Mathews Switchback XT Bow Report
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Mathews introduced the first Switchback in 2005. Based on reports from the field it has been an extremely successful bow, heralded as the best-selling Mathews bow of all time. For 2006 there are two new bows with the Switchback name: the Switchback LD for archers with longer draw lengths, and the Switchback XT for everyone else. This report will deal with the Switchback XT, which Mathews characterizes as “The quietest way to the top.” They also state that it has the most parallel limbs of any bow that Mathews has ever offered.
The XT’s axle-to-axle length is approximately 31 inches. It is built on a fully machined aluminum alloy handle with an overall length of just over 25 inches. The sight window has a usable length of 7 inches with the main area cut 1/2inch past center. There is an additional clearance cut at the arrow pass that measures 3/16 inch deep. Relating all of this to the vertical centerline of the bow results in a total clearance of 11/16inch from the centerline to the face of the upper riser at the arrow pass. It is interesting to note that most single-cam bows end up with the plane of the string at a slight angle to the vertical centerline of the bow. This is not the case with the Mathews design. The limb pockets are designed with different offsets that place the grooves for the string parallel to the centerline and in line with the centerline of the grip. This is an important feature in reducing the effects of torque due to an
There is a single hole (tapped 5/16-24 UNF) for rest or plunger mounting located 7/8-inch above the shelf and centered on a vertical line through the pressure point of the grip. A pair of brass bushings, also tapped 5/16-24 UNF, are inserted in the back and face of a boss on the lower riser just below the grip section. The standard AMO two-hole pattern, tapped 10-24 UNC, for sight or quiver mounting is included on the offside of the upper riser. *Read the rest of the report by downloading the PDF
