January 10, 2019
By Bob Humphrey
The new year brings with it a new crop of crossbows, ranging from all new models to modest technological advancements on time-tested platforms. What follows is a brief overview of the cream of this year's crop. There are plenty more that space, time and circumstance prevent us from telling you about — this time. Rest assured we'll be filling you in on those at a later date. For now, the class of 2019.
Barnett TS390 This latest from an industry veteran features a ventilated telescoping stock with 2 1/2 inches of adjustment; a fiberglass composite Step-Through riser to eliminate bulk and length while enhancing balance; a premium 4x32 illuminated scope for fast, clear target acquisition; string dampeners to attenuate sound and vibration; three Picatinny rails to hold a variety of accessories; an innovative and self-adjusting Soft-Lok Floating Bristle arrow retainer that securely cradles the arrow and a three-pound, zero-creep TriggerTech Frictionless Release Technology trigger system. An 185-pound draw weight and 14.25-inch power stroke accelerates arrows to 390 fps, and it also delivers a punishing 128 foot-pounds of kinetic energy on target.
Bear X SAGA 405 This package provides speed (405 fps), accuracy and quality at an affordable price. The 210-pound Bear X Saga 405 features a tactical design, adjustable cheek piece and rear stock with three inches of adjustment and five settings, as well as an adjustable fore end grip and Picatinny scope mount rail. A dual-mount string recoil suppressor system reduces noise and vibration. The ready-to-shoot package includes comes with a 4x32 multi cross-hair reticle scope, a four-arrow quiver, a sling, three carbon arrows, a cocking rope, rail lube and string wax.
Carbon Express X-Force Blade 350 This compact (13 1/2 inches width when cocked width, seven-pound weight) powerhouse is rated at 350 fps. It features a powerful 142 foot-pounds of kinetic energy and is loaded with features like a mulit-position buttstock; step-through foot stirrup; soft-grip handle, extruded aluminum rail; ultra-durable, 175-pound compression-molded limbs; state-of-the-art ambidextrous safety mechanism and patented Anti-Dry Fire feature. Comes with a 4X multi-reticle scope, three 20-inch PileDriver arrows with moon nocks and three 100-grain field points.
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CenterPoint Tormentor Whisper 415 This model blends the best features of CenterPoint’s Tormentor and Sniper lines. It showcases a 14 1/2-inch draw and a mere 12 1/4-inch axle-to-axle cocked width. Additionally, crossbow enthusiasts will enjoy a 200-pound draw rated at 415 fps, an oversized pass-through foregrip, an adjustable tactical butt stock, string silencers and stops and a whisper silencing package. The package also comes with three 20-inch carbon arrows, a CenterPoint 4x32 wire reticle crossbow scope, a parallel quiver, a sling, rail lube and a rope cocker.
Darton Toxin 125 SS This latest addition to the Toxin line retains technology from previous models, like a lightweight bullpup stock, laminated limbs, a hi-energy cam system and a trackless composite barrel design for compact, accurate reliability. Meanwhile, it’s modest 13 1/2-inch power stroke and 175-pound draw weight help it achieve a 350 fps speed rating. Available in OD Green or Highlander camo, it also features a patented ADF safety, auto-engaged safety and dual string suppressors.
Excalibur Assassin 420 TD The Assassin 420 TD (Takedown) retains key features of the Assassin 360, like the Charger built-in silent crank for safe, silent and easy cocking and decocking. Other familiar features include a three-pound match grade Proshot trigger, a TRU-FIT stock with 12-15 inches of LOP adjustment and all the advantages of Excalibur's recurve technology. However, Excalibur’s new 60 fps and Quick Loc Technology create a unique, tool-less design and precision manufacturing that allow you to quickly detach the front limb assembly for convenient storage and compact transportation. Then, simply reassemble in a matter of seconds without the slightest change in point of impact. Comes with a TACT-100 illuminated scope and Proflight arrows with .001 straightness.
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Ravin R26 At only 26 inches long and 5.75 inches wide, this compact powerhouse shoots a blistering 400 fps. Like previous models, it uses Ravin’s patented HeliCoil Technology to achieve an astonishingly small width when cocked and long-range accuracy while also allowing the string and arrow to free-float above the rail for a quieter shot and vastly improved string life.The system also enables the Trac Trigger Firing System to create a perfectly balanced draw, and works in conjunction with the Versa Draw Cocking System for easy cocking and un-cocking with minimal effort. The R26 features a new bullpup stock design and comes with six Ravin arrows, nocks and field points. Users will also receive a removable cocking handle, a quiver and mounting bracket, a 100-yard illuminated scope and a built-in cocking mechanism.
PSE Thrive 400 Among this bow’s many features are a nominate 400 fps speed rating, reverse cam technology, a CNC precision-machined barrel and a split limb system for increased stability, accuracy and power. An upgraded accessory package includes a compact and lightweight illuminated 4×32 scope, a folding, rubber-coated foot stirrup that reduces bow length by four inches and, combines with pre-installed limb dampeners to reduce limb vibration and audible sound. Also includes a five-arrow quiver, four 22-inch carbon thunder arrows with 100-grain bullet points, as well as a 22-inch discharge arrow, a cocking rope and rail lube.
Scorpyd Deathstalker 400 At a mere 9 1/2 inches axle-to-axle (cocked) but rated at 400 fps, this version is even more compact, yet faster and than the original DeathStalker. A patented carbon composite frame, which combines riser, limb pockets, barrel and finger guard into one sleek machine also make it super lightweight. High quality 6061-T6 components and titanium fasteners ensure a lifetime of performance. It also features a new 2.5-pound sniper-like multi-patented Kempf-TEC SEER-LOC adjustable trigger that allows for precise control of trigger travel.
TenPoint Nitro XRT The Nitro XRT combines DUAL FLEX limbs, Vector Quad cables, new RX7-Cams and SLING-SHOT technology to provide an extra turbo boost that generates an industry-leading 470 fps and punishing 190 foot pounds of kinetic energy. Accuracy and stability are enhanced and noise and vibration reduced through a lightweight CNC-machined 7075-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum riser, a 20-inch TAC-LITE fluted aluminum barrel and a lightweight three-piece C3 stock. Ready-To-Hunt package includes an ACUdraw PRO silent cocking device, an Evo-X Marksman Precision Scope, a TenPoint STAG Hard Crossbow Case, a six-pack of EVO-X CenterPunch premium carbon arrows, new Alpha-Nocks, a dovetail bubble level, an integrated string stop system, a sling and a quiver.
Wicked Ridge Ranger X2 Engineered for youths and small-framed adults, the Ranger X2 features a mere 5.9 pounds of weight, a maneuverable 33 1/2-inch length and a 16-inchaxle-to-axle width when cocked and an easy-to-manage 150-pound draw weight. Yet it still launches the recommended 18-inch Wicked Ridge Ranger carbon arrow at 330 fps, thanks in part to 11-inch WRX limbs powered by 4S cams and DynaFLIGHT 97 string and cables with tunable yokes. Its molded, semi-skeletal stock assembly helps reduce overall weight and features a safety engineered pass-through grip as well as glass-reinforced nylon safety wings to help keep the shooter's fore-grip hand safely below the bowstring release path. Comes with a TenPoint Multi-Line scope, an ACU-52 cocking device, three carbon arrows and a quiver.
