The first things I noticed about the Mathews Ovation when I took it out of its shipping carton were the length and the weight. At 40" axle to axle, the bow is second only to the Conquest 3 as being the longest of Mathews bows. Likewise, the mass weight, a hefty 4.5 pounds, is the heaviest bow the company has to offer. These specifications, coupled with an 8 inch brace height, make this particular bow should be a shoe-in for accuracy and forgiveness.

I set up my Ovation with a Star Hunter rest, string loop, string peep, and three pin fiber optic sight. I tuned the bow to a set of 28 1/2 inch Carbon Express 250 arrows shooting 100 grain points which I thought would be perfect for my 50# @ 28" draw weight and length.

Given the fact that I have been shooting recurve bows exclusively for the past several years, I was anxious to see how the Ovation would compare in terms of quietness, smoothness of draw, and stability, as I regard these characteristics as among the most vital for success in the field.

After some tweaking of the nock point, rest, and the fiber optic pins on the bow sight, I could not believe the accuracy and stability of this bow. In little time I was shooting at distances from 10 to 30 yards with unbelievable consistency. Further, the bow is as smooth as silk to draw and deadly quiet upon release. While it may not be quite as smooth to draw as some of my recurves, it is as surprisingly quiet as any of them and more quiet than most!

In summary, the Mathews Ovation is an exceptional compound bow, excelling in virtually every category that makes a good hunting bow. It is quiet, smooth, quick, forgiving, and unbelievably accurate. The Ovation is another appreciable example of why Mathews has earned the reputation of being an industry leader. If you are looking for a bow that seems to possess all the qualities needed for success in the field and on the target range, look no further. The Mathews Ovation is it.