Hoyt CRX 32 Review

by Jon E. Silks • August 29, 2011 • 22 comments

Hoyt has been in the headlines a lot lately because of its new, carbon-riser bows, which have gained considerable interest and created a loud buzz. Unfortunately, all that attention may have taken some of the spotlight off of one of 2011′s best bows — Hoyt’s own CRX 32. Let’s steal a little of that limelight back and see what this new rig has to offer in this Hoyt CRX 32 review.

Please click the image to enlarge

The CRX 32 features the company’s popular TEC LITE riser with the new Perfect Balance Stabilization System. The Fuel Cam & 1⁄2, XTS Pro ARC limbs, Pro-Lock limb pockets, 180 Pro-Fit Custom Grip, In-Line Roller Guard and more are showcased on the new Hoyt rig as well.

Key TEC-nology
Hoyt’s CRX 32 uses the LITE version of the company’s unique and proven TEC (Total Engineering Concept) riser. The TEC LITE is sleek from top to bottom, relying on improved technology to get the job done with less mass. The overall weight of the CRX 32 is less than four pounds.

The basic TEC platform consists of a thin strut that loops back behind the shooter’s bow hand and acts as a shock absorber, channeling vibration through the truss and away from the grip while increasing strength and stiffness. A stiffer, stronger riser has several benefits, including longer product life, reduced vibration and improved accuracy.

New to the Hoyt technology list is the Perfect Balance Stabilization System. Rather than place the stabilizer mounting hole directly in line with the center of the bow, Hoyt has offset the stainless steel stabilizer mounting insert. This puts the stabilizer on the left side of the bow’s centerline (for a right-handed shooter), opposite all the accessories many of us attach to our rigs — quiver, rest, sight, etc.

Attached to the TEC LITE riser is Hoyt’s In-Line Roller Guard. By placing the cables in line, one in front of the other (rather than stacked), torque in the system is reduced. That results in increased stability, consistency and accuracy.

In my opinion, the Hoyt Thermo Plastic Elastomer 180 Pro-Fit Custom Grip is super comfortable. It is soft, warm and well-shaped. It also looks good with an inlay of the Hoyt Buck Logo. The CRX 32 is compatible with the Pro-Fit Grip system, which includes four styles that share a common mounting platform.

Just below the grip and opposite the stabilizer insert you will find Hoyt’s StealthShot String Suppressor. The company advertises a reduction of string oscillation of up to 70 percent using this feature. Another quieting feature is the Silent Shelf Pad that will render a falling arrow noiseless and tame any sound from drop away rests bouncing off the shelf.

The CRX 32 is available in Realtree AP, Realtree Max-1, Black Out, Half and Half (Black Out riser with AP Camo limbs) and Bone Collector (AP Camo riser with Black Out limbs and custom graphics) finish options.

Fuel the Fire
Hoyt’s Fuel Cam & 1⁄2 system is a hybrid cam, meaning it uses two elliptical cams, a control cable and an evenly placed string. The control cable essentially ties the two cams together and forces them to work in sync with each other, while the power cable handles the lion’s share of the applied load. Hybrid cams, and more specifically, Hoyt’s Cam & 1/2 designs, have gained a solid reputation among bowhunters for reliability, easy maintenance, stealth and accuracy.

Layers of Performance
Hoyt XTS PRO ARC limbs are built with a five-layer lamination process that includes the use of high-pressure, precision machining. Limbs are matched into sets based on deflection values so each bow has consistent performance.

Hoyt’s limb testing regimen is intense and thorough — you can rest assured your new rig will not let you down. Limbs are available in 50-, 60-, 65-, 70-, 80- and 90-pound peak draw weight options, each with 10 pounds of downward adjustment.

Impressions
There is no doubt you are holding a quality bow when shooting the CRX 32. It has a solid feel with low mass weight. The test bow demonstrated excellent balance on target, and the back wall was super solid. Hoyt designed its signature smooth draw into the CRX 32, and they have a history of hitting their advertised performance numbers. Shock, vibration and noise levels were minimal.

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  • Josh

    No doubt the CRX 32 is an amazing bow but what about the Rampage XT?! I have yet to read a review of the rampage xt yet it has the same limbs, cams, roller guard, string stop, and grip as the CRX 32. The difference is in the riser and .05lbs. Just wanted to give a shout out to the rampage xt. Dont let the low price tag fool you. It's a lot of bow for the money. Thanks for the reviews! Keep them coming!

    • Glenn

      The difference is the riser. My understanding is that the Crx is machined aluminum and the rampage iscasted from magnesium. I love my crx 32 can't wait till hunting season gets here.

