TenPoint Vapor Review

Born at the turn of the century, TenPoint has worked its way into the elite group of industry leaders. Through the years, it has continued to push the envelope in terms of technology and precision with many patents secured and even more in the works. With the launch of Wicked Ridge in 2010 and the recent purchase of certain Horton assets, these are exciting and prosperous times for the TenPoint family.

TenPoint's Vapor is a premium crossbow showcasing many of the company's latest and greatest technologies and features. These include a Bullpup-style stock, a woven carbon-fiber rail, IsoTaper limbs, a PowerTouch trigger, HE2 cams and much more.

A Bull Market

The key to success in TenPoint's Vapor starts with its FSB stock — or otherwise known as Functionally Superior Bullpup system. Generally used to describe a firearm configuration that places the action behind the trigger, Bullpup technology makes it possible for TenPoint to shorten the Vapor.

The result is more maneuverability and less weight. Everything from the curvature of the pistol grip, with its optimally positioned comb and length-of-pull, to the cutouts and transitioning thickness is designed to bring stability, accuracy and comfort to the shooter.

Rubber Safety Wings and a patented safety button on the forearm grip, which requires the shooter to press the button in order to fire the Vapor, makes it very difficult for the shooter to accidentally get a finger or thumb above the flight deck. Hydro Decoration is used to finish the integrated stock in Realtree APG camouflage.

Connecting Flight

The flight deck of a crossbow is the plane along which the string travels when released. It can also be described as the top surface of the rail that connects the stock and trigger mechanism to the bow riser. TenPoint employs a 22.5-inch rail made of woven carbon fiber that is lightweight and creates a slick track for reduced friction and and string wear. The carbon fiber has a natural black finish that looks great.

On the stock end of the rail, a combination trigger action box and scope rail are attached. The PowerTouch trigger has an advertised pull weight of 3.5 pounds, but we tested it at an average of 2 pounds, 11 ounces over three shots. When you cock the Vapor, the string pushes the cocking mechanism back, drops the string catch and automatically sets the safety.

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The Dry Fire Inhibitor (DFI) instantly moves back into place after the string passes and remains there until a bolt is loaded. When you turn the safety off, it moves the safety block out of the way, allowing the rocker to rotate, which releases the string catch and the bolt is on its way.

Getting Specific

In addition to the Bullpup stock that keeps the Vapor shorter, the Parallel Limb Technology (PLT) bow assembly also makes it narrow. In fact, at only 12.6 inches axle-to-axle in the cocked position, the Vapor is TenPoint's most compact rig to date. The IsoTaper Quad limbs, made with Gordon Glass material, reach a parallel position when cocked to naturally decrease shock, vibration and noise. Limbs are Hydro Decorated in Realtree APG.

The Vapor is also outfitted with the HE2 hybrid cam system, which plays a big part in getting bolt speeds up to 360 fps while shooting a 22-inch carbon bolt weighing 420 grains. TenPoint outfits its rig with Viper X 8190G string and cables.

What's In The Box?

TenPoint's Vapor is sold as a package. It includes the Range Master Pro Scope, instant-detach 3-bolt quiver and ambidextrous bracket, a six-pack of TenPoint Pro V22 carbon bolts, a soft case, Bowjax kit, String Damping System (SDS), owner DVD, window decal and your choice of either the ACUdraw or ACUdraw 50 cocking aids.

Impressions

TenPoint's Vapor is quality-built through and through. It is compact and maneuverable, with a stripped-down weight of under seven pounds. We easily packed bolts into a .625-inch spot at 35 yards, thanks in large part to the clarity and construction of the included scope. All systems functioned flawlessly, and the fit and finish were exactly as you would expect from TenPoint.

One of my favorite features on the Vapor is the forearm-based safety button — I wish all crossbows had it. The Vapor also lived up to advertised bolt velocities in testing.

Specifications

Manufacturer: TenPoint Crossbows, 800-548-6837

Model: Vapor

Safety Features: DFI, Trigger Safety, Grip Safety, Foregrip Safety Wings

Weight (crossbow only): 6.8 pounds (advertised)

Draw Weight: 165 pounds (advertised)

Power Stroke: 15.5 inches

Cam System: HE2 Hybrid Cam

Riser: Machined aluminum, PLT

Limbs:  IsoTaper Quad Limb

String & Cable: Viper X 8190G

Grip: Pistol style, Verton material

Finish: Hydro Decorated Realtree APG

Forearm: Injection molded Verton, double safety features

Overall Length: 37.375 inches

Advertised Speed: 360 fps

Suggested Retail Price: $1,999 (ACUdraw), $1,899 (ACUdraw 50)

Comments: Quick, compact and quality built.