Porterhouse's Z7 and Maxxis 31review

[Porterhouse]

I was able to spend a few hours today with a new Mathews Z7 and Hoyt Maxxis 31 over at TripleEdge Archery in Dayton. I've been the in the market for a new bow over the last month or so, and I have to say that I am very glad I waited.

I have been fortunate enough to shoot quite a few bows over the last month trying to decide, and the guys a TripleEdge have been really patient with me, which is great. Some of my favorites included a Bowtech Admiral, Mathews Monster, Mathews Reezen 6.5 and 7, and the Hoyt Alphamax 32. All of which are terrific bows. I am currently still shooting a Mathews Q2...which in my most humble opinion I believe to be one of the best bows Mathews ever made....and all of these bows are just incredible to shoot. To be honest, I was having a very hard time....as all these bows "picked me" so to speak....each having individual traits that were appealing for one reason or another......and the fact that I shot them all very well made it even more difficult. I was leaning heavily towards the Monster. My draw length of 30 gave me just smoking speeds out of that bow, and I was still able to shoot solid groups....that speed is addictive, and I thought that this was going to be it for me. Being that the "new bows" were just about to come out, I decided to wait. Anyway, on to the Z7 and the Maxxis.

Hoyt Maxxis 31

To those who have said that it's the same as the Alphamax, please go shoot this bow. The draw cycle is a little different, hard to believe....but for me it is little smoother than the AM. Like the Alphamax, it's just sick smooth on the draw, slides into a solid wall, holds very well at full draw, and dead in the hand at the shot. This little bow was not even set up for my draw length, and I was stacking them. In short, I loved this little bow. It's a shooter.

Mathews Z7

All I can say is "butter". This bow is too smooth for words. Even at 70 lbs, the bow draws as if it's 60. I actually shot it at 60 and 70 and can honestly say that the difference is negligible. It's that smooth. The valley is in the right spot, taking you into a rock solid wall that just feels "perfect", even if you relax a little (which I tend to do), this bow did not even try to creep on me which really impressed me. At the shot, there is no shock..none...it's beyond dead in the hand. Additionally, the bow is very quiet. I shot this bow standing, sitting, and from several different "grips" and arm positions as I wanted to get a feel for how forgiving it was. Something else was the new grip on the bow, more square at the back and slimmer...which I really liked. I don't have what many that know what they are talking about would call "good" form, and it didn't seem to matter much what I did....I destoyed several tacks and few nocks as well. This is the finest bow I have ever shot.

As is probably evident, I like both of these bows....along with the others from Mathews, Hoyt, and Bowtech. They are all unbelievably good shooting bows. I shot the Z7 the best out of all of them, so I am fairly certain that it's the one I am buying. I am still going to shoot the Bowtech Destroyer and the Hoyt Alphaburner before pulling the trigger.....but while I am trying to keep an open mind.....I'm pretty sure that the Z7 is going to me it for me.

Thanks again to the guys at TripleEdge for putting up with me over the last month.

[az2tx]

now go shoot an Elite

[Chew]

Thanks for the good review. Did you chrono the maxxis vs. the Z7? Just curious how their rated IBO #'s hold up.

[Blue Tick]

Whats the price tag on both?

[lbbf]

That's great! I don't like the pictures I've seen so far of the Z7 but I'm not suprised that it shoots well.

[txrdkng]

Originally Posted by Blue Tick

Whats the price tag on both?

Interested in the answer to this myself.

[Swampa]

I went to NTA yesterday to do the same, but Fay didn't have any demo bows set up. I want to get a new bow this week but not without shooting one first. As far as the price question I know the Maxxis was $860ish (don't quote me, but I know im in the park).

[Blue Tick]

Prices are getting a bit out of hand.....

