65 T enPoint is well-known in the industry and recog- nized for producing premier crossbows. I’d never recommend purchasing a crossbow based simply on a company’s reputation. But if you take the time to review the technical details for the Stealth XLT that are amply detailed in the Ohio company’s catalog, you’ll begin to see how this model lives up to the TenPoint reputation of providing top performance. For the dealer there are numerous selling points you can talk about with the potential purchaser that add tremendously to the value of this model. As our testing reveals, this is a particularly good choice to recommend to the consumer who wants to shoot extremely tight groups in practice and be able to achieve pin-point accuracy in a hunting situation. Every year I get a chance to review some of the newest products in the industry. I take the time to shoot many of these products side by side and listen intently to the design engineers, company owners and marketing executives talk about the latest and greatest offerings. During my initial introduction to the latest TenPoint products, I was overwhelmed with curiosity about their newest offering the Carbon Fusion CLS. In fact, it has been quoted in several consumer magazines as being the most advanced crossbow in the industry. A bold statement certainly; however, I see the company thinking outside the proverbial box. One of the key characteristics that make this Fusion one of the best looking in the market is the woven carbon fiber barrel. The feature is innovative and most definitely an eye pleaser. While shooting the Fusion, I had to step aside for a sec- ond and check on the Stealth XLT. The Stealth XLT has a lower price as compared to the Fusion, yet remains a top- of-the-line crossbow from TenPoint. I try not to pass judg- ment on products until they hit my lab and I get an oppor- tunity to scrutinize every component and meticulously evaluate the crossbow’s functionality. However, my first impression of this crossbow at the 2011 ATA Show can be captured in one word - idyllic. The XLT (Xtreme Limb Technology) creates a shortened look and establishes a comforting feel as you point the crossbow downrange. With the limb technology, an ergonomic stock and light- weight design this robust shooting platform should create that ideal feel in any shooting situation. Randy Wood, vice president of sales, explained that the Stealth XLT will be one of their top sellers this year. TenPoint believes this product will exceed expectations, even topping last year’s award winning Turbo XLT. For archers that are interested in upgrading or buying a new model the Stealth XLT is meant to fit almost any shooter. The improvements incorporated into this crossbow are primary focused on speed and weight. The Stealth XLT can be considered an enhanced version of the Turbo XLT. These enhancements include an anodized aluminum barrel and patented Grip Safety, important to the premium design. More importantly, a crossbow must have elements that present a fair opportunity to shoot accurately. I believe a lot of archers that either hunt or just shoot should start their buying decision based on how a crossbow feels and shoots rather than how it looks. Fortunately, the Stealth XLT provides a good impression in both looks and feel. To be more specific, most shooters want their newest crossbow to handle like their favorite By Jon Teater A light and consistent trigger pull contributed to top accuracy. TenPoint Stealth XLT The new TenPoint Stealth XLT is an upgraded version of the popular Turbo that was in the 2010 model line. TenPoint Stealth XLT Contact Info TenPoint Crossbow Technologies™ www.tenpointcrossbows.com MAP (Stealth XLT with ACUdraw 50): $1,099.00 Finish: Realtree APG MAP (Stealth XLT with ACUdraw): $1,199.00 Stock: Verton String/Cable Material: D-75 Limb Material: Pultruded Glass Performance at a Glance: Arrow Speed K.E. Momentum 425 Grains 316.4 94.5 19.2 475 Grains 302.4 96.4 20.5 525 Grains 290.2 98.2 21.7
Transcript
65
TenPoint is well-known in the industry and recog-nized for producing premier crossbows. I’d neverrecommend purchasing a crossbow based simply
on a company’s reputation. But if you take the time toreview the technical details for the Stealth XLT that areamply detailed in the Ohio company’s catalog, you’ll beginto see how this model lives up to the TenPointreputation of providing top performance. For thedealer there are numerous selling points you cantalk about with the potential purchaser that addtremendously to the value of this model. As ourtesting reveals, this is a particularly good choiceto recommend to the consumer who wants toshoot extremely tight groups in practice and beable to achieve pin-point accuracy in a huntingsituation.
Every year I get a chance to review some ofthe newest products in the industry. I take thetime to shoot many of these products side byside and listen intently to the design engineers,company owners and marketing executivestalk about the latest and greatest offerings. During myinitial introduction to the latest TenPoint products, I wasoverwhelmed with curiosity about their newest offeringthe Carbon Fusion CLS. In fact, it has been quoted inseveral consumer magazines as being the mostadvanced crossbow in the industry. A bold statementcertainly; however, I see the company thinking outsidethe proverbial box. One of the key characteristics thatmake this Fusion one of the best looking in the market isthe woven carbon fiber barrel. The feature is innovativeand most definitely an eye pleaser.
