Well now that they are "officially" released I thought I would start a thread here to get thoughts on the new Halon released by Mathews for 2016. My request is that if you just hate Mathews, click the back button now.
Disclaimer: My observations are purely analysis having obviously not shot the bow yet and I'm a known Mathews Kool-Aid drinker. You have been warned lol.
So we have a 30" ATA bow with a new cam system and new riser that produces some respectable speeds.
My first reaction was 30" ATA.... really? Then I started thinking about it. Many agree the SB XT was one of the best hunting bows ever made by any manufacturer... and it was 31" ATA. As for string angle, with the huge cams I think it will be more like a 32 or even 33" bow much like the Hoyt Defiant design. So maybe I won't hate the ATA once I handle the bow.
Second reaction.... dang I like that riser. Caged and long. So should be consistent, tough, and stable. I also think this feeds back into the ATA. With a riser 26 7/8" riser this sucker might surprise those willing to not dismiss it. For reference that's longer than the Chill X riser by over an inch.
Then I saw the mass weight, and I had a funny reaction. The internet experts are going to tear it apart at 4.5#. Personally, if that number really gets your panties in a wad, you need to consider that women in the Olympics are shooting 7# mass weight bows for hours with no let off to boot. The HTR is 4.3#, Elite Impulse 31 is 4.2#, and the Defiant 30 is the lightest at 4# even. Then Halon is heavier, but by 3 - 8 ounces. I'm well aware that ounces are pounds, and pounds are hell in long trek environments. I'm also aware that accessories, quivers, and a ton of other things determine final weight of a hunting rig. Given that the weight doesn't scare me.
Speed... being an average to little less than average draw length (27") I appreciate some speediness. Its one of the things I've really enjoyed about my ChillR, its not overly sensitive but it gives me some zip to do some damage down range and be off on my range estimation by a few yards. ~ 248-350 is not a barn burner, but seems reasonable. The immediate argument will be that there are 350+ fps bows with higher brace heights. I don't think that's an unfair statement. Its also not unfair to state that those bows don't all have caged risers, risers of this length, or likely the force draw curves the Halon will have.
Then the cam system... so we get basically a hybrid, half AVS and half NoCam. I like it. I think its a good marriage, bumps the speeds up, but adds back in some of the NoCams forgiveness.
So overall... shootability will determine a lot for this bow I think. Its not the fastest thing on earth, but if it brings back the SB XT type shoot ability in a smooth, accurate, and in this case compact package with ample speed.... my ChillR is going to up for sale
Disclaimer: My observations are purely analysis having obviously not shot the bow yet and I'm a known Mathews Kool-Aid drinker. You have been warned lol.
So we have a 30" ATA bow with a new cam system and new riser that produces some respectable speeds.
My first reaction was 30" ATA.... really? Then I started thinking about it. Many agree the SB XT was one of the best hunting bows ever made by any manufacturer... and it was 31" ATA. As for string angle, with the huge cams I think it will be more like a 32 or even 33" bow much like the Hoyt Defiant design. So maybe I won't hate the ATA once I handle the bow.
Second reaction.... dang I like that riser. Caged and long. So should be consistent, tough, and stable. I also think this feeds back into the ATA. With a riser 26 7/8" riser this sucker might surprise those willing to not dismiss it. For reference that's longer than the Chill X riser by over an inch.
Then I saw the mass weight, and I had a funny reaction. The internet experts are going to tear it apart at 4.5#. Personally, if that number really gets your panties in a wad, you need to consider that women in the Olympics are shooting 7# mass weight bows for hours with no let off to boot. The HTR is 4.3#, Elite Impulse 31 is 4.2#, and the Defiant 30 is the lightest at 4# even. Then Halon is heavier, but by 3 - 8 ounces. I'm well aware that ounces are pounds, and pounds are hell in long trek environments. I'm also aware that accessories, quivers, and a ton of other things determine final weight of a hunting rig. Given that the weight doesn't scare me.
Speed... being an average to little less than average draw length (27") I appreciate some speediness. Its one of the things I've really enjoyed about my ChillR, its not overly sensitive but it gives me some zip to do some damage down range and be off on my range estimation by a few yards. ~ 248-350 is not a barn burner, but seems reasonable. The immediate argument will be that there are 350+ fps bows with higher brace heights. I don't think that's an unfair statement. Its also not unfair to state that those bows don't all have caged risers, risers of this length, or likely the force draw curves the Halon will have.
Then the cam system... so we get basically a hybrid, half AVS and half NoCam. I like it. I think its a good marriage, bumps the speeds up, but adds back in some of the NoCams forgiveness.
So overall... shootability will determine a lot for this bow I think. Its not the fastest thing on earth, but if it brings back the SB XT type shoot ability in a smooth, accurate, and in this case compact package with ample speed.... my ChillR is going to up for sale
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