TenPoint Vapor Crossbow Review

The TenPoint Vapor crossbow is designed to last for years together without any compromise on performance, accuracy or safety. In such a scenario, it is important to consider all the pros and cons of the crossbow before finalizing the purchase.

You should consider your present as well as future requirements when comparing bows. Your crossbow you choose to buy should be versatile enough to work well even as you gain more experience at hunting or practicing archery with a crossbow. Yet, it should not be too complicated to use in the immediate present.

Here is an overview of the various features of the impressive top of the range TenPoint Vapor, along with a summary of its pros and cons.

Package

The TenPoint Vapor package consists of the crossbow itself, with the stock and bow assembly, a TenPoint RangeMaster Pro scope, a quiver that can hold three arrows, six 420-grain bolts, the AcuDraw 50 mechanism for cocking the rope and the owners manual and DVD.

The quiver can be detached, which is a cool option if you want to make the bow lighter when focusing on your target. The package comes in a soft case that allows you to travel with the crossbow to the target range or the nearest forest without worrying about damage or wear and tear. The soft case is light when compared to a hard case but some may prefer a harder option than the package offers.

Our Rating: (4.9 / 5)

Design

The crossbow incorporates Parallel Limb Technology, which is evident from the narrow shape and design of this crossbow. The compact design enhances functionality and makes it easier to use it for hunting or for sports and range shooting. The bow is sturdy and strong weighing in at 6.8 pounds and the narrow design certainly makes the bow feel light and functional in the hand.

Looks wise, the black and camo finish provides good camouflage and looks mean to boot. While serious crossbow users like to pretend that aesthetics and appearances dont matter, the truth is, using a sleek and classy-looking crossbow like TenPoint Vapor certainly enhances the overall experience.

Assembly

The bore-sighted scope comes mounted on the crossbow, which means that you dont have to spend a lot of time assembling all the parts together. You just have to affix the riser to the stock and fix the quiver to the bow to start using it. Easy assembly and compact design makes the TenPoint Vapor suitable for even those without a lot of experience assembling and using high-end crossbows.

Easy assembly is a significant plus that makes this bow suitable for amateurs as well as experts.  The bow requires minimal assembly and fine tuning and offers fantastic accuracy from the first arrow itself.

Power and Range

The arrow shoots out off the rail at around 360 feet per second. This performance is impressive, especially when considering that fact that the bow is smaller and narrower than most others. The power generated by the TenPoint Vapor allows you to target objects and animals 40-60 yards away without having to worry about accuracy and produces an unwavering shot.

To put the power of this crossbow in perspective, you will have close to twice the minimum kinetic energy required to take out the biggest legal game in North America, the grizzly bear. If you love hunting, then the TenPoint Vapor is going to give you a lot more power to enjoy the thrill of the hunt.

Handling and Accuracy

While bow weighs just a shade less than seven pounds, a fully-loaded TenPoint Vapor with the quiver and scope attached weighs around 8.5 pounds. While this may seem like a negative for those who prefer lighter bows, the power that this crossbow packs makes it a great option. Considering the force with which the bow spits out its arrows, the 8.5 pounds weight is not a significant negative.

With an axle-to-axle length of just 17.5 inches, the narrow frame and balanced distribution of weight makes crossbow handling a very easy and simple affair. The noise-dampening features are really effective in ensuring your prey does not get distracted when cocking the arrows. In any case, the game is going to have very little time to react once the arrow is released.

Sight

The TenPoint Vapor comes with a 530 mm scope with five dots indicating 10-yard increase in distances starting at 20 yards and ending at 60 yards. You can illuminate the dots in red or green, depending on your personal preference.

The scope comes with an in-built mechanism to adjust brightness depending on the external light conditions. The 7/8-inch machined mount on which the scope is mounted is firm and stable letting you focus on the target without any accuracy-related worries.

The scope has been designed to withstand a lot of punishment so dont be surprised if you find perfect accuracy even after multiple hunting expeditions and trips to the nearest archery range.

Arrows

The 22-inch 420-grain arrows fly straight and true every time you let it rip. The crossbow comes with six arrows, and while you can always opt for aftermarket arrows, it is advisable not to go below 400-grain arrows for this crossbow.

The power specs of this bow are applicable to the 420-grain arrows. Choosing a heavier arrow may affect the power and speed at which the arrow is released. However, the heavier arrow will do more damage over shorter distances.

While the bow can easily handle heavier arrows, you may not need this considering the immense power that the bow generates at the time of release of the arrows.

Cocking Mechanism

Like its design and weight, the cocking mechanism too has been designed for maximum functionality and performance with minimum effort. The bow has a draw weight of 16 pounds, which is, considering the performance of the bow, pretty impressive. You dont have to put in a lot of power when cocking the crossbow, meaning you can shoot arrow after arrow without having to worry about tired forearms and unstable wrists.

For an expensive hunting device, the AcuDraw 50 cocking mechanism is the low-cost option that integrates the cocking device into the butt of the crossbow. For some, this is a convenient option that ensures minimum movement of the hands and the body when cocking a new arrow into the crossbow. For others used to AcuDraw, this may seem slightly awkward.

You can always opt for an aftermarket cocking mechanism of your choice if you dont like the default option. Personal preferences apart, the bow allows you to cock, reload, and fire without a lot of strain and is a great option.

Construction

If you make the great choice of opting for TenPoint Vapor you should bear in mind that this may be the only crossbow you buy in a very long time. A strong build quality that uses quality materials designed to withstand rigorous usage, you may just not be inclined to buy another crossbow once you get used to the TenPoint Vapor.

While the stock may be the most glamorous part of this crossbow, the actual work is done by the string and cables, which are designed to be long lasting without getting frayed or losing its tautness even with regular usage. With this bow in your hand, you can focus on the target without worrying about the strength of its parts and components.

Safety

Safety is always the top priority of every serious crossbow user, and the TenPoint Vapor is designed to ensure your safety is never at risk when using the bow. The GripSafety feature on the side of the foregrip ensures you are never at risk of getting your hand tangled with the string when firing the bow.

Further, the anti dry-fire features ensure you never have to worry about the bow going off on its own and getting damaged. The lightweight design makes it easier for even amateur crossbow users to handle the TenPoint Vapor without any risk of injuries or mishaps.

Pros

Well, the TenPoint Vapor is a great value for money buy with many positive features. A quick summary of the crossbows plus points would include:

Cons

Vapor offers very little scope for complaint. However, there is no such thing as a perfect crossbow (although this is as near), so if were going to picky then the package could use a padded sling rather than soft case but this is probably an accessory that many would prefer to buy separately anyway.

Lastly some may see its price as an issue but let me say that from a value-for-money perspective, the bow is a great purchase due to quality and longevity. However you do get what you pay and it does come with a slightly steep price tag. This may be a deterrent for those working on a tight budget.

Conclusion

On the whole, the TenPoint Vapor is a crossbow that no serious enthusiast can afford to ignore. Made by a reputed name in the industry, the model combines functionality, aesthetics, power, and accuracy in a single package for a truly enjoyable experience. This is a firm recommendation irrespective of whether you want a bow for just shooting arrows for sport or for game hunting activity in the wild outdoors.