I have shot the Athens Axxis 35. I was able to go up 10lbs on my draw weight. It was so smooth! Not to mention made in the USA, and I believe they have a lifetime transferable warranty!!

I've been wanting to see this because of the tuning system and how similar it seems to Bowtech. Making cam tuning easier needs to be a goal for the whole industry in my opinion.

Happy to see you worked out a deal with Athens. They are a very nice bow and a great company to deal with (in my opinion). Nice review

The constant hate is crazy you get for doing the people a service and reviewing new bows 😂 I for one appreciate these reviews MFJJ, happy new year!

@skoolynugenator1802

6 ай бұрын

It seems like it’s mostly Mathew’s haters.

I am so excited, i have been waiting for an athens bow review from you for a long time

@dustinsilva8016

6 ай бұрын

You’re not alone

Josh! I got my Pack n Go press and LCA draw board down here in Arcadia CA. I just wanna say I’m so happy I decided to buy through you. You and your guys handled my order so quickly and professionally and made sure I got exactly what I needed within a few days even after having to cancel an initial order. Awesome experience and I really and truly appreciate the military discount and tax included in your prices! I followed your advice and got the pack n go press and I’m super happy I did that. Thank you again and keep up the great work! We appreciate you so much

R.I.P Athens.. you will be missed!!!

I used to shoot for Athens a few years back and they are a phenomenal bow company. The last bow I owned was the Athens Revelation and it was a sweet zippy bow,accurate,quiet and dead in the hand with a smooth draw cycle with a solid back wall. If people haven’t shot one they really need to.

Great looking bow. Tuning system is pretty cool. Love the videos.

Great job Athens! They bring a tuning system like this to the market while the other big manufacturing companies keep the same old shim systems in place. Seems to me, Athens is actually thinking about the end user. Athens fit and finish is second to none in the industry.

Interaction is good! Glad you integrated different arrow weights !

I wish them the best🎉 Happy New Year!

Ignore all the hate. I have never owned nor shot an Athens bow but I appreciate you taking your time to review it.

You should get them on your podcast. They seem like really nice bows! It's nice to see the smaller brands get some exposure

Sheeesh… some tough ones in the crowd for this review 😂. Maybe they are working to hard to keep you honest🤪. Thanks for taking the time to get the bow and conducting the review, I really appreciate it. I heard your podcast(s) with Tim C, and your initial experience with Athens. That actually intrigued me to check them out. I ended up finding a dealer near me and I tested out the 31 and the 33. I ordered my Axxis 33 a few weeks ago. I had similar opinions for both - the draw cycle felt great for me and their tuning solution(s) overall are really awesome. Something to add - these come with GAS Strings which is an additional benefit that helped me justify the cost of the bow ( I would have changed the strings if they weren’t something quality, like GAS). Additionally, in comparison to my Lift experience so far, I had to buy the top hat kit (50$) to correct the brutal cam lean that the Lift comes with out-of the box. Unfortunately mathews doesn’t include the top hats with the bow purchase. Again emphasizing, the value of this bow’s solution that will come integrated as part of the package. Maybe that is something Mathews could do in the future - at least include the top hats with the purchase of the bow (not complaining, just suggesting). Again. - thanks for all that you do with the reviews and podcasts! really appreciate it! Looking forward to 2024 with my setups! BTW, I purchased my bow press from your shop… Best price around. Thanks!

The Vista is my favorite all time bow so far. Can’t wait for the review of the axxis

I shoot a vista 33 and 35 and agree with you on the reflex and brace height. I love that they’re trying to innovate. Had the money for an axxis but will wait to see what their next year products bring.

Yeah buddy! Thank the good lord! Late Christmas present and a happy new year!

Thank you for the review MFJJ!!! Athens IS a great bow company. I know you will create a great friendship with Jim and Tracie at Athens. Athens customer service is second to none! Hope to see more reviews on the rest of their line up. Happy New year!!!!

