Let me ask you a question

[RangerClay]

Those of you here that know me, know that I am bowhunting newbie. So I have this problem. In 2007 I bought a Mission X3 for my first bow. Now after shooting it for 3 years was concidering an upgrade. After seeing the new Mission Voyager I really liked what I saw. It has many of the characteristics of a Switchback XT and some that are better. So I go to the Mission web page and do a retailer search. I then proceed to contact every dealer within 200 miles. Not one of them have the bow in stock. I got these responses, "We can order you one but I won't stock it" or "We don't stock it because for a few dollars more you can have a Mathews" or "I don't stock it but for $70 you can get a Mathews DR2" (yeah, like I want a stripped down Drenlin ).

It just baffles me why a company would make a bow that no dealer will offer. I sent an email to Mission but I have not heard back from them. I really don't want to order a bow that I have never held or shot. So here is my question, or should I say questions. How many of you have ever ordered a bow that you have never seen? Would you order a bow that you have never seen? What do you suggest that do? I would really like to try the Voyager. The Switchback was an all time great bow and if I can get one that is similar with the warantee that would be the cats pj's.

(Please give helpful advise. Don't tell me to go buy a Hoyt or something else)

[earnhardts12000]

that is weird y nobody has it in stock maybe just that great bow lol

[MUDRUNNER]

That's strange. The shop I go to stocks at least one bow of the whole line for people to shoot. They actually sell quite a few Mission bows.

[redkneck]

That's strange. The shop I go to stocks at least one bow of the whole line for people to shoot. They actually sell quite a few Mission bows.

I agree. Shop I use will order a bow if they don't have it in stock for you, except maybe for something odd, like a target bow or a left-handed one.

And yes, I would order a bow without shooting it if the price was right.

[Wobbly_Alaska]

my shop will order any bow also.. he is simply not large enough to beable to stock one of each so he gets a few demos and orders in from there.

i think a lot of the shops carry the more popular ones to bring folks in... then count on your impatience to order one of them rather then wait 6 weeks or there abouts to get the one you can afford...

[Diamond Archer 01]

I would never order a bow without me shooting it first. I like to go shoot the bow first and see how I like it and if I do like it then I will buy it.

[Turkeygirl]

My Hoyt Rintec XL - No one had it in stock, it had to be ordered. The closest I came to holding one was a Rintec - the bow shop owner's son's bow. I didn't shoot it, only held and drew it back but decided to get the Rintec XL ordered. So it worked for me. And being that you've shot a Mission already, I don't think you'd have too much of a problem....got the general feel of one...

[ruttinbuc]

Not many shops around here have more than a couple brands. There are rules they have to follow with how close dealers of certain bows are. The shop I used to go to couldn't sell Hoyt because the guy right across the river did. The same way for Mathews. It is expensive to stock these $1000 bows, but that is all they want to deal with it seems. Some dealers do have lesser lines of the same makers.

I got my Newberry through the mail sight unseen and could not be more satisfied with any bow or service. Shot like a dream right out of the box...Still does.

[arrow32]

Most small shops just carry the major ones as already said.

Anyway the last two bows I've bought I have bought without shooting or holding them and loved them both. You take a risk doing it but its paid off.lol Guess thats what happens when I order them right when your first able to.

[hutchies]

I have ordered a couple bows that I didn't hold before I bought them............normally target bows but nonetheless.

Don't worry about you fitting the bow..............make the bow fit you. I can shoot any bow with a little work.........Like mathews wood grips I hate. If I ordered one with that grip I would order a shrewd grip immediately

[stcif]

I bought my bow sight unseen and never even held that model in my hands. I had done some research on the bow I wanted which was a Diamond Black Ice. I shot one and liked it. Just out of my price range. I then found a Diamond Liberty on eBay which was basically one model below the Black Ice. The price was right so I bought it. There is a risk doing that obviously but I took it. I am happy with the Liberty. Worse case is you buy it and it isn't what you expected. You can always resell it but may lose a few bucks.

Good luck.

[dbHunterNY]

Yea Joe, I like to feel and shoot them first too. I'd order one if I got enough feedback, maybe. There's a shop close to here that carries Mathews and Mission. If I get a chance, I'll stop in and ask about it. Some of the guys I know there, I could probably get some good info from. Maybe they have one, who knows. I'll let you know how I make out.

[hutchies]

If it is anything like the Switchback XT you should love it.

[Chrud]

Joe,

I would not recommend buying a bow without seeing it, and definitely not without trying it. If you buy one and don't like it, you'll definitely lose money on the because no one will pay full price for a bow that, with one shot, it used.

As far as a comparable Mathews, there is nothing they've offered (spec wise) in the last couple years that really compares. The Reezen has the most similar look to it. The Voyager has what I would call a pretty standard brace height at 7". The 34" axle-to-axle measurement is longer than the Drenalin/DR2 (33"), Switchback/S2 (33"), and the Switchback XT (31").

Just looking at the Voyager, I think it would be a real shooter. It has the Harmonic Stabilizer, which is a nice feature. But, the bow is pretty heavy at almost 4-1/2 pounds bare weight. Also, the basic outline of the cam is pretty similar to the Reezen from 2009. The Reezen is a very nice bow, but I didn't buy one because the draw cycle was very stiff because of the high speed and extra-hard cam. I'd be a little concerned that the Voyager might have a little "tougher" draw cycle based on the cam design.

Comparing prices, and I know you mentioned it in your initial post, you might want to take a look at the DR2. I've shot each "flagship" bow Mathews has introduced since 2004. My top three bows, in order, have been the Z7, Drenalin and Switchback. You don't get the String Grub with the DR2, but you could get the Harmonic Stabilizer aftermarket. You also get the SphereLock, Limb Turret and SE3 Slim Limbs with the DR2. Yes, it is a "stripped down" version of the Drenalin, but I would expect a nearly identical draw cycle and shot.

I'm not trying to sell you the DR2, or steer you away from the Voyager. But since you are having a hard time finding a dealer that stocks the Voyager, I'm suggesting you take a look at the DR2 and see what you think.

[Muleyman]

If it were me, I dont think I would buy a bow without shooting it. It may look like a great bow but you could get it and shoot it and it may be not smooth at all or something like that. But if it were me I wouldnt buy it without shooting it.

[dbHunterNY]

I called Havoc Archery here in Albany, NY and they've got the Voyager with 70lb limbs; two right handed and one left handed.

[dbHunterNY]

As others have said you won't be the one shooting it, but I could give you somewhat of a review with comparisons to other Mathews bows that you could probably get your hands on. I know you're a Mission man so I'm throwing it out there.

[12-point]

choosing a bow is like finding a good woman. You cant judge on appearance even though that helps your decision sometime and you want to take her out on a date and see if your compatible. Same with the bow you like the looks but the looks doesnt mean it fits you or that it shoots great. Also you wanna try it out it may not fit your style of hunting you may want a small bow to manuver or a longer axle to axle for the forgiveness. Many things come into play and it sounds like you have a sorry dealer its not like there stuck with the bow when they get it in. Bc a dealer has the right to try a new product and a company will send it just to get there business.