Elite Impulse 31

[Rainier10]

Let me start by saying I am a brand loyal Mathews guy.

Me and my buddy went bow shopping for him today and tried out three different bows.  Each of us shot them all multiple times and this is what we came up with.

First up was the Mathews Halon.  Felt decent in the hand, not too heavy but and the split limbs were heavier duty than I was expecting.  They were just a little smaller than some of the slim limb solid limbs of the past.  The draw was easy but felt spongie at the back wall.  Also just a little creep and the bow was ready to take off.  The shot was super quiet and felt dead in the hand, no noise and no hand shock.

Next up was the Elite Impulse 32.  It felt a little lighter in the hand but the grip was a little off.  It is a two piece wood grip on each side of the riser so it is not smooth all the way around the rising.  I have a focus grip on my current bow and maybe that is why this one felt odd to me.  This model has solid limbs.  We are spot and stalk hunters and the solid limbs just seem more durable for the punishment that we sometimes put to our bows.  Again the draw was easy on this one but it felt very solid all the way through the draw and the back wall was so solid I had never felt anything like it.  There also was no feeling that the bow was about to take off with any creep.  It almost felt like the bow was locked back into place.  The shot seemed to be a little louder and there was a little shock to the hand but very little.

The last bow that we tried was the Mathews No Cam.  This is the one that he went to the shop to buy. It is a split limb bow and the limbs were really small and thin.  Big red flag for the hunting that we do, not sure how they would hold up to an impact.  Draw was smooth and easy kind of a mix between the two previous bows.  The back wall was a little more solid than the Halon but not as solid as the Impulse.  Like the Halon any creep and the bow was taken off.  The shot was quiet but there was a little shock and the bow seemed to jump to the left a little.  When we mentioned it we were told about the cam lean on this model and shown a plastic sleeve on the cable where it gets close to the upper wheel.  I almost think this severe cam lean might be the cause of the jump to the left on the shot but don't know that for sure.

When all was said and done for him and the style of hunting we do he chose the Impulse 31.  I might be in the market for one before the season starts and i didn't ever think I would switch brands.

[Timberstalker]

Nice review. I've shot a few Elite's when they first came out, about 10 years ago and liked them. I should check them out again.

[ffbowhunter]

 
I am in the market and like you have always been a Mathews guy. I have heard a lot of good things about Elite bows.

[pianoman9701]

I am in the market and like you have always been a Mathews guy. I have heard a lot of good things about Elite bows.

I was blown away by the Matthews Zero Cam when I shot it at Archery World. What an incredible smooth bow with greatly minimized hand/arm shock. Quiet, too. I wish i could afford one or one of the new Hoyts.

[trophyhunt]

When I go full time archery, I'm buying an elite.  When you are at full draw it feels like you almost have to push it forward to release it.  You can hold it at full draw all day!

[Rainier10]

When I go full time archery, I'm buying an elite.  When you are at full draw it feels like you almost have to push it forward to release it.  You can hold it at full draw all day!

This is what I thought as well.  Almost like it locked into place.  The bow just "felt" solid to me from the start of the draw to the backwall.  The back wall was so solid I couldn't believe it. 

The "creep" thing was the other big one.  To get the speeds they are getting out of bows today it seems that the slightest move forward rolls the cam over so if you are adjusting your anchor you have to be really careful.  The impulse didn't have any issues with that, to let the bow up without shooting it did almost feel like you had to push it forward.

As for speed it had the same IBO rating as the other bows.  Right around 340 fps.

My buddy ran his through the chronograph when we got home.  70# draw, 26 1/2" draw length(I think he is related to Drock) and shooting a 435 grain arrow he was shooting 275fps.  Not bad for that heavy of an arrow and shorter draw length.

[trophyhunt]

When I go full time archery, I'm buying an elite.  When you are at full draw it feels like you almost have to push it forward to release it.  You can hold it at full draw all day!

This is what I thought as well.  Almost like it locked into place.  The bow just "felt" solid to me from the start of the draw to the backwall.  The back wall was so solid I couldn't believe it. 

The "creep" thing was the other big one.  To get the speeds they are getting out of bows today it seems that the slightest move forward rolls the cam over so if you are adjusting your anchor you have to be really careful.  The impulse didn't have any issues with that, to let the bow up without shooting it did almost feel like you had to push it forward.

As for speed it had the same IBO rating as the other bows.  Right around 340 fps.

My buddy ran his through the chronograph when we got home.  70# draw, 26 1/2" draw length(I think he is related to Drock) and shooting a 435 grain arrow he was shooting 275fps.  Not bad for that heavy of an arrow and shorter draw length.

yeah, not bad at all!  Good to hear, I'm a big fan of elite.

[Timberstalker]

26 1/2" draw length(I think he is related to Drock)

You pot stirrer!

[Rainier10]

26 1/2" draw length(I think he is related to Drock)

You pot stirrer!

I hope he knows I am just kidding.

Edit to get the word Hoyt in here, it's the only way Drock will know this thread exists.

[swashington2128]

I started out with Bowtech, went to Mathews and now own the Elite. Best shooter of the three. I love that I can hold full draw for so long and still get an accurate shot off. I'm sold on it. Not saying it is the best but it sure feels good to me.

[northwesthunter84]

Just ordered one yesterday. Can't wait to shoot it with everything set up.  Went with the 80# at 30" draw. Interested to see where the FMJ 300's finish off at speed wise. Anyone put some heavier arrows through a chrono yet?

[northwesthunter84]

Finally all the cards aligned and I received my bow yesterday.  Awesome would be an understatement.  I went with 80# limbs and it is only slightly more pull than my Z7.  So practical info, I am shooting a 571 +/- 1 gr arrow @ 82#'s and I am setting right at 280 fps through the chrono.  That is slightly faster than I thought it would be, so I was pleasantly surprised.  Its a really comfortable bow to shoot, the grip is a big change for me based on the large Mathews grip I have been shooting.  Hopefully today I will finish getting it sighted in.