@dustinsilva8016

6 ай бұрын

That’s their biggest selling point. I’m rooting for Athens

My Bowtech Solution SD's axle was evidently not hardened. The hex key adjustment stripped out way to easily. I may have adjusted it with the lock screw being tightened, but I didn't. Either way after a $180 dollar replacement I was shooting again. And then traded that bow off. Plus I have seen several Bowtechs with same problem on ebay. I no longer own a Bowtech because if this even though I'm drawn to their bows. Harden the axles Bowtech and move to Torx wrenches. The Athens system seems to employ a larger adjustment hex wrench, I'm interested. As always, your videos are outstanding. You are an invaluable resource. Thanks.

Thanks for this review. I pay extra attention when you draw a bow to see how smooth it appears and how much it dumps into the valley. This one appears to be one of the best yet not much was said. Appreciate that you measure and share the reflex. I always deduct the reflex from the brace height to get an idea on forgiveness. Thx

@michaelschnitzer4054

6 ай бұрын

I try to pay attention to how the bow reacts to rolling into the stops. Some do a whicked side to side movement some almost none. I don’t remember which does what and I didn’t pay attention to this one so I’ll have to rewatch. But a lot can be said watching someone pull the bow even compared to their thoughts. I have never shot an Athens but like any bow junky I’d love to. The cycle did look smooth too.

Literally been waiting for this one. Deciding which shop to visit as one sells Athens and another doesnt.

I feel like this now could bring a lot of ppl over to Athens if it were $999 or $1099. Pricing it right next to the big boys is going to make a lot of ppl not make the jump. And it’s important to say, I know absolutely nothing 😂 just my thought. Other than that, awesome bow. I love the specs

@BassWhoopinFishingTeam

4 ай бұрын

Made the jump from Hoyt to Athens this year.

Let’s go! I’m ready for this one

I got my axxis 31 already very impressive bow!

Glad to see you got your hands on a athens. I shot a couple of them, pretty cool bows.

Would like to see a video of set up and tuning using this new system if you have time and desire! As well as maybe an updated review over time

Good review MFJJ. I've been a dealer for them for 5 years now. I feel Athens will give a good run to any of them out there. They just are not as well known. In my opinion, they are not a barn burner on speed, but fast enough to get the job done. The draw cycle is really smooth like you said. I do reviews on them as well and try to give e as much legit info as I can. Can I ask ya what is the vibration recording device you used? I'd like to Incorporate that in my future videos. I feel you give some of the most legit information out there. Keep up the good work!!

Great job as usual

I’m looking forward to this one !

I’ve been hoping to see this one, this is the both I might get if the review goes well. There tuning and specs are right where I love it. As a NY’er I’ll be routing for them lol

I’ve been shooting Athens for years the RTX cam system is super smooth and the customer service is top notch

Thank you for giving what feels a good review. I would like to see what the speed is at a different let-off that can be changed easily. You did give speed to the lift for the let-off difference. The vibration numbers did seem lower than the lift.

Made the jump from Hoyt to Athens this year! I pick up my new Elevate tomorrow! Also bought a used Vista 33 for a steal as well. Smoothest drawing bows on the market IMO. Effortless draw cycle

Love your reviews and get excited to get the specs from you. Have to be honest I can tell at the start of the video if it will be a bow you like or not by the level of excitement in you voice. You give the reflex bad scores on this yet better then the hour that got a better reflex score is that based on opinion or a measurement?

When I was looking for a bow couple years ago I looked at the Athens Vista 31 and the Bowtech Solution. Although I thought the Vista was a better "feeling" bow, the Bowtech has the Dead lock and the ability to tune without having to take it to the shop or to buy a press. So the Solution won. I went to a local dealer about a week ago and shot the Axxis in both 31 and 33. Very impressed. I am going to a BT dealer and see how the Core SS (31in) and the SS34 (34in) feel. Unfortunately Not even Lancaster Archery ( 1hour away) has both BT and Athens in the same shop to side by side. Will say, the Athens with Accu-tune system will be hard to beat. Just shot extremely well for me.

Praise the lord, i have been waiting for an athens review from my man.....hope he gets his hands on the vista and elevate too.

Good review I've never even seen a Athens bow in my area.

Been wanting to see this, nice job! Also wondering how the fitness workouts are going with @Elkshape? Have you kept up with your fitness goals?

I can't wait till the final video of when all the statistics are put in and we can see which bow is the lowest vibration, the highest and all that. I hope you do make that video with some kind of graph maybe

Well done, sir.