While shooting the Fusion, I had to step aside for a sec-ond and check on the Stealth XLT. The Stealth XLT has alower price as compared to the Fusion, yet remains a top-of-the-line crossbow from TenPoint. I try not to pass judg-ment on products until they hit my lab and I get an oppor-
tunity to scrutinize every component and meticulouslyevaluate the crossbow’s functionality. However, my firstimpression of this crossbow at the 2011 ATA Show can becaptured in one word - idyllic. The XLT (Xtreme LimbTechnology) creates a shortened look and establishes acomforting feel as you point the crossbow downrange.With the limb technology, an ergonomic stock and light-weight design this robust shooting platform should createthat ideal feel in any shooting situation.
Randy Wood, vice president of sales, explained that theStealth XLT will be one of their top sellers this year.TenPoint believes this product will exceed expectations,even topping last year’s award winning Turbo XLT. Forarchers that are interested in upgrading or buying a newmodel the Stealth XLT is meant to fit almost any shooter.The improvements incorporated into this crossbow are
primary focused on speed and weight. The StealthXLT can be considered an enhanced version of theTurbo XLT. These enhancements include ananodized aluminum barrel and patented Grip Safety,important to the premium design. More importantly,a crossbow must have elements that present a fairopportunity to shoot accurately. I believe a lot ofarchers that either hunt or just shoot should starttheir buying decision based on how a crossbow feelsand shoots rather than how it looks. Fortunately, theStealth XLT provides a good impression in both looksand feel. To be more specific, most shooters wanttheir newest crossbow to handle like their favorite
By Jon Teater
A light and consistent trigger pull contributed to top accuracy.
TenPoint Stealth XLT
The new TenPoint StealthXLT is an upgraded versionof the popular Turbo thatwas in the 2010 model line.
TenPoint Stealth XLTContact Info TenPoint Crossbow Technologies™
www.tenpointcrossbows.comMAP (Stealth XLT with ACUdraw 50): $1,099.00 Finish: Realtree APGMAP (Stealth XLT with ACUdraw): $1,199.00 Stock: VertonStr ing/Cable Mater ial: D-75Limb Mater ial : Pultruded GlassPer formance at a Glance:
gun or bow. The Stealth XLTincludes tight contours andformfitting areas for grippingand shooting the crossbow;these facets remain the chiefselling point amongst theTenPoint Series and shouldmatch up well against your most prized gun or bow. Theproduct is topped off with a stock that is dipped inRealtree APG camouflage.
Testing BackgroundThe Stealth XLT went through a standard and regi-
mented performance test. The focus of these types oftests is to determine, for a specified product, the perfor-mance characteristics. Additionally, the goal is to providethose archers that enjoy shooting and/or hunting withappropriate objective information, as well as some sub-jective commentary, for aiding in the purchase process.With that said, this evaluation is by no means conclusive.Each archer should assess what is important to him or herand interpret the results within the context of this article.As always, I recommend that anyone who is consideringa crossbow, shoot as many different makes and models aspossible to determine what best suits their individualneeds and desires.
Please note: Due to the lack of testing methods andprocedures available for crossbows, testing guidelineswere developed and published in 2009. These testingguidelines remain unchanged since then and I continueto use these methods to evaluate crossbows forArrowTrade magazine.
Introduction TenPoint has diversified with two lines – the TenPoint
and 6Point Series, as well as with an entry-level WickedRidge brand that includes a mix of U.S. and overseascomponents. Models under the TenPoint series are gen-erally higher in price than either Wicked Ridge or 6Pointversions. However, I can tell you that the TenPoint Seriesline includes technical features you won’t find anywhereelse. The company states it has 15 patents with 14 morepending in the United States.
Many customers want to carry a crossbow with the lat-est advancements that is also fast and quiet. It’s franklyhard to find the crossbow that strikes the perfect balance ofall those elements. With recent advancements, good cross-bow designers are bringing us closer to having the best ofeverything. Along with that you’ll always have some thingsbeing promoted as advancements that really are cosmeticdodadds that have little or no positive effect on theshooting. Those I don’t get excited about. In my opinion,TenPoint has concentrated advancements on what willwork and is practical in the field. The company providesfeatures such as the ACUdraw 50, a handy, spring loadedrope cocking aid that stores on the crossbow. The tech-nology is unique and creates far less confusion in thefield than a conventional separate rope cocking aid.Other aspects such as the RangeMaster Pro Scope allowthe archer to account for variable speeds and drop com-pensation, making sighting and shooting even easier.What the company is doing with their products isstraightforward, and focused on offering technologiesthat are aimed at adding to the shooting experience.
I also find appealing features on the Stealth XLT’s thatyou don’t hear a lot about. These include: balance point,trigger contours, friction points, stock shape and cutouts.Shooting for enjoyment and shooting when it counts atgame animals can feel natural or awkward, depending onhow the crossbow fits you. The TenPoint Stealth XLT designfeels natural to me and I bet it will to most of your cus-tomers.
