I bought a Mathews Safari from a listmember.

The proper Zebra string and cable measured (as near as I could measure, using arrows for the posts):
string measured 97-9/16; nominal 97-11/16
cable measured 40-7/8, nominal 40-15/16

I expected they'd be right on the money when tensioned.

I had to take several twists in the string (8 if I remember correctly) to get the cam timed correctly after installing them.

With the cam timed correctly (and the cable installed as delivered since the axle-to-axle length given me by Mathews made no sense) I get an axle-to-axle measurement of 38-3/32 and a brace height of 6-15/16. The DW is 102 when maxed out with a DL of 29.5" for the SAF-BR cam. The DW is 71 when the screws are out 7 turns, and 86 when the screws are out 3.5 turns. The draw feels really nice at 71#, and pretty good at 86#. (It seems to stack up a bit at 86#, but I'll bet it's my muscles "stacking down!")

The bow shoots about as expected when tested at 71 and 86# (I cannot yet draw it maxed out.)
arrow 71# speed 86#speed 86#KE

400 288 314 87.6
586 237 262 89.3
703 220 241 90.7
781 210 231 92.6

Given all this information and behavior I have to conclude that the axle-to-axle of 39.5" and BH of 7.5" Mathews gave me are not actually for this bow. If I were a betting man I'd say the Axle-to-axle should be 38" and the brace height 7". It cannot be a coincidence that the string and cable of nominally proper length get so close to these round numbers. Since the DW and DL are correct I have to assume these are the right cable lengths for this bow.

I am pleased the bow acts well, but still puzzled by the apparent mis-information from Mathews. The serial number says this bow was a Safari made in June of 2000. (I'm told there was a Safari II made after 2003, but I have no info on it.)

Does any listmember have any information that could help me solve this puzzle?

Here is some additional info on the Safari that I received from Bob of Mathews:

Bob - I know that you have a special order Safari model with 70-100lb limbs. 1) Does this model have pivoting limb pockets so that the performance stays consistent regardless of draw weight? [Bob Jenkins] ############ yes it does, 2) What cam does this bow use?[Bob Jenkins] ############ it has it's own cam, a Safari cam, it's a 65% let off and it's a draw specific cam ( no adjustment ) 3) Is this simply an existing model with high performance limbs or is the riser and design unique? [Bob Jenkins] ######### it's a riser like no other we make, beefed up !!!! 4) What is the IBO speed on this bow? [Bob Jenkins] ############## 100# 30" draw with a 500 grain arrow it makes a IBO speed of 315 FPS which makes 110 FP of K.E. 5) Does this bow have the roller guide, string suppressors and vibration eliminating inserts in the riser?[Bob Jenkins] ############ the bow was the dampers in the riser but uses a cable rod and doesn't have the suppressors############## thanks###############

Also, I remember him telling me it was essentially a Q2 XL with a beefed up riser and limbs.

Hope this helps.

05tbh,

Thanks for the info. Like all Mathews bows, the IBO info is fairly "optimistic" - they won't actually shoot a 500 grain arrow that fast unless tweaked for a week with nothing on the string.

I think the bow will max out somewhere near 105 ft-lbs KE with a heavy (~800 grain) arrow. I say "think" because I can't pull more than 90# right now!

I have tried for info on both Mathews and archerytalk websites with no hard confirmation of the string lengths or A2A and BH.

One guy, working from memory said he remembered my numbers as correct. One problem is that there were actually two versions of the Safari (both marketed as simply Safari). One was based on the Q2 as you say.

Mine was the first Safari, not the Safari 2. (Which I think is the Q2 version.)

They did not make or sell many of these, so I think even Mathews has forgotten the true data.

Mine won't make the 39.5" A2A claimed by Mathews with the string off the cams!

Have you tried talking with Bob of Mathews? He may have the addt'l info you are seeking.

Also, I have heard rumors that they may be rolling out a new Safari series in January 06'- but this is only a rumor. However, it is due for some updates if it hopes to compete with some of the new Bowtech bows.

Todd

I have talked with a Mathews tech several times, consistent story: I have the right string length but my A2A is 1.5 inches short and my BH is 0.5 inches short. It's hard for me to believe the pull is right (100#) if the A2A and BH are off that far! Shoots pretty well, too.

Local Mathews dealer says my bow is a Safari, and looks properly set up to them.

You don't get to choose which tech to talk to.