For me the speed decrease is worth the brace height. I’ve been leaning into draw cycle more and more

@skoolynugenator1802

6 ай бұрын

I haven’t shot it yet but I would look at an Elite Ethos as well. 6.75 inch brace height and really good speed. I have an 8 year old Elite and it’s such a smooth drawing bow. I’m in the Market for a new bow this season and plan on shooting the Ethos, Lift, Alpha X, Mach 30 and Core SS. Such a great year to upgrade.

@Angel.Custodio

6 ай бұрын

@@skoolynugenator1802 the accutune got me thinking about Athens, but Elite is tried and true. I wish someone would do a bow comparison with the Ethos and the Axxis 33 around 28 inches to see how the speeds hold up

Awesome review as usual. Any chance your going to see the Xpedition XLite in the work shop for a review? I'm really interested in these bows.

I currently shoot a Vista 35 and 33 and love them both. I have a veil 38 on order now. Would love to see you do a review on it too.

Athens also has a transferable warranty, I really like what they are doing, I like it when the smaller businesses do well, the competition does help the industry. Also with today’s bows the shorter brace height isn’t nearly as critical as it was ten plus years ago, I think the low scores for brace height on MJ’s reviews should be based on whether it’s any less forgiving than other 33” bows, without the ability to do so I think it would warrant being a little less critical regarding brace height. Otherwise, I really like the comparison’s to help weed through the manufacturers marketing hoopla.

It’s nice to see a new company being featured here! Thanks MFJJ and Athens archery! Is there ANY possibility of getting an APA archery “black mamba pro” for 2024???

Now that this new bow is on the discount channel, lets check it out. LOL - glad the cam timing was not an issue for the company! Joking...

Curious if like some other manufacturers module draw length and ibo speed is measured at lowest letoff. Considering they market it as "up to 330fps" I'd guess this is the case. I'd like to see manufacturers mention this in advertising as if you want %90 letoff on this bow I'd reckon your draw length is going to be close to 1/2" long compared to the mod setting. I would tend to agree they can likely get 5-8fps more and still probably .25-.5" less reflex but the bow would probably gain a few ounces. I'd like to see a new riser from them next year to shave some weight to afford that speed and reflex upgrade. As for the price, coming factory with GAS strings, being made in America, and having a transferrable warranty coming out of a "small" manufacturer the price is fair IMO. Innovation comes at a higher price for smaller manufacturers, i applaud them for finding a way to step up with the big boys with a respectable option. Reminds me of Prime a few years back just without the extra cables.

I bought a elevate great bow

Can you better explain the correlation between the brace height and reflex. Thanks M

Some APA reviews would be awesome.

Absolutely loved my vista till I sold it and lost over 50% of retail. The used market is a great place to buy and try one. If resale was better I’d shoot one without a doubt!

@jakebowden4325

6 ай бұрын

So you will shoot something you do t like because it has a better resale? That makes sense

@Kjklump

6 ай бұрын

If he's the type that shoots the new flagship bow every year then it makes a little more sense. And I have meet quite a few people that do that, some every other. Personally I hold on to mine for a while.​@@jakebowden4325

@MCash7709

6 ай бұрын

Absolutely some of the best bows available. However, it’s hard to even dump these at 50% because so few people have first hand experience with them. I’m trying to sell my elevate now to get an Axxis 35 and I can’t even move it at 50% right now.

@zachlambert8219

6 ай бұрын

I buy a new bow every year and when they all shoot so good and I’ve won with many different brands it’s nice to be able to get some money out to put into a new one. They need staff shooters to raise awareness and get there name out!

@jakebowden4325

6 ай бұрын

I understand what you are saying. I shoot a prime it’s the same deal. I believe if people would give something other then a Mathews a go they would realize how good other bows are that are out there. I was young once and thought different about what I shoot. Creeping up on 40 now I wanna keep my shoulders in good shape a smooth draw is what I’m liking these days. Speed do t kill deer.

Just shot the bow today very interested to see if we have a similar opinion of the bow.

Josh, are you still planning on doing a video about speed testing lower draw weight bows?

