Matthews Atlas - Long draw bows feedback

[Mowy33]

Hi all. I’m in the market for a new bow. I’ve got a fairly long draw which narrows my options greatly. I’d like to hear some recommendations and feedback from other long draw guys.

biggest question, has anyone shot the new Matthews atlas, and what where your thoughts?

any other bows you’d recommend I check out?


Thank you in advance

 

[xFREDx]

I am a 32” draw. It depends on what type of bow you are after. I shot the atlas at the flowing specs. I didn’t measure it to see actual poundage and correct draw length but it felt pretty spot on when I was shooting it. We just backed down the limbs instead of replacing the switch weight mods too.
32” 70 lbs 530g arrow: 272fps
65 lbs 530g arrow: 265 fps
60 lbs 530g arrow: 255 fps
I love the atlas and may pick one up this year. Another good option that I have had is the Hoyt XXL. Wish I could of shot them side by side. They aren’t speed demon bows but at our draw length we really don’t have to worry about speed anyway

 

[5MilesBack]

I don't think I've ever shot any Mathews bows before. My draw is almost 33" (and I'm LH) so I know how difficult it is to find the right bow. All I can say is, when you find one you like......hang onto it. My current bow is a 2014 PSE Freak SP, but I have a couple older Bowtechs that work great as well if I need them. I haven't actively searched for a new bow in years, but when something interesting comes along I generally check them out.

 

[oake]

I picked up an Atlas a few weeks back. My draw length comes in at 31.5, so pretty close.

The draw cycle is pretty stiff but it does settle well at full draw and holds on target well.

I was shooting a Z7 prior which I’m keeping as a back up, just as a point of reference.

 

[Mowy33]

I am a 32” draw. It depends on what type of bow you are after. I shot the atlas at the flowing specs. I didn’t measure it to see actual poundage and correct draw length but it felt pretty spot on when I was shooting it. We just backed down the limbs instead of replacing the switch weight mods too.
32” 70 lbs 530g arrow: 272fps
65 lbs 530g arrow: 265 fps
60 lbs 530g arrow: 255 fps
I love the atlas and may pick one up this year. Another good option that I have had is the Hoyt XXL. Wish I could of shot them side by side. They aren’t speed demon bows but at our draw length we really don’t have to worry about speed anyway

Thank you for the response. I’ll admit I am not nearly the smartest when it comes to all the bow technology, but primarily looking for something that fits correctly and will be enough to go after elk this September.... I have heard of the Hoyt XXL. The biggest issue I’ve had is finding a place near me that allows you to test out multiple bows. Not many shops near me, and the few that are don’t have the atlas or XXL in stock / demos available.

that is good to know about the arrow speed so thank you for that. How was the overall weight of the bow feel?

 

[Mowy33]

I picked up an Atlas a few weeks back. My draw length comes in at 31.5, so pretty close.

The draw cycle is pretty stiff but it does settle well at full draw and holds on target well.

I was shooting a Z7 prior which I’m keeping as a back up, just as a point of reference.

Thanks for the response. How does the weight feel? Is it noticeable, coming in at 4.92lbs bare bow?

and what do you mean the draw was pretty stiff? Think that’s because it’s new, or just how the bow is (sorry, not sure if that’s a stupid question). New to bows.

 

[xFREDx]

Thank you for the response. I’ll admit I am not nearly the smartest when it comes to all the bow technology, but primarily looking for something that fits correctly and will be enough to go after elk this September.... I have heard of the Hoyt XXL. The biggest issue I’ve had is finding a place near me that allows you to test out multiple bows. Not many shops near me, and the few that are don’t have the atlas or XXL in stock / demos available.

that is good to know about the arrow speed so thank you for that. How was the overall weight of the bow feel?

I wouldn’t be the best to tell you about weight bc with my bow fully loaded front and back bars with 5x600+g arrows in the quiver my bows are heavy. Yeah the XXL is more of specialty order bow. I am lucky and one of the Hoyt dealers had one. Same with the Mathews dealer and the atlas. I don’t think you could go wrong with either one really

 

[oake]

I don’t think it’s due to it being new. My older bow wasn’t set at 70#s and it’s noticeable while practicing.

As far as weight it’s about 1 lb. heavier than the Z7, but it feels heavier honestly but I feel like that assists in holding on target.....just my .02

 

[Apapro]

We have three bows that reach 32" of draw length. The Black Mamba 33 / 35 / 38. At your draw length they will all be 360 fps IBO bows, with draw weights to 80#

aparchery.com

 

[Mowy33]

Would you all use this bow for elk? Reading a bunch of different threads, it seems many bought it for target / 3D.
Definitely want a bow that is ideal for elk hunting as that is my goal.

 

[5MilesBack]

I would have to shoot it and get a feel for it. For elk hunting I like a little bit longer valley for holding at full draw, whereas for target stuff I prefer a shorter valley that's ready to take off. So it totally depends on how that bow can be set up IMO.

 

[Mi_fiveo]

Bought an Atlas today at 70lb and 32” draw length. Spent some time getting it set up and tuned. Here is my first bare shaft through paper. It’s a big heavy bow but man it’s a shooter!

 

[Mowy33]

Bought an Atlas today at 70lb and 32” draw length. Spent some time getting it set up and tuned. Here is my first bare shaft through paper. It’s a big heavy bow but man it’s a shooter!

What will you be using it for? Think it's too heavy to lug around on a backpack hunt?

 

[Mi_fiveo]

I’ll be lugging it all over the west chasing elk and mule deer. It is big and heavy but I needed a 32” draw length so that severely limits my choices.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Kbhillhunter]

I'm using the traverse which is the 2019 version. So far as I can tell the biggest differences are the control arm angle, addition if switch weight, and the let off offerings. I thought I had a 32" draw but found 31.5 to be perfect with this model. Have had great success with it.

 

[GoChiefs]

would one of you Atlas owners mind measuring the riser on yours?

I have a VXR 31.5 and from pictures it looks like the Atlas uses a VERY similar riser but with extended limbs to get the longer ATA.

 

[Page Master]

Would you all use this bow for elk? Reading a bunch of different threads, it seems many bought it for target / 3D.
Definitely want a bow that is ideal for elk hunting as that is my goal.

You can use whatever anymore really. I used a Reckoning last year which is the same as the atlas in terms of being marketed as a ''target style'' bow that can be used to hunt. It'll shoot fast enough you'll be just fine.

 

[Isthatamullet]

Anybody else try one out?

 

[xFREDx]

Anybody else try one out?

i ended up buying one. i do hate the grip but i changed it out for the ultraview which makes a world of difference. very happy with it, isn't a speed demon (65#, 32" mods, 520g arrow at 267 fps) but fast enough for me.

 

[KitsapDan]

I’m going to drop my past research on recent production long draw bows into this thread (I ended up with a used Traverse) for others to reference in the future.


Long Bows

Matthews Traverse 32.5” (hunting)

Matthews Atlas. 34” (hunting)

PSE Citation 33” (target)

PSE Citation 36 32” (target)

Hoyt Invicta 40 SVX 32” (target)

Hoyt Carbon RC5 Ultra 32” (hunting)

Hoyt Double XL 32-34” (hunting)
Bear Species LD RTH 32” (hunting)
Bowtech Reckoning 38 32” (target)

Bowtech Specialist II. 32.5” (target) 60

Bowtech BT Mag X. 34” (hunting