    • Mel

      Jusr bought my Rampae XT a month ago and have been shooting it daily. Completely agree with Josh's comments. Outstanding bow!

  • Frank Rosario Jr

    I have o agree with the Rampage XT comment, well said, i would love to see a review. Just because its not as expesive as some of the other bows, that does not mean that it should not be talked about

  • Edward Todd

    I bought a Hoyt CRX 32 and love it. I told the dealer Go BIG or Go Home. He said Go BIG Go Home HAPPY. It was a little more money but well worth it. I cant wait to start knock em down.

  • Josh

    He said "Go big go home happy" because you just put another $200 in his pocket!

  • Bill

    I purchased a CRX 32 and although it shot ok I went back to my old bow. The CRX does not compete with other top model bows from other manufactures as far as speed a smooth easy draw cycle, it is slow in comparison 223 FPS vs 243 and the draw cycle is lacking. The bow did hold well, but as an older shooter (who shoots a lot), I would like to see them make it smoother to draw and a little faster.

    • stebe

      Bill. appreciate your perceptions, but maybe clarification of a typo,, the CRX is rated at 323, not 223 as in the 223 bullet for the M16. As a suggestion, try the CRX with the lighter 50-60# limbs, The Draw curve is stil fast and steep compared to older non-paralel limb bows, but maybe it will be more suitable. I know it was for me…

    • Luke B.

      I think you are mostly upset because you got the lemon that only shoots 223fps. just kidding

  • stebe

    I started bowhunting 8 years ago with a hoyt & darton set to 29" and 55# . As a gift ( nice friend) received a CRX32 29" and 60# . I'm not an expert, I'm not Hercules, I do love to hunt and get out 40+ days. Here are my impressions…The CRX is a very nice bow. It shoots flat & fast at 20, 30 & 40 which is normal distance for upstate NY. it's well balanced & quiet. it's easy to handle, it's stable and well balanced, and it's light without feeling like a toy. The Draw is a quick steep climb & stays there through the draw, and then drops quickly into letoff … kinda like an upside down horse shoe vs a gradual hill climb. There's no " mushyness" . You absolutely know where you are . The 'wall' is apparent & defined. The same is true on release…absolutely crisp – get used to it.
    Bottom line – this is an awesome bow, has all the speed, accuracy, features & technology you'll need for quite a long time, and will be as good or better than you are.

  • Tim

    How does the CRX 32 compare with the Mathews Z7 extreme ?
    Your Thoughts

    • Luke B.

      I like the CRX much better. Its not so top heavy and not so long front to back. Its great that the z7x is short but the front to back (limb bolt to axel) is so deep I found it kind of cumbersome. especially in a blind.

  • steve ervin

    Just bought this bow today for an early Christmas gift to myself. This bow is a real shooter and I'm going to enjoy very much.

  • Gene

    Although an experienced (aka "older") hunter, I am new to stick-and-string – after giving in to my son's encouragement. I bought a new CRX32 29" / 60# on 11-18-11. As of 12-28-11 I had used it to take 2 hogs and 1 WT buck (1 hog and the buck dropped in their tracks, the other hog collapsed 55 yards from POI). As a newbie I am probably unable to fully appreciate the more sophisticated aspects of high-quality bows, but I couldn't be happier with my purchase. …love my new Hoyt – and I think it may have permanently retired my rifles from the field.

  • mike

    bought my crx 10 months ago. love the bow but draw was a little stiff. took off the fuel cams and replaced em with xtr cams from a maxxis and made custom bcy 452x strings. now the draw is way easier, holds on target better and still slings a 548 grain fmj at 273 fps. i recomend the cam swap to anyone who feels their crx is a lil stiff up front

  • bill

    Guys, don't refer to compounds as "stick and string". It's a nice sentiment but a stick means wood and "stick and string" means that's all there is. I'll probably get flamed but only because the truth hurts…..

  • keith

    hard hitting smooth drawing great bow

  • keith

    thanks for the info mike somthing to think about next year

  • keith

    well i shot my crx 32 this past sunday it performed great had 1 complete miss shot a 210 real forgiving bow cant wait to test this rig on a hunt

  • Gene

    Thanks Bill. I'll remember that the next time I go out to shoot my stick and string. After all, life's too short to be concerned about "standards" set by others.

    Regards

  • David

    I would like to know if anyone has had issues with tuning the crx?( paper tuning.)

  • Ryan

    I have had my CRX for about 2 years now; it tunes on paper very easy, and is a great bow in the mountains. I love the fact that no matter how much abuse I throw at this bow it just keeps going strong. “stop worrying about gear and hunt" that’s what I am all about people love to talk IBO and gear when they should be scouting and putting boots on dirt.