In my opinion, a good one word description aboutthe leadership of TenPoint is – strategic. Since 1994 thecompany has succeeded in a challenging environmentwhere new competitors are entering the market year byyear. Having a long-term strategy, creating strong newproducts each year and being able to deal effectivelywith many external factors has allowed this company to
continue to grow. They employ somethe brightest people and have builttheir reputation from the ground up.TenPoint seems to have a strong follow-ing in the market. Their products arepresent in most pro shops that I go into.Additionally, many archers that areinterested in crossbows and want tolearn more about the products avail-able start off by asking me my opinionof TenPoint: This confirms the popular-ity and the effectiveness of the compa-ny’s marketing campaigns.
The crossbow dimensions/weightsas measured out of the box are displayedin the chart at the top of this page.
Next, the crossbow went through a thorough inspec-tion. The review focused on string/cables, eccentrics,limb and limb pockets, rail, stock, butt plate, triggerhousing, trigger and trigger guard. After a thoroughreview of the Stealth XLT, I only found one minor blem-ish as there was a small amount of serving separation onone of the take up cables. No other blemishes werenoticed. Overall, I would rate the product exceptional inthe workmanship section.
Thereafter, I put the product through a 100-150 shotcycling to verify functionality. Some minor testing is per-formed, but the focus is to detect any issues or concernswith the product before starting the actual performancetesting. The Stealth XLT did very well through this testingand the string serving looked untouched after the test wascomplete. I would suggest that the archer recheck the boltsduring the early stages of shooting. After about 20-30 shotstwo bolts on the underside of the barrel loosened and hadto be retightened.
Detailed Test ResultsDynamic Efficiency: The dynamic efficiency portion
of the test utilizes a Revere Load-Cell controlled by awinch device; the load-cell connects to the crossbowwith a cocking aid. The crossbow is mounted in a shoot-ing platform that controls any movement that might beexperienced as Force-Draw curves are taken. The storedenergy obtained from the Force-Draw curve, is used inconjunction with speed measurements to calculatedynamic efficiency.
Speed per inch of Powerstroke: Speed measure-ments were taken with three projectiles. A PactChronograph XP and a Competition Electronics Pro-Chrono IR are set in tandem to record results. The aver-age speed measurement is divided by the powerstroke todetermine the speed per inch of powerstroke.
Noise Output: Sound measurements were record-ed with three projectiles. The measurements wereaveraged and the sound meter was set to take mea-surements with the A-weighted filter (which mimicsthe human ear).
Trigger Force: The Trigger Force measurements wererecorded in pounds and averaged. An Imada DigitalForce Gauge is used to determine the peak Trigger Force.
Precision Measurements: Provides an indication ofhow close groups were shot togetherwhen shooting by hand from a benchrest or other supportive device.Extreme spread is the method used tocalculate group size.
The Initial ReviewThe Stealth XLT required some
assembly out of the box. The stockassembly came complete with thescope mounted. The RangeMaster ProScope was boresighted from the facto-ry, which is a big plus for those thatwant to hit the range quickly.
Installation was made easy due to the detailed instructionsprovided in the assembly manual. The bow assemblyrequired mounting to the barrel. Be mindful of the cablesand string as either can make contact with sharp edgesas they are put into place. The Vibra-Cush componentgoes between the riser and barrel, creating a very tight fit.The component is made from glass filled nylon and is usedto help isolate the riser from the barrel, reducing the feltvibration. To seat the bow assembly, pull back on the stringtoward the trigger housing. Make sure to install all neces-sary hardware (all tools are provided with the package) andtighten each bolt and setscrew properly. For the final step,install the foot stirrup. Make sure the foot stirrup is posi-tioned properly, so that it does not block the path of thearrow. There are two cutouts in the stirrup. These cutoutsprovide areas for the setscrews to make contact with thestirrup after placement in the receiving holes. The StealthXLT is also quiver compatible, and instructions are detailedin the assembly manual.
Included in the package are the general instructionsmanual. This is a good thing to read from a shooting andmaintenance standpoint. Included in the manual arestring and cable specifications, which many manuals I’velooked over don’t have. Also included are the limited oper-ational warranty terms and conditions. I recommend thatany one that is considering buying this crossbow readthrough these terms in detail. There are strict rules thatmust be followed in order to activate the warranty andmake a claim.
In The FieldI took the Stealth XLT to one of my favorite hunting
spots. While in my treestand, I was able to shoot theStealth XLT from 20 to 40 yards. With targets spread in var-ious locations amongst the woods, I took aim. The StealthXLT maintains a good weight balance, and ideal balancepoint. Many archers believe that the optimal design con-sists of a balance point located directly at the center of theforearm. The Stealth XLT hits the nail on the head if that isthe case. A chief factor that eased my shooting is thethumbhole stock. As I mentioned early, I think a lot of uswant a product to shoot like a favorite gun or bow. Withregards to the Stealth XLT, the stock is almost identical tomy beloved muzzleloader. The benefit of the thumbholestock for me was increased stability and precision.
