Mathews Archery
Mathews Archery was founded in 1992 by Matt McPherson in Sparta, Wisconsin. McPherson invented the single-cam bow (solocam), which put Mathews on the map immediately with the original Q2 model. Every Mathews compound is still made in Sparta; the plant runs its own aluminum machining, string production, and grip molding.
Brand ethos and manufacturing
Solocam and Crosscentric cam philosophy: one working cam and one idler wheel instead of two working cams, which removes cam-timing sync as a tune variable. The current Crosscentric system uses cable stops instead of limb stops for a consistent hard back-wall. Modular grip and stabilizer bushings are proprietary.
Flagship products
- Mathews Lift X 33: 33 inch ATA, 6.5 inch brace, 344 fps IBO, Crosscentric cam. MSRP USD 1,299.
- Mathews Lift X 29.5: 29.5 inch ATA, 6 inch brace, 344 fps IBO, treestand-focused. MSRP USD 1,299.
- Mathews V3X 29: 29 inch ATA, 6 inch brace, 342 fps IBO, previous flagship. MSRP USD 1,199.
Warranty and forum reputation
Rokslide Mathews owner threads praise Sparta’s warranty responsiveness on limb and riser defects; a dealer can escalate a warranty limb replacement to Sparta and get a decision within 48 hours. Lifetime warranty to the original owner. Sparta customer service pick-up rate is documented as under 3 minutes during business hours.
Common complaints
Price premium is the honest weakness. A Mathews Lift X at USD 1,299 sits USD 150 to 300 above the same-spec Bowtech or Elite offering. ArcheryTalk gear threads note the harmonic damper stabilizers and stock string quality do not match the price tag; upgrade strings are a USD 100 to 200 add-on that most serious shooters plan for at purchase.