Well, I decided to take the demo bows for a spin yesterday. I was asking the VERY knowledgeable woman there about them, and she said folks walk in wanting a bowtech, then after shooting the two back to back, they walk out with a Mathews. This store is equal opportunity. They have the same amount of both brands there, and dont pull no punches with their opinions about which bow to buy, or setup.

Anyhow, I shot the Switchback first. look up smooth and refined in teh dictionary, and there is a pic of a switchback there. very impressed. Fast, SMOOTH, and quieter than my bow with sims vib lab shite all over it. On to the Bowtech. First thing I notice, is the bitch ass grip. not very comfortable. The Mathews grip was nothing like my Golden Eagle, but still. Shot about as smooth, but a little noisy, and felt "unrefined" compared to the switchback. BTW up until yesterday, I have never shot any other brand of bow besides my own, ever.

The woman was not lying. Of course there might be a difference between the Allegiance and the 06 Tribute, but I would have to shoot the Tribute to see.

Hows that for interesting.

I have an Allegiance and an older Mathews Feathermax. My twin has an Outback, and I shot several Switchbacks before I bought the Allegiance. I bought the Allegiance for one thing: high kinetic energy (which for me translates to high momentum with heavy arrows.)

In general the Allegiances will get with 2-3 fps of their rated IBO. I have never shot a Mathews that would get within 10 fps of its IBO rating.

I prefer the Mathews for everything in North America, but they don't come in 80# -- and the 70# Mathews do not match the 70# Allegiance for energy.

But the Mathews are more forgiving to tune and shoot - and have plenty of power for NA game.

I bought the Allegiance to go to Tanzania, but now they've doubled all the fees for bowhunting in TZ.

Bottom line: unless you need very high KE to be legal for exotic game, get a Mathews.

wow, that sucks. Now you have an 80# bow and no "real" use for it in NA. I guess that is a broad observation, cause some folks use guns that have waay too much KE for anything in NA(myself included). How much you sell the Allegiance for? I have always wanted to shoot an 80# bow. Too bad they dont sell a Swithcback @ 80#.

I'm not ready to sell it yet. I still practice with it.

Maybe they'll change the rules back to sanity before Sept????

Well keep me in mind, I was looking to purchase a bow in July. Who knows, maybe they will change the rules.

I had the same questions about the two bows last year.

Because I live in South Africa and I will be using the bow to hunt I decided that the Allegiance would be the bow for me, as I can later put heavier limbs on unto 100 lbs if needed I also enjoy shooting the Allegiance more than the Switchback.

With a 29 1/2 inch draw length a 433gr arrow and the bow at 70 lbs the arrow travels at 288 fps.

What is also great is that this setup is very accurate.

Gerhard

Like Don_G was saying the, the Allegiance is the bow to have if you are looking for high kinetic energy like we normally look for in Africa. If you use light arrows on this bow it will be a bit noisy. I shoot an Allegiance bow at 83# with a 525gr arrow at 270ft/sec and it is very quiet

Gerrit

I guess that one of the primary reasons that I see these Bowtech vs. Mathews threads on just about every forum is that they are two of the best lines of bows on the market today.

Have both a Switchback and a Patriot (my buddy shoots the Allegiance). Both are great bows -- very accurate, fast, forgiving. However, they have completely different feels and handling characteristics. What is really strange is the fact that when I hold the Switchback and the Patriot up right next to each other the riser and limbs are a mirror image of one another -- Go Figure!

Have used both very extensively at the range and in the field. IMHO the SB is a bit more forgiving and slightly smoother to shoot. However, from field experience, the PAT just seems a bit more rugged, very quiet, and faster to settle on target (probably just fits my field shooting style). My buddy's Allegiance is certainly faster, however, not as smooth as either.

Its great to have experience with both of these bows, and be able say that Mathews and Bowtech are both fantastic bows, with very different "feels." Have shot both for years and don't think that anyone could go wrong with either.

Also glad to know that I'm not alone on this site for making pilgramages to Africa -- Going this May to Dart a Rhino and round out some Plainsgame -- Then in 07, to take Buff, Hippo and Rhino. So far, it looks looks like I'll be buying a new Bowtech in 07. As has already been said, Mathews may be a bit smoother on the range (and maybe better for 3D) but when it comes to delivering KE for the big stuff, Bowtech will get my nod. (On the other hand, notice that when I'm in a Whitetail tree stand my SB ends up there with me very often).

My 2 cents.

I think the Black Max 2 compares favorably to the Allegiance. It is not a particularly forgiving bow to shoot, but then again none of the high KE bows are. At ~80lbs my BM throws an 800 grain arrow out at just over 230fps.

Well, I have decided to get a Tribute @ 80# when I get back from my temporary duty. As smooth as the switchback is, I really want to get an 80# bow. I can always ask for a SB for Xmas...

gixxer,
Ask again about my 80# Allegiance when you get ready to buy. I may have made up my mind by then!

Well you have time, I leave the country in May for 4 months.

That's about right, I'm due to go in Sept. Surely I'll know by August!

Don

Gixxer,

I fully agree with Don_G (Wo doesn't?).
I have a Conquest and a LX Mathews.
For Africa I bought a Bowtech allegiance 90#.

No doubt, the Mathews are smoother, more forgiving and IMO more accurate.
I like the Allegiance because of its quietness and of its real speediness.
Should Mathews have offered a 90# with a band at 7 or more, I'd have bought it.

I am back from CAR and didn't shoot any game with the bow, no luck and far too ill.


THE ALLEGIANCE




THE MATHEWS LX



I insist, none of them was shot with a bow. Bongo's pic is for Truglo, Eland's for No Peep company.

Jean,

Hope the illness is nothing serious!

Don

Jean Bernard,

That bongo is totally awesome! I sure hope he will be a full mount.

Jean,

What kind of quiver is that you are using -- looks interesting and lightweight.

thanks,

You are too kind.
I remain pessimist, I am supposed to be graduated in virology and the Chikungunya (or less sure dengue) is sort of worsenning. It's not lethal, that's good.

My cousin had luck and got a fine bongo. I am extremely pleased to have seen and touched a bongo. This animal put You in awe.
Luc will have it full mounted, his giant trophy hall will be completed in a couple of weeks.

I hunted with the Truglo sight. It broke the 12th day. The others rests were in a pouch that I let back in my car. The police in Paris was adamant about our leaving the airport front parking lot.
I let back my favourite book too, T. C. Boyle STORIES, Pengouin books. I recommand this book, the epitome being the "Big Game" story, a canned hunt in Texas. I am no outlaw, but I have trouble to resist publishing this story right now. I have to respect the copyright.

Back to the CAR : the quiver is a Truglo revolver quiver containing 5 arrows. A little cumbersome but tough and not too noisy. I'd have had rather a bowtech quiver, but I couldn't wait for 2 to 4 weeks to get it.

Truglo is very generous with a reporter friend, that's why I took pictures of my rig with the Bongo. It would be free ad for the sight and the quiver.

Good luck.