Bow Review: 2022 Mathews V3X

Following the success of the V3, Mathews has launched the V3X for 2022 — a bow that offers an even greater overall shooting experience.

November 16, 2021 By Jon E. Silks

What do you get when you combine one of the most popular bows ever with a series of integrated accessories, two new axle-to-axle lengths and a simple device to make quick, on-the-spot repairs? It’s the 2022 Mathews V3X System! You would be hard pressed to find another bow and dedicated accessory package this close to a single, unified unit when shot.

The V3X System includes two new-for-2022 V3X bows along with three, all-new accessories in the riser-integrated Bridge-Lock Sight, custom-built LowPro Quivers and Mathews’ new Stay Afield System (S.A.S.) that allows for in-the-field replacement of bowstring and cables.

As for the bows, the V3X is offered in 29- and 33-inch axle-to-axle models featuring a built-in Integrate Rest mount, Centerguard Cable Containment System, Engage Grip, Nano 740 3D Damping Harmonic Dampener, Crosscentric Cam with SwitchWeight Technology and the highest riser-length to axle-to-axle-length ratio of any bow ever built by Mathews.

Bringing it All Together

After years of focusing design and engineering on improving accuracy, maximizing efficiency, controlling vibration and improving the overall shooting experience, the Mathews team set out to take the result of all that effort — the 2021 V3 — and raise the bar by making the most complete, integrated bowhunting rig on the market in the 2022 V3X.

With Bridge-Lock Sight Technology on the 2022 V3X, there is no longer a need for an external sight bracket.

At the heart of the purpose-built accessory line is Bridge-Lock Sight Technology. Mathews put its Bridge Riser to work and designed a sight-mounting system that allows a dovetail sight to be mounted directly through the riser structure. This eliminates the need for an external sight bracket, thereby allowing a more streamlined and centered sight attachment that minimizes the bow’s profile, improves overall balance and is advertised to reduce felt vibration after the shot. Many dovetail sights from popular brands such as Spot Hogg, HHA and Axcel will fit the Bridge-Lock mount. Mathews also partnered with Axcel to create an exclusive BL Fixed 5-Pin Sight ($349.99) that features micro-adjust windage, elevation and individual pin position, along with first-, second- and third-axis adjustments and a lightweight, high-modulus carbon dovetail mounting bar.

Second, Mathews custom engineered a pair of new LowPro Quivers, with both the fixed, 6-arrow version ($199.99) and removable, 5-arrow model ($249.99) specifically designed to fit the V3X geometry like a glove. The fit between the quivers and riser is so tight you may question if they will actually clear the limbs at full draw. They do, though not by much though! By eliminating outside mounting brackets for both the sight and rest, the LowPro Quivers are able to sit 56 percent closer to the riser than conventional quivers, dramatically improving overall balance and reducing vibration.

Mathews' new LowPro Quivers are designed to be tight to the riser. And by tight, we mean really tight — 56 percent closer to the riser than conventional quivers — for better balance and reduced vibration.

Last, but certainly not least, on the list of new-for-2022 accessories is the Mathews Stay Afield System ($39.99). Cams are specifically designed to include tabs, two on each cam, where the flo-orange servicing cable attaches. This simple but effective system allows the bowhunter to safely remove, service or repair the bowstring or cables on the spot, in the field, with no need of a bow press. The Servicing Cable can be placed in your pack with no noticeable weight added or space taken. It is a no-brainer for those backcountry bowhunters who spend the time and effort to get miles off the beaten path in a quest for their trophy. It could literally save your hunt!

All Things Riser

The V3X is the second generation of Mathews’ popular V3 bow platform. Thirty years of design, engineering, manufacturing and testing have culminated with the V3X. It starts with an Extended 6-Bridge Riser that features six cross holes (bridges) that pass through the riser in the direction of the shooting plane. This bridging creates strength while also reducing mass weight. Another notable structural design is found in the riser’s length as compared to the axle-to-axle length. Its almost all riser! Company testing has pointed to the riser length, not the axle-to-axle length, as most critical to creating stability. These bows are said to possess the stability and balance comparable to bows several inches longer in axle-to-axle length. The bridging machined into the riser makes it an ideal platform for the new Bridge-Lock Site Technology. A dovetail mount machined directly into the riser behind the shelf area serves to interface with Integrate Rest Technology that fits right into the Company’s focus on alignment, integration and balance.

Introduced on the original V3, Mathews’ Centerguard Cable Containment System angles down from above the rest mount and places the rollers directly in line with the Berger Button and in the center of the bow. This positioning equalizes the cable angle coming off the top and bottom cams and causes the cam mods to hit the cables at the same time for perfect timing with added vane clearance.

3D Damping Technology, based on complex computer modeling, is designed to reduce vibration in three axes from the point of the grip. Mathews’ testing showed that maximizing the distance of their Harmonic Stabilizer from the grip in all three axes produce the best results. The V3X Series features the Nano 740 Harmonic Damper specifically designed to quell post-shot vibration and noise. The extended position of the damper also adds balance at full draw.

The V3X is outfitted with the Engage grip, designed to offer more thumb clearance and also features a textured rear surface and optional side plates for a thinner grip. The Engage encourages a neutral wrist position.

Power Generation

Mathews powers the new V3X with the Crosscentric Cam that combines a circular half for a smooth draw and enhanced tunability with the aggressively shaped second half that brings the speed. Advanced Vectoring System (AVS) Technology mounts two discs offset to the axle, forcing them to rotate non-concentrically, thereby shifting the force vector. It stores energy on the front end and increases letoff on the back end. Cam modules for the V3X are draw-length specific and are offered in peak draw weights of 60, 65, 70 and 75 pounds through the unique SwitchWeight Technology, along with adjustable letoff of either 80 or 85 percent. The system can be custom tuned through the Mathews Tophat shim system that works in conjunction with the Zero-T (zero tolerance) axles to move the cam to one side or the other based on your arrow flight. IBO ratings for the V3X 29 reach up to 340 fps on a 6-inch brace height, while the V3X 33 registers speeds up to 336 fps on a 6.5-inch brace height. All new to the system for 2022 is a set of tabs, two on each cam, where the S.A.S. servicing cable attaches for in-the-field repair or replacement of string and cables.

The Crosscentric Cam powers the new V3X. A set of tabs is present this year, two on each cam, so you can now repair or replace your strings and cable from anywhere.

Limbs and limb pockets were designed to work with the extended-length riser configuration. The pre-loaded limbs are made with industry-standard Gordon Composites materials and were made lighter and tougher while having even more pre-load applied for maximum energy storage. Pockets, likewise, were designed to be lighter and smaller. Mathews’ Silent Connect System (SCS) is attached directly to the pockets and provides a unique and silent attachment fixture for their proprietary bow rope and bow sling.

At the Range

Since the 2022 Mathews V3X is all about the complete package, I took it to the range loaded with the Axcel Bridge-Lock sight, LowPro fixed quiver, QAD Integrate rest and a few Easton FMJ arrows. Mathews certainly put all its considerable resources into this rig — design, engineering and manufacturing all stepped up and knocked it out of the park!

On top of all the qualities that made the V3 so good last year, such as nearly zero shock and vibration, impressive quietness, a smooth draw and performance numbers to be proud of, Mathews has now gone and extended all those qualities to the entire setup. When rigged with the optional, built-for-this bow accessories, the V3X is even better than it is on its own, maintaining all of the previous qualities while also unifying, integrating and tightening up the fit and function of the whole rig for better alignment, balance and an even greater overall shooting experience.