[DPerez905]

I'm definately gonna have to agree with az2tx on this one go shoot an Elite

[Cajun Blake]

Originally Posted by az2tx

now go shoot an Elite

Originally Posted by DPerez905

I'm definately gonna have to agree with az2tx on this one go shoot an Elite

yep, what they said


do yourself a favor and just shoot a Z28 and a GT500 to see how they feel and perform

[TexasCanesFan]

Originally Posted by Porterhouse

taking you into a rock solid wall that just feels "perfect"

You really do need to shoot an Elite if you think the Mathews has a rock solid wall.

I owned a Reezen for a month and a day and the wall was non-existant.

[raidergrad]

Can somebody tell me what could possible make the z7 that much different than the reezen. The cams look nearly identical and really the only differences are the new roller guard and the shorter ATA. I own a reezen and although it is what it is, it isn't even close to being as smooth as the Maxxis I shot.

[doubleplay43]

Everyone that Ive seen that has shoot the Z7 has raved about its smoothness...I can tell you that

[dcrow]

good review there...thanks

[crittergitter]

for a single cam bow(which i perfer) mathews all day. duel cam bow i would have to go with the elite, bowtech a close second.

[Widowmaker]

The Z7 is going for around $850.00 here in the metroplex.

[Porterhouse]

Originally Posted by Chew

Thanks for the good review. Did you chrono the maxxis vs. the Z7? Just curious how their rated IBO #'s hold up.

Did not Chrono the Maxxis, as it was a shorter draw length and would not have been a fair comparison. The Z7 with an Easton Flatline 340 wrapped(weight unknown but probably a 30 inch arrow) out of the 29 inch cam shot 317 through the chrono. I was impressed. Approx same length ICS Hunter 340 was at 304. Still impressive if you ask me. In my opinion only, the Flatline would be underspined (as a hunting arrow) out of a 70 lb Monster. Comparing it to, say an Xweave 400 out of the monster you will be losing around 15 or so fps. Which is a compromise I personally would be willing to make given the smoothness, forgiveness, and shootability of the Z7. Can't wait to shoot it at 29.5 or 30 and see what she will do.

Originally Posted by Cajun Blake

yep, what they said


do yourself a favor and just shoot a Z28 and a GT500 to see how they feel and perform

I might just do that....but I have to say that I have been a single cam shooter for a long time. Still liked the feel of the Hoyt, Bowtech and Monster....but all things considered I am leaning towards sticking with the single cam if I can get that kind of speed anyway.

Originally Posted by raidergrad

Can somebody tell me what could possible make the z7 that much different than the reezen. The cams look nearly identical and really the only differences are the new roller guard and the shorter ATA. I own a reezen and although it is what it is, it isn't even close to being as smooth as the Maxxis I shot.

I am not the person that can tell you that, because I have not the slightest clue. I spent a good deal of time shooting the Reezen 6.5 and 7...the Z7 is a different bow. I shot the Maxxis and the Z7 back to back to back to back, and I thought the Z7 was smoother. With both bows at 70 it was the most noticeable to me....the Z7 at 70 draws as if it were at 60....maybe that's what tipped the scale for me. Love them both, the Z7 gets the nod from me though. All I can say is just go shoot it, you might still prefer the draw of the Hoyt.

Originally Posted by dcrow

good review there...thanks

My pleasure.

[bowmansdad]

Just what I didn't want to hear! I guess I need to go to Triple Edge and
shoot them! Thanks for sharing.

[Txnrog]

Would agree with those who say try the Elites, but great to hear there are some more good bows out on the Mkt. Thanks for the review.

[regraves77]

Hey Porterhouse,

I think you were the one there shooting beside me last night. I also shot the Maxxis and Z7 back to back. This will be my first bow purchase, never owned one to date. I have been shooting two of my friends bows, Switchback XT & Bear Truth. I had made my mind up on the DXT after two trips to Triple Edge decided between it, the Monster & Alpahmax 32. Last night was a final trip for a purchase decision. I loved the way the Maxxis shot near #60 and was very easy to handle. The Z7 very smooth as well. I made my decision to go with the Z7 after they turned both bows to #70 and I couldnt tell the difference on the Z7 and the Maxxis seemed very noticeable, also the Z7 is an inch smaller ATA than the Maxxis (only 1/4 longer than the DXT). The grip on the Z7 is denfintely better for me as well over the other Mathews grips I have shot. Those monkey tails do look a little funny, i guess they help??? I looked pretty hard on the website and best i can tell the Z7 looks like a nice blend between the Reezen and the DXT. Bottom line, you walk out of the shop with the Maxxis or Z7 you won't have a regret with either. My opinion is that the biggest variable will be the shooter rather than the equipment. I'm just glad to be getting my first bow, and the guys at Triple Edge are great, couldn't be a better group of guys and they have patience with customers and their tough decisions.