Id like to see you say what the companies are offering in way of warranty on the bows

Yoy have to like the RT-X cam smooth and forgiving. What about the Accu-Tune system ?

Cool tuning system, rest of it is decent, not much new or to make it standout. The vibration was interesting.

Dont think it was mentioned ,but they come with GAS strings .

@cliffgardner6714

6 ай бұрын

Super valid point!

@davidrieck3874

6 ай бұрын

Lifetime transferable warranty as well

@jessethomas4740

6 ай бұрын

@@davidrieck3874 Great Point!

I don't know if you can but can you check Expedition bows

Can you do a review on the black mamba pro!?

You’ve mentioned on previous bows that they’re “dead in the hand” and “vibration” on this one, but yet I haven’t seen any of all the bows you’ve reviewed, be as low as this one with your vibration device? 6.8!!!! The lowest Ive seen has been on the 9’s.

Darton 31 and 33 Consequence

Will you have a video on using the accutune system sir ?

@dustinsilva8016

6 ай бұрын

Please

Something relevant to the review is that Athens bows come with Gas strings.

Great bow from Athens! Love the 7" brace hight and the grip is freaking great. Really surprised you gave it a 3. I love peak 38. I can't wait to get a Axxis 35

You feel vibration yet it produced some of the lowest numbers? Lower than Hoyt and Mathews which reported absolutely dead, and they are, but show higher numbers

Where is your shop at what state

I have a feeling that pretty much everything will be good/great except for speed.

I had a Revelation and hated it. My fault though, I picked a speed bow and then didn’t like the aggressive draw cycle. It was a good bow apart from that

I paid $1577 Canadian for mine from dealer

As an Athens dealer, I respect the numbers you gave the bow. I don't agree with them, but now that you will be selling them, you'll see what I'm talking about. Tuned and sighted Axxis 35 yesterday with 3 shots.

Can we get a cabin tour.

Your 7.28 vibration number was hit when u drew it - please have someone reset the measurement device AFTER you draw!

Sadly, alledgedly, Athens closed doors now because of patent infringement. While they are certain that it didn't. It's kinda David vs Goliath, sadly. I liked what they were doing.

Athens is looking interesting these days. I think they are on the right track... and their competitor being bowtech seems to be going down a strange path. Dropping tim gillingham and kyle douglas out of the blue was just insane. They had the 3 most winning archers in the pro circuit... Other companies had to sponsor 10 times the amount of people to get the same podium time that those 3 got for bowtech... The big wigs at bowtech need a reality check. There is a reason why mathews is such a force to reckon with and part of that is because they take care of their shooters very well. They celebrate wins and are happy to pay their shooters... Seems like if you shoot for bowtech and win like crazy, help them design outstanding bows, and represent their brand well.... its grounds to be dropped. I hear that Tim gillingham is now with mathews.... go figure. I was on the verge of getting a bowtech , but I do not like the path they are taking now with this new tool bag of a marketing manager.... There are plenty of amazing bows being made by companies that support their shooters..... Cant wait to see what Athens has in store over the next few years.

Make sure you give it the same leniency as you did the Matthews

@chrisutech3676

6 ай бұрын

Unlikely

@jbroutson17

6 ай бұрын

And …. Did not at all haha. Not a good look for credibility.

@vfonte218

6 ай бұрын

You fan boys crack me up​@jbroutson17

@KTMsoldier1988

6 ай бұрын

Shot it at 90% let off and he marked it bad on speed.

@Thedudeabides803

6 ай бұрын

Akin to comparing a Bugatti to a Kia.

It’s funny watching the Athens guys lose there minds in the comments

@MikeyWoomer

6 ай бұрын

Im a Athens guy. Though it was a good video.

@WolfinWolvesClothing713

3 ай бұрын

Yea, I don't see any of that....

Little did we know that this bow would be the end of Athens.

How does it compare to a Dragon X8???

@WolfinWolvesClothing713

3 ай бұрын

😂

I just read they are closing their doors due to a lawsuit.

Price is a bit steep and resale isnt that great, but maybe some attention and you becoming a dealer will help that some. The ones I've seen are second to none in build quality. I haven't seen a bad thing really said about Athens, besides that horrible resale. Doesnt matter if you plan on keeping it.

