TenPoint Crossbow History
TenPoint Crossbow Technologies is based in Akron, Ohio, and all of their products are proudly American made by the most highly-skilled hands. The company itself was founded in 1994 by Richard “Rick” Bednar. Rick’s father is Archery Hall of Fame member Boll Bednar. His mother, Edith Bednar, is the founder of the Portage County Archery Center located in Suffield, Ohio.
Rick was raised by his father to become an elite tournament archer. Over the years, he followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming an accomplished and respected archer as he took a keen interest in the manufacture of top-quality crossbows, made right here in the USA. This led him to create TenPoint Crossbow Technologies, which has been in business now for 35 years.
1. TenPoint Titan SS
The TenPoint Titan SS crossbow is touted as one of the favorites among whitetail deer hunters due to its sturdiness and accuracy. It is the fastest, shortest, and most lightweight of the line of Titan crossbows, weighing in at just 6.7 lbs. The compact 35″ length and 18.5″ width from axle to axle makes for easy handling in a tree stand or a blind. The 12.5″ power stroke makes the TenPoint Titan SS easy to cock anywhere, from a tree stand or a blind, from a seated position on the ground, even while climbing. Arrow speed is recorded at a maximum speed of 340 FPS, which is fast enough for most hunting needs.
Tools necessary for full assembly are included with the crossbow, with the exception of a small Phillips screwdriver. This is needed for the male (Quick Disconnect) attachment to be connected to the quiver mount. Assembly time is approximately 30 minutes. This includes reading the assembly instructions.
The TenPoint Titan SS crossbow comes with a pre-installed, illuminated ProView II 3x scope, a standard TenPoint crossbow feature for more than a decade.
Pros
- Lightweight and Compact Design
- Known For its accuracy
- One of the best crossbows available in this price range
Cons
- Slower than many many other models
2. TenPoint Turbo GT
The TenPoint Turbo GT crossbow is an enhanced version of the company’s original Turbo GT model. The updated model was shortened by 3″, its weight was decreased by 0.5 lbs, and speed increased by 15 feet per second. These improvements have given the TenPoint Turbo GT the ability to achieve speeds as great as 360 FPS. This speed, combined with the kinetic energy of 107 ft-lbs released, makes it extremely easy for a hunter to take down big game.
In 2016, the TenPoint Turbo GT won the Reader’s Choice Award from Game and Fish magazine. Among the praises heaped on the Turbo GT were the model’s durability and design. It is made from excellent quality materials and made to last. The safety wings are constructed of reinforced nylon and their generous size protects the fingers from encountering the path of the string.
The camo-pattern print of the TenPoint Turbo GT allows the hunter to blend in with the surrounding area. The painted-on finish is also designed to be scratch and fade-resistant.
Users often praise the narrow width of the crossbow. Fully cocked the width is 13.5″, meaning that it can be handled easily and comfortably. Multiple aim points provide a variety of distance options and automatically compensate for arrow drop. The illuminated green/red reticle in the scope provides accurate shooting assistance in low light conditions.
Pros
- Award winning design
- Affordable option
- Durable
Cons
- While powerful enough for most uses, other options offer more power
- Louder than other models
3. TenPoint Venom
The TenPoint Venom crossbow features the type of build that every bowhunter looks for. The Venom is sturdy but lightweight and well-balanced. A smooth draw is provided by the HE cam systems and the 19.5″ carbon barrel provides a smooth arrow path.
The camouflage print, known as “mossy oak” helps the hunter to blend in with the surroundings. The Venom measures 34.6″ in length and 17.6″ from axle to axle. This easy-to-handle size makes the bow perfect for use by youth or adults.
TenPoint designed the Venom crossbow with safety in mind. The 3.5″ trigger features sufficient resistance to stop accidental misfires while remaining easy to pull. The stock is “bull pump” style. It fits securely and easily against the shoulder for accurate aim. The painful shock from vibrations is prevented by the HE cam system. A safety switch is in place on the crossbow to work with the dry fire inhibitor.