Having to aim at game during the twilight hours canbe difficult, assuming it is legal in your state to shoot dur-ing this time. The RangeMaster Pro Scope includes threeduplex crosshairs and four dots. The dots illuminate andhave an intensity setting, with a choice of red or green.This is ideal for hunting, and supported positive results inthe treestand shooting portion of my evaluation.
A big aspect of shooting, and in my case practicing forhunting season, is being able to easily cock a crossbow.During my practice sessions I carefully cocked andloaded the crossbow. It can be a difficult task cocking thecrossbow in a treestand. Awkwardness or loss of timewhen cocking the crossbow can be the difference in hav-ing a follow-up shot or not. The optional accessoriesoffered by TenPoint to reduce any clumsiness are theACUDraw 50 and the crank-style ACUDraw. Both areexceptional tools that provide a quick method to drawingthe crossbow, and in my humble opinion, these featuresare a must for any archer considering a TenPoint model.
Hot FeaturesThe Stealth XLT has a laundry list of hot components,
many of which I have already commented on. If you havea chance to check out TenPoint’s website or catalog there
is a pictorial of all the core features; many of which areexclusive to TenPoint. The benefits of these individual fea-tures will weigh differently for each of us. Here are the ele-ments that I felt stood out: Grip-Safety, Dry-Fire-Inhibitor(DFI), PowerTouch Trigger, GripGuard safety shield andambidextrous automatic safety. While shooting, I notedthe PowerTouch Trigger to be the primary reason for suchprecision results as documented herein. The trigger travelsa relatively short distance before reaching the break point.A trigger that is predictable and allows you to shoot consis-tently is a must; this feature undoubtedly does that.
Safety is a big factor when shooting, and in my case,evaluating products. The safety features of the Stealth XLTare comparable to only a few other products in the market.The DFI and Grip Safety are topnotch, since they justabout guarantee safe shooting and add to the overall valueof the Stealth XLT. The much simpler technologies such asthe GripGuard proved to be a good component. The guardwraps around the forearm, and acts as an ever-presentreminder that archers must keep their fingers and thumbout of the way of the string.
The Off-ShootWith most products, I can find things I do not feel work
well or could be improved upon. I really had a hard timepinpointing any component that I felt neededrework. There was only one aspect of thedesign that I felt could be changed. The XLTmodels do not possess an extruded aluminumone-piece stirrup/riser combo. This men-tioned feature is only present on CLS models.The lightweight stirrup on the XLT models is
utilized because it reduces weight, and is also capable ofdamping vibration and reducing sound. However, the stir-rup seems a bit flimsy to me and I believe it could be bentif it was subjected to hard use.
The other aspect that I felt could be looked at by thecompany are the bolts on the underside of the barrel,which loosened several times while shooting. I always rec-ommend checking and rechecking bolts to see if they haveloosened. Some may disagree with using adhesives forbolts but I believe the company should investigate this.There are several options available which may alleviate theconstant rechecking of bolts every 5-10 shots because ofthe shock and vibration present in the Stealth XLT.
Products such as Loctite and Nylock may help to seat thebolts and prevent them from coming loose and affectingaccuracy or safety.
OverviewTenPoint Crossbow Technologies is noted for produc-
ing premier crossbows. The company’s slogan “…the markof perfection,” defines the mission. Consumers are devot-ed to the company and expect TenPoint to continue todevelop the best-of-the-best when it comes to crossbowsand shooting accessories. A good example of the latter isthe new ACUrope, a retractable rope cocking aid whosehandles fit together into a compact, tangle free unit. WhileI recommend the ACUdraw or ACUdraw 50 built-in units,the ACUrope is a good option for those who want to shaveweight off their crossbow or who own another brand.
The Stealth XLT performed superbly during my test-ing. The results detailed herein prove the product performswell above average in almost every category. The product’squality and features are what will make the sale. Be sure tooffer an opportunity to shoot this product. Customers thatdo shoot the Stealth XLT will have a hard time letting thecrossbow out of their hands.
Special Thanks: I would like to thank the manufactur-er and sponsor who supported this event; without themand their support, this evaluation would never have beenpossible.
Scorpion Venom Archery Lubricants provided wax,lubricants and crossbow rail lube. The rail lube is usedexclusively during my testing. The rail lube is stated to havethe ability to increase speeds upward to 1-2 fps.
BCY Fibers is a premier supplier of bowstring and serv-ing material. They make a premier rope that I use in mydrawing device that works very well, is very resistant toabrasive materials and has good tensile strength.