Great enthusiasm while doing this video. You can really tell when he’s not excited about a bow at all. I know it’s not a major brand that you’re used to but have some enthusiasm on doing the video for people who wanted to see this brand of bow. Typical review I thought you would do on this.

@podiumarcher3447

6 ай бұрын

I had been sick 4 days straight when I filmed this. Sorry I’m not ecstatic

@Shawnbo812

6 ай бұрын

@@podiumarcher3447Gotcha, no problem. Hope you feel better and by the way Happy New Year to you.

@dustinsilva8016

6 ай бұрын

You’re a stud Josh.

Absolutely excellent bows better than my Mathew’s v3x 💯

@WolfinWolvesClothing713

3 ай бұрын

😂 that's funny.

@wildamericanarchery5129

3 ай бұрын

@@WolfinWolvesClothing713 it is funny that boys like you still mouth catch the drippings off Mathew’s nuts.

@wildamericanarchery5129

12 күн бұрын

@@WolfinWolvesClothing713 that’s a fact

It looks a lot sturdier than Bowtech’s system.

Good bows, just bad brace heights making them slow. Had they made them with a 6-6.25 brace height, would have been a hard bow to have beat this year. Almost a home run, almost.

@davefisher5196

6 ай бұрын

I don’t think this was made to be a speed bow. Best bow I had PSE Diablo came with an 8inch bh n bow weighed 3.6lbs.

@HuWhiteNat

6 ай бұрын

So, if they only made it more unstable and unforgiving so people with a 27” draw length could feel better about their meaningless speed? No to that.

@o.n.e.wayhunting

6 ай бұрын

@@HuWhiteNat No. At 29" of draw (my draw length) there is really no need on modern bows for anything over a 6.5" brace height. In years gone by, where speed was only achieved by huge amounts of reflex to gain a shorter brace, the bows were easier to torque if you did not have good form. In modern bows, with longer risers, parallel limbs that are shorter, new limb pockets with pivot points moved much closer to the grip throat, they eliminate the needs for longer brace heights while at the same time increasing the power stroke with short brace heights that are just as stable and forgiving as bows in the past with 7"+ brace heights. It is the great thing about progression in design and development. Speed is irreplaceable and vastly important to terminal performance. These are good bows, but they could have been really great bows if they were faster, by eliminating that non needed long brace height.

@HuWhiteNat

6 ай бұрын

@@o.n.e.wayhunting I myself draw 30.5” and I feel a notable difference is stability with brace heights. I know for sure I prefer 7” over 6” given the choice. I’ll give you that modern bows have come a long way. Further proving my point that you don’t need radical geometry to achieve the common speeds of the past. Or, to achieve the terminal performance required to kill North American big game. Especially, regarding whitetails. You could get this bow with 50# limbs, turn it down to 45# and with a properly tuned arrow setup and a cut on contact broad head, consistently blow through whitetail deer. When you’ve been hanging from a saddle for two and a half hours and you have to take a leaning shot on the buck of a lifetime, give me the forgiveness over the 10 fps every single time.

@o.n.e.wayhunting

6 ай бұрын

@@HuWhiteNat I can't say those are not valid points, and certainly if I were a 30.5" draw, I may feel the exact same way. I do like speed, and I typically try to find a bow that delivers the best numbers I can get in a package I enjoy shooting. I got over shooting bows based off of marketing and hype years ago, and take all marketing hype with a grain of salt. I do watch a lot of reviews, and typically toss out the opinion based and subjective points like draw cycle and vibration. I do tend to focus a lot on axle to axle ( I prefer a 33-34 inch ATA), riser length, brace height (because of its effect on speed) , and what a bow does across a chrono. Hold on target and pin float along with speed are important to myself. Where I hunt, you may get one shot a year at a buck while in the saddle or the stand, and it may be beyond 45 yards. I like to reduce that time of flight as much as I can. That's all just me, and what I like, and it's a great time to be a bowhunter with so many really nice bows and options out there. The only bad thing they all seem to have in common are steep price tags.

And a patent lawsuit over this cam caused Athens to go out of business. I am not shocked.

To bad there no longer available

Well… that didn’t happen to work out the way Athens expected…

Factory gas strings

Well, that bow and review became null and void fast......