The TenPoint Venom delivers speeds of up to 372 FPS. Its draw weight is 185 lbs to quickly take down large game in a quick and humane kill. The included scope is accurate at distances up to 40 yards.
Pros
- Good draw weight
- Extremely accurate
- Lightweight and compact
Cons
- More expensive than other options listed above
4. TenPoint Stealth SS
The Tenpoint Stealth SS was designed to address the size issue that devoted TenPoint customers had with some of the older TenPoint models. Its main claim to fame is its Functionally Superior Bullpup (FSB) stock. This provides a shorter and more lightweight design.
The safety wings are formed by sets of inserts, two longer and four smaller ones, which serve to bed the rail and cut down on noise and shock. The shooter’s hand is protected by safety wings which prevent it from being exposed over the flight deck. The ribbing design on the bow’s butt plate and light checkering along the pistol grip provide a more secure grip for better control.
The aluminum rail is 19.6″ in length. A number of cutout areas provide a lighter overall weight. Consistent draw action and accuracy are provided by the angle of the top portion of the rail. This also eliminates pinched fingers. The rail features a combination scope rail and trigger box. The trigger provides a 3.5 lbs. pull and is mounted on a pivot-type rod with linkage attached.This design goes back to attach to a rocker beneath the trigger box.
The TenPoint Stealth SS weighs less than 7 lbs. Due to its lightweight design and exclusive XLT Technology, it is perfect for use in small, tight spaces. It’s 34.4″ length (axle to axle) and speed of 334 FPS makes this a favorite among serious hunters.
Pros
- Quality compact design
- Comes with a premium scope
Cons
- Does not come with arrows or a cocking device
5. TenPoint Vapor
The Vapor is one of the narrowest crossbows available. This and its 6 lbs weight makes it easy to pack and carry for a day of hunting. While slightly slower than other crossbows at 370 FPS, this crossbow is more than fast enough for all hunting needs. Its 165 lbs draw weight is fairly high for a recurve crossbow and should be enough to drop most targets without an issue.
Pros
- Fantastic accuracy
- Top quality safety features and ease of use features
- Good compact design that does not sacrifice much speed or power
Cons
- While worth the price, the cost is higher than the other options on this list
- Louder than other crossbows of its class
6. TenPoint NITRO XRT
The TenPoint NITRO XRT crossbow is an innovative crossbow that TenPoint Technologies says is unlike any other bow ever produced before. It delivers speeds that transcend previous industry models at 470 FPS. It generates an unheard-of 190 ft-lbs of power. Arrow trajectory is 25% flatter than previous models.
This exclusive model is manufactured with an assembly that features a reverse draw bow with a center-mounted riser. This delivers spectacular balance. When the riser is shifted from the crossbow’s front to the center, the nose-heavy feel that most crossbows have is eliminated.
This increases steadiness and maintains on-target crosshairs positioning. The unique reverse draw design delivers a superior level of accuracy and efficiency than traditional style bows. Greater speeds are generated by drawing the string back into and through the riser, making for a longer power stroke.
This also provides less poundage for a low vibration smooth shot that has been shown to be at least 3x quieter than other models. The Vector Quad exclusive 4-cable system and RX7 cams provide unmatched power and accuracy in nock-breaking. The EVO-X Marksman machined aluminum, fixed dovetail mounted scope provides superior optics. Hunters are extremely impressed with this crossbow model for hunting larger game.
Pros
- Extremely fast at 470 FPS
- Very powerful
- Innovative next-generation crossbow design
Cons
- This is the most expensive option from TenPoint. While it justifies this price, only the very dedicated will be able to afford this premium model.
7. TenPoint NITRO X
The TenPoint NITRO X features a number of standout technologies that mane it a top-of-the-line favorite. The limbs are 12.3″ and are manufactured using Gordon Composite materials. It also features innovative riser technology that has mid-bow riser placement rather than placement on the front end. This relocates the bow’s balance point, improving maneuverability so that the bow can be fired with only one hand.
