The 2023 Revex 4 features Prime’s stability-enhancing Center Grip Riser design and unique Swerve Technology that brings harmony in movement and flex to the entire riser platform.
October 30, 2023
By Jon E. Silks
When Prime Archery’s engineering team set out to design the company’s flagship bow for 2023, they wanted a rig that was super stable, smooth drawing, mechanically efficient, rock solid on target and deadly accurate.
That’s a tall order, but after much effort the Revex series was born. Available in three models (Revex 2, 4 and 6) featuring axle-to-axle lengths of 32, 34 and 36 inches respectively, Revex bows feature Center-Grip and Swerve riser technologies, wide-stance and offset split limbs and limb pockets, the new modular Core Cam, Nano Grip, a new String Stop and much more. The Revex 4 is the subject of this review.
Built-In Stability The machined, 82X aluminum Revex riser is built specifically to bring greater stability through Prime’s Center Grip Riser design and integrated Swerve feature. By placing the grip in the physical center of the bow, more of the bow’s total weight is shifted lower and acts as a built-in stabilizer that enhances stability at full draw and improves aiming. The top cam is slightly larger than the lower cam to compensate for the offset nock travel.
In addition, Swerve Riser Technology harmonizes movement and flex between the upper and lower halves of the riser by creating a structure on the bottom half that mimics the sight window. Prime measured the resulting lateral cam movement and found a 50 percent reduction compared to non-Swerve risers. For 2023, Prime also added a rear stabilizer bushing for mounting back bars and also used smaller riser cutouts to add strength and stiffness.
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Prime’s Nano Grip uses NASA developed Aerogel that provides a great thermal buffer between the aluminum riser and plastic overmold grip on cold days afield. The shape, angle and contour of the Nano Grip is designed to produce a neutral wrist position.
Core Accuracy The new Core Cam features Prime’s Cam Balancing Technology. This system brings the bowstring and cables in line during the draw cycle, keeping the cam loads balanced and actively reducing cam lean. The Core Cam is modular to produce the best performance at every draw length. Modules have cable stops built in.
Prime says the Core Cam is the company’s smoothest system yet, using a bowstring, power cable and take-up cable all anchored exclusively to the cams, similar to a three-track binary system. Prime, however, designed the cable grooves to shift the take-up cable over the top of the axle’s center and in line with the string to focus the lion’s share of the force on the centerline. The resulting balanced load improves efficiency and aids in shooting consistency.
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Shhhhh! There are many features on the Revex that help quell shot noise and vibration. First is the past-parallel position of the split limbs at full draw. This configuration forces energy from the shot in equal and opposite directions, effectively canceling vibration, shock and noise. The short, stout limbs are set far apart to enhance stability through torsional rigidity.
The Revex also has a new, carbon-weave string stop that improves shock and vibration dampening over past models. The soft rubber stop quickly reduces string oscillation after the shot. Prime also places two riser dampeners at the lowest point of the riser, on either side of the lower limb bolt. The dampeners have three weighted extremities that absorb vibration as they move during the shot. A weighted rubber wrap on the Flexis AR cable-containment arm serves the same function. Last but not least, each set of machined split limbs are outfitted with Split Limb Dampeners.
Accessory Integration The Revex is compatible with a pair of new custom bow accessories. Prime partnered with TightSpot to design a quiver built specifically to fit the Revex like a glove. Another partnership was formed with Hamskea Archery to design a new, limb-driven arrow rest — the Prime Epsilon Rest.
At the Range Prime’s focus on smoothness and stability was a success, as the Revex 4 is easily drawn and sits motionless at full draw, locking onto the target with ease.
At the shot there was a medium jump in the handle with some very slight, almost undetectable, vibration. A post-shot pause, followed by a slow falling away, demonstrates a controlled follow-through, while the grip proved both comfortable and functional.
The Specs Manufacturer: Prime Archery, 810-392-8431; g5prime.com Model: Revex 4Riser: Reflex, machined aluminumGrip: Nano Grip, neutral wristLimbs: Split, machined fiberglassDraw Weights: 40, 50, 60, 65, 70 and 80 pounds peakDraw Lengths: 26.5-30.5 inches, in half-inch increments; modularCam System: Core Cam; dual, machined aluminumLetoff: 83 percent (advertised); 80.65 percent (as tested)String: BCY 452X, 60.41 inchesCables (x2): BCY 452X, 39.22 inchesBrace Height: 6.25 inchesAxle-to-Axle Length: 34 inchesWeight: 4.6 pounds (advertised and as tested)Finish: Realtree Edge, plus 14 other camouflage and solid-color options.Advertised IBO Speed: 340 fpsMSRP: $1,299Comments: Balanced, stable and comfortable.Editor's Note: All of our Bow Tests are conducted using the same standardized procedures and professionally calibrated testing equipment. Bows are tested with a draw length of 29 inches and a draw weight of 65 pounds, unless otherwise noted. Speed & Energy Arrow Speed: 298 fps (375-grain arrow), 281 fps (425-grain arrow)Kinectic Energy: 73.96 ft./lbs. (375-grain arrow), 74.53 ft./lbs. (425-grain arrow)Dynamic Efficiency: 83.86% (375-grain arrow), 84.5% (425-grain arrow)Shot Noise: 90.3 dBA (375-grain arrow), 88.5 dBA (425-grain arrow)
