Good review like always, but Bowtech publishes specs with mods in Performance mode and many of the reviews on this bow don't shoot it in that setting. It really should be if we are going to make a fair comparison for speeds and draw cycle ect...I would pick the SS34 also for the exact reasons you mention in your review.
For sure! I did a comfort vs performance review that I need to upload! I gained 9-10fps from comfort to performance but the draw cycle wasn’t the “best” obviously comparing to the comfort mode which is super smooth! That being said if I shot the ss34 I’d probably keep it in comfort mode just cause it’s very nice to shoot!
So you want to keep it in comfort, so just put 60lb mods on the phase 4 and you’ll have similar speeds and draw cycle. Or put the Bowtech in performance, where the specs are, and compare the two.
The honest truth is that either can be an extremely accurate and deadly platform. For me though, that grip on Mathews is almost understood to be the weakest point of their bows. Next, that valley dump that you talk about is horrible. I’ve spooked deer at close range on a calm day with that sound that it makes even in this video. Otherwise, Mathews makes one of the quietest, fastest, hand-shock free platforms out there. The Bowtech doesn’t need a grip change, doesn’t need a bow press bc you can literally do anything with an Allen wrench, and won’t wear your shoulder out with a stiffer draw cycle. The down side is that you lose a few feet per second which means that pin gap is a little wider. Also, without accessories, the hand shock and noise level is MILDLY more. Emphasis on mildly. The only other note I have, considering that money would be an issue for some, is that Mathews accessories are essentially the price of the bow. So by the time you add their quiver, stabilizer, rest, etc, you’ll need to double the price of the bow. With Bowtech, not the case. That said, weigh your pros and cons, and if you can only buy one, buy the one that fits you the best. Or just buy them all and hope your wife lets you live afterwards 😂!
Fan of these head to head vids! Solid work! Also, congrats on quitting the day job! For me it's the SS, I picked one up a month ago. Can't put it down!
I just shot both side by side and I agree with everything you said. Imo it just comes down to preference. Bowtech definitely has better rollover but Mathews has less vibration. Both dead in the hand. I went with the Phase 4 because I didn't mind the difference in rollover and I like that's it quieter. All and all though I definitely agree with you I'm happy to have either one.
I tried them both multiple times, and bought the SS34. For my 28" draw length, the performance mod is 13 fps faster than comfort. Just something to consider. Also, bumping the weight up a bit on comfort makes up for the loss of speed, without that hump at the back end of the draw. Great vids as always.
Bowtech needs to post 2 sets of specs with every bow. They post specs in performance, but everyone test them in comfort against bows that are at top performance. If everyone wants to compare on comfort, then the other bows need turned down to 60lbs to be of equivalent performance to get a true comparison.
“Tuneability” in a hunting bow is terribly over-rated. I tune my bow once, then I want it to stay that way. Too many moving parts = too many chances of something going wrong in the field where simplicity and reliability really matter a lot. Also, I’ll take Mathew’s customer service over Bowtech’s any day of the week. That being said, I really like the SS34 a lot, but I would never trade it for my V3X.
I own both the sx80 and the v3x 33. The Mathews to me is smoother on the draw feels like less weight at 75 and 29 than the sx at the same specs. That being said seems harder to keep my 33 in tune and in time. Sx shoots lazerz. They’re both great tho and I’m not letting them go.
I shot both, and walked to the checkout with the Mathews. But when I asked the tech how I tune a Mathews, he looked me dead in my eyes and said “you can’t”. I walked back and bought the Bowtech. I’ve been shooting it for a month and I don’t have any regrets. Tuning the SS34 is a joy. Side note, the performance mod feels TERRIBLE. Big hump at the back which defeats the purpose of getting the “Super Smooth”.
I hunt with Mathews V3X 33, and my target is the Bowtech Reckoning gen 2 36. I love to tinker with my target/league setup a lot, and nothing comes close to Bowtech’s tuning… well maybe Elite gets close. For a single shot on an animal I feel Mathews holds the best for me, I just can’t shoot it for an hour+ lol. I hear good things with Hoyt this years but I’m lefty and couldn’t find one in NYC lol
To make a good comparison You need to shoot the Bowtech in the performance mode which will give you 8 to 10 FPS faster in arrow speed. Last thing nothing tunes like a Bowtech.
Bought mine at Lancaster archery and it came down to the Bowtech 34 and the Matthews phase 4. Very hard decision because they both have quality's I Like. I agree with you on the grip. I went with the Matthews because I am an older shooter and at 50LB draw weight shooting the recommended arrows for an Elk hunt I was getting 257 fps second, which is 23 fps faster than my 21 year old Hoyt set at 62LB.
I haven’t had much to do with the bow tech but, the Mathews grip sucks and the stock strings suck… that said you have 2 things right off the bat that are sub par. And that noise Mathews makes when it dumps into the back wall is annoying. And the tun-ability bowtech offers it wouldn’t be a hard decision. 🤷🏽♂️
Four years a lot of people have talked about the Matthews being quieter and more dead in the hand. With that being said the monkey tail string dampeners make a huge difference to any bow.
Thanks for the review. I didn't notice that dumping into the back wall as much as mentioned here and very much enjoyed shooting the Phase 4 over some of the others. I ended up putting in an order for the Phase 4 and seeing this, I guess, I wasn't as particular as I should have been, but I've been shooting a Jennings Buckmaster forever so stepping into any modern bow felt amazing. Just as a tip it might be nice to have timestamps for each of the review subjects.
Given the choice between the two, I think I'd have to go with the Bowtech. The ability to tune is just a massive benefit. However, Mathews S.A.S. (Stay Afield System) may have some extra boxes checked when looking at long hunting trips into the back country.
Shot them both and honestly the Phase 4 isn’t a bad bow by no means not much different then the V3X in my opinion. Shot the SS34 a lot and the deadlock system is amazing. The bow holds great and shoots great. Some people really sleep on Bowtech but id buy the SS34 over any bow out there right now.