RX7 cams use a cable groove with a spiral design to accommodate the crossbow’s Max Rotation system. Sling-shot technology produces an additional speed turbo boost of 10 to 15 FPS. Rather than the standard two cables, the NITRO X features Vector Quad Technology which utilizes 4 cables.
This model features an injection-molded stock as well as a foregrip feature that uses OnForce long-fiber thermoplastics material. This material provides impressive strength-to-weight ration and is better able to withstand the elements without becoming affected or damaged. It provides up to 440 FPS speeds and it weighs 7.8 lbs.
Pros
- Very high FPS
- One of the latest designs
- Takes advantage of the latest innovations for top of the line accuracy
Cons
- Fairly high price
8. TenPoint Stealth NXT
The TenPoint Stealth NXT is praised as the most accurate crossbow ever manufactured. It was given the distinction of being awarded the title of Crossbow of the Year in 2018. It features RX6 cams that rotate 340 degrees for incredible speeds. Fully cocked, the Stealth NXT measures just 6″ wide.
Speeds of up to 410 FPS are possible. Weighing in at just 7.3 lbs, it features a CX5 connection system that connects the riser and the barrel at 5 different points. The triple-piece C3 stock significantly reduces noise and vibration.
The butt place and rubber cheek piece are adjustable for a perfect fit. The trigger assembly features a dry-fire-inhibitor. A CNC machined aluminum standard riser is equipped with TenPoints Tri-Lock system to ensure alignment between limbs and pocket.
The Stealth NXT features a sound damping system as well as a noise dampening system. It comes fitted with a TenPoint Rangemaster pro scope. This model is considered to be an excellent upgrade to the previous TenPoint Stealth model.
Pros:
- Narrow and compact design
- Higher than average FPS
- Quitter than most crossbows
Cons
- At almost 8 lbs. it is fairly heavy for a compact bow
9. TenPoint Shadow NXT
The TenPoint Shadow NXT led the way when the crossbow market underwent a significant change in 2017. New, innovative models appeared on the scene with great results and features.
The Shadow NXT delivers speeds of up to 380 FPS. This means it is fast enough and powerful enough to hunt any type of North American big game. Trigger accuracy is highly impressive with a smooth breaking trigger that meets the 3.5 lbs. specifications.
Axle to axle, the bow measures 6.5″ when cocked. This greatly improves maneuverability, especially in a ladder stand or on the ground in a blind. The manual rope sled features a pull weight of 200 lbs. with a 12.2″ power stroke.
The crossbow features a set of 4 Vector Quad cables that work with the Shadow NXT technology to change the design that previously required the cables to move through the frame, extending cable longevity by cutting down on friction. It delivers 380 FPS speeds. The Shadow NXT features anti-dry-fire functioning. Here, however, it goes one step further and allows for the manual release of the string from the anti-dry-fire system should it become necessary. A brush-type arrow retention device operates the fire control system. The Shadow NXT has received rave reviews among customers.
Pros
- Very small design makes maneuverability easy
- High FPS model
Cons
- Relatively heavy, especially for such a small frame
Comparison
Given the history and the excellent track record that TenPoint Crossbow Technologies has in the world of crossbow manufacturing, these models speak for themselves. All TenPoint crossbows have their own strong points to recommend and many have unique features that are model specific. Hunters of mid-size to the largest North American game have a number of models to choose from based on their own personal preferences and hunting habits.
From the TenPoint NITRO XRT to the TenPoint Stealth SS, rated at the top of the crossbow market to the up-and-coming TenPoint Titan SS and TenPoint Venom, it is easy to see that TenPoint crossbows are the finest made.
Super-lightweight models like the Vapor are sized to be used by younger archers and those looking for a smaller lighter option. Every model on this list offers innovative features that stabilize focus and provide high-speed firing power in order to deliver a quick, clean, humane kill, there is a model with the perfect set of features for every hunter.
Pricing also plays a part in choosing among the top models. There is something for everyone, whether for recreational hunting or competitive crossbow events. From beginners to professionals, TenPoint offers a crossbow for any level of experience, and each model is created with the same pride and attention to detail that makes this American company tops in their field.