and I have a Bow Jax on the string suppressor. I also added one more Limbsaver Twistlox to the top and bottom. It came stock with one on each end. But the kind of get sideways- two on each lim set really hold them tighter- hint- Martin have two stock on each limb set. And its nice and quiet!
You can play with the let off in small increments- using the wide range of DL slots, the movement of the limb stop, and then also the Elliptical shape of the limb stop for fine DL and let off adjustment. Really cool and a step better then the Evolve there.
The valley is really good- not too much - but enough it does not want to take off on you. About the same as the valley on the Evolve in the 80% slot. This can be adjusted in small increments too with the variables above.
The back wall is really solid- limb stop.
Bottom line is it just tuned better for me the the Evolve 35. No yokes or shims to mess with. The angled offset groove in the Helix cam system takes away cam lean. All you do is twist cables to line them up in the timing mark slots on each cam and she's ready to go. Set to center shot- for me about 13/16 to 7/8. And run your arrow through center of berger hole. I set my nock about 1/16 high. Bullet hole. Then I walk back tuned it and maybe ended up moving my rest 1/32 or so. From 5 yds back to 60 yds shooting great left right. Groups are tight and it holds great. I may add a little short side bar for more weight for tree stand hunting- but for out west pack hunting- the lighter Max33 is great. Its lighter than the Evolve 35 (3.7 versus 4.6)
My groups at long range (50, 60) are better than they were with my Evolve 35. Thats a very individual thing of course. Both great bows. But it seems to fit me and my shooting style a little better. I like it so much, I'm ordering and Martin Axon 39 target bow. I shot the Axon 40 and its holds amazing, and feels fantastic on the indoor range. If you are in the VA, MD, WV area- check out Southeastern Archery owned by Keith Trail https://www.facebook.com/SoutheasternArchery/. He's now carrying Martin and will let you give the Martin line a test run at his shop. The price is also very reasonable for this level of bow.
I was a little skeptical, but not any more. This bow will be heading to Montana with me in 3 weeks to hunt river bottom whitetails and Mulies! Martin is on the way back with their current lineup.
I have a new Martin Max33 that I'm currently setting up and so far I'm extremely impressed by this bow and cam system. I've been shooting PSE both for target and hunting and really like my Evolve cams as well. But the Helix cam is right there with the Evolve so far. The stock strings/cables on the Max33 are GAS Strings and I cant think of a better stock set out there.
It was pretty straightforward to tune- and was shooting bullet holes within 5 minutes. Essentially, just twist the cables to center them into the timing mark slots on both cams, set your draw length - mine is the long draw Helix Cam and goes from 27-30". The limb stop has an elliptical shape to it and you can the fine tune/twist to tweak your DL and feel to a very fine level.
Cam lean is minimized due to the offset groove system in the Helix cams- not sure what they call it.
Theres also a pretty cool weight system (RRAD) on the top and bottom- where you can play with lighter or heavier brass weights- see pic. I'm running the heavier brass in the bottom. Bare bow is nicely balanced.
I'm running a: QAD cable driven rest, Spot Hogg It 5 pin sight, Shrewd 10 inch front stabilizer. Arrows are 450 grain Easton 330 Hexx, 4 fletch Bohning Heats with 50 grain brass inserts and 125 grain tips for extra FOC. Im a 29.5 DL. Thru the chrono, I'm getting 274 FPS with this setup right at 60 pounds. Not sure where that puts the IBO rating. But its quick and quiet at that arrow weight. I may see how 100 grain tips fly.
I'm gonna try several broadheads with this setup and I'll report back on those. the current setup after some fine tuning with a walk back method are flying like freakin darts! Heres some pics. Group was at 40 yds. I'm gonna shoot some 50 and 60 yd groups tomorrow.
Actually the Helix cams are pretty dang smooth to draw. If the Evolves are a 10, then the Helix is an 8.5 or 9 on smoothness. I'd put the fit and finish on par with the PSE's I've been shooting. If I really like a bow and want to keep it several years, I have em custom Kolorfused. Would love to see Martin offer that! It would be a good differentiator for them. Vibe is about the same. I wouldn't call the Evolve 35 a completely dead in the hands bow, and neither is the Max33. But it sure isn't unpleasant. I'm running a Shrewd 10' Ambush stabilizer and I have a Bow Jax on the string suppressor. I also added one more Limbsaver Twistlox to the top and bottom. It came stock with one on each end. But the kind of get sideways- two on each lim set really hold them tighter- hint- Martin have two stock on each limb set. And its nice and quiet!
You can play with the let off in small increments- using the wide range of DL slots, the movement of the limb stop, and then also the Elliptical shape of the limb stop for fine DL and let off adjustment. Really cool and a step better then the Evolve there.
The valley is really good- not too much - but enough it does not want to take off on you. About the same as the valley on the Evolve in the 80% slot. This can be adjusted in small increments too with the variables above.
The back wall is really solid- limb stop.
Bottom line is it just tuned better for me the the Evolve 35. No yokes or shims to mess with. The angled offset groove in the Helix cam system takes away cam lean. All you do is twist cables to line them up in the timing mark slots on each cam and she's ready to go. Set to center shot- for me about 13/16 to 7/8. And run your arrow through center of berger hole. I set my nock about 1/16 high. Bullet hole. Then I walk back tuned it and maybe ended up moving my rest 1/32 or so. From 5 yds back to 60 yds shooting great left right. Groups are tight and it holds great. I may add a little short side bar for more weight for tree stand hunting- but for out west pack hunting- the lighter Max33 is great. Its lighter than the Evolve 35 (3.7 versus 4.6)
My groups at long range (50, 60) are better than they were with my Evolve 35. Thats a very individual thing of course. Both great bows. But it seems to fit me and my shooting style a little better. I like it so much, I'm ordering and Martin Axon 39 target bow. I shot the Axon 40 and its holds amazing, and feels fantastic on the indoor range. If you are in the VA, MD, WV area- check out Southeastern Archery owned by Keith Trail https://www.facebook.com/SoutheasternArchery/. He's now carrying Martin and will let you give the Martin line a test run at his shop. The price is also very reasonable for this level of bow.
I was a little skeptical, but not any more. This bow will be heading to Montana with me in 3 weeks to hunt river bottom whitetails and Mulies! Martin is on the way back with their current lineup.
