Did you guys see the low-line Mathews ?

I think that was a poor move on Mathews part... cheapens the whole line, but with a still hefty price tag. I agree, for $499-$599 there are a LOT of other bows I'd own first.

I think Parker is another great example here... They make some great bows, but no one really gives them as much respect as they deserve because some of their lower-end bows tarnished the reputation of the whole lineup.

I shot a Parker Hornet the same day I made the decision to pull the trigger on my 331, and it was a very nice bow. It's now Ross, but if there was no Ross, that's the bow I would have purchased.

I think Bowtech actually did a GOOD job of this type of thing with Diamond... It's not the "lesser Bowtech," but the single-cam division of that company. Those Diamond bows don't carry low price tags on the upper end models either, but they're definitely quality bows... Still no Ross, but what else is?

Mission ,Parker and other mid line bows

OK for someone to call a lower price bow a low end bow and say its a bad idea had better think for a minute.
If you dont have the cash for say a Switchback XT but can say get into archery with a lower cost bow with same company, same warranty, and same quality.
Now Ill get slammed saying that I like Mathews and if I sell my Parker Buck Hunter, oh wait thats a lower end Parker ,,,but wait whats this in my pocket from last year,,, the knocks I kept trashing with my low end Parker.
While someone will never own another brand X bow (brand X = add your own brand that you wont buy there) bashing the Brand X or the "second or entry level " line or the company that markets it is a little petty.
I shot many ,many bows and I for one was never super impressed with BT but the Diamond line wasnt that bad, but still never swayed my ownership of a Parker or my XT.
I have seen 3 of the Mission bows so far and the fit finish and performance are all there. and while a $200 to $300 less bow with the performance I saw is very impressive. OH and my dealer sold me my 70lb Switchback XT with black limbs for $639 and if I remember the XT used to be MSRP for $850. So I figure the Mission line will show up for a very reasonable price for the most part.
And as for the Mission line being in a box store, well if i hadnt had dealer all around ai would probably have bought from a box store. You have to figure everyone tries to upgrade on every bow change so if you buy a Mission then if you like it your gonna be moved to look at a higher end Mathews.
I have my Buck Hunter and if I ever get rid of it(and since Iam out of work it is for sale now)I will look at theParker line again.
Now as for the Bengal being a better bow, I like everything about the bow ,except the rubber grip which SUCKS.
I wrote Parker and got a wood grip for my Buck Hunter and that made a night and day difference in its shooting characteristics. It kind of like some people who love Mathews bows except for the grips, now i for one love my XTs grip. But thisis why there are so many different bow brands and models, so we have choices.
I dont knock Ross bows as I see them fitting in the market well, some like them some dont. If it was all I could get my hands on I would have one but since I had tthe time and money to look I got what fit me.
Like I say and always will shoot a lot of bows and get what fits YOU, be it $150 box bow or a $1200 Mathews Prestige fully decked out
JMHO, think before you poo poo an idea as you have to figure Matt had to have a good reason for setting up this line.
Lee Abel

I checked out the Mission while I was looking for my bow. It's not a bad little bow for the money. Mathews name is not anywhere on the bow however which to me is a negative thing. I shot the bow and it was okey but did'nt fit or impress me the way the 334 did. From what I personally thought while testing the various lines of bows before buying my Ross is that there are a lot of good bows out there that don't get the credit they deserve, and at the same time there are others . . . .while being quality machines are overly praised because of brand rep, amount of advertising.

At any rate, I hope I don't get "brand blind" about anything, whether it be bows, firearms, trucks, or whatever. I consider the amount of advertising of a product when I buy as I know that part of my purchase is going toward payment of that advertising. The 334 sold itself to me as I did'nt see them advertised as much nor did I know anyone that preached them to me. I was actually seriously considering a Darton when I found the last 06 Ross at the bow shop.