Hunting/3d crossover bow?

[Grouse Hunter]

In the market for a new bow. I want to try something new that I can use for 3d and hunting. 35" ATA or under. Looking at the mathews LX, bowtech patriot, but am open to a bunch of suggestions. I want to stick with the single cam as I currently have a 2 cam and find not having a press is pain when you tinker with your bow a lot. Not to mention I can hardly find a shop in my area that knows anything about 2 cams. When I'm at the shop telling the tech how to time my bow, thats pretty bad.

[Trushot_Archer]

I have the Patriot Dually and couldn't be happier. IMO it has nearly the perfect specs for a bow for a guy my size and draw...just under 35" ata, generous brace and smoking fast (even at shorter draws).

That being said I think that the size and build of the archer makes a big difference as to what the perfect bow would be. Even bows from co. to co. are very different these days....My Martin Cougar 3 scales at 40" ata and feels like much less...but has a 6 5/8 brace that never seems that short.

For me...accuracy is about the same out to 35-40 with the Bowtech being a bit faster at the same poundages, lighter and easier to haul around and just fells a bit better.From 40 on though the Martin is much better in my hands out to 90-100.

So...Depending on the course or the stand I'm in will dictate which bow I use. Point stand on 2 cut corn fields?...Martin. Thick and nasty with chances of me having to "thread the needle"? Bowtech all the way.

As for the dual cams...stand your ground brother! I was the same way and finally broke down and got a "Bowmender Bow Press". It's a portable deal that one of the regulars on Archery Talk and Hunting BBS makes (walks with a gimp). Not exactly the convenience of the apple but fits the parralel limb bows very well, is portable and relatively inexpensive. I've learned more about bow tuning in 1 hour woth that oress than all the "watching" the shop guys put together.

Here's a pic of one in action

[east bay ed]

if you are really serious i would look at pse's mach pro with the nrg cam. this bow was designed by pse's top two 3-d shooters and has performed very well for them this year. the ata is a little longer then you are looking 37".

[Swamp Monster]

Are you looking into competetive 3D or just for practice purposes? If it's just for practice, I would make the features for hunting a top priority in my search. Most hunting rigs will suffice for 3D, but if you want to compete, you'll need to comprimise. Not so much on the bow, but definetely on the accessories. Being a big guy, I don't really like bows under 35", though I would love to give one a try for a while. My 37" Ultra Tec is about perfect for me and imo probably one of the best 3D/hunting combos you can find, though others with similiar specs are equally well suited. The Hoyt Extec at 35" would fit your bill, but you want a single cam so that rules out the Hoyt.
I guess with a 35" limit and a single cam the first bow I would look at would be the Mathews LX and a few of the BowTechs as you mentioned. If they fit you well and feel good in your hands, you can't go wrong.

[Grouse Hunter]

I'm starting to shoot in a few competitions and shoot the hunter class. I'm a tinkerer and am always trying something new. I am currently shooting a 2 cam but without a press it makes it hard to set it up prefect. I love the duallies and the cam and half bows. I think a single cam would fit my needs better. I loved the LX when I shot it. I also loved the Patriot. Then theres the Wheelers that I fell in love with. Then thats back to the 2 cam thing again. SOOOOO many choices. I need to find a GOOD shop.