Bow Review: Hoyt REDWRX Carbon RX-5

A fast, accurate, technology-rich bow!

November 15, 2021 By Jon E. Silks

The headliner of Hoyt’s 2021 bow lineup, the REDWRX Carbon RX-5 brings the company’s latest technologies together via Hollow Carbon Tube Riser technology.

A new cam system — the HBX Hoyt Binary Cam — is coupled with Hybrid EXT split limbs to power the new rig to speeds reaching 342 fps. In addition, an inline sight mount with Picatinny rail attachment has been added to the QAD Integrate Rest mount fixture to enhance overall balance, while the X-Act Grip offers comfort and control.

New Riser Technology

The RX-5 rig coalesces around the unique, hand-laid Hollow Carbon Tube Riser that is fashioned into a reflex configuration and the company’s proven Tec Riser design. Hoyt taps into the unique design’s ability to route shock and noise around and away from the shooter’s bow hand. The company’s manufacturing processes and the strength of carbon create a proven combination that passes Hoyt’s extreme testing (1,500 dry fires and one million shot cycles) with flying colors.

Hoyt also brings back the popular X-Act Grip on the RX-5. The one-piece, molded polymer grip is designed to add comfort, encourage a neutral wrist position and promote proper form with increased accuracy as the primary goal. Shock Pods mounted near the bottom of the riser join with the riser-mounted string stop and string-mounted Hole Shot to reduce vibration and shot noise.

Four components/features make up Hoyt’s new Inline Accessory Mounting System. First, the company includes their inline sight mount option with your purchase. This mount uses a Picatinny rail fixture for a super secure and reliable connection. Second, the SL Sidebar attachment is placed lower on the riser, thereby lowering the center of gravity and allowing for a smaller and lighter sidebar for better results. Third, QAD’s Integrate Rest mounting system creates a solid dovetail connection that’s lightweight and in line with the bow’s riser (a standard mounting hole is included as well).

Last but certainly not least is the In-Line Short Stop Stabilizer, which measures only 2.25 inches in length. A mounting position near the bottom end of the riser lowers the center of gravity, making the stabilizer more effective, while the forward position gives it the reach of a much longer stabilizer. Testing showed excellent improvement from this positioning; so much so that Hoyt made the Short Stop standard with every RX-5. All of these features are designed to enhance balance but with a smaller footprint and lighter weight.

Front and rear stainless steel stabilizer mounting inserts, a compact Roller Guard cable-containment system and rubber shelf pad round out the package.

Engines and Energy

The HBX Hoyt Binary Cam is a new design for the company. It uses a three-groove configuration for the string and two control cables, and it anchors the cables to the opposite cam rather than to limb tips. This reportedly forces the cams to work together and autocorrect for small system imbalances. The HBX covers a draw-length range of 25-30 inches using two rotating modules: Mod No. 2 is 25-28 inches while Mod No. 3 is 28.5-30 inches. Letoff is adjustable from 80 to 85 percent.

The RX-5 is outfitted with Hoyt’s Hybrid EXT split limbs, which are multi-layered, laminated and machined into their final form. Limb designs, which employ Hoyt’s Uniform Stress Distribution and Split Limb Technology, are subjected to 1,000 full-on dry fires with the bow set to an 80-pound draw weight and 30-inch draw length. The company’s Limb Shox also have been re-optimized to work with the HBX Cam. Precision-machined limb pockets handle the critical limb-to-riser interface and cradle the wide-stance limb platform that optimizes torsional and lateral stability.

Impressions

The RX-5 test rig handled well in terms of maneuverability, allowing me to consistently seat my hand at full draw. I personally like the X-Act Grip and found it was comfortable and sized well for my hand. The bow’s weight was a little heavier than expected, considering it is a carbon bow.

At the shot, there was only a small “bump” in the handle and no detectable vibration; as you would expect, shot noise was minimal due to the lack of shock and vibration. As is common with Hoyt bows, the draw was consistent, with no harsh transitions. The RX-5 is steady on the target and has a slow, steady follow-through.