Tested some Excals today

[Excaliburdrool]

Hello all. I tested some crossbows today. The last only one I tested before these was the Exomax a few years back. I figured I would share my opinions.

First off, I noticed that the matrix line was significantly more compact than the older models. The matrix I tested was the 330 which I have been eyeing. I tested these at a Cabelas. The employee assisting me was great. The only complaint I have is that the rope cocker they have is not adjusted correctly. It is way too long so you can't pull back on the string to hook the second cocker hook. This results in a higher pull height so you don't really get the best cocking stress test. That being said, I absolutely loved the 330. It was very easy to cock. I would see no issue with the average man shooting 30 to 40 shots in a row. And with having to stop to retrieve bolts, resting while retrieving, I would say you could shoot all day. Maybe 6o to 80 shots. That said, I am 5' 10'', 200 lbs in decent shape. I don't lift weights but I do farm so take that for what it's worth.

Next I shot the 355 micro. I wanted to shoot the 335 and 315 but they didn't have any. Those are the two micros I am looking at. So the amazing difference between the old Exomax and the Matrix was the same difference again between the Matrix and the Micro. Now again the rope cocker I used was way too long so my lift was way higher than it should be, but the effort cocking the 355 was significant. Under my conditions at Cabelas with the long rope cocker and all, I figure I could maybe shoot that thing about 10 times before it would not be fun anymore. I will say that the Micro looked freekin sweet! Very compact and accurate as hell. I fired two bolts from each bow and each two pairs of bolts were touching each other at about 30 feet. Nothing to brag about. I am just pointing that out if anyone is wondering about accuracy.

I was really on the fence about going with a Matrix or Micro model. I want the Matrix 330 for the reliability/ ease of cocking for extended shooting and the Micro for it's size and balance. I am hoping that I can have the reliability and ease of cocking in a lighter Micro so I must, must, must, test the 335 and 315.
If I have to go with the 315 ,I will be fine with that. I figure anything above 300 fps will be plenty to hunt anything in North America. Also, the Micro was noticeably quieter than the Matrix. Kind of a shorted thud vs a longer twang with the Matrix. Holding the two side by side and envisioning the bow slung on my shoulder, making my way through the Texas brush, I am really leaning towards a lower weight Micro. I know I haven't tested the lighter models yet but does anyone have any thoughts between the Matrix and Micro in the weigh range I'm looking at.

I plan on test the Micro 335 and 315 in the next few weeks and will post my opinions of those.

For anyone that hasn't held one of these new beauties, Matrix or Micro, don't do it unless you have the money to buy a bow cuz now I want one so bad I can't stand it and I don't have the money to buy one. I'm in a bad situation now.

I hope my review will help others decide if they are wanting one. If anything, I would suggest you shoot one for yourself. Cabelas and Bass Pros are great places. It's free and you are under no obligation to buy a bow. An Excal is a lot of money to purchase so try a few out. Take care.

[Excaliburdrool]

Regarding noise, the 355 had REDS installed and the 330 did not. I bet that was the difference in sound. Sorry, don't want to give out bad info. If anyone would like me to note a certain detail when I test the Micro 335 and 315, please let me know. Actually any Excal bow for that matter. I'll test a specific model and post if requested. Sorry but I won't waist my valuable time on any of those compound X Bows pieces of junk. Only real xbows........that would be Excaliburs.

[Arrowflinger]

If money is the issue ( which for most workin folks it is ) check out the matrix 350 LE You can get one from Al Flahertys ,and other places and with US to Canadien exchange rate for under $550.Got me one earlier this year and love it. Also demoed 330 and 350 is only a little harder to pull back. Just sayin.

[janesy]

Template tackle box has it on sale right now for 599 canuckbux.
That's like what 30 dollars US these days lol

[Excaliburdrool]

Thanks for the advice. I sure love the size of the micro but at that price it is tempting. Still can't afford it right now but diffidently getting an idea of what would work for me. I wish Excalibur would let you choose the trim levels for your x bow. They make the heaviest weight bows available with the good stuff and only put crap on the light stuff. Not everyone wants a 280 lb draw. But people do want things like Tact Zone scopes and REDS and Cheek Pieces. That marketing makes no sense to me. That's my only gripe and it makes getting into a bow even harder. It will end up costing me more money to get the bow I want set up the same way I heavier pound pow is set up. Excalibur, are you reading this?

