MQ1 vs outback

[ERGOMAN]

I've been shooting an MQ1 (mathews) for a few years and have never been as consistently accurate as I used to be with my long limbed pro line. I've heard several good things about the outback and am wondering if it is as easy to shoot as I have heard. Will also be selling the MQ1 if anyone is interested.

[GVDocHoliday]

The MQ1 is in my opinion the second best bow Mathews has ever manufactured...second only to the Q2XL of course. If you are having accuracy problems, it could be many things. One bow is not more accurate than another. It's all in the components and the tuning. Most importantly is the proper drawlength and the proper spined arrow with a good FOC. Once you have this down you can start getting a good tune. Give me your current specs and I'll see if I can disect your problem. I mean every aspect of your setup from your rest, draw length, arrow length, what you have on your string, draw weight, what arrows you have, what's your arrow spine, what wieght points, what type and size of fletching, and the last time you had your strings twisted. The strings on Mathews bows are notorious for stretching...that could be your problem right there. Hit me with that info and I'll do my best.

Bryan

[Trophy Specialist]

The MQ1 is a good bow and if you are having accuracy problems with it, you may want to try adding a new grip before buying a new bow. I did not like the factory grip supplied grip with that model in past years. You might be surprised how the grip can influence accuracy. Mathew's and other third party companies make after market grips that might transform your MQ1 into a tack driver. I'd suggest taking the bow to a good Mathew's proshop and try on some new grips and then shoot with them.

[farmlegend]

was most unpredictable of all the bows I've ever owned. I am certain there was something defective about it. Have nothing but bad memories of that thing, which I disposed of after one hunting season. Been shooting a Rival Pro ever since, a sweet shooter. The new Ovation looks like my style.

Ergoman, your MQ1 may have come from the same lot as mine!

[Banditto]

I had trouble with one of my Mathews. For months the axle to axle was maybe 1/4" stretched so I dismissed it as a stretched string problem. I checked this and that, read through many books on the mechanics of bows. If I tuned it for that session it may have shot good for a week or two, then bam it was off again. And I have little faith in any pro-shop really as most of them only take the time to get it "good enough." In retrospec Arrowhead Archery probably would have figured it out quickly.

Then one day I opened the case and found the string had literally pulled apart after only 1 season, some defect from beneath the serving. Zebra strings are not all that great.

[ArrowFlinger]

ERGO sent you a PM

[Grouse Hunter]

What about the LX? I thought that was suposed to a shooters dream?

[GVDocHoliday]

Until the cables stretches and the serving seperates by the roller cable guard and Mathews won't replace the cable or string because it doesnt' fall under their warranty and then it's more money out of your pocket to get a new set of strings and cables. At least with the standard cable guard mathews you can twist the strings and cables back into specs without having to worry about serving seperation.

[Banditto]

But at that point just replace them. They really aren't all that much if you have a bow press around. Like I said, mine pulled apart in the case. It scared the heck out of me, but like Arrowhead said when it pulls apart it doesn't do it all of a sudden so there shouldn't be any limb damage.

Kinda makes you think twice about using a Zebra Twist... :(

[ERGOMAN]

Did shoot and purchase the outback, the shock felt at the handle is dramatically less that the Mq1. Sold the mq1 at the pro shop the next day. I did get some technique pointers, but was holding much improved groups by the end of the day. thanks for the responses

[Grouse Hunter]

Anyone know why mathews discontinued the MQ1?

[Zakker]

The LX has been an absolute dream to shoot. I have had it for one season and simply love it. I shot the Cam and 1/2 hoyts, the Patriots, and the AR before I bought. All of them shoot very smooth. I would not say bad about any of them. However, once I set up my LX (fall away, Sims, D2, etc.) I shot way out of my "normal" league. Smooth, deadly quiet and fast. My buddy shoots the MQ1 and is very happy with it. When we shot them both together (he has close to the same draw lgth.) both of agreed that the LX felt and shot much nicer. Again, not nocking any model or make, just extremely happy with my LX!

[NorthJeff]

The MQ1 was never a hit with the factory shooters and was one of Mathew's more inconsistant bows, along with the Signature and Z-lite. The Outback would be better.

That being said though, the LX is better for both speed AND forgiveness/accuracy. The only reason the Outback is such a hit is because it's short. You could look at the bows in 3 areas....

1.Accuracy
2.Speed
3.Size

The LX has the Outback beat for both speed and accuracy, but if you like a really short bow, the Outback is for you. On the otherhand if you place speed and accuracy first, go for the LX, which will be a substantially better bow than the MQ1 at still a smaller size. Also, don't underestimate the importance of speed...not necessarily in overall arrow speed, but how it translates to draw weight. You can shoot the LX a couple pounds lighter than the Outback to acheive the same foot/pounds, and several pounds ligher than the Icon. Big differance when it gets really cold in the stand.

If you think the gain you get in the Outback is great enough to overcome a little less forgiveness and speed, the Outback is for you and would be better than your MQ1.....but I'd trade either new for a 2 year old LX ;)

Wooops! Sorry didn't see you already purchased the Outback. :eek: As was reported I'm sure you'll like it much more than the MQ1..there is a reason that bow is discontinued.

[Trophy Specialist]

The August issue of Outdoor Life has a good article on the the latest and greatest bows. They do an excellent job of comaring them side by side. The Outback comes in second overall in the testing. I highly recomend picking up an issue just for that article alone. I also have an article in that issue on tracking dogs for deer recovery.

[ArrowFlinger]

The MQ1 was never a hit with the factory shooters and was one of Mathew's more inconsistant bows, along with the Signature and Z-lite. The Outback would be better.



NJ about a year or 2 ago you old me that the Z-max was a great bow.

[NorthJeff]

The Z-max was a great bow, and it was replaced by the Ultramax, and then Ultra II. The Z-lite was not around for very long, and although still a decent bow, it suffered a little bit in accuracy due to the type of cable gaurd and cam it used. The cable guard was differant than the Z-max because it was offset and came back at an angle, resulting in some torque issues/"left to right" accuracy problems. Also, the cam that was on the Z-lite, although I can't remember the name, was a "softer" cam that pulled nice, but offered a longer valley which attributed to "high and low" accuracy inconsistancies for especially average shooters.

In the whole sheme of things, not a bad bow compared to a 1988 PSE Polaris, or even my old 1989 PSE Fire-flight, and many other bows too, but Mathews certainly had better at the time the Z-lite was out.

[Swamp Monster]

I've been keeping my eye out for an Ultra II 70lbs 28" draw. I want to try an aggressive bow, and this model is about as aggressive specs wise as I want to get. Not many of these for sale though, for a reason I speculate. I'm in no hurry but someday.....


Enjoy your outback!

[Trushot_Archer]

A buddy has and Ultra 2, 70 and 29" Swampy... :D Simple change of DL.

Let's make a deal ;)

[BOSSTOM]

NJ

Where do you think the MQ32 ranks wrt the LX and outback? Each year I contemplate changing bows but can't convince myself to do it. The Outback seems to have a little more hand shock than the MQ32 and is heavier. The LX seems to have a small brace height.

[Banditto]

You shot the Outback and thought it had handshock?