Just watched the hoytt alpha after watching this video and I love your videos but you shorted this bow 5 or so points

They look like pse and Bowtech had a baby

Athens is now closing due to the lawsuit.

He can feel some vibration but some how it was the lowest he has seen when he put that tool on it and somehow he never said a word about it

@podiumarcher3447

6 ай бұрын

Pointed it out in the scoring bud. Keep the hate to yourself in 2024. Happy new year!!

@BrockBaker-fd6gi

6 ай бұрын

No hate here I ordered my press from you but I just wondered if that had been a Mathews if you would have felt the vibration?

@BrockBaker-fd6gi

6 ай бұрын

I also always recommend podium archer as a go to for lca presses just felt like you wanted it to have a vibration at the shot I shoot any bow that feels the best to me the brand never matters to me

@podiumarcher3447

6 ай бұрын

to be honest I think there is something wrong with the tool. I will be testing with it more off screen but that's what it said so that's what I put.

And Athens just closed its doors because they absolutely did infringe on Bowtech technology.

Nice editing on the video, cutting out unnecessary info

MFJJ lives to stir the pot--- first comments from him are about pending patent violations on the tuning tech in the Athens bows...... hahahhhaa.

Welp... they took a chance and it bit them in the ass. Good bye Athens

Walking mid-life crisis

Wait a minute wasn’t Mathews 14 fps slow and you gave them a 4/5 on speed ?? Lol. Athens is 12 fps slow and gets a 3/5 All I can say is wow! Do better MFJJ! Maybe if Athens or Hoyt pays for a hunt for you next year like Mathews did they can get a 4/5 on speed!

@podiumarcher3447

6 ай бұрын

It’s not the advertised speed vs actual it’s the actual speed, lift 33 326 plus 4 at 80%, hoyt 33 323, Athens 33 318, now does a 4 , 3 and a 3 make sense???

@toddlymburner5783

6 ай бұрын

@@podiumarcher3447 so why didn’t you give the Hoyt etc..an extra few feet in speed for them being in 85%? They have 80% as well but you didn’t count that for them like you did for Mathews! You said you were testing them all in 85% as that’s what they come to you in. However the only bow manufacturer you gave an imaginary 4 fps for there 80% is Mathews! Hoyt was tested in 85% and at the end you didn’t give them an extra 4fps and say that’s what they would shoot if tested in 80%.! But you did for Mathews! You can’t/ shouldn’t give Mathew’s extra fps and say that’s what they would shoot at 80% and not do that for the others. It appears you tested the Lift and it didn’t shoot what was expected and then you gave them extra consideration that if tested at 80% it would be faster. You then gave them a rating based on that! You didn’t do that for Hoyt etc… If you tested a bow at 85% and it was 14 fps slow that should be there score and that’s well below your own stated standards of within 10FPS. If you want to rate them at 80% and give them ratings on 80 then do it for them all and not just 1 manufacturer. It gives the appearance of favoritism when you gave only 1 manufacturer a consideration that they would shoot faster with 80% mods!! They all potentially would shoot faster with 80% mods so do it for all of them or none of them. Thats the fair way, only doing it for 1 manufacturer is biased! And if 2 manufacturers are equally slow then they should get the same mark.

@Thedudeabides803

6 ай бұрын

Just change it to a 4 josh. They really need that one point added to make themselves whole again.😂. Good grief what a thing to whine over.

@toddlymburner5783

6 ай бұрын

@@Thedudeabides803 why would he fudge it to a 4? I don’t shoot or care for Athens. I don’t think you understand the point here! He tested all bows at 85% and at the start said that’s what he would be testing them all at and give them a rating on based on testing at 85%! He did that for all bow manufacturers except 1. The bow company that paid for a hunt for him he gave them an extra imaginary 4 fps and stated that’s what it would shoot if it was at 80% Letoff. He only did this when the Lift shot well under what it was rated for. He did not do that for ALL the other manufacturers. That my friend is biased and favouritism. The same week he reviewed the Lift he reviewed another bow that shot similarly slow speeds and gave it a 1/5 but the Lift got a score of 4/5. I love what MFJJ does I just hope he gets back to honest reviews.