[robertyb]

If money is the issue ( which for most workin folks it is ) check out the matrix 350 LE You can get one from Al Flahertys ,and other places and with US to Canadien exchange rate for under $550.Got me one earlier this year and love it. Also demoed 330 and 350 is only a little harder to pull back. Just sayin.

I am hunting with my 350 right now. Love it...
They have had them on eBay lately for $550 shipped.

[paulaboutform]

Keep an eye on the trading post section of this forum. Some great deals come up here as well.

Paul

[BrotherRon]

Woody's offers a "Build Your Own Excalibur" option... you can pick what you want and don't want on your new excalibur.

[acreek]

I think Micros demonstrate less noise and vibration than the Matrix line even when the REDS is in place. I think it has to do with the Micro's shorter length limbs and string than it does with improperly sized bumpers. Excalibur's bumpers should be roughly 3/8" longer to offer their full potential benefit. DrStirrup's dB bumpers seem about right.

[SEW]

Maybe there is a significant difference weight-wise between the Micro and Matrix, but it didn't jump out to me. The 350SE seems like an excellent value.

[Rather-B-Huntin]

In several tests between my Micro 355 and Micro 335, I'm finding an average velocity gain of five fps with the 355. Not sure it's worth the extra $$$ just to get the TactZone scope.
My Dad is shooting the 350LE. I'm quite impressed with it. In chrono tests, it's getting 24 fps more than my Micro 355 with the same arrow.

[Excaliburdrool]

Thanks BrotherRon. I'll check that site out and build one. You may have just saved me some money.

Rather-Be-Huntin, that's interesting. 5 fps is also not worth the extra draw weight as well. I went to Bass Pro today. All they had was a Micro 335. I wasn't able to shoot it because the range was closed but the salesman let me draw it back to just before passing the anti dry fire. This time the rope cocker was adjusted for the bow so I had to pull bow string back a little to get the rope cocker hooked. I don't know if it was the rope cocker, the weight difference between the 335 and 355 or both, but the 335 was noticeably easier to cock than the 355 I shot the other day. It would have been easier had I been allowed to just do a good solid quick pull and fully cock the bow instead of the careful, slow pull and having to stop before the anti dry fire. despite that, it seemed like I could have shot this thing all day at the 335 weight. I think I found my second wife. I'm gonna go back and shoot it when I can use the range. The 315 still has my interest but it sure would be nice to get into that 330-335 speed range and still have an easy cocking bow. That extra speed may give me some wiggle room for whiskers and other things to quiet down the bow. All though the Micro seemed very quiet. Ok, the whiskers on a Boo string just look cool to me. What can I say.

[Excaliburdrool]

Paulaboutform, I haven't checked out the trading post section. Didn't know it existed. I'll have to try and navigate to that. Thanks for your advice. Thank you everyone. It's really great to have so many people that don't even know me lend their time to help a brother out. Thank you everyone.

[amythntr]

Paulaboutform, I haven't checked out the trading post section. Didn't know it existed. I'll have to try and navigate to that. Thanks for your advice. Thank you everyone. It's really great to have so many people that don't even know me lend their time to help a brother out. Thank you everyone.

just click "board index" and then click "trading post"....easy peasy!

Anthony

[wildcatter]

I've had em all, except the 355 micro and will tell ya the 380 Matrix is my favorite,,, but the 350 with reds and Guardian is very close to the perfect bow in my eyes! If I added another recurve to my arsenal it would definitely be a 330 Matrix!!! sweet bow!

I expect my bows to shoot aspirin at 30 yards and dimes at 50 yards,,, the 330 Matrix is the easiest to do that with with the 350 nearly as easy,, the 380 will require a little more discretion in arrows to do it! The 405 Matrix, and the 335 Micro was even more picky about stiff quality matched arrows to do it!

I have proven no matter how I set em up Executioners can't shoot as good in the Micro or 380 Matrix, no matter how well I try and set em up the 330 and 350 Matrix will outshoot em using the same arrows! The 380 and the Micro,,,, as well as the 2 405's I had have proven to shoot as good, but they will not with Executioners, I had to go to Spynal Tapps, to get them to shoot as well. And they did!

My point is if you like ease of tuning their is an obvious easier task of getting the 330 and 350 Matrix to shoot as good as any of the other Excalibur's, and guessing the 355 would fall in with these two,, but the Micros and the heavier draw 380's and 405's will require more work and better components to get the same job done!! Just food fer thaught!