[Porterhouse]

Originally Posted by regraves77

Hey Porterhouse,

I think you were the one there shooting beside me last night. I also shot the Maxxis and Z7 back to back. This will be my first bow purchase, never owned one to date. I have been shooting two of my friends bows, Switchback XT & Bear Truth. I had made my mind up on the DXT after two trips to Triple Edge decided between it, the Monster & Alpahmax 32. Last night was a final trip for a purchase decision. I loved the way the Maxxis shot near #60 and was very easy to handle. The Z7 very smooth as well. I made my decision to go with the Z7 after they turned both bows to #70 and I couldnt tell the difference on the Z7 and the Maxxis seemed very noticeable, also the Z7 is an inch smaller ATA than the Maxxis (only 1/4 longer than the DXT). The grip on the Z7 is denfintely better for me as well over the other Mathews grips I have shot. Those monkey tails do look a little funny, i guess they help??? I looked pretty hard on the website and best i can tell the Z7 looks like a nice blend between the Reezen and the DXT. Bottom line, you walk out of the shop with the Maxxis or Z7 you won't have a regret with either. My opinion is that the biggest variable will be the shooter rather than the equipment. I'm just glad to be getting my first bow, and the guys at Triple Edge are great, couldn't be a better group of guys and they have patience with customers and their tough decisions.

Must have been me, enjoyed visiting with you. Both are a fun bow to shoot....and I agree that it's a tough call. Congrats on the first bow, the guys at Triple Edge will take good care of you.

[J.Shoot]

I really liked the Z7, I always look at the new Mathews bows every year, the Monster and Reezen last year did not impress me. I've owned 2 Drenalins, but continue to go back to my Switchback. The Z7 to me feels just as smooth as my SB, it does load up a little earlier, but doesn't stack like the Monster or Reezen in my opinion. It was smooth on release and quiet. I'm afraid my SB may be getting replaced in the near future.

J.Shoot

[konahoss]

I hung out at Smithfield all day, I was the first to break in the new Z7. If the Reezen and DXT had an affair, the Z7 would be the red headed illegitimate kid.

My opinion....

The draw is super smooth, smoother then my DXT, had a very solid back wall. It does take more to draw then the DXT, but it is very very smooth and consistent, no hump. I shot it for about 30 mins, I kept thinking man this feels more then 70lbs, so I put it on the scale - 75lbs. At 70 lbs, it was perfect.

Speed comparison:

DXT - 28/70, 4 leeches, loop. 27" A/C/C Pro Hunter - 400.7gr @ 274 FPS
Z7 - 28/70, 4 monkey tails, loop. 27" A/C/C Pro Hunter - 400.7gr @ 291 FPS

17 FPS gain, Shoots Smooth, Great Feel.

I ordered one

[Tanis Locke]

Awesome Review Porterhouse!

[FatSam]

Great review Chris! Been a pleasure getting to know you.

I'm certainly glad that Mathews came out with another high performance short ATA bow. We struggled selling the Reezen this past year and sold more DXTs and Monsters. We sold a good number of DXTs in 08 and I think the Z7 will be an outstanding hunting bow that should sell very well also.

[mooch]

do yourself a favor and just shoot a Z28 and a GT500 to see how they feel and perform

What's the MSRP on these bows?

[Baykah]

Where is an Elite dealer in Tx? I don't know of one in Austin. The dealer locator is broken on their webpage.